Thursday, September 25, 2008

Darwin Update

Zac has delayed his departure one more day as the tides will be just that much higher making passing the sandbars less dangerous. He will be leaving tomorrow (Saturday in Darwin) around 3:00 - 4:00pm which is about 11:30 pm PDT on Friday here.

It appears that Zac won't be blogging from Darwin. He has been unable to get his computer to cooperate with the WiFi there. He is quite busy and the weather is extremely hot and humid. He has been doing a lot of skateboarding lately since Laurence left with the rental car. I'm sure he wouldn't mind me saying that he is greatly indebted to Mr. John Knight who has been guiding and advising him since before the Torres Strait. Lately, he has been driving Zac here and there and helping him with some of his boat worklist. With a lifetime a seafaring and navigational experience, John is a rare diamond who has played a huge part in Zac's stay in Darwin.

There are a few other people to be thanked while we're at it here. Mike and Sue from Spot On Marine have been a tremendous help to Zac. They not only furnished the yard but were very efficient and professional during the duration of Zac's stay. Allistair and Victoria from Monsson Marine had Zac and Laurence over for dinner the evening before Laurence left. Their twin daughters, Lucy and Lexi, were so sweet and full of zeal! They even persuaded Zac to read them a bedtime story. They thoroughly enjoyed an Australian feast

























John Knight with chart of the Northern Territory Coast.



















Intrepid at Spot On Marine







































Mike and Sue from Spot on Marine






Allistair of Monsoon Marine and his wonderful family. I think Zac enjoyed having some little 'sisters' again even if for just a night.




















Dan and daughter Madeline from the Cornucopia Motel. Dan furnished and skippered the power boat to go out and see Zac.



















Jen Edney - the face behind the camera!

30 Comments:

Blogger Diane Wilkinson said...

thanks Laurence or Marianne for the post. I think of Zac every day and miss him/you if we do not hear of his activities. God Bless.Diane

September 25, 2008 at 10:51 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

HI, ZAC! MY NAME IS MOSES. I READ ABOUT YOU FROM AN ARTICLE IN "GOD'S WORLD NEWS". I AM ALSO HOMESCHOOL AND NOW IN 4TH GRADE. I AM NINE YEARS OLD AND HAVE BEEN ON MY GRANDPA'S SAILBOAT. WE LIVE ON THE BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII. MAYBE YOU CAN SAIL HERE SOMEDAY. I HOPE YOU COME BACK SAFE! FROM,MOSES

September 25, 2008 at 11:00 PM  
Blogger Diane Andrews Writing said...

Fantastic. I wish you luck with the next stage and hope you find other wonderful people along the way to help you.

September 25, 2008 at 11:32 PM  
Blogger Anita said...

Hello!

As always many thanks to everyone who has a hand helping Zac, he's an amazing young man; and for the post and photos, well done!!

Zac, looks like you've made some life long friends! Lovely you took the time to read the girls a bedtime story, it's the little things that mean the most :)& I'm sure they loved it!

Love the port side cross on Intrepid's hull, isn't it wonderful to have Him in your life!! <><

You'll be putting in and sadly this weekend I'll be hauling "Wombat" out.....but no worries I'll have my sailing adventures through you!! I'm sure it will make winter time here flow a little better!

When you have time to open your letters and packages, let me know if you had a good laugh when you saw mine....told you I wasn't kidding...I take plaque removal very seriously....a collective rolling of eyes.....LOL!!! At your next stop I'll send along the book I just finished.

Well, sail on Captain Zac, rest assured the Zac Pac has you covered in prayer.

Anita
Waterloo, NY USA

September 26, 2008 at 2:21 AM  
Blogger davejb851 said...

Nice to hear all is well, shipwise. It's quite amazing when one lives in the U.S., and suddenly realizes just how different things might be in other parts of the globe.

Zac, keep safe, the sails smoothly filled, and heading west (well sort of west). The adventure continues and we will all be here waiting for the next bit of news.
With thoughts and prayer headed your way.

September 26, 2008 at 2:34 AM  
Blogger Vasyl Pawlowsky said...

Hats off to all the wonderful people down under who helped Zac out...
Vasyl
Kyiv, Ukraine

September 26, 2008 at 3:32 AM  
Blogger Willyboy said...

Thanks, Marianne! Sorry to hear the WiFi is not cooperating and I hope it clears up once Zac is under way - not so much so he can post, though I know everyone would love that, more so he can easily communicate on the next leg.

More great photos... And, you know, I have a real suspicion that Zac is a wonderful bedtime story reader!

Cheers all...

willy
milford, ohio

September 26, 2008 at 4:45 AM  
Blogger Douglas Pistone said...

Hello Team Sunderland & Everyone,

We'll it's great to hear some good news. Hopefully since Zac is leaving one day later this will ensure his safety on his way out of Darwin.

We will miss hearing from Zac since the computer problem hasn't been fixed but I'm sure Team Sunderland will be there to step in and help.

A big Thank You to everyone who took care of Zac while in Darwin. It seems like Zac had many kind and sharing Australians willing to help Zac with his immediate needs, Thanks Again.

Finally we see a picture of Jen rather than all the pictures she was taking. Even though we all enjoyed her pictures it was really great to see the actual face behind the camera. Thanks Jen for everything you have done during Zac's Adventure. You have really brought life to all the bloggers here through your pictures. You have an amazing talent and I'm glad to see you're using this talent for all the bloggers to view your amazing pictures, Thanks Again.

Have a safe journey Zac. Our prayers will be with you on your journey out of Darwin and this entire next leg.

Get Ready to Sail,
Douglas Pistone
MDR, Caklifornai

September 26, 2008 at 6:02 AM  
Blogger Daveh said...

Great Picture of Jen, has that seriously serious look!

Good call on the extra high tides, takes the edge off the navigation, especially if there are night passages...

Dave

September 26, 2008 at 6:17 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi, Zac,
Hope the departure goes well. We'll be praying for you.

Your friends from NPCA,
Adriana, Kirsten, Jay, Haley, James, Katrina, and Ms. Donna H.

North Richland Hills, TX

September 26, 2008 at 6:56 AM  
Blogger Mouse on a Motorcycle said...

I just got the new "Cruising World" (October 2008) yesterday. On page 31, there's a full page ad for UK Halsey sails, and most of the ad is a photo of Intrepid wearing her set, with our own indomitable Mr. Sunderland at the helm.

Golly, but that's a pretty boat...

There's even a link to the website in the ad, just in case any sailor hadn't already heard about Zac!

May Adonai favor Zac on the next leg of his journeys, spiritual, personal, and marine.

Still praying daily Numbers 6:24-26
Mouse in Whittier
www.myspace.com/mouseonamotorcycle

September 26, 2008 at 7:54 AM  
Blogger Mona said...

Thanks so much for the wonderful pictures. It's great to have a face put to the name.

I'll be sending good thoughts and prayers Zac's way this morning as he (hopefully) catches the tide leaving Darwin.

Mona
Tucson, AZ

September 26, 2008 at 8:02 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sorry to say this, but hopefully the next time they're invited into someone's home for dinner, they'll have the courtesy to remove their hats.

September 26, 2008 at 8:17 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Waiting for a higher tide sounds like a plan!

We're all here with our duffles and waiting to start the next leg.

Our collective thoughts are expressed so well by the participants of this blog that I can add nothing.

I make a comment just to feel that I'm still here on this adventure.

The Croaker

September 26, 2008 at 8:48 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

hope the next bit of your trip goes well.
I'm sure the little girls enjoyed their bedtime story. :-) Great pictures.
God bless you.
~Jessica and Rosemary from Canada

September 26, 2008 at 8:58 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hello Team Sunderland!
Glad to know Zac is back and ready to sail....yes, thank you Jen for all the pics and thanks to all 'downunder' who have helped Zac reach his goal so far...please keep tracking him and keep him in prayer for the next leg...unto Cape Hope or islands before?
Thanks also to the bloggers that keep this line open and current...I don't write often, but I read the contents everyday and appreciate all of you very much. Our mutual concern for Zac and his safety is what is important here. thanks again!
Betty E.in Lomita, CA (Palos Verdes Library District)

September 26, 2008 at 9:45 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for all of the great pictures. So nice to put faces with the names of all of those wonderful people who have been helping Zac. We really appreciate all that you've done.

Zac, our thoughts and prayers are with you as you head out tomorrow.

God bless!
Jennifer
Sherman Oaks, CA

September 26, 2008 at 11:33 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thanks for the update and huge thanks for everyone that has been so integral to helping Zac in Darwin and the entire endeavor... Looking forward to reading the next blog chapter.

Keeping you in my prayers for safety, continued kindness across the world, and for help with your finances for this trip -- with everything going on and a few mentions previously about it, I'm concerned that lack of funds might get in the way of Zac's goal and all he & many others have worked so hard for. I certainly hope that's not the case! I understand you're working on book/TV/movie (?) deals -- I hope something comes through to help Zac with this dream.

Keep us posted as always.

Peace, Your Oklahoma Well-Wisher

September 26, 2008 at 12:59 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Zac-
We'll be thinking of you this evening as you catch that high tide out of Darwin-
as always, keep smilin' and fair winds to you.
KOdiak Mike

September 26, 2008 at 1:27 PM  
Blogger Fulgum said...

OK..........an error wiped out my post entry last night.

It's so great to see all these new pics of Zac and Darwin. We're not in OZ but we can almost feel like we were there. Thanks to Jen and everyone else that contributed.

Best of luck on your next leg, Zac. First the Indian Ocean and then AFRICA!!!!!

:)

Scott

September 26, 2008 at 1:38 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

My Name is Johanna Johnson-Gilman. My father, Allan Johnson Jr. was the previous owner of the boat Zac is currently sailing. Unfortunately, my father recently passed away and we are not able to locate his documents indicating the sale of his boat to Zac. Is there any way you can provide a copy of the Bill of Sale for me? We need this to settle a property tax issue for the boat. Please contact me at johannagilman@aol.com.

Thank you.

September 26, 2008 at 2:31 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey Zac--
I'm 16, and homeschooled too. And like Moses, I saw your story in God's World News, and all over the Internet. =) I just wanted to let you know that it's a great encouragement to me, knowing that you're trusting Christ with this awesome expierence. Stay faithful and know that God is using you in some pretty sweet ways!
--Caley

September 26, 2008 at 2:32 PM  
Blogger Debbie said...

What else is there to say, that everyone of the ZacPackers hasn't already said. Ditto....from me too!!

I just wanted to let Zac know I am thinking of him and excited for him to start his next leg of his journey.

Zac, you have accomplished so much in your 3 1/2 month adventure, and I am in awe of what you have done. I can't believe you have been gone for almost 4 months!! I hope that all the repairs went well and that Intrepid is as sea worthy as she was when she left Marina Del Rey.She is a beautiful boat!

So for now, I just wanted to tell you I will be thinking about where you are everyday, and pray for just enough wind to get you to your next destination.

Lots of prayers coming your way!

Debbie
North Hills, CA

September 26, 2008 at 6:37 PM  
Blogger Tomi said...

Ditto to the positive comments already stated!

HUGS!
Tomi/ATL

September 26, 2008 at 8:02 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

A new lurker is about hiding behind 'anonymous' and leaving no name.

I'm referring the the wanna-be Miss Manners who commented on wearing the hats indoors.
I'm confident that he is referring to Zac's and Laurence's caps.

I know the conventional rule of wearing 'cover' indoors that applies to the customs of the USA, but can find no reference that proscribes is as universal. I can assure anyone that Australians have their own ways of doing things.

The Croaker

September 26, 2008 at 10:50 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

NOT removing your hat at someone's dinner table is like showing them your middle finger after dessert!

as universal as removing your shoes in the Orient, shaking hands with your right and thanking someone with a nod after they've helped. Come on, it was an oversight - his mom wasn't with him!

September 27, 2008 at 12:08 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Well said "Croaker" us Zac packers are just like an extended family as im sure the family hosting dinner was too.. rules DO NOT APPLY around family and obviously the bloger who posted that poop is not part of this family..sounds like they wish they were half the man Zac is.. enough said..
Laura MacDougal
Bermuda Dunes Ca

September 27, 2008 at 7:57 AM  
Blogger Willyboy said...

OK, I'm in a silly mood or else I'd just leave it alone... First, looking at the picture in question, I'm not certain it's "inside" so much as a covered patio. Second, commentary on hat etiquette in this blog is even sillier than discussing hair length.

But then some chuckles between friends is always good. :)

Cheers all...

willy
milford, ohio

September 27, 2008 at 8:43 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you Laura. I wish that I had said it as well as Willyboy. I noticed, but failed to mention, that the site of the meal did not appear to be Lady Astor's formal dining room, but it did appear to be much more comfortable and hospitabl - like barbie on the deck after a long day of hard work. I'm happy if they just washed their hands!

The Croaker

September 28, 2008 at 1:21 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

In the USA, I know it's a rule of etiquette to not wear a hat indoors, but come on, give him (and his dad) a break! I'm sure different countries have different rules that they abide by. I'm sure that the family didn't even notice it. They were probably thrilled to spend time with Zac and Laurence. I know I would be. "Forgive and forget", as the saying goes. Why not give that a try? It's really only a minor thing. My intentions aren't not meant to offend anyone, but if so, my apologies.

God Bless!
Elissa R. Walther

September 28, 2008 at 6:25 PM  

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