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Monday 9 December 2013

Home again, home again......

Tuesday, 19 November to Thursday, 28 November 2013
We had 4 nights at Pancake Creek waiting for some more northerlies. We climbed to the lighthouse again and Warren did some serious fishing. We did get a meal but it seemed the fish were just not biting.  

Looking across Jenny Lind Creek to Pancake Creek
On Friday, we had a leisurely 2 sail reach to Bundaberg in a light to moderate ENE wind. On Saturday we had a 0500 start as we wanted to get through the shallows at Sheridan Flats before the tide dropped too low. The day started with a fast 2 sail reach, then the breeze died and we resorted to the motor for 2 hours before we got the spinnaker up just before the Hervey Bay Fairway Beacon. We had a great run from here in company with Waterfront and were anchored in Garrys Anchorage by 1600 after covering 70nm.

Waterfront
With the weather looking good we set off at 0500 on Sunday to cross the Wide Bay Bar just after low tide. We left Garry's in company with Zoo and Waterfront and after an uneventful crossing of the bar (the best kind!) we set spinnakers for the 74nm to Mooloolaba.

The wind gradually built so when our snapshackle on the spinnakler sheet opened during a gybe we decided it was time to sock the spinnaker. We made good progress in the first hard running of the trip. Approaching Mooloolaba, we could see storms building in the west. A couple went safely past before it became clear one was coming our way. Luckily, Warren decided to drop the main before it hit with heavy rain and over 40 knots of wind. It didn't last long and we motored the last couple of miles into Mooloolaba.

We had a great 3 days in Mooloolaba, surfing and long walks every day. The south easterly eventually blew itself out and we decided to complete the trip back to Raby Bay on Thursday before the next SE change came through. We had a early surf before leaving at 0900 and setting the spinnaker for the final leg home. It was great to see Mum at the entrance to our canal to once again welcome us home.

Tuesday 19 November 2013

Farewell to the Tropics

Monday, 11 November to Tuesday, 19 November 2013
On Monday we continued our trek south hoping to take advantage of the north easters forecast for the week to get down to the Keppels. Light breezes initially meant some motoring but we managed to sail most of the way to Plantation Bay on Lindeman Island.

Cosy at Curlew Island
An early start Tuesday as we had 80nm to cover to get to Curlew Island. A good 2 sail reach all day had the anchor down by 1730 in the small bay on the western side of Curlew. Lucky we were the only yacht there as there was not a lot of room. A bit rolly but tolerable. We awoke to find tracks on the beach that Warren thought was a croc at first before we decided it was a turtle that had laid it's eggs ashore overnight.

Another long day on Wednesday, 82nm to Port Clinton. Light winds and the notorious Shoalwater Bay tides meant the engines ran most of the day. By comparison, Thursday was an easy 44nm to Great Keppel Island under spinnaker most of the trip. Anchor down in time for lunch. Weather was very unsettled with storms around and multiple wind changes.

On Friday we celebrated Warren's birthday with sundowners with Len and Isla (Waterfront) whose youngest son Warren shares "big Warren's" birthday.

Beautiful GKI
On Saturday we upped anchor to motor to Rosslyn Bay Marina just as a large storm cell hit. We got a steady 40 knots for about half an hour. We were glad to tie up in the marina and looked forward to a couple of quiet nights. We caught up with John from Hadja and also had dinner with Trevor and Jan from Nefertiti while here

Monday, we left at 0600 again for the 73nm to Pancake Creek. a reach early, a few hours motoring and then a northerly for a spinnaker run in the afternoon. 10 boats here when we arrived with all but 2 leaving this morning while we decided to have another day at one of our favourite anchorages.

Bound for Curtis Island?

Monday 11 November 2013

Melbourne Cup at Maggie

Sunday, 3 November to Sunday 10 November 2013
We caught a cab to the airport to drop off Ben for the flight to Melbourne and pickup a hire car for the day. We wanted to catch up with friends Marie and Rob at Forrest Beach (near Ingham) and see their new home. Last year we were there for the wetting of the roof and we wanted to see the final result.

It looks great - right on the waterfront, it has views across Halifax Bay to Great Palm Island. Beautiful lunch including an impressive upside down potato salad.

On Monday, Barry from Navcom came and installed the new AIS, a Raymarine 650. All good until we realised after he had left that it did not have the latest software installed. Tip of the week - if you have a 650 and your vessel appears in the AIS list then you need to update the software. Of course this is not an easy task so the rest of the day was sorting this out.

Tuesday was Melbourne Cup so we left the marina before 1000 to get to Horseshoe Bay for the BBQ lunch on the beach with Wirraway, Thalassa and New Horizons. The outlook was as beautiful as ever and I got second in the sweep.

With south-easters for the rest of the week, we enjoyed another stay here. Warren caught 3 crabs and nearly lost a toe while practising his crab tying skills. Boules and a BBQ lunch on Thursday with everyone was a fun way to fill in the day. The ladies had a win 13-11 in a close fought and very competitive match.

Saturday, we headed south in company with Thalassa with a forecast of ENE that stayed in the east most of the day (which of course was where we were headed). 10 hours to cover the 30nm to Cape Bowling Green tells the story. Luckily the breeze went NE after that and we had a good reach to Cape Upstart where we dropped anchor at 2030.

Thalassa
On Sunday, we sailed to Bona Bay in light winds. Final sundowners on board Phase2 with Gary and Bev of Wirraway as they are staying in Airlie for a while, and Kate, Graham and Rob (Thalassa). Fresh fish for dinner.

Wirraway at Bona Bay

Monday 4 November 2013

Cairns to Townsville - 3 POB

Sunday, 27 October to Sunday, 3 November 2013
Our eldest son Ben flew into Cairns on Saturday from Melbourne. On Sunday we tacked down to Fitzroy Island in a moderate SE breeze. As more south easters were predicted for Monday we decided to stay 2 nights and wait for more favourable winds on Tuesday. The water was very clear and we enjoyed a long snorkel off the resort. Patches of good coral and fish to be seen.

On Tuesday, with an easterly forecast, we headed off early to sail the 60nm to Dunk Island. The resort is still closed however there is a new jetty so boats can bring day trippers and the National Park camp ground is also open.
After checking out the resort on Wednesday morning we raised the spinnaker and headed for Zoe Bay in a welcome northerly. We chalked up a milestone on this leg - 10,000 nm in Phase2 since her launch in May 2011. Bubbles at Zoe Bay to celebrate!

Thursday morning we climbed to the top of the waterfall before breakfast to escape the worst of the heat.
Then on to Little Pioneer Bay on Orpheus Island.
Scrambled eggs on the go
Sad sight at Horseshoe Bay



On Friday we sailed the 35nm to Horseshoe Bay on Magnetic Island in a 15-20kn north easter.

Saturday we headed across to Breakwater marina. Dinner at Summerie's Thai restaurant was a great way to finish the week with Ben. He caught a flight back to Melbourne where the forecast for Monday was a chilly 6-14 degrees!!




Saturday 26 October 2013

South to Cairns

Monday, 14 October to Saturday, 26 October 2013
We had a good trip back from Lizard to Cairns. 35nm to Cape Bedford on Monday and we were lucky to sail the whole way in a light easterly/south east breeze. As it was very overcast when we left we decided to leave our visit to the Cod Hole for our next trip.

Ship loading silica at Cape Flattery
Tuesday we sailed 81nm to windward to Low Isles arriving at 1930. Warren caught 2 good sized school mackeral on the way. We had 3 nights here and enjoyed the snorkelling and sundowners ashore with Wirraway and Nefertiti. Our stay was extended to allow Warren to replace the water pump that stopped working properly. Luckily we carry a spare for all pumps so we replaced it and got a new pressure switch in Cairns to fix the old one.

On Friday we sailed to Cairns where we anchored in Trinity Inlet. Saturday morning we moved into the marina which we had booked for the next week. We had quite a few jobs on the list including trying to fix a flutter in the luff of the mainsail. This turned out to be a snapped bolt rope that we had to replace. Not an easy job as it required loosening batten cars, and pushing the new bolt rope down the luff at about 1.5m at a time, cutting the stitching at each point as we progressed (and resewing by hand). We'll see how it goes tomorrow!

We were lucky to see the start of the Crocodile Trophy mountain bike race. This is a 9 day race over 850km which includes 15000m climbing! Not for the faint hearted especially in the heat we have had this week. 116 starters this year including a lot of internationals. http://www.crocodile-trophy.com

The recently relaunched ex racing catamaran Bagatelle was our neighbour for a few days. Bagatelle was lost on Scott Reef off Cairns in May, 2004. She was salvalaged and sold by the insurance company to Rex and Steve who have spent the last 9 years rebuilding her. Now that is a project!

We have enjoyed being in the heart of Cairns and went to aqua aerobics classes at the lagoon and walks along the esplanade. Lots of boats left during the week when some northerlies appeared.

Our eldest son Ben joined us today and he is sailing south to Townsville with us over the next week.

Monday 14 October 2013

Lizard Island

Thursday, 3 October 2013 to Sunday, 13 October 2013
We left Marlin Marina in a light north easterly and motored the 18nm to Vlasoff Reef. The mooring was surprisingly comfortable in the easterly swell and we wasted no time going ashore on the small island for a snorkel. Just as we were entering the water a helicopter circled and signalled if it was ok to land.  Apparently they have to get permission if there is anyone on the island. Good coral and fish just off the beach.

Friday morning we checked out Michaelmas Reef before setting the spinnaker for the Low Isles. Michaelmas is a bird rookery so the noise and smell of hundreds of birds spoiled the ambience somewhat!
Warren was keen to get to Lizard Island in time for the footy final on Sunday night so Saturday we covered 70nm to Cape Bedford with a good spinnaker run most of the way. Our AIS blew a fuse today (and the replacement) so can’t be used until we find out what the issue is. Warren caught 2 spanish mackerel that were both returned as one was too big (120cm) and one was too small (65cm). We steer clear of anything over 100cm to reduce the risk of ciguatera poisoning.

Sunday we had a quick sail to Watson’s Bay on Lizard Island in 20-25kn winds where we anchored with 30 other cruisers including Len and Isla on Waterfront. On Monday, with good weather forecast for the next few days, Waterfront and about 14 others left.

We walked to the Research Station on Monday morning for the tour. Our guide Julius was an Italian post grad student with a British accent who studied the sounds of the reef.

He explained that the crackling noise that you can hear when you film under water is actually pistol shrimp firing off water at prey. When I get better internet I’ll upload a video! Apparently you can find these creatures on every coral reef around the world. He also talked about the Crown of Thorns starfish and the current outbreak which is damaging the reef. I was disappointed to see that the reef at nearby Turtle Bay has had significant damage since our last visit 2 years ago.


Warren with Hugh from San Souci
During the week we were on Lizard Island we also climbed to the top of Cook's Look (where Captain Cook found a passage through the Great Barrier reef), snorkelled and kayaked.

On Sunday the Lizard Island Gamefishing tournament started. 29 boats made for a crowded anchorage but the sailpast and race to the fishing grounds was quite spectacular.

Vava II (314ft) dwarfed the big Bertrams and Rivieras. This vessel has it all (including fuel tanks holding 400,000 litres of diesel).

That's a 54ft powerboat tied to the stern of Vava II
Big boys toys

Wednesday 2 October 2013

The Slow Route to Cairns

Saturday, 21 September to Wednesday, 2 October 2013
The 2 days sailing to Horseshoe Bay on Magnetic Island were in light east/north-east winds around 10-12 knots. We had a few runs with the spinnaker, some time with the genoa and the rest motoring or motor sailing.

We caught up with the Gypsymariner crew in Horseshoe Bay and had sundowners with them and Rad and Chris (Peer Pressure) and a couple of other yachts.

We had a good sail up to Little Pioneer Bay on Orpheus Island and then tacked up to Zoe Bay in a moderate northerly the next day. We had 3 days here waiting again for the winds to be anything but N or NW. If you are going to be stuck with the weather then this is the place.

The anchorage was surprisingly good in the northerlies and we enjoyed the walk up to the top of the waterfall and a walk on the beach each evening.

Warren did a lot of fishing for not much return unfortunately (a couple of golden trevally) and I read to my heart's content. I highly recommend my current novel - The Distant Hours by Kate Morton.

Eventually on Saturday, 28 September we got a forecast of E/NE and headed for Mourilyan Harbour. 53 nm - motoring all morning until an easterly came in after lunch.

Mourilyan Harbour
The dredge that started up at 0600 helped us get an early start for the 44nm to Fitzroy Island. Motoring all day, we were glad for a swim once the anchor was down in the bay. Warren caught another school mackeral.

Monday we sailed the short distance to Cairns Marlin marina where we have spent 3 days. Over 8 weeks since we left home so haircuts were high on the list of things to do.

Tomorrow we leave for the final legs towards Lizard Island.

Saturday 21 September 2013

Farewell Whitsundays

Sunday September 8 to Saturday, September 21 2013
It has been 2 weeks since the Multihull Rendezvous finished and since then we have had light N, NW winds. This is exactly the wrong breeze to sail north. The Queensland coast runs in a north westerly direction, so going north we don't want NW and going south, SE winds.

Turtle Bay looking south to Pentecost Island
It is not all bad news though because with these winds we have spent some time in anchorages not usually accessible with the predominant SE winds. Turtle Bay tops the list - good holding, lots of room, nice sandy beach for a swim and lots of places to explore in the kayaks. It has been a very relaxing couple of weeks.

Looking south from the lookout above Whitehaven
We also visited Whitehaven where we walked across to Chance Bay and Tongue Bay where Warren took the dinghy into Hill Inlet but decided it looked too shallow for Phase2. We also anchored at Macona Inlet where we had sundowners on the beach with a group of Shaggers, Nara Inlet and Plantation Bay on the south side of Lindeman Island. We were disappointed with this anchorage and the walking tracks I hoped to find were overgrown and we didn't try them.

Chance Bay
Our trip to Nara Inlet from Macona Inlet was via Hardy's Reef and Bait Reef. 84 nm in total for the day to end up about 1nm away as the crow flies. By the time we got to Hardy's Reef the tide was rushing in and we didn't like the look of the entrance. High tide was about 1700 and we didn't want to risk entering that late and not seeing the bombies. We then sailed to Bait Reef where we picked up a mooring but the NW gave a nasty chop so we decided to head back to the tranquil waters of Nara and a good nights sleep. We learnt a bit for the next time we head out that way and Warren caught a nice spotted mackeral.

Last night, Friday was at Breakfast Bay on the south side of Gloucester Island. Very calm in the NW conditions. The weather pattern is still not great but we decided to head off at 1000 today in little breeze and hope the predicted SE-NE winds develop and we don't have to motor all the way to Cape Upstart.

Where is the north-easter we were promised!
PS
Wind came in about 1230. Now doing 7 knots in 10 knots of NE breeze. Love this genoa!


Saturday 14 September 2013

Multihull Rendezvous 2013

Monday, 2 September to Sunday 8, September 2013
We knew the perfect weather of the last month could not last and it changed with a vengeance this week. Monday it blew all day but we were all safely tied to the marina at Abell Point.We enjoyed a Welcome function at Sorrento restaurant where we met the crew from Multihull Solutions and some of the other 14 boat crews for the event.

Tuesday we awoke to 30 knot south easterlies and the organisers gave everyone the option of getting a bus to Cape Gloucester Eco Resort if they didn't fancy the sail. We elected to bus as we knew the sail back the next day would be tough and we were in this for the fun. The Pirate party also celebrated the 50th birthday of Alex from Hanuman. Everyone enjoyed the dinner and dancing into the evening.



It was still 30 knots on Wednesday and as we had a lay day, many boats elected to cross the passage to the surprisingly good anchorage in May's Bay just north of Cid Harbour - very protected in these conditions and not nearly as crowded as Cid. We sailed under 3 reefs and our storm jib across the passage and averaged 6 knots in the constant 30 knots with a highest gust of 38 knots recorded. We could hear the yachts coming back from Gloucester lamenting the conditions on the radio and we were glad we had taken the bus option.

30knots + gusts at Cid Harbour
Thursday's destination of Whitehaven was changed to Macona Inlet and then to Cid Harbour for the Prawn and punch party. Beautiful large local prawns and plenty of punch and Bunkers wine made for a great afternoon. We won the wooden spoon in the Blind Man's Dinghy race - sigh.

On Friday morning, we climbed Whitsunday Peak before sailing on to Nara Inlet. The wind had eased to 20-25 knots and after a sail past Mothership for the figurehead competition (party shirts and ABBA) we joined in the trivia competition and beach games. Some boats had gone to a lot of trouble with their costumes for this and other theme events.

View from the top is worth the walk
On Saturday we had our best sail of the week from Nara down to Hamilton Island. We were the only boat to sail with full main and jib in the 20 knot SEers. Dinner and entertainment from Cruise Captain Condor at the Hamilton Island Yacht Club was a great way to finish the week. Multihull Solutions who run this event did a great job in trying conditions and we would recommend it to anyone up here next year in their multihull.

Lickity Split didn't need full sail to race past

Tuesday 3 September 2013

Whitsunday Wandering

Monday, 26 August 2013 - Eco Resort to Airlie Beach
After watching a lot of yachts heading north from Shaggers on Sunday and Monday, we raised sails and headed back to Airlie Beach. Our son Josh and his girlfriend Jo arrive on Friday for a few days and then we join the Multihull Rendezvous for a week.

It was a hard 35nm into a 20knot SE breeze. We put the first reef in near Gumbrell Island and tacked into the bays to avoid the worst of the seas.

On Wednesday we headed across the passage to Stonehaven. Warren caught a nice school mackeral and then a spotted mackeral as he was pulling in the other lure. Fresh fish for dinner!

Friday, 30 August 2013 - Nara Inlet to Cid Harbour
We sailed down from Nara Inlet to Hamilton Island to pick up Josh and Jo for a few days. With the wind predicted to be 15-20kn for their stay, we decided to stay on the inside of the islands. We had a nice run down from Hamilton and were anchored in Cid Harbour just before 1700.

Saturday we sailed/motored up to Blue Pearl Bay for a snorkel. We headed around to Butterfly Bay where we got a mooring but moved around to Stonehaven as there was a nasty swell rolling into the bay.

Sunday we headed across to Langford reef where Josh and Jo paddled ashore before Josh tried to get more shots with his GoPro. I got some nice footage of a turtle swimming by - they are obviously used to snorkellers in the water!

Sunday afternoon we sailed back to Airlie as Josh and Jo were flying out of Proserpine on Monday morning. Dinner at Sorrento Restaurant to celebrate Father's Day ended a great couple of days with Josh and Jo.