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Crocodile Alley

I have been a bit quiet on the blog front, thanks to two things: seas that felt like a bucking bronco which doesn't make typing easier and being glued to GRIBs and weather reports trying to find a decent weather window. Let's just say conflicting forecasts don't exactly make it easy to knock off some miles on this weather challenged trip.

We pulled in for a few hours yesterday afternoon and then set sail from our temporary anchorage  just before sunset, aiming to make some good easting. For a few hours, things were perfect - light winds and smooth sailing. But then, whammo! The wind kicked up to 30 knots, trying to shove us further north than I wanted to be.

Good news: the wind's eased off a bit. And we are able to keep on our easterly heading to find some shelter from land later today. Our weather advisor, a seaworthy sage in these choppy conditions, recommended this as the most prudent course of action.

Thankfully, the chart shows a few anchoring options. There are places with names that'd make any sailor shudder: Crocodile Island, North Crocodile Island, Crocodile Bay, Crocodile Cove, North East Crocodile Island... you get the picture. One thing I've learned after decades at sea: if there's a reef pass called "The Serpent's Mouth" nearby, and a few miles further on another called "Peaceful Pass," always go for Peaceful Pass! Never anchor in "Hurricane Bay," "Mosquito Cove," or anything that begins with crocodile.

Thankfully, a few hours further east is a much better bet than Crocodile Beach: Refuge Bay. No idea what kind of refuge it offers, but if it's croc-free, I'll be happy! The name itself sounds like a good sign after this windy adventure.

We are sailing towards calmer waters hopefully without any reptilian roommates!


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