With a SE-S wind predicted we decided to sail east across Hervey Bay to Wathumba Creek on the northern end of Fraser island. We anchored outside the creek the first night as it has a very shallow entrance. After checking it out on Saturday morning in the inflatable, we decided to enter on the high tide. We anchored in a small hole inside with 3 other cats but as the tide dropped it became clear we were going to sit on the bottom. Sunday we left on the high tide and reached south to Moon Point before motoring to Yankee Jack Creek for the night. We listened with increasing interest to each weather forecast as we got closer to the Wide Bay Bar. Monday we motored to Garry's Anchorage and with a forecast of NE-NW and a decreasing swell for Tuesday, we decided this was the best time to cross. But Tuesday saw a SE 10-15 knots when we crossed with 1.5 to 2.0 m seas. The "mad mile" was aptly named but the bar was not breaking and although there were a couple of bigger sets, we crossed without incident and anchored at Double Island Point.
Wednesday's sail south to Mooloolaba gave our first whale encounters, 2 some distance away (one breaching and one slapping it's flipper) but the last surfaced only 50m in front. We quickly tacked and it swam alongside for quite a while before continuing it's trip north. We hand steered and kept a much more vigilant lookout after this. We anchored in the Mooloolah River with "Davoren".
Our final day's sail started in a strong SW that died by lunchtime. We motor sailed for a couple of hours before arriving at Raby Bay to the cheers of the awaiting crowd (Mum and Dad). Warren sounded the fog horn to signal the end of our trip and we tied up in our marina berth. Now the cleanup, return to work and planning for the next trip!
1 comment:
Hey Debbie and Warren, have a great trip. warren, make sure the galley slave isn't too strict on the ship's provisions (and sneak in a bottle of rum or two). Deb, enjoy the well-earned rest
love
Lynne, John and the boys
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