We left Darwin at 1315 on 3/9 having victualled up to last us a month, and taken on 600 litres of diesel & 800 litres of water - another 1 1/2 tons so it's no wonder Hygeia is down on her marks!

Since we left Darwin 3 days ago we have had cloudles skies and shimmering heat with no wind, so the iron topsail has been hard at work.

Darwin disappeared rapidly into the heat haze, and it was wonderful to feel that old familiar motion under our feet, as Hygeia dug her bows into the ocean swell. No other boats, though we had our customary visitation from the Ozzie coastwatch, no doubt on the watch for another Tampa. Quite a lot of wild-life - whales, dolphins, sea-snakes, and sundry unidentifiable birds. We are now only 65 miles from West Timor, and are beginning to see other ships - the Indonesian fishing vessels look like rather elongated Chinese junks without sails: each time we see one it induces a frisson of anxiety, though fortunately no one showing any sign of interest in us.

Will stop now as the kettle has boiled: despite the heat (34+) we still enjoy our afternoon cuppa!

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