Arrival at Red Island - 24-25 September
Moonshadow of London
Peter Mantle
Sun 26 Sep 2010 10:22
Left for the northern tip - Cape York - of Australia at 0645 with a stop planned at the Escape River if we needed to wait for favorable currents at Albany Pass. As it worked out, we were there at the right time, so we pressed northward through the pass around 0600 the next morning and arrived in the Arafura Sea and Red island at around 0900.
We had a splendid full moon rise as we journeyed northward and navigated the shipping channel while avoiding large vessels. Paul prepared a yummy pork chop dinner for us with fried potatoes and baked beans that evening.
We took a run ashore at Red Island onto the mainland shore to a small aboriginal settlement called Seisia. The cafe/bar was closed, the internet cafe was closed, the two shops were closed but a signpost enticingly proclaimed a Supermarket in close proximity and not only was it open it had air con and stacks of fresh fruit and veg'. We returned to the boat laden with goodies.
The beach has a memorial to someone killed by a croc and the pilot book advises against standing in the water whilst getting into or out of the dinghy. Apparently the crocs like to patrol the shallows!
The locals didnt seem well disposed towards us and smiles were few.
The wind was heavy with woodsmoke coming from big fires in the backwoods. Possibly slash and burn. Apart from the area around Seisia the countryside looks untouched by humans.