Crossing the Gulf of Carpentaria from QLD to the NT in 2.5 days. The Wessel Vessels gathered at Boyd Point for sundowners to have a chat about the crossing the Gulf of Carpentaria and to grab a group photo. 8 vessels are crossing together, Ian off Humpy a last-minute addition. This is our first crossing and first continuous night sail and another milestone for Paradise.

Continuing on our Lap of Australia on Paradise – I had a few days back home to see my family, puppies and to celebrate my mum's birthday. It's great to travel, but there's no place like home. The Nautilus shells made it safely home, thank goodness. Back in Weipa, the replacement G-zero arrived, and it was successfully rigged onto Paradise. John also replaced the continuous furling line for the boom, which is a Dyneema core.

Continuing on our Lap of Australia on Paradise – The Gulf of Carpentaria is the breeding ground for cyclones in the first 3 months of the year, luckily we will be well clear of the Gulf by then.

Continuing on our Lap of Australia on Paradise – The Torres Strait Islands are in the centre of the windiest trade wind in the world. Tides are fickle and can be unpredictable. The Arafura Sea to the west and the Coral Sea to the east experience different tidal ranges and times. There's also the confluence of tidal streams running around TI to deal with. We caught up with some other boaties who have been waiting for weeks for a weather window to...

Continuing on our Lap of Australia on Paradise – We pushed to the tip of mainland Australia in one long day. Leaving Cape Grenville at 0400hrs and arriving at Shallow Bay just before the top of Cape York before sunset at 1800hrs. It was only the two of us on Paradise, and it was the first time that John had a little sleep during the day, and I was at the helm, it's nice to see him relaxed. We officially became part of a group of seven Cats sailin...