Hello from Seisia

Dawn found us sailing round the tip of Cape York, following in Capt Cook's wake; he was celebrating having clear water ahead at last and having reached the end of the reefs that had caused him so much trouble. There are lots of little islands around here but they are easy to see and mostly steep to.

At one stage we were doing 7 knots in 6 knots wind as we had left early to get the tidal flow. By 9am we were anchored between Red Island and the little township of Seisia. This is the destination for the 4-wheel drive tours that do the 'far north' trip. Consequently there is a camp site with laundry and lots of drying lines, a kiosk for ice creams and snacks, and a small but very well stocked supermarket. Prices higher but then you would expect it here so far from anywhere.

It's a dry little place of red dust and scrub, mostly aboriginal inhabitants. Notices in the supermarket say no school age children allowed in the shop between 8am and 3pm; truancy is a big problem as is alchohol. Unemployment is huge. Nevertheless the town is neat and clean, plenty of government money pumped in I should imagine.

Still haven't seen a croc though there are warning signs on the beach - don't paddle or swim, be careful launching dinghies, don't gut fish on the beach. Not that the locals seem to take much notice.

We'll be here a few days until conditions are right to cross the Gulf of Carpenteria.