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Monday 11 December 2017

Slow boat to Cleveland

Lady Musgrave Island to Raby Bay
Monday, 6th to Saturday, 18th November, 2017
With a south easterly expected on Tuesday, we left Lady Musgrave for the shelter of the Sandy Straits. A 0540 start was not early enough, as we were second last to leave the lagoon.
The race is on to leave the lagoon
We set a course for the Fairway Buoy in a NE wind that went through N to NW as the day progressed. We were able to set the spinnaker at 1030 and sailed all day in wind from 10 to 20 knots. After dropping the spinnaker at sunset, we sailed down the straits under genoa with 2 knots of tidal assistance. We anchored at Bookar Island at 2200 after 103nm.

On Tuesday, we headed to Garry's Anchorage to meet up with Joule and Casablanca. Tuesday night a number of storms rolled through the area, blowing out the wind gauge at Double Island Point when it went above 60 knots. They also caused a lot of damage in the Bundaberg region, including a Downunder Rally boat that was holed and sunk at the marina.
A hike with Helen and Lester
We spent 4 nights at Garry's waiting for the SE winds to ease before heading to Tin Can Bay for a change of scenery. We spent a quiet night at Smoogers Point, before being squeezed into the marina on the work dock for 2 nights. The marina was full of boats waiting like us for some wind other than SE. We enjoyed fresh prawns from the co-op and rode the bikes out to Cooloola Cove one day to the supermarket.

Eventually the wind and seas eased and we moved to Pelican Point to be ready for an early high tide crossing of the bar. 25 boats including 7 Seawinds crossed on Wednesday morning with an easterly breeze the best we could expect for a while. Lester (Joule) surprised Warren by singing Happy Birthday to him at 0430 as they motored past. Our 0500 start made us second last to leave (thanks Casablanca).
Follow the leader
The crossing was uneventful and after clearing the bar we pulled out the genoa and after a couple of tacks to clear Double Island Point, we headed for Mooloolaba. The breeze stayed in the east most of the day, and squalls made for an interesting day's sail. We enjoyed catching up with friends in Mooloolaba, more fresh seafood and a body surf every morning.
Joule looking good against Mount Coolum
Unfortunately our planned week at Mooloolaba was cut to 3 nights as Saturday was the last day with a northerly for the final leg to Raby Bay. This turned out to be our worst day of the trip. It was cold, wet and windy. Lots of squalls before the wind eased and we had to motor the last few miles home.

So another trip has come to an end and we start to think about what 2018 might have in store for us.

Tuesday 7 November 2017

Going South – Whitsundays to Lady Musgrave Island

Wednesday, 11 October to Sunday, 5 November 2017
We left Abell Point marina on Wednesday morning in an easterly breeze that, as predicted in our last post, turned to south-east as we entered the Whitsunday Passage. Rather than struggling to Shaw Island as planned, we went across to Beach 25 north of Hamilton Island.
Last Whitsunday sunset
We motored down the Dent Passage then had a good sail to Minne Hall Bay on Goldsmith Island. We spent 2 nights here before sailing the 13nm to Brampton Island where we spent 3 nights waiting for the northerlies to return. We had our first major rain on the trip while here. We walked on the beach near the resort which is looking sadder every time we come.
Kayaked to Carlisle Island
With the breeze expected to get stronger and go to the east, on Tuesday we decided to go west to Port Newry, about 25nm north of Mackay. 

The aptly named Wedding Cake Rock
at the entrance to Port Newry
This is a beautiful anchorage in most winds and there are walks on both Newry and Outer Newry Islands.

Anchorage between Newry and Outer Newry Islands
There were 7 boats here sitting out the blow and unfortunately one dragged anchor onto us about 10pm one night. Just one man on board who was motoring to keep from hitting us but could not bring up his anchor. Warren launched the dinghy and went to help him as his anchor had caught on our anchor chain. Not what you need at that time of night and in 25 knots.
On Saturday, the winds had eased enough to get to Mackay marina to wait for the next southerly to go through. We hired a car with the Sana Solia crew and did our shopping and washing. There were a lot of cruisers waiting here for the wind to change.

Morning tea at Slade Pt
On Tuesday, we decided to use the last of the south easterlies to go 37nm out to Scawfell Island so that we had a better angle of wind the next day. On this trip we ticked over 24,000nm in Phase2.
This turtle didn't stop to lay her eggs
The trip to Curlew in a light easterly was the longest days sailing in quite a while – 50nm. We anchored in the western anchorage with Joule and the Seawind 1000XL Simple Pleasures. This is a great anchorage with little swell in an easterly.

On Thursday, we decided to head to Middle Percy Island for a couple of days. 
First mackeral of the trip - at last!
We had a short stop to the famous A frame in West Bay to see if our sign had survived cyclone Debbie (it didn’t) and make a new one that we hope is a bit sturdier. 

We then went around to Whites Bay and spent the night with 23 other boats in this beautiful anchorage.

Sunrise at Whites Bay
On Saturday, we headed south to Delcomyn Bay a good NW-N anchorage just outside Port Clinton. 
Delcomyn Bay
Next was around the corner to Perforated Point, a very calm anchorage in the NE breezes. Lots of cruisers about so sundowners very popular including helping Wendy from Attitude celebrate her birthday.
Perforated Point
On Monday, we had our best sail for a while under spinnaker to Long Beach on Great Keppel Island. After a walk ashore we saw a storm brewing and a check of the radar had us concerned. 
The calm before the storm
We had a call from Escape in the Narrows to say it had hit there with a 40 knot southerly which would have us on a lee shore. With 36 boats anchored in the bay, we elected to up anchor before it hit and motor out to clear water. We were glad to clear the anchorage about 7pm before the storm hit. We motored slowly towards Keppel Bay marina where we had a berth booked for the following day. We had a maximum wind strength of 44 knots and lots of sheet lightning with the occasional bolt and crack of thunder. By the time we reached the marina at 2030, the storm had passed and we had an uneventful rest of the night. We were pleased to hear only 1 yacht dragged but all spent a rolly night with the southerly swell.

We spent another 2 nights in the marina including a great day when we rode to Emu Park on the bikes. For a small town, they have an impressive WW1 memorial highlighting local men and women who fought in the war. 


The local museum was also worth a visit with a personal tour from one of the volunteers.
The Maritime Museum contained many models made by a local
By Thursday, we had a forecast that we thought would get us to Pancake Creek. We sailed all day in light winds with our genoa and anchored just before 2000. 
Farewell to the tropics - Cape Capricorn
On Friday, we sailed to Lady Musgrave Island in a SE wind that went E and required more tacking – never a favourite with cruisers. 
The reward of the beautiful clear water here, the turtles, coral and fish made it all worthwhile. It is turtle mating season so there were lots about and many going ashore every night to lay eggs. 
Ground too rugged here for the turtle
We were pleased to find amongst the 25 boats here San Souci, Heemskirk and Zofia all relaxing after returning from New Caledonia and Vanuatu recently. We are here for 3 nights before continuing our travels south.

Monday 9 October 2017

New Anchorages in the Whitsundays

Wednesday, 20 September to Monday, 9 October, 2017
Since leaving Bona Bay over 2 weeks ago, we have had more beautiful weather and winds from the north that have allowed us to visit some old favourites and many new anchorages.
Queen Margrethe Bay, Shaw Island
Bearing in mind that there were still 2 weeks of football finals, our cruising was constrained by the need to have good TV reception on the weekends.

After dinner at Monties Resort with Twoflower, Hurtle Turtle and locals Kay and Brian on Wednesday, on Friday we headed to Happy Bay (direct line of sight to the TV tower at Shute Harbour!)
Walks are open from Happy Bay
After a loss by the Broncos and a win to the Cowboys, we sailed to Chance Bay and then onto Waite Bay on Hazelwood Island.
Waite Bay, Hazelwood Island - idyllic
This was the first of 5 new anchorages we visited in 2 weeks. We spent 2 nights tucked into the NW corner of the bay out of the swell. We kayaked and snorkelled the reef close to the boat. It was under a rock face and must have escaped the cyclone damage suffered by other reefs as there was lots of colourful coral, fish and turtles.

From here we went to Roberta Bay for 2 nights and Queen Margrethe Bay for 1 night. These are on the eastern side of Shaw Island and were both picture postcard perfect for kayaking and swimming.
Kayaking with the Beach House crew in Roberta Bay
Queen Margrethe Bay had a creek with just a trickle of water that we could scramble up for some nice photos.

Queen Margrethe Bay
On Saturday we headed to Happy Bay for the AFL Grand Final Bay but the northerly swell had us make a late move to Turtle Bay for the night.
Footy on the go!
We then discovered perfect TV here for the rugby league Grand Final on Sunday with Beach House. Sadly, it wasn't to be for the Cowboys so we headed to Plantation Bay on Lindeman Island after a 1 hour pit stop at Hamilton Island. For $20, we topped up the water, bought some groceries and did a couple of loads of washing. There is a new IGA on the island that makes this a more viable option than in previous years and saves a trip back to Airlie Beach.

We were then off to Thomas Island and the SE anchorage near Dead Dog Island. Another beautiful spot although there was a bit of swell working into the anchorage (judged by if I have to brace to cook dinner!) More kayaking and snorkelling although the reef was badly damaged.
Crowded at Dead Dog Bay until the 10 runabouts left
Large and small at Dead Dog Bay, Thomas Island
Our final new anchorage was Billbob Bay on the southern side of Shaw Island. Footy has finished but this is Bathurst weekend so we have spent 3 great nights here. Little swell, good swimming and kayaking and only a couple of other boats.
A gap in the reef allows a walk ashore at low tide
Charter boats are not allowed at any of these 5 anchorages so they have all been uncrowded and quiet.
We are now on our way to Abell Point marina to get ready for the trip south. After months of northerlies I hope this is not the trigger for southerlies!

Wednesday 20 September 2017

Whitsunday cruising 2

Monday, 11 September to Tuesday, 19 September, 2017
We left Airlie after topping up the water tanks at the public pontoon inside the marina. This is a big improvement on the one that was here last time we visited and allows 2 boats to moor for up to 30 minutes free of charge.

We then had a good sail in a 15-20 kn SE to Caves Cove, just south of Stonehaven on Hook Island, where we picked up a mooring. On Tuesday, we went arround to Stonehaven after a few boats had left to grab a mooring and go for a snorkel.
Busy Stonehaven
We explored the reef just south of our mooring which was in quite good condition. The charter boats were bringing their guests here so I assume this is the best reef in the anchorage.

Some colourful coral but lots of fish and some clams. We had a turtle visit our boat regularly - I assume the charter boats feed it as it was not shy at all.
On Wednesday, we went around to Macona Inlet where we spent 2 nights. Unfortunately no fish caught but we did catch up with Second Wind and enjoyed sundowners aboard their Seawind with their friends. We watched several charter boats nearly come to grief as they tried to cross the reef to the south of us as they trusted their electronic charts and didn't have a good lookout.
Golf rangefinder useful in an anchorage
On Friday we headed back to Airlie as we had booked a night in Abell Point Marina to attend a reef and beef night they were putting on. We had a quick trip with a double reef in winds up to 28 knots. Beach House was with us and we watched the Broncos beat Penrith afterwards.
Beach House heavily reefed to cross the Passage
Saturday was at Woodwark Bay then on to Bona Bay for 3 nights in the strong SE winds. It is school holidays so we knew it would be quieter over here!

More cyclone damage

Monday 18 September 2017

Whitsunday Cruising

Saturday, 2 September to Sunday, 10 September, 2017
On Saturday we had a good sail over to Cid Harbour, then a 8nm motor to Hamilton Island on Sunday morning to pick up our son, Ben. He got off the plane in jeans and with a heavy coat as it was 9 degrees when he left Melbourne. We managed a short sail before the wind died and were anchored at Whitehaven Beach by 1500.
The beach and water are still beautiful but evidence of the cyclone is all around.
Stagnant lagoon and dead trees not on the postcards
We enjoyed several walks on the beach before the crowds arrived and the water was crystal clear.
The day trippers still come in large numbers which is good for the local economy but we did prefer Whitehaven in the quiet early mornings and late afternoons. 

On Monday a light northerly made for perfect conditions to visit Chance Bay. We kayaked and swam and Ben relaxed (easy as there was no internet).
Tuesday we moved around the headland to Turtle Bay and another picture perfect anchorage. South facing bays such as these did not suffer as badly in the recent cyclone as those facing north.
On Wednesday it was time for Ben to fly home. After dropping Ben off, we had a gentle sail to Cid Harbour where we spent 2 nights. We climbed Whitsunday Peak which was a challenge as most of the canopy has been destroyed so it was very hot.
On a previous walk before the cyclone
However, the views are still spectacular although it took a rest and a cup of tea before we could appreciate them.

On Friday it was back to Airlie to watch the football and do some washing and shopping. A win to the Cowboys but the Broncos down - lucky they get 2 chances.