Percy Island

We left Curlew bound for Middle Percy, once again it was calm and foggy. Often there was less than a kilometer viz so we were very aware that others couldnt see us if we couldnt see them. We had seen a few whales previously but usually in the distance. While Isy was snoozing and I was trying to decide whether to bring up a bean bag to make my seat comfier, a humpback surfaced just astern of us and blew. It was so close we must have passed over the top of it as it was surfacing. I dropped us out of gear and grabbed the camera but as usual the shots were only average. But the sight of it less than a boat length spouting will stay with me for some time.

There was 2 plus a calf I think..........
We had hoped for more encounters but that was it. So after a few hours we anchored in West Bay on Middle Percy island. Just a beautiful spot again!!!!

We were close to shore and the only yacht there, until later when there ended up being 6 others as well!!!!!

It is a popular place to visit after all. S we took Roxxi ashore and had a good look at the mementos going back to the 60's that have been left there. Its a real eclectic mix of improvised and almost proffesionally made items. And there 1000's of them.

Sunset looking back to Pine Islet from Percy..................
Today saw us leave Percy and head for either Island Head Creek or Port Clinton, as we made good time we are in Port Clinton. This is a large area in behind the coast and is well protected from the weather. Its also part of the Shoalwater Military area, though were not being shot at yet!!!!!

There room for hundreds of cruisers........but lots of room as well.
Tomorrow were moving down to Great Keppel Island where we might stay a few days while some stronger southerley winds do their thing..........................till then..............

Off again

Finally the weather abated so we left Mackay Marina on a damp saturday morning. Calm with overcast drizzle wasnt enough to remove the smiles. Although its a great place we did leave rather a lot of money there with GPS and steering repairs!!!!!!

With only about 2 or 3 miles viz we motored through the large number of coal vessels moored waiting to access Hay Point facility. There can be up to 100 here sometimes according to the locals.

There was less visiblity than the foto shows and with these moored in a grid with 1 mile spacing they do seem to gang up on you. Luckily none were on the move.
So with a 6 hour run to Curlew Island we just settled back and watched the new gps work......

The rocky headland on Curlew Island, Its a beautiful spot again and even though not in the Whitsundays its just as beautiful. We are here tonight then move on to Middle Percy in the morning, the site of the famous A Frame and where yachties have for decades hung a memento of their visit. We will also leave a calling card.

Heres our anchorage between the beach and a large sandbar, oddly the official charts show only a metre of water in here but in reality it has plenty of depth. The book Noel Patrick's Curtis Coast is invaluable having all this extra info as well as most of the best spots to visit between Mackay and Bundaberg.
Bbq time....steak and salad............................bye.....

Boring week....

The week has been expensive, fitting a proper chart plotter as the temporary system we had was not realy suitable dented the credit card a bit. The upper steering unit being in pieces as the Hydrive pump was stuffed will bring another bill next week. So if we had a house there would be repairs to do so its not realy much different. How often can you move your house to get a different view out the window though!!!
The weather has been great which helps, keeping an eye on the week it might be thursday or friday before we leave Mackay. Straight to the Percy group and then south to Island Head maybe. Or was it a train to Brissy....
Weve had some good chats to people here as well which is part of what makes this such an experience.
All for now.........

Mackay Marina

I thought how easy it would be to get a train ticket back to Brissy this morning. After some reasonable runs south including getting to Lindemann Island, we had figured we wouldnt have anything rougher to come.
WRONG.............................
We left Plantation Bay and ran south around Shaw Island and onto Brampton, although we werent stopping there but going to Homestead Bay on St Bees Island.

The passage between Goldsmith and Farrier Islands......

Passing Brampton Island..........

Homested Bay St Bees Island..........The cat is aground as cats can do that, were in 20 metres and the light line is about 2 metres. Venturing a bit close we hastily reversed back when the depth shot up and there was no chance to anchor that close. Ending up in about 15 metres before we felt safe we had a very drifty night. The current between St Bees and Keswick Islands ran about 4 knots, we swung all over the place although we we were safe.

The ruffled water on the right is 4 plus knots of current running, were sort of on the edge with the shallower area on the left. Change of tide reverses the direction of the current.
The plan to stay there till monday was adjusted sunday morning and with 10 to 15 knots predicted we chugged away. From then on it just became worse, building to 20 plus knots we were bashing right into it....again. We had to run due south to make it bearable....just. With 4 or 5 foot choppy swell and blustery winds it was very uncomfortable. Isy tried to put some storm jib up to balance the boat but it didnt help.
Poor Roxxi was getting very anxious, and after a few big rolls and thumps that rattled me I passed the helm over to Isy and lay down with pup. Stuff was rattling around down below but we couldnt go below to tidy up, I hoped my desktop computer would be ok as since the toughbook failed I had cobbled together a nav system using the tv as a monitor in the cockpit. Vey heath robinson but it was all we could do. So after 4 very uncomfortable and nervous hours we stumbled into Mackay Marina. Crap was everywhere down below and the generator we had under the cockpit table had alternateley fallen on Isys and then my foot we were very relieved. All we had to do was find berth Z 07, which we did but thats not the end of the story.
The wind was behind us as we turned to get alongside the pontoon, with 3 or 400k worth of boat on the opposite side of that pen we had to get it right.
We didnt.................................
I jumped off and grabbed a mooring line but as Sea Eagle has a bit of windage we were pushed slowly towards the boat next door. I secured a bow line and tried to get Isy to throw me a stern line to get the rear in line but she was fending off the other boat. I then undid the bowline and tried to pull her further in but the wind was taking the bow further away. Im not sure how but I ended up in the marina, guess I held on too long but im not sure. By then someone had seen us struggling and rushed over to help me get out, then tied her off as Isy had by then gotten her ass alongside (the boats that is).
 So with me soaked and both our nerves very rattled we sat down and surveyed the mess below. Mostly just things thrown around and not damaged, but still its a bit demoralizing.
 So a train ticket or carry on?
Weve booked in for a week so we can have a good go over the boat and secure things more and tidy up. Look for a nav system and have the hydraulic steering checked as its playing up. Definiteley plan the weather more before leaving, and decide to come back if it gets worse rather than carry on. Hey were still learning.
One thing thats obvious is the boat is capable of handling far more than what we went through today, its so strong and the motor gives us the power we need to get through. We are the ones who need to get ourselves organized better.

Us safely in the marina...finally...........

Just to show it is worth it......sunset the night before at St Bees Island............





 

Somewhere else.......again....

A call from mum reminded me I had not blogged for a few days, scratchy internet connection and an attack of the lazys probably explains it a bit.

Bauer Bay on South Molle Island, instead of spending just 1 night there we spent 2. Friends we had made when buying Avalon 4 years ago in Tin Can Bay had been living on their cat and working in Shute Harbour for some time. The plan was to join them there and catch up, a call from them changed that and they escaped for a night and joined us here instead.

A bbq dinner on their cat was a wonderful way to catch up. Their a great couple who like many have stories to tell, and adventures yet to come. For now the lifestyle that works for them is afloat, 1 were still coming to terms with.
As they left Tuesday a radio call alerted us to a couple of whales nearby, so with usual rush I was snapping away and caught a couple of mediocre images. I can only improve!!!!!!

So after a few tidying up duties we set off for Cid Harbour, 90 minutes away. A very large passage with bays between 2 islands. Once again stunning sights and water so blue and clear.

Being fairly open it was a bit rolly during the night, but still worth it I think as it is a beautiful place. Best of all dinner that night was our first pan size fish, caught earlier back in Bauer Bay. A red coloured perch according to the book we have on fish. Tasty anyway.
So another day and we had decided to push further south, past Hamilton Island down to Lindemann Island.

The mega dollar marina and resort complex, nice to see and all that but .....
Mind you even some yachties prefer a mooring!!!!!!

 Scenery along the way was its usual picture postcard perfect.

 Approaching Pentacost Island
The bay we had chosen to anchor in at Lindemann Island was being blown out by the norwester, so we motored around the other side of the island and anchored in Plantation Bay. Still windy, but as it was blowing over the island it isnt too rough.

A few other yachts and cruisers had decided it was a good anchorage as well.
Friday we are probably heading down to the Smith group of islands, ill add some more when were there.

Nara Inlet

Leaving Airlie we spent a night in Woodwark Bay before sailing over to Nara Inlet. Deciding that the winds were good for a sail we put up the mizzen and headsail, and managed a credible 5 knots. Then as often can happen the nav computer started playing up which meant I was mucking about for an hour trying to sort that out. Couldnt get it going so I used the tv at the helm as a monitor on my computer downstairs to run the nav programme. Not ideal but it works. Look slike we will be buying something as soon as we can....bumma.

Heres the entrance to Nara.............
So we anchored right up inside and just couldnt believe how beautiful this place is. The water has a rich deep blue colour you dont see down south, maybe its the light or how clean it is.
Roxxi had a run in with a fly of some sort so she ended up hiding on 1 of the speakers, she is an endless source of amusement for us.

While we were waiting to sort dinner out a pair of sulphur crested cockatoos visited, must be th elocal moochers as they enjoyed a slice of bread from us. We did see them after on another yacht so it must be their patch!!!!!

So after bacon and eggs this morning we went ashore to see the aboriginal caves that are here, nice climb and a chance for some iconic Nara shots.........

The sea colour is unbelievable............

Resting on the track to the caves...........

Beached as bro..........

Leaving Nara going over to anchor in Bauer Bay, next to the resort on South Molle Island for the night. Not sure where were going tomorrow, might be Cid Harbout or maybe Shute to catch up with some friends living on a Catamaran.

Leaving Airlie..

Motored out of Abell Point Marina after 3 nights there, I must admit the thought of $100 a night was annoying but having had a good look around im kinda figuring its worth the money. Beautiful facilities and absolutely stunning atmosphere with craft ranging from small, to absobloodyluteley stunning there to admire. Ferrys to the islands, Condor the Sydney-Hobart maxi as well as other ex racing yachts. A couple of 100 foot luxury motor yachts as well.

Due to a couple of mistakes we ended up going the wrong way in the marina and ended up tying up somewhere to get better directions, as it was thats where we stayed. Lessons to be learnt everywhere!!! Anyway the place is impressive so we just tried to enjoy the days as we could.

Bit of a rough panorama ........

Home anchored on the end where we ended up by mistake.
So 3 days of shopping and wandering about a bit followed, plus trying to work out what was wrong with our panasonic toughbook puter we use as a nav/chart plotter. Turns out nothing at all but it took 3 trips to a puter shop and a quick $100.......farkit.
Nice place but full of backpackers and charter boaters. Wandered around the saturday beach market this morning and bought some flags to hoist up, and some clothing from the "Grotty Yachty Clothing Company"
Had a great chat to the owners while dodging the rain.
www.grottyyachty.com.au/       Ozzies so give em a go!!!!
So thankfully without incident we left this morning, anchored back in Woddwark Bay before heading to Hook Island tomorrow to chug into Nara Inlet.

Snapped this pair on the way out but just a tad outside our price range..............mmm to dream eh......nah.

Woodwark Bay

We motored on south from Gloucester Island towards Airlie Beach, with the intention of anchoring in Woodwark Bay. Thats only about an hour from the marina at Airlie where we plan to spend 3 nights to plot plan and explore.

So a lovely Gloucester sunrise saw us head off through the channel between the island and the mainland. Quite a winding course to keep the depth we need, but its marked so realy just needs a good lookout. Rounding the headland we finally got to see the expanse in front of us, which included Whitsunday, Hook and Hayman islands in the distance. The wind as usual was freshening from the SE to 20 plus knots, no chance to sail so just wind up the diesel. I mentioned the windscreen was a bit dirty so Isy jumped at the chance to balance on the deck and clean it for me. Ive seen her at traffic lights somewhere im sure!!!!

Anyway we settled down for the run south and enjoyed the view and beautiful colour the sea has here.

Pulling into Woodwark Bay only took about 3 hours so a nice short run for a change. Its 1 headland before the glitz of Airlie Beach, which will be ok as a base to organize the course south. There is so many islands to visit its going to be hard to pick only a few. We do need to get to Brissy in a reasonable time but still figure were here now so why not enjoy.

Anchored off a beach halfway down the bay, breezy but calm water and safe above all else. Caught my first fish of the trip as well, a small Maori Wrasse. Not pan sized or even edible maybe but its a start.
Currently doing the washing as we dont want to spend money at the laundrette. Uses lots of water but as we will fill er up in Airlie its no problem. Though at $100 a night they should do it for us!!!!!

Time Flies

Wow the week has sort of flown by, here it is monday arvo and were anchored off Gloucester Island near Bowen. So ive been slow with blogging this week, heres an update:-
We bussed it to the Forts turnoff on Magnetic Island on thursday to do the walking trail there and back. A great  chance to see some of the island not visible from the yacht. We both made it to the top and back and had some great views from up there. Spose thats why they put guns there during the war.

Cape Cleveland from the top, we sailed past there yesterday on the way south.

Not sure what Isy is pointing at but hopefully it wont land on me. The history of the place is mostly gone except for the gun emplacements and control bunkers. The path through what was the camp behind shows little of the bustle the place would have had years ago.

A pic of Horseshoe bay from the lookout, were anchored behind the trees on the right.

Part of the track on the way back.
So recovering from that on friday we decided to walk the length of the bay, why not its good exercise.
 Bloody longer than it looks and we were both very relieved to have lunch afterwards at a great eatery on the esplenade.
As we had decided to leave on sunday it being the day with the least wind forecast for the week we had a bit of a tidy up and provisioning on saturday. Talking to another sailing couple they mentioned there was a do planned at the rotunda on the beachfront that night, pirate theme but not mandatory to dress up. A great way to meet fellow cruisers and about 25 people turned up. Barbied some steak and talked our heads off till late.

Some of the revellers before sunset.

Sunday at 6am we up anchor and left Horseshoe Bay. The trip was not too bad, though a little lumpy with us heading into about 20 knots of wind. No chance to put sails up so it was cast iron sailing all the way. Past Cape Bowling Green where the Yongala was lost near and into Upstart Bay to shelter for the night. We did see our first whales off in the distance tail slapping but not able to get pics at that range.
Monday we left Upstart to get down to Gloucester Island off Bowen, where we are currently anchored. Lovely place with the promise of more to come.

Tuesday we will motor through the channel between Gloucester Island and the mainland to realy enter the Whitsundays!!!