We are here, here or here! depending on which system we checked into last.
Since we arrived in Yandaran, we have been relaxing, digging in the garden, mowing, reading, playing guitar ... Its quite a change in activities from Truest Passion. Tomorrow we will go to Brisbane with Robbie, then stay with friends Peter and Ann.
After breakfast, we tied up at a temporary berth in the marina while the ladies did laundry and Dave and Paul refuelled from jerry cans. Clothes and computer were packed away ready for disembarking. Wal and Robyn came down for lunch then took us back to their property at Yandaran, 35km NW of Bundaberg. We will have about a week of R&R with them before returning to Sydney and family. Dave and Pattie headed off at 2pm to cross Hervey Bay to Kingfisher Resort on Fraser Island.
After a few jobs we had a late start, 9:15am! The wind started off westerly, then northerly so we were making good progress on a sparkling day. Later in the evening, the wind swung abruptly to SE and gradually built to 25 kts. About 11pm, the genoa halyard broke! We then decided to head to Cape Capricorn for the night, arriving at 2am.
The grey day dawned as we were SE of Mackay, avoiding both moving and anchored coal ships. During the day the winds strengthened from the east - southeast as we headed towards the Percy Isles. There was a trough forming which made the forecasts difficult. We had a squall with rain and strong winds around midday as we approached the Percys. From there we were continuing towards Pearl Bay, a further 60 nm, but the winds became even stronger and the seas higher. It was a pointless exercise bashing into them so we changed course for Hexham Island with a sheltered north-facing anchorage. It was about 18 nm into very boisterous conditions, but we arrived to it's welcoming shores around 7pm. A dinner of fish (naturally) and an early night finished off an interesting day.
Another early start, 5am, straight into SE wind at 20 kts. Passed the Abbot Point coal loader with a few ships waiting outside. Finally! about midday the first sign of north-easterly wind!! Oh joy, as we were actually sailing in the direction we wanted to go. It didn't last of course, finally coming back to SE. Great excitement this afternoon as Dave landed a 1.2m Spanish mackerel, then cut it up into fillets. We are now passing through the Whitsundays in showers on our way to Scawfell and points further south.
Off we go on the High Speed Express Delivery! Less than 24 hrs in Townsville we are off, heading south to the Promised Land of NE'ers. Still SE so far ... How far will we go? Where will we stop? Depends on the wind.
Two overnighters to Townsville, passed Cairns 8am Monday. Arrived in Breakwater Marina 11am Tuesday. Refuelled, re-provisioned, got laundry done, bought a Broadband SIM, went out for dinner at Jamaica Joe's on the Strand.
Left Cape Flattery at 8:30 after changing the jib for the genoa as the forecast was for lighter winds. They were too, but of course, on the nose! So the motor keeps ticking over to keep us on course while getting some drive from the sails. Dave caught and lost a large mackerel about 1m long, but just a few minutes ago caught a black kingfish also 1 metre long. So we head into the night on our way to Townsville in two days time.
Saturday 27th November
More motor-sailing into the SE winds, 20 - 25kt even though the BOM had predicted easing conditions. Anchored at Cape Flattery, site of the silica sand mine at 7:30pm.
More socialising with Annette and Don from Xhabbo, playing cards, reading, fishing (unsuccessfully) while waiting for the forecast winds to die down. At 8pm we left the calm anchorage to head out into 20kt winds and bouncy seas. No-one slept last night as the Seawind slammed and banged it's way across the waves. All this is 0.5m waves.
Still in Flinders Group while we wait for the winds between here and Cairns to abate. We'll probably be here til Friday at least. Today we went for a walk, played 'Frustration' (thanks Alison), got some oysters and had Happy Hour with Annette and Don from Xhabbo.
Today's maintenance: Bind the phone antennae with tape to stop wear on the genoa. Yesterday's maintenance: Scrub the decks and hulls.
We left Hannah Island around 6am and motor-sailed and sailed against a brisk SE'erly, tacking back and forth. We caught no fish, discovered that the lure had gone without a sound! Now (4pm) anchored at Flinders Island, we are considering our options with a Low developing off the coast over the next few days. Will we stay for a day and see what develops, or go tonight? Its a 90 mile slog SE to Cape Flattery with 20+ knots on the nose.
We left Piper Grp after dinner at 9pm, the theory being that the winds would ease. Well, they did a bit. Still had fairly bouncy conditions but managed to sail through the night, tacking back and forth. We thought we might stop at Portland Roads in the morning but conditions weren't too bad so we pressed on, motor-sailing. Around midday the wind swung east at about 20knots, so sailing well on our southerly course. The boat caught another fish, this time a Spanish mackerel. We will take advantage of the winds to sail through the night to the.Flinders Group for a rest. Decided to stop at Hannah Island, anchored at 8:40pm.
One month since we left. Started the day with a brisk sail as we were heading south and wind was SE. Around noon though we had to change course to SE and with 20+ knots against, motor-sailing was slow and using fuel. We decided to pull in to the Piper Group of islets for lunch, a walk on the beach, and to change the genoa for the smaller jib. We hope that the wind will ease in the afternoon under the influence of sea breezes and that we will have a better sail during the evening or even over night.
Almost one month since we left KK. In that time we have covered approximately 2500 NM, with another 1000 to Bundaberg. Today was a long one, up at 2am to get the current north. Rounded Cape York about 8:15am and continued south east against moderate winds and flat seas. Now about to reach Margaret Bay, we should have the anchor down about 10:30pm.
Another day of motor sailing, although at times with a helpful breeze off the port beam. Saw mile after mile of tuna having feeding frenzies, but cook said 'enough!'. Also saw some whales breaching in the distance. We will anchor tonight briefly before entering the Endeavour Strait.
We had a quiet, uneventful night and day, weatherwise. Light winds, generally from the south and smooth seas. Dave caught a Big-eye tuna which finished up on our dinner plates tonight. We will probably go past Seisia and straight through to the other side of Cape York.
