Lady Musgrave Island to Great Keppel Island - 09/05/2012

07/05/2012

After a couple of days at Bundaberg we set sail for Lady Musgrave Island as the weather predicted was  SE 15/20 knots for Saturday and thereafter no wind for four days which makes for ideal conditions on the reefs.

Our last night was spent with host Wayne (of Yacht Domain Brokerage), he hosted the Shag Islet Cruising Yacht Club monthly get together which is held outside his office the first Friday of every month. He had invited everyone that was at the marina and we had a good night although we did not stay for its duration as we planned to sail early next morning.

Saturday I was up at 0415 hours put the kettle on being the most important task before rolling up the covers and getting all else ready before leaving. After having a few sips of the tea we singled up the lines disconnected the power, turned on the navigation lights and instruments started the engines and slipped away from the dock. The time was 0500 hours and it was still dark, we headed out the channel of the Burnett River with another yacht ahead of us which we caught up with as it was going rather slow.

(A new day, as we sail away from Bundaberg heading north for Lady Musgrave Island)

We turned out of the channel as soon as the water was deep enough to allow us to do so which is about two navigation markers short of the end of the channel as soon as we were in clear water away from any shallows we set our course for 345⁰ magnetic to bring us on the western side of Lady Musgrave Island. About  two miles out we got under sail with the wind close behind we went under genoa alone and was getting along at 5.5 to 6 knots a nice steady pace this should get us there at the turn of the tide for easier access to the cay. We sailed just over half way before the wind backed off and our speed dropped below 2 knots so it was time to hit one of the iron sails and we motor sailed up until about 5 NMS from Lady Musgrave where the wind disappeared and the sail just flapped so we furled it and used the engine alone. As we neared Lady Musgrave I started the other engine to warm it up before entering the access to the cay of Lady Musgrave.

The directions for entry is that you line the boat up in line with the centre of the channel marked with a port and starboard marker and steer 130⁰ magnetic, having someone on the bow is advisable to give guidance once you enter to watch out for bommies, (coral mounds). The water is plenty deep enough we arrived just after low tide and shallowest we had was 6.4 metres and we anchored in over 7 metres of water.

(Lady Musgrave Island and reef area showing entrance)

(The entrance showing the first port/stbd markers, the second stbd marker and the isolated danger marker on a large section of coral.)

Our friend Rick and Michelle on 'Neriki' arrived just ahead of us so we had a bit of a reunion once anchored that actually turned into staying for sundowners followed by dinner. We had a good night catching up. Their boat was hit by lightening some months back and it took them two months to get the boat back to operational condition with waiting for insurance companies and getting all the electronics replaced.

Sunday 06/05/2012

During the very early hours of the morning I woke to the boat rocking and once alert I could hear the wind howling in the rigging. I got up to check all is well the time was 0230 hours. I switched on the instruments and the wind is 20 plus knots. This was not in the predictions the wind was supposed to die for a few days. I checked the anchor and the anchor watch GPS and all was well so I went back to bed although not having a good night's sleep as I kept waking to check all is well.

When daylight broke the wind was still there and being out at Lady Musgrave we cannot get internet to see what is happening so we had to wait for VMR Bundaberg to transmit the weather which is around 0800 hours.

One fellow called out on the radio asking if anyone had a weather update, an answer came back from another boat, "yes it's bloody rough". No help there. When we got the weather report it was entirely different to what I got from the Met on the internet the morning we left this wind was to stay all day and taper off in the evening and lighter winds thereafter for three days but still higher than first predicted.

Lady Musgrave Island is an atoll where many years ago it is believed that someone blew a hole in the reef to allow boats to enter to collect guano and since for boats to anchor to enjoy the lagoon some of the naughty things we did in the earlier days where you would be hung out to dry if you even had a thought of doing something like that today. It is one of many reef formations in the Capricorn and Bunker Group. It is situated 56 NMS north of Bundaberg and 35 NMS east of Pancake Creek.

We went ashore yesterday for a walk and look around it is pleasing that they now have port and stbd floating markers to guide you into the beach, three years ago there was nothing to guide you and it was easy to hit some of the live coral as people did not know where to approach the island. We went ashore at low tide as you can see from the picture. The tide was very low due to the full moon . I believe that last night the moon was at its closest to earth as it has been in more than 800 years, a little bit before my time.

(Black Noddy's perched in the trees all around the island)

(Old clam shell in the shallows)

(Lady Musgrave's anchorage within the reef)

(Looking from the beach at low tide)

(Lady Musgrave Island at first light)



As we started to walk on the beach and go around the island we were swooped on by nearby birds, Little Terns, they were nesting so we kept our distance. They attacked similar to that what Magpies do in nesting season making loud squawks and diving for the head. They were just on one small section of the island. As we went further there were lots of Black Noddys in the trees and flying around. One often see them out to see fishing. You start to see these north of Fraser Island.

This island like many has suffered beach erosion from the stormy seas of the last two years there was a lot more beach three years ago when we were here last. Last time we were here there were a lot of campers but that could have been due to it being school holidays at that time, there aren't any campers here at the moment. It is a national park so permits are required to camp on the island, it is also a marine park so one must check the marine parks charts before dropping a fishing line in the water. These charts are free from many outlets, waterside information places or chandlers there are many of them as they cover all of the Queensland coast.

I have noticed whilst here that some people are dropping a line in where they should not probably oblivious to the laws as they may not have these charts. I must say that most islands and water front that have such restrictions usually have a board near the area where people come ashore identifying the restrictions but there is not one here.

Last night we were again invited over on 'Neriki' for drinks and dinner along with new friends Canadians  John and Cheryl on ' Sea Mist'  Nancy had prepared main course which was a Mediterranean Hot Pot that she cooked in the shuttle chef and Michelle provided desert of apple crumble and custard and cream and everyone brought pre dinner nibbles, Cheryl had cooked some small pies with mustard sauce which were very nice. We had a fun night that went rather late but we all enjoyed it. Tonight it will be drinks on 'Sea Mist', it's a rough life.

Tuesday 08/05/2012

(First light at Lady Musgrave from our anchorage)

(Sunset at Lady Musgrave taken from 'Neriki' when having sundowners)



Last night was a good night aboard 'Sea Mist' it was another extended sundowners all the girls had made different dishes for sundowners that there was so much it ended up being dinner. We returned to 'Alana Rose' about 2200 hours.

Our plan today is to sail from Lady Musgrave to have a look at Fitzroy Reef and if we are not keen on staying there to go onto Wistari Reef and anchor there for the night. Rick and Michelle on 'Neriki' are leaving with us.

We waited for the tide to flow in a little so that it started to come over the reef itself and not just rushing against us through the inlet so around 0700 hours I started getting things ready I noticed 'Neriki' was doing the same. We weighed anchor and started heading out, 'Neriki' had its engines running so I assumed they would do the same. We followed our entry track out but Nancy still stayed on the bow to watch for bommies.

Once out of the access passage we turned into the wind and hoisted the mainsail then turned on course and unfurled the genoa and shut the engines down. It is good to just sail and I hoped the wind would last all day.

(Another clear day)

As we settled I looked back and 'Neriki' had not moved, I said to Nancy, "I was sure they were ready to leave". The next thing Michelle called on the radio and said the clutch on the anchor winch was slipping. I suggested the fix maybe to tighten the nut on the outside of the gypsy, Michelle said they had done that. Next she said the problem is the anchor has fouled in a coral bommies so they have to go for a dive. They told us not to come back they will catch up later.

We sailed nearly all the way to Fitzroy Reef but had to start an engine and motor sail just before we got there. Although there was little wind the seas were messy, there was small choppy wind waves from the SE and a swell from the east this made it difficult to see anything when we neared Fitzroy Reef so I said to Nancy it may be better to go on to Wistari Reef.

They say Fitzroy Reef is very pretty the reef is covered with water and there is an access to go inside the reef and anchor for a few boats but you have to make sure that your anchor is set in good holding because if you dragged here there is little room for error and you could end up on the reef damaging your boat.

We motor-sailed to Wistari Reef I set the course to go between Wistari Reef and Heron Island, this passage is quite wide and in the centre it is 30 metres deep at low tide. After going through the passage we turned to the noted anchorage at the NE tip of Wistari Reef. Again Nancy went to the bow to look for any bommies and for a clear place to anchor. Visibility over the side was not that good. We anchored in a depth of 7.5 metres and added 3 metres for high tide then from that calculation multiplied it 5 times and put out that much anchor chain. The anchor set well as the tide was pushing us back at a speed of 0.8 knots and we suddenly pulled to a stop when the anchor grabbed, once all the allocated chain was out we went back on it again to make sure the anchor had hold. After we settled I had a look around and did the normal thing of setting the anchor alarm I then went out on deck and had a look around whilst it was still light. I grabbed the anchor chain and it felt solid. (You know where I going don't you?). I had a look over the side and it appeared a little dark at the bottom so my thoughts were it was a coral base anchorage. After dinner I said to Nancy I am having an early night I was tired and I still have the ruminants of the flu, I was also thinking that if we do have trouble with the anchor it may be a long night.

(Heron Island at last light from the anchorage at Wistari Reef, Heron is a private resort and do have some anchorages that can be used by yachts but not welcome on the island)

(Wreck in Heron Island Boat Harbour)

(HMCS (Her Majesty's Colonial Ship) Protector was a large flat iron gunboat commissioned and purchased by the South Australia government in 1884, for the purpose of defending the local coastline against possible attacks in the aftermath of the Russian scare of 1870s. She arrived in Adelaide in September 1884 and subsequently served in the Boxer Rebellion, World War I and World War II.
During July 1943, Protector was requisitioned for war service by the US Army. On the way to New Guinea and off Gladstone, she was damaged in a collision with a tug and abandoned. The hull was subsequently taken to Heron Island off the Queensland coast and later sunk for use as a breakwater. Her rusting remains are still visible to this day.)



I went to bed about 2000 hours and Nancy stayed up reading we had not said too much to each other about doubts about the anchorage but we both had thoughts about it. I woke around 2245 hours the movement of the boat was rocking with the change of tide, at the same time Nancy who was still up called to tell me the anchor alarm was sounding. I got dressed and went up on deck Nancy turned the instruments on and I checked our movement on the chart plotter, we did appear to be dragging but no urgent concern as it was taking us away from the reef into deeper water. This gave me time to check a few things out before deciding what to do. I had a feel of the anchor bridle and I could feel every time a wave rocked us there was a drag of the anchor chain.

I said to Nancy that I would not be happy to try and find a good anchorage here in the dark when we sure did not find one in daylight. I said that I think we will sail to Great Keppel Island now I had a couple of hours sleep. We weighed anchor and once underway I unfurled the genoa but we had to use one engine as the wind was not enough. Nancy made a hot cup of tea before she went for a sleep.

It was a great night a near full moon that lit the surroundings, it was not a cold night, well not until the first light started to show then I had to grab a few extra clothes. Nancy woke around daybreak just after 0500 hours and I was ready for a sleep, the last hour I was nodding off and had to walk around the cockpit to keep awake. It was a little busy with other ships some cargo and some fishing boats. The last one was as Nancy got up I had to change course to avoid it, although it was supposed to give way to me I don't like to force that issued with a container ship with many more tons than we and you never know if they are paying any attention to what is outside. They would not even feel the bump if they hit us.

I had about an hour sleep then woke and came up on deck, again we had these messy seas we were only a couple of hours from Great Keppel Island. Once we were anchored I had another rest. I think I have freshened up the flu again.

Cheers.

Bundaberg - 02/05/2012

We left Garry's Anchorage on the 29 April waiting for a couple of hours before high tide this gave us the benefit of going with the tide and having deeper water across the shallows of Sheridan Flats, there was a strong wind warning predicted so we decided to drop the anchor at Ungowa, South White Cliffs. You have to hunt around for the correct place to anchor because there is a sudden fall away into deep water not far from shore. We put plenty of cable out for the winds and also in case we moved out to deeper water on the turn of the tide. By the time we went back on the chain we were only just over a boat length away from the old wreck 'Ceratodus' an old dredge.

('Ceratodus' old drdge wreck)

(Chart showing the anchorage with optional anchorages in the area.)

(A River Kingfisher perched on the wreck)

We found it to be very sheltered from the wind as the winds were blowing 35-40 knots out at Double Island Point the only affect we had from that was an occasional gust of wind but not that strong and at high tide there were some slop waves coming through from Wide Bay Harbour through the shallows and causing a small rocking of the boat and wave slap on the hull.

(Soldier crabs have been busy all these small balls of sand from their diggings)

We stayed there for two nights then on the 1 April we sailed up to McKenzie's Jetty at North White Cliffs, the old jetty is a relic and only the pylons remain. We lowered the dinghy and went ashore for some exercise and take photos. I always marvel at the millions of soldier crabs on the beaches in the northern areas of the Straits, when you step ashore hundreds of soldier crabs scurry to hide in their holes. The beach at low tide shows the little round balls of sand where the soldier crab has dug the hole. They are very industrious and methodical. They bring the sand from the whole and place them in rows starting a fair way from the hole and they seem to know the correct distance so when the hole is complete the last round ball of sand is close to the hole. The tide comes in washes all away and fills the holes then at low tide they start again.

(Alana Rose anchored off McKenzie's Jetty, this is Yeenyargoor Creek fresh water flowing from Fraser Island and stained by the vegetation) 

(The old McKenzie's Jetty)

Just near the old jetty we found the remnants of an old tractor as you can see by the photos very old and very buried not sure of the story behind it may be it was from the old timber industry and just left there.

(Old tractor may have been an old Massey Ferguson)



(Sunset from McKenzie's Jetty)

After returning on board we checked weather predictions and decided that we would sail for Bundaberg the next morning at around 0500 hours near the change of the tide so we could ride with the tide giving an additional 2 knots speed. I woke at 0400 hours and got up to make cups of tea, took Nancy's down to the cabin and then rechecked the weather on the net. All looks good to go.

After I finish my cup of tea I started getting things ready, rolled up the covers in the cockpit, climbed up top and undid the mainsail bag, check all else and we are ready to go, first light is starting to show. But no first mate she is still in bed. So I decide the best way to get her attention is start the engines. She was up very quick, she asked, "Was starting the engine a hint for me to get out of bed?" I answered, "No the cup of tea was."

She run around and got organised as she does and we were underway. The wind outside the island was not showing itself as yet so we motored, we got to Big Woody Island before we felt any wind and we unfurled the genoa and started to sail, it was not great but under sail is good.

There was a monohull yacht that was a little in front of us under motor to start like us then went the genoa. As we neared the fairway buoy at the end at the Straits the wind died, the yacht in front set up a pole out for the sail to catch the little wind available. We do not have a pole to pole out but I used a similar method of using an extra two sheets (ropes) on the genoa through pulleys fore and aft to simulate a pole this usually works well but not today as the wind was not strong enough and the fact that we had mixed seas, east swell and S/SE wind waves makes for a simulated washing machine action and catamarans do not do well in these conditions. This wave action rocks the boat sharply causing any wind in the sails to shake out. If the wind had been a couple of knots stronger we could have tacked to get the benefit but it was not strong enough for that.

We ended up motoring or motor sailing the rest of the day. I only use the one engine when motor sailing or motoring when going a long distance so today we burnt a little fuel about 2.5 litres per hour. We arrived at Bundaberg early than expected and anchored near the marina we will go in there tomorrow for a couple of days before heading north again.

3 May 2012

We went alongside in a berth at Port Bundaberg Marina this morning at 0900 hours with the tide ripping out and the wind trying to blow us off the dock made it interesting but being placed on the end of the finger makes life a little easier as we did not have to worry about another boat alongside. This marina always has someone on dockside to help you tie up its one of the few marinas to offer this service without being asked.

Once secure we went to book in and the staff are always friendly and it was good to catch up with them again. We popped in to say hello to Kirsty in the chandlery, of course Richard and Sam are no longer there as they are now in New Zealand. We did learn some bad news regarding them from a fellow yachty, Sam has got terminal cancer of the curvex and that is sad, they had such plans selling the business and going sailing, our hearts go out to them both.

Once settled Nancy went to do the laundry and I gave the boat a wash down and went to the chandlery for my fix, love chandlery shops. I renewed our lifebuoys as the old ones were looking a little shabby.

(Sunset at Port Bundaberg Marina)

At the end of the day we showered and went up to Baltimore's for drinks and stayed for dinner the food is always good there and very well presented, I can recommend their rack of lamb, I think I have it nearly every time we go there.

4 May 2012

Nancy went shopping for stores this morning and I stayed aboard to do some small maintenance items we are having a quiet day the weather is not that great it is cool with scud showers coming and going. This afternoon Wayne from the yacht brokers here is hosting the Shag Islet Cruising Yacht Club's monthly get together so we will attend that.

Tomorrow we are sailing for Lady Musgrave Island approximately 50 NMS north of us, the weather is supposed to be fine with very little wind on Sunday through to Wednesday ideal weather for there. We will be out of phone and internet range for that period of time, we will sail from there on Tuesday of Wednesday for Great Keppel Island. So this will be the last scribbles until then.

Cheers.

Garry's Anchorage - 29/04/2012

Yesterday was a very wet day so we kept the little generator ticking over and played on the computer and  last night read a book. Due to the amount of rain that as occurred this summer and beginning of autumn  there are a lot of insects about and Garry's Anchorage is always well known for sandflies and mossies so doors closed and a burner going in the cockpit to keep them at bay.

Garry's Anchorage is and all weather anchorage although it can stir up with SW winds and very strong southerlies. We had some SW winds during the night hours and that put us in a position of wind against tide so this held us side on to wind, tide and small wind waves which woke me due to different movement of the boat with a gentle rocking.

This morning looks good and we may take off a little further north to White Cliffs as we are still expecting strong winds this evening, so we need the anchorage with S/SE protection.

Goodmorning from Garry's Anchorage)

Rick and Michelle on 'Neriki' called this morning they have made the move for Bundaberg and asked us if we would be heading off to. We had not given it any thought and we could have done that if we thought of it earlier this morning, however, we are 25 NMS behind 'Neriki' as we have to go through the rest of Great Sandy Straits where they were already in the northern area. We may be in the Straits for a few days as the wind and seas pick up later today.

Garry's Anchorage is a very popular place when strong winds are forecast in the charter boat season the place can be packed and one thing one has to watch is these charter boats, mainly house boats will anchor a little close to you. Many do not understand that we swing with wind and tide on the anchor and each vessel behaves differently therefore we need space between boats especially during strong wind warnings. If you see someone coming politely tell them if they are getting too close.

(Garry's Anchorage)

At Garry's most boats will anchor were the red anchor with the yellow background is marked on the chart. This is the best place but it is where everyone congregates leaving little swing room, often go up near the starboard markers where I have marked the chart below with a red anchor.

Garry's has two entrances north and south, to go north access you need a shallow draft or a high tide, we have been through a few times and where I have marked shallow on the chart I have had very little water under me and we draw 1.4 metres. Always go through shallow waters before high tide then if you run aground you have still some tide to lift you off. Before attempting any shallow areas to investigate check that the following high tides are increasing not decreasing.

Some people have come to grief when going through shallow water at or near high tide and have not been able to get off on that high tide have been stuck for days or a week because  the tides are at that time of the month that they are decreasing each day. Some years ago a yacht was entering a port and was not sure the path to take they followed a local catamaran unbeknown to its skipper, the catamaran took a short cut as it had little draft, the yacht with a keel giving it considerable draft in following the catamarans path ran aground and was stuck there for a long time, days. Trouble with those yachts is that they do not stand up when there is no water.

I have found over the last few years being a new bloke to sailing on the ocean that a lot of the work before sailing off somewhere is the planning and plotting, gathering information about the places you intend to visit. It is important that complacency does not set in. Things change, Mooloolaba is a perfect example we have been in and out of there the last few years but due to heavy rain and rough seas it is difficult to enter at the moment.

Another good example is that many boats do not talk to the coastguard for whatever reason and some sailors are still crossing the Wide Bay Bar at the old waypoints. Yesterday as we sat at our anchorage we heard an American call Tin Can Bay Coastguard he had intended to continue going south but decided to come across the bar. They told Coastguard that they were crossing and Coastguard asked them to let them know when they are at waypoint one, they did this, when they did Coastguard asked them to call them when a waypoint three, the skippers wife called back and said they could not find waypoint three in the book and coastguard gave the waypoints to them. This conversation rang alarm bells in my head, do the Americans have the correct waypoints. I phoned Coastguard with that query and the lady on shift then radioed the vessel. The American skipper was using the Beacon to Beacon book which is a guide put out by the Queensland Government the waypoints in that book are the old waypoints not the new ones they were lucky they did not run into trouble. At least now the Americans have the correct waypoints to cross the bar when they go back out.

Our playground can and is a dangerous place at times common sense needs to be used and the best information that is possible to get. If you go to a new place it is always a good thing to talk to the locals that know the waters this can be sailors, fishermen and the Coastguard. Guidebooks can be out of date the day they hit the store shelves as time since information was gathered and the time it takes to publish and get them on the shelves in the shops. We have spent days getting information in relation to this trip we are doing but there is still a lot we do not know and we will continue on our research as we go along.

It's all about safe sailing.

Cheers.

Kauri Creek to Garrys' Anchorage - 27/04/2012

When we left Wide Bay yesterday we had a funny experience when we were trying to weigh anchor the boat seemed to be going in circles, I was at the anchor and Nancy was on the helm, being a bloke I asked her what she was doing to cause it. Naturally Nancy fired back saying it was not her. We got the anchor up and went across the bar and when we went to anchor at Kauri Creek we started to do the same.



(Good morning from Kauri Creek)

After we had anchored I started to check the new gear box and found that it was stuck in the ahead gear and started to think the worst but being tired decided to leave it until today. So this morning first job was to check out what was the problem and found it to be very simple. The split pin that holds the control had broken and dropped out when the we had the engine in the ahead position, I was very pleased.

We had to wait for near high tide to leave Kauri Creek there is a section that is very shallow near the entrance (see chart below). There are strong wind warnings that have been issued so we have decided to move up to Garry's Anchorage for a couple of days.

(Kauri Creek is a little tricky for any vessel that has some draft, we draw 1.4 metres and we cannot go in on a low tide the shallow is at the first port marker, give it a wide berth like shown on the chart above)

We motored out of Kauri Creek at 1030 hours and as soon as we left we unfurled the genoa and shut down the engines, the wind was light but going with the tide we averaged 5 knots. Once we arrived at Garry's we found a suitable place to anchor and dropped the pick. We have internet coverage so we are getting up to date with our notes.

We have been in contact with friends Rick and Michelle on 'Neriki' who we met last year, they had some bad luck during the summer months as they were hit by lightening and it blew all the electrics in their boat and all had to be replaced. They had sailed from their place in the Great Sandy Straits the same day we left Brisbane. So we will be catching up with them as we go north.

So we  will stay here for the strong wind days before moving north.

28/04/2012 At Garrys Anchorage and this is what we see today.

(Liquid sunshine at Garrys Anchorage)

Cheers

The first leg of the voyage. 25/04/2012

The voyage has started on Anzac Day after the Anzac Day March in Manly. The day was supposed to start with the dawn service at 0400 hours, however, I have come down with the flu and did not think it was wise to go out in the morning chill air but I did attend the march at 0800 hours. The previous night we had a BBQ with our friends at the marina as a farewell with them although we will see most of them at the Shag Islet Cruising Club weekend at Monte's.

(Anzac Day is a special day to me I remember  the servicemen and women that made the ultimate sacrifice, I also remember the people that I served with that lost their lives whilst serving in war or peace time whether it be through illness or accident and I use this day to remember my father who was an ex-serviceman from the WWII who died from cancer in 1994. This is the I  celebrate their lives and give thanks, it is a good day to remember the good times we had together as service personnel. I march each year not to glorify war but in respect of fallen and to remind people the sacrifice some men and women gave.)

After the march and the service we prepared the final few things that had to be done before heading out. Daughter Lindy and her hubby Steve and grandson Sam were at the Anzac service and we said our goodbyes from there we had been out to dinner with them the weekend.

Fellow boaties Kath, Andy, Soraya and John came down to send us off or as Andy said to make sure we go and at 1015 hours we cast off the lines and we were on our way.

The predicted weather conditions were favourable and that was the deciding factor on leaving on this day. Weather conditions were for moderate SW winds which are hard not to take advantage of as sailing this coast with the wind coming off the coast means very little wind waves this makes for good sailing.

As soon as we got out of the harbour leads we hoisted the mainsail but still had to motor sail as the wind was too light for us in the direction we needed to go. We passed friends on 'Backchat' as they were slowly heading out across the bay they were trying to fill the sails with wind and were sailing at a slow pace but that should have changed as they moved away from the mainland. We continued motor sailing until we changed direction near the Brisbane Harbour leads then we were under sail and did quite well with speeds ranging from 5.5 to 8.5 knots depending on the landform that occasionally slowed the wind. We took the track up towards Scarborough and the southern end of Bribie Island and round to Skirmish Passage. As we neared the end of Skirmish Passage I noted a cargo ship entering the shipping lane calculating the distance we would meet at the point I normally take a short cut over the North West Channel so I decided to cross it early so that I did not have to wait for the vessel to pass it.

(Our track from Manly Harbour to Skirmish Passage)

(Underway sailing north with the Glasshouse Mountains ahead)

(Passing the Glasshouse Mountains along Skirmish Passage)



When in this situation occurs  it is better to make your crossing with a direct movement so that the pilot on the cargo ship can identify what you are doing or they will give you a call on the VHF radio and tell you the obvious that you are in a shipping lane. By the good book shipping lanes should be crossed at a 90⁰ angle not that we always practice this but as long as it can be seen so that the pilot does not think that you have just wondered into a shipping lane not knowing and there are probably some out there that would do this that probably should not be out on the water themselves similar to those sailors that sail without lights during the night or do not use anchor lights. We cut across the shipping lane twice in our short cut the second crossing is near Caloundra at the beginning of the shipping lane then we head north again.

(Our track up Skirmish Passage and crossing the shipping lane near Caloundra and up to Mooloolaba)

In the past we usually call into Mooloolaba to see daughter Cherie but she has now moved back to Dubbo so there was no point. Another reason at the moment is that Mooloolaba is having a bit of trouble with the sand bar since the heavy rain and seas, so it is a little tricky getting in and out. As we passed last night we heard a boat talking to the pilot boat asking if they could follow him in of which he was kind enough to oblige. So we passed by doing an overnight sail to Wide Bar south of Fraser Island.

Overnighters on the first night out is tough, it was made tougher by me having a dose of the flu, those flu injections really work, had one last Friday got the flu Sunday. Also last night was bloody cold. Nancy told me to put a singlet on, can't remember the last time I wore one. I did as she said with a tee shirt on top and a good woollen  jumper , plus a short sleeve sailing jacket and a foul weather jacket on top of that, track suit pants and a blanket around the legs and I was still freezing. Nancy had made a bacon and vegetable soup that was piping hot I had three helpings plus cups of tea throughout the watch to keep the insides warm. It was too cold to get tired, so I stayed on watch through to 0100 hours when Nancy woke up and told me off for not waking her. (Yes dear) Those two words are part of the marriage vows.

I did wake her a few hours before when she was in a deep sleep as I needed assistance. We have a rule on board that no person on watch is to leave the cockpit without another person on deck to make sure the person returns safely. The wind had kicked in to above 25 knots and usually we put a reef in the mainsail before nightfall, we did not do it because the conditions were quite mild. Well when the wind kicked in and occasionally heavy gusts were felt I thought I should have put that reef in the main earlier. So I drag Nancy out of bed we furl the genoa and turn into the wind to reef the mainsail. As I was out at the mast putting the reef in I let too much of the sail down missing the first reef point I had got to the second reef point so I decided that will do. After getting back on course I unfurled a very small section of the genoa and we still continued to sail at 6.5 to 8 knots depending on sea and wind conditions.

Nancy took the shift at 0100 hours and I got a couple of hours sleep before I felt the boat moving differently and woke up, at the same time Nancy came down to wake me as we were near the Wide Bay Bar. She said she changed direction to slow us down but that did not work. I had actually asked her to wake me as we neared Double Island Point then we could have gone straight into Wide Bay and anchored but she had misunderstood what I said so we had a 3 NMS to track back to the anchorage where we anchored at 0500 hours we then flopped on the bed fully clothed for a 2 hours sleep before heading to the Wide Bay Bar for the crossing into Great Sandy Straits.

(Our track from Mooloolaba to Wide Bay where we anchored)

I woke a little before seven and got up and put the kettle on then got ready to get going. Once underway Nancy cooked breakfast and we ate on the way.

(Our track from Wide Bay and crossing of Wide Bay Bar then into Kauri Creek)

( Wide Bay Bar waypoints - Waypoint One - 25⁰ 47.671' 8S -  153⁰ 08.378' 2E / Waypoint Two - 25⁰ 47.364' 8S - !53⁰ 06.630' 6E / Waypoint Three - 25⁰ 48.205' 7S - 153⁰ 04.806' 6E

(One of Nancy's photos of the lively Wide Bay Bar)

(A couple of quick photos of the bar from my position)

Arriving at the first waypoint having checked with the Coastguard that they have not changed since last year then started the crossing. The bar looked lively with waves breaking on the bar and water spraying into the air. However, the conditions outside were not too bad, we had a east - southeast swell of around one metre the wind was from west - southwest. The tide was 2 hours prior to high tide and that is what was causing the waves to stand up a little the wind was opposing  the tide and was blowing the top of the waves causing white caps. As far as the crossing itself I have had better and I have had worse, this one was like a washing machine waves were all over the place but they were only half a metre high. It actually looked worse than it was.

Once safely in the Straits we headed for Kauri Creek anchored then after a little Irish coffee (medicinal purposes for sure, plus it tasted good after the cold air), went for a sleep and slept till late lunch time. We will spend a couple of days here before moving on.

Cheers.

Alice Springs - 12 to 17/04/2012

No we did not sail to Alice Springs we went by aircraft. The main reason for this was my mother's 90th Birthday party which was held on the Saturday before her actual birthday.

My Mother and sister live in the Alice and I used to live there. I first went to the Alice after leaving the navy, many people would ask how come I went to the Alice so far from the water? I always replied that I carried an oar over my shoulder and kept moving inland until someone asked what it was and there I stayed. This is not true fact, I had been to the Alice on holiday two years prior to leaving the navy and liked the community. That was back in 1974 when the population was around 10,000 now it is around three times that.

(Macdonald Ranges from Flynn's Grave)



(John Flynn's Grave)

(The stone on Flynn's grave was echanged in 1992 as the original came from Devils Marbles a sacred aboriginal site)

My sister and brother-in-law visited and liked it just as I was moving  on and they liked it so they moved there and I moved away in 1987, not because they moved there I had planned to move well before they decided to go there. After Dad died Mum moved up to the Alice.

The red centre is still spectacular with its rugged looks and bright colours. It is a great place to tour around. At times it is the red centre and occasionally with wet years turns the countryside green.

(Yours truly with Mother Joan and Sister Jeanne)

Many friends travelled to Mum's party coming from Tasmania, Adelaide and Darwin we did not do a head count but it was rather busy with many people coming in from the Old Timer's Village where Mum has her cottage. It was a great time had by all and Mum was quite tired by the end of the day.



(Good friends L-R, Michael, Rhys, me and Frank)

We spent the few days catching up with relatives and friends and it was great to do so as we had not seen each other for some years. The good part about true friends is that although you do not see each other for years after the first greeting and handshake or kiss depending on male or female we start to talk and it is as though we only saw each other yesterday, that's true friendship.

Well we are now back on 'Alana Rose' and preparing for the voyage that will start after Anzac Day march.

Cheers

Manly Harbour, Brisbane - 03/04/2012

Well we have had a little hurdle thrown in front of us for our planned circumnavigation. We are intending to spend the wet season in Darwin, and yes some may think we are mad for that. However, the hurdle is that it is not that easy to get into a marina which we need to do for protection. The Tipperary Marina has a maximum allowable width of 6 metres and we are 6.93 metres so that rules that out. The Cullen Bay marina does not have space for us which leaves the Bayview Marina who have put us on a waiting list as they have a policy of not taking permanent bookings until a month prior to arrival. I can understand that as many yachts make bookings at marinas and do not turn up at times. May I say the Bayview have been sympathetic towards what we need and have got us on the list and it may all be well but we cannot confirm at this point in time.

So we have to hope that we can get a booking a month prior and that others have not got in before us. This is one problem owning a catamaran there are fewer berths for them because we take up more space and catamarans are getting very popular.

We will try and book a berth at Bayview when we get to Cairns and if we cannot get in at Darwin we will spend the wet in Cairns. One other problem is that I was so confident that we would be alright in Darwin I have already booked and paid for Nancy to fly out of Darwin for a couple of weeks to get her Grandchildren fix. Booking early to get the cheap flights, well if we don't get there then we pay a little extra for her to fly out of Cairns.

The reason we want to spend the wet in Darwin is that after the wet all the waterfalls will be flowing very well around the Kimberly's so we would see it at its best.

If this fails we stay at Cairns until end of April then head to Darwin and have a shorter stay there, we will see what pans out.

Cheers