Departing Darwin- Darwin stay, Barunga , to Port Keats

Brave Bodi with Mimis,Barunga
Gunlom.pool above falls
Rock painting                                            Bodi looking for mate Bob
View from Ubirr,nth.Kakadu
DEPARTING DARWIN !
The saga continues-after a nine-month stay in Darwin we’re on our way again.Bill’s six month employment with Nautical Supplies spun out to nearly eight.The Wet and its almost intolerable humidity is over and the Dry-one perfect day after another,and no rain at all has arrived.We enjoyed our time there, met many new friends, and got to know The Top End and experience its unique character-to say nothing of the many unique characters we lived amongst at the anchorage at Sadgrove’s Creek and Dinah Beach Yacht Club.
Main highlights of our season in Darwin were:
Our frequent visits with Ben and Bianca- a Barunga Xmas, Barunga Sporting and Cultural Festival in June,following our tour of Kakadu in B& B’s 4wd camper,including a flight over the most interesting areas.
Bought our car in November, which made activities and exploring Darwin much easier-and Bodi could visit the beach-if not for a swim.Sold it to other ‘boaties’ two days before leaving.
We bought a new autopilot and chartplotter-now appreciating the new technology.As well other equipment was installed-the cockpit seats were recovered; a new boomtent and outside window covers were designed and made with the help of friends.The long-suffering headsail was professionally renovated and Bill spent most of his weekends improving Two XS.Our ‘ducky’ has a new owner, and we are now equipped with a tinny,called Rudolph for the red nose we installed to avoid damage,and a new 9.8 Tohatsu. Apparently,crocs don’t take bites out of aluminum as readily as rubber.
Low tide at Port KeatsTwoXS, laden with supplies, finally set sail for the Kimberley and beyond on June 24.A wonderful first night out was spent at Bare Sand Is.,a tiny islet with only one tree but heaps of sand-a mecca for egg-laying turtles at this time of the year.We followed one lady up the beach watching her lengthy nest-digging,laying and cover-up-it takes 50 days for their hatching.
Busy turtle
      After anchorages at Point Jenny-beautiful beach,then CapeScott we  made Port Keats-not a port at all,just an inlet.On the beach here we found a tidal pool for a long-awaited swim.
    Next morning we found that the compressor on our freezer had died,and although we had another electrical system for backup,and no food was spoilt,we decided to return to Darwin for repairs,as we had a freezer expert to help us there.In fact, he generously lent us his spare vehicle during our stay.However, freezer fixed, we were ready to leave again,and the generator which we use for 240volt power failed-new alternator needed-a week’s wait for it to arrive from Adelaide.Bill is at present finishing off the installation,and we hope to leave tomorrow.
Maybe as we are setting out so late in the season we will have the wind against us further down the coast and will have to return to Darwin for another Wet season!!