After a brisk passage from Vanuatu across the Coral Sea, WIDAGO safely arrived in Queensland, Australia last night. Upon entering the Great Barrier Reef, we had a hundred mile motor into light winds, guided by pods of migrating humpbacks, sea snakes, and bottlenose dolphins – an absolutely spectacular finish to a difficult, less than favorite, passage.
As with many things in our lives, and especially as sailors (can I really call myself that? yikes! salty!), we constantly evaluate, negotiate, and restructure our plans….even the MoFAP is a fluid document. So once again, our plans are shifting somewhat. WIDAGO will be “Put to bed”, “Strapped down on the hard”, “Taking a sabbatical” down under in Australia for the next year, while her crew heads back to the States for a time out, see family, and throw snowballs out west.
Our plan is return to the water next summer (June/July 2017) to continue our exploration through the Great Barrier Reef, Whitsunday Islands, and beyond.
Cheers!
Ali
Dear Widago, I am glad to hear you changed your plans again – taking a break and continue your journey! I follow your blog since we met last year after ARC Europe 2015 (I sailed with SY Zingara and we had dinner in Horta together).
Enjoy your time in Down Under and in the US.
Yes, a break will do you good….good idea..
We are SO PSYCHED to see all y’all and safe travels!!! 🙂
good morning! michael and i follow your blog with great interest and enjoyment. your trip has been amazing and your grit impressive. way to go, widago. it was a surprise to read about your revised plans this morning!! it makes sense to me, after the greeting you received coming into the great barrier reef. wow! mchael and i look forward to your return to the states and hoping to talk with you about things as we are seriously thinking about making the crossing in song 1 come fall. wishing you safe travels and return for your year of regathering. cassie (arnold) allgoodthings!
Yeah, Widago is off the for sale block — and just as I was about to put in an offer!
Looking forward to seeing you guys during your stateside time…
Love,
BB
Hey y’all! great news to see that you have arrived safely in Oz. What an amazing greeting after what sounded like a bit of a grim trip – loved the photo of you with the pillows over your face, I can sooo sympathise! We are still in French Poly – fabulous steaks in Bora Bora Yacht Club last night…. heading round to the east side in a day or so. Summoning up the courage for an ocean passage in a few weeks. Enjoy your trip around Oz. xxxxxx
Psyched you are coming home. Cant wait yo hear the stories!
Hi all aboard Widago! This is Jacqui from Zoom. We wondered what happened to you guys. Sounds like a great plan and much needed land time. We too completed our travels in Brisbane. If you are ever in Seattle please contact us and we will take you out for a sail!!!