Tuesday, 1st November 2011 - To Nara Inlet
A nice calm night with the only disturbance the mooring buoy when it clips the hulls. Another beautiful day.
The wires for the solar panel has completely come adrift from the regulator now so Geoff had to take it apart and look at it. Geoff managed to find two spare connector blocks and was able to borrow a third temporarily and install them on the regulator and all seems to be working ok. As I said before, it will teach us to buy a cheap one from China. When it arrived Geoff said he thought the connector was a little small in the wires it could accept, and he was right. He said that fixing them wasn’t as painful as he thought it was going to be.
Those rocks we motored around in the dinghy yesterday are way out of the water now it is low tide. There’s no motoring around them at the moment.
We dropped the mooring buoy at 11 am and headed off for Nara Inlet, about a 4 hour sail away. The forecast was for SE 25 knot winds later this morning so we thought we would catch a lot of charter boats inside there. We made a bread on route and it came out great again. When we got there we had a late lunch and then went out with some surveys to try to get some more power boats, monohulls and boats with families. Some were a little cool at first as they probably wondered what this dinghy was going from boat to boat. As we were chatting to the last boat it started to rain so we had to dash back to the boat to shut all the hatches (the main hatch was shut… we learnt that lesson in the Louisiades). After a cuppa we went out again collecting them all up, all bar one which we will pick up tomorrow. So far we have given out and collected 19 with one boat saying they will email it to us so it will be interesting to see if they do. We got back just before it started to rain again. These showers are short and sweet.
We played Scrabble and HE won … WOW!
Wednesday, 2nd November 2011 - Nara Inlet
Up at 7.30 and shower and then Geoff went over to a few more boats with the survey. He managed to get another couple before they headed out so that is 20 so far. He has a nice chat with most people when he picks them up so it takes him quite a time. One of the boats said it was good snorkelling on the coral close by so we went in off the back of the boat and swam over. It could have been good but the water was so cloudy so not the best we have seen. Still, we got a bit of exercise swimming there and back.
Time for lunch. Aft.er lunch we gave out some more surveys and then I got the laptop out to try to get my October journal finalised. Geoff did a few little jobs around the boat and then it was back out to pick up some of the surveys. Once again, only two were ready, another two we will pick up tomorrow . Whilst we went around we spoke to a couple on a large blue ketch called ‘Papillion’ They spend four weeks on the boat and then a week back in Melbourne working and then repeat it all. What a life! They have someone manage the boat whilst they are away and her name is Donna. Nice to have money.
Geoff is cooking tonight to give me a rest … how sweet. Curry made from scratch.
Thursday, 3rd November 2011 - To Homestead Bay, Cid Island
Another warm and sunny day with winds forecast at E/NE at 5/10 knots. We have decided to go to Homestead Bay on the west side of Cid Island. There probably won’t be any charter boats there but it is somewhere different. We left at 9.30 am, towing the dinghy as we forgot to pull it up onto the davits. We got good internet reception so went on the web to research ‘Whitsunday Private Yacht Charters’ and found they had closed their doors this May past. So this is why we haven’t seen any of their charter boats out and about. Emailed Sally and Martin to let them know as they had their boat ‘Acropora’ in charter with them for many years.
There’s hardly any wind today so we have the headsail out and one engine on and today is definitely a ‘Slow Travel’ day as we are doing about 2.5 knots and Geoff says we are in no hurry and we don’t have far to go. We anchored just after midday in a pretty little bay and as soon as we were anchored in went the rods. We are the only boat here. Geoff said “where are all the fish” and then his rod went whoosh and off went the line. He reeled it in and it was a Spangled Emperor, nice fish, but only 35 cm so 10 cm under so he went back in.
We then put the dinghy in to look at the coral but, once again, the water was very cloudy. When we were at Bait Reef we had been told it was cloudy because it was a spring tide but here we are on a neap tide and it is just the same. So, off to shore to explore. There is a single Coconut Palm here plus Panadanus, Wattles and some non natives, I think. Geoff came back with three coconuts which he started to de-husk as soon as we got back. Out of the three coconuts he got just under a litre of coconut milk, which is what he was after. He wondered what they would be like carbonated so he got the Soda Stream machine out and gassed it. AND it worked.
Time to relax on the back deck with a drink and I started to write up my journal. Three times I had to put my pen down as my rod bells went off but they all got away. Geoff’s went off and it was a large Remora, which we didn’t want but it was good fun fishing. By this time we were a little hot so we went in for a quick dip and then it was back to fishing. I soon caught a Cale Cale Trevally which was listed as good eating but we thought it was a tad small so he went back. Geoff then caught a 40cm Red Throat Sweetlip and we thought, yummy. Just as he brought him to the surface we were shocked to see the size of the fish that followed it up. Oh Wow!!!! AND, there I was swimming just a few minutes ago. We saw him very clearly but only for a few seconds at a time and believe he was a Queensland Groper or, maybe, a Potato Cod and he was well over a metre long. Both these fish can grow up to 2 metres and both are protected species not that you would really want something that big on the end of your line except for a photo opportunity. Then to top it off 3 dolphins came into the bay for a meal plus a large turtle decided to come cruising by.
We have a good view of the passing traffic here and the big, fast cats go back and forth on their trips to the islands. They pass the anchorage quite a way out but kick up such a wake that it even-tually makes its way into the anchorage causing quite a severe rocking for a few seconds. Thank goodness they don’t operate at night. The wake takes 6 to 10 minutes to reach us.
G&T time. It is so nice as the sun slowly slips below the horizon. What an idyllic evening so far. Probably our nicest afternoon/evening in the Whitsundays this time round. And, a nice baked stuffed emperor for dinner.
Friday, 4th November 2011 - To Gulnare Inlet via Beach 25
A very calm night and no wind at the moment, plus another sunny and warm day in paradise. A paradise that can turn to hell during the cyclone season. The rods are in but nothing is happening apart from heaps of different species of jellyfish which often come ashore in NE winds (if you could call what we have as NE winds when it is so still). No swimming for me with those in there.
We left at 9.30 with the intention of going to Chance Bay as the forecast was for E/NE winds at 5/10 knts. It was slow going as the tide was against us. As we came up to Beach 25 the wind suddenly blew up from the SSE at around 15 knots and got quite gusty at times. This made us re-think our overnight anchorage so we stopped at Beach 25 for lunch. There are three other boats here and one is a large cat called ‘Eureka Ш” which was berthed at Gladstone when we were there. I watched some parasailing going on in the distance … very colourful.
The wind stayed from the SE (not at all forecasted) so we decided to go to Gulnare Inlet for the night but had to wait for a rising tide to get in there. We had never been in there before and it will be a good place to anchor if the wind is going to be fickle. At 2.40 we up-anchored and headed off using Dent and Pine Islands as leads to avoid the three reefs and made our way in. Thirty minutes later and we were anchored and there is no wind whatsoever in here. About ninety minutes later a charter power cat came in so we popped over with a survey. Rods went in but nothing jumped on the lines. Very still when we went to bed although there was a lot of fish activity which Geoff investigated and said they were very small.
Saturday, 5th November 2011 - Gulnare Inlet
It was so very calm overnight, not a ripple so a lovely restful night but it got windy as soon as we got up.
First thing was to make a bread which takes a while, what with the kneading, proving and baking, two and a half hours in total. This meant that when we had the time to explore it was a couple of hours off low tide so we were not able to get into the mangrove creek to try to find the remains of the tramway which was used for logging in the early 1900’s. We trolled but to no avail so back to the boat for some lunch and that yummy fresh bread. Geoff made up some extension sides for the bread pan out of an old 4 litre olive oil container, so he kept busy. Three more charter boats have come in and two of them have already completed out survey before. By 3pm we thought the tide had risen enough for us to try exploring again so off we went, dropping of one survey on the way. We made out way into the mangrove creek as far as we could and Geoff even got out at one stage and pulled the dinghy but we never found those tramway remains. Oh well, never mind, maybe they are now overground.
Geoff thought it was good Mangrove Jack country so we trolled up through the mangroves. We saw fish but didn’t have any luck, We then made our way further into Gulnare Inlet and then took the next mangrove creek which was listed in ‘100 Magic Miles’ as a cyclone bolt hole. Yep it would work. This was a much more interesting mangrove creek, deeper, wider but shorter. A definite cyclone bolt hole and nice to know is there.
Towards the end of the creek we came across a massive, sheer cliff face that dropped straight down into the creek. It was very surprising to come across and was quite spectacular so we took photos, of course.
Exploring these mangrove creeks made you feel that you were miles away from the Whitsunday’s and was, actually, quite a nice change. Once we left this creek we travelled further up the inlet but decided we didn’t have the time to travel up to the end so turned our head for home. On the way back we stopped to pick up our survey and had a good chat. When we got back to the boat we had a monohull anchored between us and another cat. Why so close? There’s plenty of room here and cats and mono’s swing differently. He must have thought he was too close because he eventually moved, thank goodness.
Sunday, 6th November 2011 - To Whitehaven Beach
Up at 7.30 and slowly really wake up with a cup of coffee and then cook bacon and eggs for brekky. We left Gulnare at 8.45 whilst the tide was still high. The wind was on the nose so no sailing today. We did try to sail at one stage. This was just before Solway Passage but the wind died but the current alone took us through at 4 knots so how’s that?
We anchored at Whitehaven Beach at 11.30 and wondered where everybody was. There were only 6 boats, no tourist boats and two seaplanes. But, 30 minutes later they started to arrive and it got quite busy. Geoff was eyeing off the ‘eye candy’ ashore, as he does. After lunch a rain shower came through and it got overcast and cloudy. Not to worry. About 2.30 we went ashore and found two nature walks. One was called the ‘Ngara Trail (Solway Passage Trail) and was 1.2 km long. The first section went up and up with quite a few bush steps but when you got to the top there was a great view across two sides of the Whitsunday Island. Unfortunately the trees were too high for us to be able to see 2Abreast down below.
The track then wound gently down to the beach again, much nicer. It took just over 30 minutes with stopping up the top and was a trail we had never seen before and we think it is relatively new. There was another trail that went over to Chance Bay and was 3.6 kms and you needed 3.6 hours for the return trip, time we didn’t have so the short one was fine for us (me).
Back to the boat for crackers, dip and drinks on the back deck after which Geoff went off to collect a few more surveys he had given out. By the time he came back all the tourist boats had gone and there were only three girls left on the beach as they had come in late by seaplane. Two of them suddenly stripped off and went for a swim and Geoff said “And very nice too”. An added bonus. After they had flown off Geoff tried to fly his biplane kite but it hit the sea and became waterlogged so a bit of modification is due.
Monday, 7th November 2011 to Border Island via Esk Island
A little swelly at tide turn but fine apart from something making a noise which turned out to be a cord line end hitting an empty water container. More surveys to pick up so off Geoff went. We have 29 now, 13 mono’s. 13 cats and 3 power cats so we will try to concentrate on power boats from now on. But Geoff was away ages chatting to the people on the cat ‘Catch my Drift’ who were constantly having problems with their winch and were waiting for the ‘chase boat’ to come out for the third time. Geoff also went over to a large motor cruiser (posh) called ‘Victoria 1’ and had a really long chat.
We up-anchored, or should I say we weighed anchor, at 10 am but not before the anchor chain jammed on the gypsy. Soon fixed and was caused because this new motor is faster than the old one and Geoff sometimes has a problem keeping up with it.
We grabbed a buoy at Esk Island to explore ashore but it was quite a choppy anchorage. After a cuppa we ventured ashore. It is a very wind swept little island with a beach made up of bits of dead coral and hard on the feet so shoes were a must! As we walked along the rocky outcrops we saw that people had picked up pieces of the straighter stag horn dead coral and made up their names on the flatter sections of the rocks. Maz is now added, of course. Other people had made coral and rock mounds like we first saw in NZ. Not many but Geoff added one as well.
On the way back to the boat we went over into the next bay to look at the coral. Ok but nothing to write home about. A good morning tea stop but not overnight, methinks.
We were off again at 12.30 and ten minutes later the engines were off and we were sailing along, albeit slowly. Well not so slowly as we had the tide with us. We grabbed a buoy in Cataran Bay on Border Island a couple of hours later. Once again we took the 10 metre buoy leaving the bigger one for the larger boats. Strange but there are five buoys here and only one is for a larger boat than us. It was quite blowy but calm enough as we had the buoy further into the bay. Once again, Geoff flew the biplane kite and managed to keep it out of the drink this time.
Not long after this a charter power cat came in so we shot over, once they had got settled, and they said they would be happy to do a survey. On the way back we had a look at the coral and it looks ok so we will go in and have a look tomorrow. It would be nice if the wind died down a bit so we could enjoy it without the thought of being blown out to sea.
Tuesday, 8th November 2011 - Cataran Bay to Dumbrell Island
It blew all night so we had plenty of power this morning when we got up. We got the weather and then headed over to the mono ‘Azure’ and met up with Jean Pierre and Marie Therese, yes, they’re French. They have a boat in time share with Sunsail in Europe so every time they go to a new country they use their time share days to charter a yacht. We had a lovely chat but didn’t linger too long as they were heading out at 10 am. We haven’t decided what we are going to do today but first some breakfast and then Geoff flew his modified kite and it was flying much better.
About 10.30 we headed ashore and wandered along the beach and Geoff saw a track to the top of the hill. It soon became too much of a rock scramble for me and Geoff went it alone whilst I relaxed in the shade. When he came back he said it was a hard 50 metres over very rough terrain and he said that even he had slipped over on the way down. But he said there were good views from the top.
At the bottom of the track we chatted to a guy off a large charter mono, Congo. There are four couple on that boat so they would all have to get on well. He said they had seen some stingers in the water so we shall have to take more care now as we come into ‘stinger season’. We checked out more coral but found it cloudy still so back to the boat. We left the bay at midday with the intention of grabbing a buoy around the corner but the wind was really strong further out from the bay. I grabbed the buoy line ok but the wind forced the boat back and I was unable to keep hold of the mooring pole. Neither of us were able to hold it so we let it go with Geoff saying “No worries, it will float”. BUT IT DIDN”T!. Geoff had made it up and said he thought it would float as it was fibreglass but had never tested it before. Now we know. Luckily we stall have another standard one. It was a heavy duty collapsible one … the one that broke Carolyn’s nose. We decided it was too windy and rough there so we headed off to see what it was like at Dumbrell Island. This time Geoff picked up the mooring line. There is hardly any wind here, how weird. There’s a tourist boat on the other buoy here and all their clients are getting ready to go snorkelling. We put in our lines in thinking it was allowed here but one of the guys from the tourist boat came over and said it was a green zone. I suppose I should have checked on the laptop as I had downloaded the latest zones when we arrived in the Whitsundays. Our book ‘100 Magic Miles’ is now eight years out of date as far as the zoning is concerned. Naughty us. That tourist boat left and another took its place. We went into the dinghy to have a look at the coral and it looked ok so we went back to the boat and I put on my stinger suit and Geoff put on his wet suit, just in case, and we went in from the dinghy. The coral was good, heaps of colourful fish but it was still cloudy. Geoff towed me back to the boat where we dried of and soaked up the sun on the front deck. We have decided to stay here the night so I hope the swell doesn’t get too bad and that the wind stays light.
Wednesday, 9th October 2011 - To Airlie Beach
A quiet and calm night until a little swell came through at 5am. We got up at 6am as a heavy downpour and a little wind came through. We waited for half an hour until it passed and the visibility was reasonable and we were off as we wanted to get through Hook Passage with the tide. We were supposed to have the tide with us as it floods to the south but it was opposite … weird. Plus the winds are really fluky through the passage and they didn’t disappoint this time either.
As we were approaching Airlie Geoff’s phone rang and it was Dion and Yui from ‘Unicorn. We had met them at Lady Musgrave in September 2009. They had only had the boat a few months and were on their way to Thailand. They had just arrived back and cleared customs in Cairns and were currently at Fitzroy Island and will be heading south. He said he will ring again later to let us now how they are progressing and see if we can catch up.
When we got into Airlie we went onto the public wharf and filled up with water and Geoff washed the boat down plus he hosed off the carpet and seat cushions. We then left and found a spot near ‘The Blue Pearl’ again but it seems Ian and Lynn are still away.
After lunch I got very heavy lidded so had a doze whilst Geoff fiddled with the blue tooth on the computers. Mine won’t print using blue tooth and then his wouldn’t start up So he’s a little p’d off and steam is starting to come out of his ears. I am going to keep quiet for a while. But all was well and he got it up and running again so he’s happier now. He spent most of the afternoon on the laptops so I just relaxed and read and dozed. Both of us are feeling a little dozy.
Geoff cooked Sweet Lip for tea … yum!
Thursday, 10th November 2011 - Airlie Beach
Another hot day but a reasonably night. This morning we wandered into Cannonvale as I had an appointment with Neato. The guy in reception was coughing and spluttering so I hope I don’t get his cold. I was there over an hour as the girl who looks after me revamped my resume for me. She works really hard at trying to get me a job and she had a job that came in last Friday that was right up my alley. It was with the National Parks and Wildlife Service in admin so she gave them a call. Would you believe it, they had offered the job to someone the day before. She told me to ring her if we were heading south. By this time Geoff was wondering where I had got to and had called a couple of times. I met him at the supermarket where we bought as much as we could carry and struggled back to the dinghy with it all. Once back to the boat I put the perishibles away, made lunch and then had another snooze. I think the heat is getting to me as it was 32ºC today and it is still only Spring. Geoff had bought me another blue tooth dongle so he spent the rest of the afternoon on the computer. Ian and Lynn are still away.
Friday, 11th November 2011 - Airlie Beach
It’s my dad’s birthday today and he is 89 years young!
Another warm day but with a breeze. A slow start to the day. After breakfast we headed over to ‘The Blue Pearl’ with a ten litre container of water and Geoff, somehow, managed to climb up the front of their boat and water Lynn’s plants. From there we headed to the public jetty and the Abel Point Marina. Geoff went off to have a shower and to walk into town whilst I put the washing in and then headed for a shower and shampoo myself. Geoff was on his way to the second hand book shop to take a book back and get a $5 refund. Of course he didn’t get a refund but only had to pay $1.80 for a new (used) book so that was ok. The book he has got is about the Ansett Airlines collapse which we know all about as they collapsed about two days before 9/11 and trapped us in Fiji (oh what a shame). It should be interesting reading. By the time he got back I had finished and packed up the washing, had bought a pair of new boat shoes (in shocking pink … when will I ever grow up?) and was having a milk shake. I then took him into the chandlery to show him a long boat pole that they make up for the charter companies which was reasonably priced. So we bought it. We then went onto the offices of Charter Yachts Australia and Whitsunday Escape to get some info on our article.
On the way back I received a text message from Steve on ‘Phencara’ saying they were back and would be heading south as soon as the winds permitted. If all goes according to plan they will be here soon but the weather is nothing if not fickle. Unicorn and Phencara … great!
The rest of the day was spent doing a little of this and a little of that but nothing consequential.
At 5pm I rang my dad in the UK to wish him a happy birthday. I also spoke to my sister Kay who was just about ready to go off to work. She says her new bungalow (house over here) is coming along well and every time she goes over there is something more done. Kay and Dave have bought a small bungalow which they are now adding to.
Geoff worked on the 6 monthly (10 monthly) newsletter and sent it off with three copies to post.
Saturday, 12th November 2011 - Airlie Beach
Another nice and sunny day.
We are both a couple of crocks this morning as I have a sore throat and my thumbs are playing up and Geoff has a sore big toe. I looked at his toe through the magnifying glass and can’t see anything in there so it has either gone right in or it is gout which flares up occasionally with his Sklerederma problem. Whichever it is he says it is very painful. I think I have got my sore throat from the guy at Neato on Thursday, which peeves me as I didn’t want to be there anyway. So, we are both feeling sorry for ourselves and not doing much at present.
I eventually got motivated and did a stock take of the supplies I had stored away which took quite a time. Geoff worked on the laptops again.
Sunday, 13th November 2011 - Airlie
I’ve got a full blown cold this morning so I took it easy as I didn’t have much energy.
I cooked brekky, lunch and dinner and then washed up but that was it. Geoff is still working on the laptops trying to get blue tooth networking going. He hasn't be able to see the other computer in the network list as yet. I can occasionally hear little grunts of satisfaction. Nothing else to report.
I cooked brekky, lunch and dinner and then washed up but that was it. Geoff is still working on the laptops trying to get blue tooth networking going. He hasn't be able to see the other computer in the network list as yet. I can occasionally hear little grunts of satisfaction. Nothing else to report.
Monday, 14th November 2011 - Airlie
Sniffle, sniffle and sniffle. Cough, cough and cough! But I did push myself to clean my cabin, galley and the head area but that was it. Geoff thinks he has sorted the blue tooth problem and then I managed to prise my laptop from him to do some journal entry. Geoff’s foot is still swollen but the toe is less painful. Lynn and Ian are back from Tassie but we haven’t caught up with them yet. Geoff has diagnosed his foot pain as Gout, so has started taking his medication for it.
Tuesday, 15th November 2011 - Airlie
Geoff has a sore throat this morning so he is not impressed. He popped over to see Lynn and she is lending us the car tomorrow. We were going to go shopping today but will leave it now until tomorrow.
We received a text from Caroline and Stephen on ‘Phencara’ saying they will get here tonight after bashing all the way down from Townsville. Told them to beware as we both have colds. Steve said to give him a cold any day as he has just got over Malaria and will tell us all about it when they see us.
Wednesday, 16th November 2011 - Airlie Beach
Lynn lent us her car today so, even though we both felt we had no energy due to our colds, we took advantage of it. But, before we headed ashore we noticed ‘Phencara’ had arrived sometime after dark last night. We texted back and forth but they will not come today as we still have colds, especially as Steve has just got over Malaria.
We went off to Shingley Beach with the empty gas cylinder and fuel containers plus the rubbish and headed off to Cannonvale. We filled the gas at BCF, then filled the fuel cans, then on to BigW and Woollies where we spent another $286 for stock for the month (including some Scottish Kippers for Geoff).
We wanted to stock up to be ready to go if/when the northerlies kicked in and we could head south. We loaded all the frozen and fridge stuff into the dinghy first and we went back to the boat. Geoff went back for the rest of the stuff whilst I separated the meat into meal sized portions and got them into the freezer. Geoff was worn out when he got back so he relaxed with a nice cold drink whilst I made some lunch and then relaxed with him.
We wanted to stock up to be ready to go if/when the northerlies kicked in and we could head south. We loaded all the frozen and fridge stuff into the dinghy first and we went back to the boat. Geoff went back for the rest of the stuff whilst I separated the meat into meal sized portions and got them into the freezer. Geoff was worn out when he got back so he relaxed with a nice cold drink whilst I made some lunch and then relaxed with him.
Later we got a call from Dion on ‘Unicorn’ saying he was at Cape Upstart and it was hard going bashing into these E/SE winds as it was right on the nose. He is still pushing on and hopes to be here in a couple of days time. The rest of the day was spent resting with an easy dinner of lasagne. We also managed to pick up the December Cruising Helmsman with my article ‘Games cruisers Play’ in it so another small amount to go towards our insurance next year.
Thursday, 17th November 2011 - Airlie Beach
Our colds are both a tad better but we are still miserable. What whoosies!
Carolyn and Steve stopped by on their way to the shops and we caught up on all of the news from The Louisiades. They had the normal trials and tribulations that happen to most boats. Their autohelm is completely stuffed now but they still have the old one that seems to working ok. Their coach house leaked, they got the anchor stuck, all the power went off, they had money stolen and Steve got Malaria. You know, just the normal type of things. They brought us back two letters. One was from Pastor Isaiah William and the other from the Galatea (Ellis) family. They said they managed to get our parcels to everyone they were intended for but, unfortunately, Lebinai’s solar torch didn’t work, which was a shame. But they did tell us that the village of Rambuso Creek HAD finished off the flooring for the two sides of the jetty so we are really proud of them as everyone (dim dims) had told us that they wouldn’t have the drive to get it done. Wrong! Carolyn said that when they were at Rambuso Creek they were told that Ellis was still in Port Moresby where he was waiting to come over to Oz. That would have been September some time so we are not sure if he is still there or not. The rest of the day we just fiddled around with a few things but still didn't do much.
Friday, 18th November 2011 - Airlie Beach
Our colds are definitely on the road to recovery but not quite there yet. At 9.30 Dion rang to say they had just left Montes at the Gloucester Passage and would be here about 11am. That got us moving for a shower and to get dressed. We can be quite slack in the mornings at times. Unicorn came in at just after 10.30 and anchored behind us and once they had their anchor set we popped over for half an hour to catch up as we hadn’t seen them since Sept 2009. We didn’t stay long and then went over to see Ian on ‘Blue Pearl’ and arranged to go to the yacht club for dinner. We then headed over to Shingley Beach at 5.30 and drove to the yacht club with Lyn and Ian. Once there we met their friends John and Fran and we had a very nice evening, especially when Ian won a bottle of white wine which he gave to us as they prefer reds.
Saturday, 19th November 2011 - Airlie Beach
We had a bit of rain overnight. I got the washing together, grabbed some empty water containers and we went off to the public wharf. In with the washing and then on to the shower. Once clean and presentable we visited Queensland Yacht Charters and then to see Trevor at Whitsunday Escape. Trevor is the main person dealing with the bare boat association in the Whitsundays so was the person to speak to for information for our article. Unfortunately he was tied up and asked us to come back on Monday or Tuesday. We then walked along the Bi Centennial Walk towards the market which looked absolutely miles away. En route we caught up with Dion, Yui and the kids (Luarna and Ryan) who had stopped at the children’s playground for the kids to have a bit of fun. Onwards past the enclosure (sounds like a zoo … probably quite right) for the ‘Schoolies Week’. Thank goodness it is in this bay and not the bay where we are anchored. Then we were at the market where we instantly forgot about our sore feet. Bought some spuds and a mango and Geoff got a $10 haircut from a Thai lady, a No 6, so it is quite short now. Lyn and Ian were wandering around so we all went up to the yacht club for a drink or two. Lyn and Ian took us back to the marina to pick up the washing and then dropped us at the public jetty where we filled up the water containers and headed back to the boat.
We hadn’t been on the boat long when Dion turned up. I had just made lunch for us and Dion declined but had a beer. He then went back to his boat for a few more beers and I got out the dip and crackers. Geoff had two beers, well three if you count the one at the sailing club, which is very unusual for him as he normal sticks to just one. Dion stayed until 6pm and then went off to wash down his boat. I checked the emails and there was one from Debbie with photos of Carnie stealing the remainder of the lamb crumble we sent them. How sweet!
Looked out of the anchorage and saw that there was another red boat anchored behind ‘Phencara’ so guess ‘Maranatha’ has arrived.
Sunday, 20th November 2011 - Airlie Beach
Off to Shingley Beach at 0840 this morning to cook brekky at the BBQ at the picnic area. Whilst we waited for the others we got talking to a couple our age who were touring in a small campervan. They said they were talking about buying a boat to go sailing but were a bit scared as they had never done it before. I left Geoff chatting as Lynn and Ian had arrived. Soon John and Fran and four more friends of theirs arrived. The BBQ got very crowded with all of that food. Geoff eventually joined us and got chatting to a guy called Steve about the lack of facilities at the VMR ramp and Steve agreed but said that the rates here were very high already. They had some really snazzy, nice stainless steel garbage bin disposal stations close by. Steve said they cost $3600 apiece and that there were already 47 installed around the Airlie area with another 10 ready to go. No wonder the poor rate payers rates are high.
We got back to the boat just after 11.30. No lunch today as we had such a large and late breakfast.
We got back to the boat just after 11.30. No lunch today as we had such a large and late breakfast.
At 2 pm we went over to ‘Unicorn’ to help (actually, to really do it for Dion) put his boat on the yachthub website to sell it. $34 for 12 months which is very reasonable. It took much longer than we thought as we had trouble up-loading the photos at first. Once Dion had paid the account it was easy to download but only once I had shrunk them a bit. So, we didn't leave them until after 6pm.
Monday, 21st November 2011 - Airlie Beach
We went over the ‘Unicorn” at 08.40 and picked up Yui and then we wandered up to the Whitsunday Shopping Centre. I left them and went into Centrelink to see if I could bring my interview forward from the 6th December. Yep, I went straight in and fixed it all very easily. I then wandered up to Neato to see if I could see my Neato officer but was out of luck as I was told she was busy with client interviews all day. I told the guy on reception (the one that gave me a cold) that I would email or ring later. On to the supermarket to look for Geoff and Yui and they had only just started their shopping. We only needed some last minute supplies but Yui bought a shopping trolley full so we had to borrow the trolley to take it all back to the dinghy. Geoff dropped me off at 2Abreast first as I had frozen stuff and then went back for Yui and took her back to Unicorn. They left soon after and were heading towards Butterfly Bay or Whitehaven Beach and we said we would try to catch up with them tomorrow for dinner. We looked out the back for ‘Phencara’ but couldn’t spy them so they have probably headed south already. After I had put all the bits away we relaxed and I sent off a few emails and then we grabbed the rubbish and empty water containers and headed off to the public wharf where we got chatting to a couple on a very large black ketch called ‘Joshua C”. We found they were friends of Dion and Yui … a small world.
Onwards for a shower and shampoo at the Abel Point Marina. Then a coffee with the guy from Cumberland Yacht Charters and then on to Trevor at Whitsunday Escape to get more details for our article. We then walked to the lagoon area to the second hand book shop as Geoff wanted to give them a photo of a book shop window in Brighton in the UK which he had taken when we were there with my sister Glynn and her two kids (at the time) Timmy and Laura. It was just a huge pile of books that had just been dumped and left in the window. I suppose it did the job as it certainly caught the eye.
By this time our feet were aching and we were perspiring as it had been a very hot and humid day. By the time we had walked back to the marina it was 3.30 pm and we realized that we had not eaten ALL day and the restaurant had 2 pizzas for the price of one between 3 and 6 pm. Sounded good to us so we had a late brekky/lunch/tea. They were good pizzas too so we were very happy. We got back to the boat, after filling the water containers, about 4.30 pm and collapsed on the saloon seats to rest our weary bodies. Later we went over and said goodbye to Lynn and Ian until next season and Ian gave us an old wind generator to use as parts. Great, things like that always come in handy.
Tuesday, 22nd November 2011 - to Plantation Bay, Lindeman “Island
We were up early and we left the anchorage at 6.30. It was an overcast day with a few rain showers. The wind was from the east at about 15knots. It was on the nose until we rounded
Pioneer Rocks and were able to change course and then we were able to sail, just. Later the wind was on our beam but very light so we sailed with one motor occasionally on. I
sent Dion a text saying that, due to the wind directions, we would be heading down towards Shaw Island and not out his way. We gave him an update on what conditions we were experiencing and said we would catch up with him somewhere on the way. Later he called on the radio and said that because of the wind direction they were also heading to Shaw Island too. The wind was a bit fluky on the way down with a couple of squalls and choppy seas so Geoff had to keep an eye on the autohelm. Towards the end we got in a good sail and anchored at 1.15 pm with ‘Unicorn’ coming in about 35 minutes later.
Pioneer Rocks and were able to change course and then we were able to sail, just. Later the wind was on our beam but very light so we sailed with one motor occasionally on. I
sent Dion a text saying that, due to the wind directions, we would be heading down towards Shaw Island and not out his way. We gave him an update on what conditions we were experiencing and said we would catch up with him somewhere on the way. Later he called on the radio and said that because of the wind direction they were also heading to Shaw Island too. The wind was a bit fluky on the way down with a couple of squalls and choppy seas so Geoff had to keep an eye on the autohelm. Towards the end we got in a good sail and anchored at 1.15 pm with ‘Unicorn’ coming in about 35 minutes later.
After lunch we did the last of our article surveys which took a good hour. We came back and put the rod in but no bites. Geoff cleaned the waterline on the hulls as they were getting a bit of green slime on them. Then he went up and picked up the surveys and they now total thirty three so that is more than enough. We then felt very dozy so had a nap before dinner.
Wednesday, 23rd November 2011 - Brampton Island
Another early start at 5:30 so we can catch the tide for a while. We had very little wind to start so had to motor sail and then the wind picked up a tad, and I mean a tad, so we sailed very slowly for the rest of the trip. It didn’t matter as we had plenty of time. We anchored about 1 pm next to ‘Unicorn’ who had, of course, started well after us and anchored well before us. They have a longer waterline than us so have better sailing capabilities plus they have bigger motors. Still, we are used to being first out and last in. It is the ‘name of the game’ for us. Relax time and a bit of lunch.
After lunch Dion went off for a troll and Geoff went over to the rocks to do some fishing. Geoff caught a Stingray and a Wire Netting Cod which was too small so it went back in.
After a shower and change of clothes we headed over to ‘Unicorn’ for a 5 pm Thai meal. Yummy, as Yui cooks up some really good Thai food. But, I drank too much. Back at 08:30 was we have another early start in the morning.
Thursday, 24th November 2011 - To Scawfell Island
Up anchor at 6.15 but, alas, there’s too much east wind so it is another ‘on the nose’ trip as we are heading ESE. We thought about heading to St Bees instead but decided to push on as we would get the benefit of a better angle tomorrow. The E/NE winds are forecast up until at least Monday but getting very light so I don’t know how much sailing we will be doing. It is very slow going, even with the motors on. We were only making 3.5 knots as the tide was against us.
Once again, Unicorn left way after us but by 10 am had passed us but was motoring as well. We got in to Scawfell at 11.45, well over an hour after Unicorn. It was quite calm there when we anchored but got a little side swell as the tide turned with a lot of wind bullets. There was one other yacht and a fishing trawler here. Dion went over to the trawler later to see if anyone was stirring to see if he could get some prawns but everybody was still probably asleep. So … no prawns! Another early night as a very early start for us in the morning.
Once again, Unicorn left way after us but by 10 am had passed us but was motoring as well. We got in to Scawfell at 11.45, well over an hour after Unicorn. It was quite calm there when we anchored but got a little side swell as the tide turned with a lot of wind bullets. There was one other yacht and a fishing trawler here. Dion went over to the trawler later to see if anyone was stirring to see if he could get some prawns but everybody was still probably asleep. So … no prawns! Another early night as a very early start for us in the morning.
Friday, 25th November 2011 - To Marble Island
A long and tiring day so early to bed.
Saturday, 26th November 2011 - To Port Clinton
Up at 05.30 again as these legs from the Whitsundays to Great Keppel Island are along ones. It was a really hard slog to begin with as we had a 3 knot current against us and we were barely making 3 knots. The wind was almost non existent so the motors were getting a thrashing. The passages are so long that we were going to have the current against us at some time of the trip. This worried me a bit as we needed to average at least 4.5 knots to get to Port Clinton before dark. We decided if we did not make it before dark we would continue on to GKI overnight. Dion called when he left Middle Percy and said he might continue on to the Kepples, which he did, anchoring at Considine Bay on North Keppel.
Once the tide turned at 11 am it was a much different story, of course, with the tide with us. The wind had also arrived, albeit very light, but we were able to get the sails out for some assistance. By 2 pm we had made up for lost time and even got to turn the motors off and sail the last leg. We anchored at Port Clinton at 4.40 pm with still 2.5 hours of daylight up our sleeve. Once we knew the boat was secure we headed ashore for an explore. It is not often you get to anchor in these southerly anchorages so it is always good to be able to see new places. There was a piece of wreckage ashore. It was the foredeck of a yacht with a hatch frame still intact. It makes you wonder what the story is behind it. Back to the boat to have sundowners on the back deck and reflect on our life. It doesn’t get much better than this and we should remember it. No money but what a life!
Soon another cat, ‘Tell Tales’, anchored next to us so we waved greetings. An easy tea tonight as in a relax mood.
Sunday, 27th November 2011 - To Great Keppel Island
Up at 5.30 again and leave by 6.00. Really looking forward to a lie in when we get to GKI.
No wind, calm seas, sunny day with dolphins visiting to send us on our way. Quick wave goodbye to ‘Tell Tales’ and we were on our way again. By 9.30 there was still no wind but the seas were almost flat which made it very comfortable but we were motoring again. Still a bit of current against us until the tide turns. By midday the current was still against us which it should not have been as the current should have started to ebb to the south. It never did change and we had a slight current against us all the way which was a bit weird.
Dion and Yui were still at North Keppel Island and may stay there the night and catch up with us in the morning. We went through heaps of feeding fish but they were not interested in that shiny metal thingy when there was so much bait fish around them.
We anchored just after 4 pm and then Dion called and said he was coming too. When he got here he wished he had stayed where he was as there was strong side swell at tide turn. By the time we went to bed (early) the wind had died down and the anchorage was very calm and we had a very good night.
Monday, 28th November 2011 - Great Keppel Island, the Lagoon
Nature called at 5.30 and I noticed that Unicorn was missing. We up-anchored at 8.30 and headed towards Leekes Beach and the lagoon. Dion called whilst we were on the way and said he had come over early to check out the lagoon as he had never been there before and only knew of it because of us. He got into the lagoon ahead of us and stole out favourite spot so we went where Frank on ‘Moonshadow’ normally goes and I think I prefer it here. Geoff put out a stern anchor to stop the current pushing us into the mangroves and dug the front anchor in and we seemed to be really secure. We then noticed that Dion seemed to be dragging so Geoff went over to see if he could help. Dion was anchored in the main channel for the time being but more cats were coming in. Luckily they could just get by him and he is going to re-anchor when the tide slackens off a bit. The two cats that followed us in are ‘Ngkala’ with Merv and Maggie onboard and ‘Catina’ with Glenn and Margaret onboard. We had met Merv and Maggie before in 2005 but Glenn and Margaret are new acquaintances. Jim’s yacht was still tied up to the mangroves whist he is away working in Japan and Jill was on her yacht ‘Cooee’ and was further into the lagoon and tied up to careening poles. Dion eventually got himself settled and then Geoff visited all the other boats, as he does, on the way back. Dion and family all jumped into their dinghy and headed up the creek to explore the actual lagoon. Like us, he had trouble find the correct mangrove creek to find his way back to his boat. We take a GPS now when we go.
Time to get a little industrious so I cleaned my cabin, the galley and the saloon but then collapsed as it was hot with no breeze to talk of. After lunch, once the tide had dropped enough, Geoff went out and started to clean down the hulls. He didn’t do it all at once as we had plenty of time as were going to be in here a while until we get some more northerlies to head south. Once we were all high and dry we all wandered between each other’s boats for a chat and arranged to have drinks on the beach tomorrow night. We also got a text from Spuggy which means that Carolyn and Steve have reached Bundy and picked Spuggy up. They must have really pushed it as they only left a day before us.
Tuesday, 29th November 2011 - GKI, the lagoon
Geoff was up at 6.30 so I got up too. So much for a lie in, I think we went to bed too early.
After a cuppa he went off to see if he could catch those elusive Flathead who always lie in ambush at the mouth of the lagoon to catch those smaller fry as the tide comes in. The answer was NO, he couldn’t catch those elusive Flathead. When he came back he did a bit more of the hull clean before the tide came in too much. We spent the next couple of hours nutting out the basis for our Whitsunday chartering article. We have a little bit more research to do before we can finish it off.
After lunch Geoff went and gave Dion a hand to finish off his antifouling whilst I made up some nibbles. When the boys finished Geoff had a shower and changed and we walked over to the beach where the others plus friends of Dion’s from the cat ‘Anui’, who were anchored outside in the bay. Dion, Yui and the two kids arrived about 15 minutes later. We all got to know each other a little bit better and found out that Sarah had also written an article for Multihull World and it was in the same issue as my last article. What a small world (it feels like I am always saying that!). Her article was called ‘The Laughing Budda’ and was about their voyage to Kalimantan and Singapore. We left just before it really got dark so we could all see to find our way over the dune and back to our respective boats. Early to bed again as Geoff was feeling weary.
Wednesday, 30th November 2011 - GKI. Lagoon
Early to bed and early to rise and it is true. I was up at 6.30 and making coffee. Before the tide came in we went off with bucket and prawn net, ever hopeful. Dion, Yui and the kids were also there and we made our way up the mangrove side creek until we came to some deeper pools of water. It is these deeper pools that trap the prawns and fish, apparently. But this one was empty so Dion waded further up the creek with his cast net. Geoff and I started to follow but I found it too hard going as the water was deeper for me (Dion is tall) and the sand was very soft and clingy which made it hard for me to keep my balance. Geoff went a little further but decided it was too hard as he didn’t have enough energy to put the effort it. We soon heard Dion call out for Yui and she waded up around the corner to him with a bucket. Dion had only caught two prawns but had netted a nice big Flathead and a small Barramundi. He brought the Barra back to show us, and then set it free as it was too small to keep.
Geoff and I headed back to the boat for some breakfast and to make a bread which came out looking beautiful but is still not as nice as the ‘Kitchen Collection’ brand we found in Gladstone. The additional sides to the loaf tin have made a lot of difference with the bread coming out like a normal shop bought loaf, whereas before, the dough rose and fell over the sides. Well done Geoff. Once it was cooked and cooling we decided to go out of the lagoon to do some trolling in the bay. As we made our way out Dion was spear fishing from his dinghy near the rocks and George and Razz on ‘Monsoon’ were making their way in. We called and said we would catch up with them later. We continued on in to the next bay to troll but only caught weed. On the way back we stopped at ‘Unicorn’ and Dion offered us a nice Estuary Cod which we accepted. Just on high tide another trimaran, ‘Jinidivik’, came in . We have never seen so many boats in the lagoon at once. There are six multi’s and two mono’s tied to careening poles. There is room for another two, perhaps, multi’s and there are two careening poles free so I would say that the lagoon could take 4 mono’s and 8 multi’s at a pinch. Geoff then finished off cleaning the waterline of any grime so that we can tape up and he can antifoul the waterline tomorrow.
At 5 pm we all wandered over to the beach to have sundowners again. This time George, Razz (lab) David (Jindivik) were also there. I had a good talk to David as he also knows Alan and Lesley from ‘Gypseastwo’ and Lee from ‘Tempest plus a few others from our Gladstone days. Alas, I hadn’t taken any nibbles this time as Geoff said “don’t bother”. “I had three glasses of wine which went straight to my head as I hadn’t eaten much all day. When I went to get to my feet I found I was quite tiddly. In fact I had a bit of trouble making my way over the dune and back to the boat. Neither of us felt up to preparing the Cod for tea so it was a quick one and was a Fray Bentos Steak and Kidney pie, tinned potatoes and mushy peas followed by ice cream and lots of water for me and then bed.
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