We left Gove yesterday, and spent the night in a glorious anchorage - white sand beach, fringing reef etc, but as usual no swimming or paddling because of the crocs. With the exception of Lizard Island (now christened Blizzard Island due to the wind) we haven't had the chance of a single swim because of them since we left Cairns. They're protected, and now more people are killed by crocs than crocs by people! There was a big one in Gove yesterday.

These islands are all Aboriginal land, and one shouldn't land without a permit. The race issue in Oz is a serious problem, though discussing it is a bit taboo: many Australians refer to Aboriginals in terms chillingly reminiscent of the South Africans of 20 years ago

We leave today for Darwin, though our way is blocked by the Wessel Islands which extend NE for a hundred miles. Our way through is via the Hole in the Wall (or Gugari Rip) - a mile long gap only 65 m wide which has a fearsome reputation - the tide can go through at up to 10 knots - but if we have the tides right it should be okay. Then only 390 miles to Darwin.