Thursday, November 25, 2010
Windy Still
We are still in Yeppoon and yes it is still windy. Today we visited the city of Rockhampton and checked it out.With our Seniors card we had change from $10 for the 2 of us for our bus in and out.We have met some lovely people while here at the Marina and have caught up with some jobs that need doing on Kiella.We spoke to a 30 meter large power overseas boat that came in 2 days ago and they had waves up to 5 meters and some 6 , so we are staying put.The weather looks like we may be able to leave Sunday, fingers crossed, as the seas will take awhile to abate to make our voyage more comfortable.The negative part is that the coffee shops and hot chocolates are not good for our figures every day ......but boy are they good.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Rosslyn Bay, safe in the Marina
Boy have we been lucky on the whole with the weather since April this year, the maximum we have had to batten down was 4 days at North Goulburn Island and Cooktown……..well Huey is making up for all of that. With a sniff of home, we could make it in ten [favorable weather conditions] days; BUT no way now.
Yesterday we waved good-bye to Flynn and Kai after their 12 enjoyable, rain every day, many fish hits but few landing days with us aboard Kiella .Lucky for us we had booked a berth at Keppel Bay, at Rosslyn Bay near Yeppoon; as with the conditions on the water the marina is full. Looking at the BOM site and reading all the updates issued frequently I think we could be here for over a week or more. In the past 24 hours we have had over 95.6 mls of rain and the wind is getting up to 30kts with some gusts, this data I have found through some great sites on the web.
The Marina offers great service, including free use of their car for 2 hours to be able to stock up supplies with. We have booked it today, as we are going to check out Shearwater who is anchored in the creek still, but we believe that some work has been done to her. Jindinook now renamed, is also in the Marina, so if it stops raining we will take photos as well. Is this an omen that Kiella is to stay here…….well with the present conditions and time running out maybe until after Xmas.
Yesterday we waved good-bye to Flynn and Kai after their 12 enjoyable, rain every day, many fish hits but few landing days with us aboard Kiella .Lucky for us we had booked a berth at Keppel Bay, at Rosslyn Bay near Yeppoon; as with the conditions on the water the marina is full. Looking at the BOM site and reading all the updates issued frequently I think we could be here for over a week or more. In the past 24 hours we have had over 95.6 mls of rain and the wind is getting up to 30kts with some gusts, this data I have found through some great sites on the web.
The Marina offers great service, including free use of their car for 2 hours to be able to stock up supplies with. We have booked it today, as we are going to check out Shearwater who is anchored in the creek still, but we believe that some work has been done to her. Jindinook now renamed, is also in the Marina, so if it stops raining we will take photos as well. Is this an omen that Kiella is to stay here…….well with the present conditions and time running out maybe until after Xmas.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Flynn and Kai's holiday
Eldest son of the eldest son ....times 3.
Broken gear again.....boy what fish we would have had if......
One shark that we set free.
Great beach at Island Head Creek
YEPPOON and more wind
Our plan is to be in Yeppoon on Friday 19th as Flynn and Kai have a flight to catch from Rockhampton on Saturday. We are in Island Head Creek at the moment after a great passage from Brampton Island on Tuesday 16th November. What a change to have an enjoyable passage, even punching into the seas, it was great.
On Sunday 14th we anchored in Muddy Bay…well named at Airlie Beach. After lunch we all went ashore and swam in the best swimming pool ever [according to Kai]. Dinner that evening ashore thanks to Flynn and Kai at a great seafood restaurant.
Monday morning we had coffee with Anita Carr [ nee Fiek] who came from Leongatha and went to school with Flynn. Her family enjoys the life style of Airlie and seems to have fitted in well. Back to the pool for Kai while Ian found a second hand book shop.
We left Airlie at lunch time after taking on 400 litres of diesel, all we need until Yeppoon as it is a lot cheaper there. After booking to refuel, we tied up, after finally finding the correct pump and then to be faced with a lady running down to us, saying, no not there as someone else was booked in. Then they gave us another pump to go to which meant going around the finger to get to, then the hose would not reach the other side so we had to turn Kiella around so it would ……what a disorganized place, no wonder Ian finds the females who seem to run this marina interesting to say the least……finally we headed to Brampton Island using the tide, again the radar was very useful as rain showers persisted and we anchored just before dark.
Another early start and with a couple of safe overnight anchorages on route available to us; depending on crew and weather.
Our second good run since Darwin and Island Head Creek was possible , it had only days before been reopened, as it is a military training area and they play along with the navy, lots of war games. We first anchored here in 1986 with White Rose and remember clearly Don climbing a coconut tree and getting them for the children. Unfortunately those trees have gone, but over the other side we notice lots more, so maybe the sprouting nuts we all found back then and planted have grown, well we like to think so. With the re opening and a slight wind direction change it has been rather busy in here with many boats coming in and leaving very early, as you can hear their anchor winches just on first light, that with the dingo calling out during the night, the call of a bird, that goes hoooop, hoooop, etc. plus the odd jet that is still in training flying over us it’s a lovely spot to stay for a few days.
A walk along the beach we discovered a very recent turtle’s nest, as the tracks up and back to it had her there last high tide.[ Boy after she had laid her eggs she must have been the flavor of the month as we have never seen so many around the boat; and yes one found her.] An array of jelly fish, some OK and some very poisonous, cuttel fish and very few shells. We were also privy to witness a sea eagle fly over the dingy while going ashore and drop its catch; just ahead of us was a half eaten cormorant . Kai has had a real nature study time here.
Just arrived at Yeppoon and the weather pattern looks like we are going to have a forced holiday here for quiet awhile which won’t be to bad…more latter
Flynns bit again.
Airlie was great and Kai spent sooo much time in the ‘best pool in the world’ with dutiful Dad sitting in the shallows trying not to get too burnt. Kai and I then took Mum and Dad out for dinner as a big thank you. Bit of a fill up of fuel with some drama and then off to Brampton. Spent a night there and then the big one, 126 nm to Island Head Creek where we are still at.
Fishing fishing fishing.
Lure count, have lost 5 and have bent/bust 3 x 56 lbs swivels. Then hooked the big one on Mums new big game rig, 10 mins of winding and then an engine warning inside. End result Dad had to have the Port engine running at x RPM forwards, thus all the line that I had won went back out. Interesting conversation that one. Fish got away.
Feel a bit like Leyton Hewitt at the moment, ‘come on’.
Night one in Island Head, bait out the back and 30 secs later 1 meter long shark. Equals 3 mins of fun. Unfortunately he had the biggest hook on the boat, thus operation dentist. Mindful of the nearest Dr being ohh so far away, we managed a successful extraction.
Still have to catch an edible fish on the new set up I brought all the way up here.
Well went for a dinghy ride today and Dad reminded me about the rod, coming back from the walk had Mums good lure out and hooked the big one, 2 mins of fighting the beast, a brief flash of the tail and another swivel lets me down. Gutted.
Mum kindly went straight back out with me and we got a 30 cm coral cod, but still waiting. The fish and wildlife in here is amazing, with something leaping out of the water or sticking its head up for a look all the time. Unfortunately only 2 nights to go, but looking forwards to seeing the wife and Piper.
On Sunday 14th we anchored in Muddy Bay…well named at Airlie Beach. After lunch we all went ashore and swam in the best swimming pool ever [according to Kai]. Dinner that evening ashore thanks to Flynn and Kai at a great seafood restaurant.
Monday morning we had coffee with Anita Carr [ nee Fiek] who came from Leongatha and went to school with Flynn. Her family enjoys the life style of Airlie and seems to have fitted in well. Back to the pool for Kai while Ian found a second hand book shop.
We left Airlie at lunch time after taking on 400 litres of diesel, all we need until Yeppoon as it is a lot cheaper there. After booking to refuel, we tied up, after finally finding the correct pump and then to be faced with a lady running down to us, saying, no not there as someone else was booked in. Then they gave us another pump to go to which meant going around the finger to get to, then the hose would not reach the other side so we had to turn Kiella around so it would ……what a disorganized place, no wonder Ian finds the females who seem to run this marina interesting to say the least……finally we headed to Brampton Island using the tide, again the radar was very useful as rain showers persisted and we anchored just before dark.
Another early start and with a couple of safe overnight anchorages on route available to us; depending on crew and weather.
Our second good run since Darwin and Island Head Creek was possible , it had only days before been reopened, as it is a military training area and they play along with the navy, lots of war games. We first anchored here in 1986 with White Rose and remember clearly Don climbing a coconut tree and getting them for the children. Unfortunately those trees have gone, but over the other side we notice lots more, so maybe the sprouting nuts we all found back then and planted have grown, well we like to think so. With the re opening and a slight wind direction change it has been rather busy in here with many boats coming in and leaving very early, as you can hear their anchor winches just on first light, that with the dingo calling out during the night, the call of a bird, that goes hoooop, hoooop, etc. plus the odd jet that is still in training flying over us it’s a lovely spot to stay for a few days.
A walk along the beach we discovered a very recent turtle’s nest, as the tracks up and back to it had her there last high tide.[ Boy after she had laid her eggs she must have been the flavor of the month as we have never seen so many around the boat; and yes one found her.] An array of jelly fish, some OK and some very poisonous, cuttel fish and very few shells. We were also privy to witness a sea eagle fly over the dingy while going ashore and drop its catch; just ahead of us was a half eaten cormorant . Kai has had a real nature study time here.
Just arrived at Yeppoon and the weather pattern looks like we are going to have a forced holiday here for quiet awhile which won’t be to bad…more latter
Flynns bit again.
Airlie was great and Kai spent sooo much time in the ‘best pool in the world’ with dutiful Dad sitting in the shallows trying not to get too burnt. Kai and I then took Mum and Dad out for dinner as a big thank you. Bit of a fill up of fuel with some drama and then off to Brampton. Spent a night there and then the big one, 126 nm to Island Head Creek where we are still at.
Fishing fishing fishing.
Lure count, have lost 5 and have bent/bust 3 x 56 lbs swivels. Then hooked the big one on Mums new big game rig, 10 mins of winding and then an engine warning inside. End result Dad had to have the Port engine running at x RPM forwards, thus all the line that I had won went back out. Interesting conversation that one. Fish got away.
Feel a bit like Leyton Hewitt at the moment, ‘come on’.
Night one in Island Head, bait out the back and 30 secs later 1 meter long shark. Equals 3 mins of fun. Unfortunately he had the biggest hook on the boat, thus operation dentist. Mindful of the nearest Dr being ohh so far away, we managed a successful extraction.
Still have to catch an edible fish on the new set up I brought all the way up here.
Well went for a dinghy ride today and Dad reminded me about the rod, coming back from the walk had Mums good lure out and hooked the big one, 2 mins of fighting the beast, a brief flash of the tail and another swivel lets me down. Gutted.
Mum kindly went straight back out with me and we got a 30 cm coral cod, but still waiting. The fish and wildlife in here is amazing, with something leaping out of the water or sticking its head up for a look all the time. Unfortunately only 2 nights to go, but looking forwards to seeing the wife and Piper.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Cape Upstart, wet and windy
Yes we finally made Cairns on Sunday, had the motors serviced on the Monday, picked up Flynn and Kai from the airport on Tuesday left Wednesday 10th November from Yorky’s Knob marina at 0530.We also caught up with Charles and Leonie, shopped for stores, washed and refueled Kiella in those few days as well.
An over night anchorage at Dunk Island, after we had participated in a drink at the bar and Kai had a swim in the resort pool after seeking permission. Kai saw his first coconut trees and walked through the rain forest.
Again up at 0500 and off to Magnetic Island. On arrival Kai and Flynn went for a swim in their new stinger suits after partaking in an ice cream and beer on tap. Motoring out to Kiella we also spotted a sea turtle.
The next day up at 0500 and off down the coast. Originally was looking at Glouster Island, but with rising seas and day one with no sea sickness we ducked into Cape Upstart, and here we are with overcast skies, rain, wind etc.
Day three of having Flynn and Kai on board; plus the third day off coming into an anchorage with rain, thank goodness for the radar.
Flynn’s spiel.
Well after an uneventful flight and the most excited 5 year old around (thanks for the lift Nick), we arrived in sunny Cairns. The long pants that were a good idea in Melbourne soon had some one very hot and bothered.
Out for dinner at the marina and then at the ungodly time of 0500 we were up and leaving Cairns. Thank god for day light savings although 6 is not much better.
With slight digestive misdemeanor (4 times) on route to Dunk we arrived with the now traditional monsoonal downpour.
Planes landing over our head and walking thru a rainforest, we arrived at the quiet resort. This soon changed as Kai was let loose on the pool. Back to the boat and a great meal and the now traditional pre dawn get up and away we go. I got a bit more organized and had two lures out most of the time down to Magnetic Island. 80 pound trace was broken on first fish strike, and then a 56 pound swivel disintegrated. Either the fish are bigger than I thought or the 10 or so knots we are going is making it a little harder.
Again up at ungodly o’clock and off the Cape Upstart, desperate for bait so have everything out the back on a hook apart from Kai. Our first digestive upset free day so all in all getting better. Currently trying to get ashore so fish for some bait, but the downpour is making this a little difficult.
An over night anchorage at Dunk Island, after we had participated in a drink at the bar and Kai had a swim in the resort pool after seeking permission. Kai saw his first coconut trees and walked through the rain forest.
Again up at 0500 and off to Magnetic Island. On arrival Kai and Flynn went for a swim in their new stinger suits after partaking in an ice cream and beer on tap. Motoring out to Kiella we also spotted a sea turtle.
The next day up at 0500 and off down the coast. Originally was looking at Glouster Island, but with rising seas and day one with no sea sickness we ducked into Cape Upstart, and here we are with overcast skies, rain, wind etc.
Day three of having Flynn and Kai on board; plus the third day off coming into an anchorage with rain, thank goodness for the radar.
Flynn’s spiel.
Well after an uneventful flight and the most excited 5 year old around (thanks for the lift Nick), we arrived in sunny Cairns. The long pants that were a good idea in Melbourne soon had some one very hot and bothered.
Out for dinner at the marina and then at the ungodly time of 0500 we were up and leaving Cairns. Thank god for day light savings although 6 is not much better.
With slight digestive misdemeanor (4 times) on route to Dunk we arrived with the now traditional monsoonal downpour.
Planes landing over our head and walking thru a rainforest, we arrived at the quiet resort. This soon changed as Kai was let loose on the pool. Back to the boat and a great meal and the now traditional pre dawn get up and away we go. I got a bit more organized and had two lures out most of the time down to Magnetic Island. 80 pound trace was broken on first fish strike, and then a 56 pound swivel disintegrated. Either the fish are bigger than I thought or the 10 or so knots we are going is making it a little harder.
Again up at ungodly o’clock and off the Cape Upstart, desperate for bait so have everything out the back on a hook apart from Kai. Our first digestive upset free day so all in all getting better. Currently trying to get ashore so fish for some bait, but the downpour is making this a little difficult.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
COOKTOWN store window
We walked past this shop and had to go back and take this photo of their advertising on front window.
Still in windy Cooktown
Today we should be in Cairns....but the wind has not abated enough for us to head there. Since Wednesday we have walked this town and checked out the museums,Botanical Gardens,markets and have just completed a walk to Grassy Hill and Cherry Tree Bay.A bit hot but good exercise.Tomorrow Sunday we are going to do some punching into the swell and wind and should be at Yorkies Knob about 1700.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
The furtherest north,Prawn boat and Pigeons.
Took the top photo as we changed coarse to Cape York, rare company on the seas and our Torres Strait Pigeons coming into Night Island at dusk .
Cooktown, windy Cooktown
It only seems like yesterday, but 8 days have past since we left Gove on Wednesday 27th October. After refueling Kiella and with some timely help from Ken who was delivering a yacht to the east coast, then we helped him refuel with his 180 litres; saw us leave the harbour at noon.
The previous evening Manureva, one of the boats from North Goulburn come in to anchor, a great excuse for a get together. It would have been so easy for us to have stayed for another day or two as the stories that are told and all their experiences are wonderful to listen to.
The weather forecast for the Gulf crossing was good, well if you can back on an accurate one for up to 48 hours. 25nm from Seisia, 33 hours into our crossing we had at 2000hrs one of those situations that go…” isolated storms, winds up to 35kts with showers over the Gulf today”. Boy the timing could have been better, but after 2 hours pushing into it with spray going over the top of the boat we still managed 7 kts. We finally dropped the anchor at 2300hrs.A stiff whiskey or two; we toasted one another for making it safely. We did the 350 nm. in 35 ½ hours with an average around 10 kts. Considering the direction of the swell and winds, [of course we had to bash into them all the way] we did a mighty job. The average time for yachts is around 4 days. Two that we had met in Gove had 2 goes at the crossing and turned back because of the conditions.
Friday saw us transfer fuel from those wonderful bladder tanks, and generally check over Kiella.Why we had water in our generator heaven knows, but phone calls to Mark soon sorted out the problem.
Saturday 30th, before sunrise saw us slip away from Seisia after listening to some great music and singing the previous evening. This explains why the few locals who live on their boats were dressed up and going ashore. We planned to put as much water under the keel as the weather dictated. After rounding Cape York the seas began to ease so Margaret Bay inside Cape Grenville was our plan. Eleven and a half hours later we dropped anchor.
A lay day on Sunday and we decided to walk across the peninsular to Indian Bay were the rubbish that has been washed up over the years was so disgraceful. Some enterprising folk had marked the walking track between the two bays with anything blue, so we added to this with thongs,[ all sizes];rope, kiddies toys, tooth brushes ,rakes ,safety helmets ,buckets etc.
Monday the start of another month,[ only seven and a half weeks to Xmas] and to Lockhart River to take on fuel, then to Night Island. This peanut shaped mangrove cay at evening is the home to Torres Strait Pigeons who fly in from the main land in there thousands. Thankfully that the wind was louder than the haunted hooing sound that they make.
Dawn on the water is lovely with the sun making an attempt to break through the clouds on the far horizon .Lately we have seen lots of these as to cover the distance we need to travel, early starts are mandatory. Melbourne Cup day and we have know idea what, who or whom; but we are planning another day heading S/E into the now familiar swell that increases as quickly as it decreases. A rolly polly anchorage in Ninian Bay , home to Dugongs, had the Fruno working overtime that evening as what you read about and what is fact can be deceptive.
Cooktown we have heard many conflicting stories about as to the anchorage and space in there, so it was great to see ample room for us to anchor on Wednesday 3rd November. Ian chatted to another boat and learnt that 6 had departed that morning, thankfully.
We plan to be in Cairns on Friday or Saturday as the winds have increased ,and will spend 4/5 days there while we have the motors checked out and generally catch up with some R and R for us both plus restocking food etc..Flynn tells us that he and Kai may meet us and spend time going south with us; that will be wonderful.
8 days since we left Gove so we think we both deserve some pampering after this huge effort, 758.36 nautical miles.
Ian has remaindered me that we have done 1208.65 since Darwin, boy and still along way to go.
The previous evening Manureva, one of the boats from North Goulburn come in to anchor, a great excuse for a get together. It would have been so easy for us to have stayed for another day or two as the stories that are told and all their experiences are wonderful to listen to.
The weather forecast for the Gulf crossing was good, well if you can back on an accurate one for up to 48 hours. 25nm from Seisia, 33 hours into our crossing we had at 2000hrs one of those situations that go…” isolated storms, winds up to 35kts with showers over the Gulf today”. Boy the timing could have been better, but after 2 hours pushing into it with spray going over the top of the boat we still managed 7 kts. We finally dropped the anchor at 2300hrs.A stiff whiskey or two; we toasted one another for making it safely. We did the 350 nm. in 35 ½ hours with an average around 10 kts. Considering the direction of the swell and winds, [of course we had to bash into them all the way] we did a mighty job. The average time for yachts is around 4 days. Two that we had met in Gove had 2 goes at the crossing and turned back because of the conditions.
Friday saw us transfer fuel from those wonderful bladder tanks, and generally check over Kiella.Why we had water in our generator heaven knows, but phone calls to Mark soon sorted out the problem.
Saturday 30th, before sunrise saw us slip away from Seisia after listening to some great music and singing the previous evening. This explains why the few locals who live on their boats were dressed up and going ashore. We planned to put as much water under the keel as the weather dictated. After rounding Cape York the seas began to ease so Margaret Bay inside Cape Grenville was our plan. Eleven and a half hours later we dropped anchor.
A lay day on Sunday and we decided to walk across the peninsular to Indian Bay were the rubbish that has been washed up over the years was so disgraceful. Some enterprising folk had marked the walking track between the two bays with anything blue, so we added to this with thongs,[ all sizes];rope, kiddies toys, tooth brushes ,rakes ,safety helmets ,buckets etc.
Monday the start of another month,[ only seven and a half weeks to Xmas] and to Lockhart River to take on fuel, then to Night Island. This peanut shaped mangrove cay at evening is the home to Torres Strait Pigeons who fly in from the main land in there thousands. Thankfully that the wind was louder than the haunted hooing sound that they make.
Dawn on the water is lovely with the sun making an attempt to break through the clouds on the far horizon .Lately we have seen lots of these as to cover the distance we need to travel, early starts are mandatory. Melbourne Cup day and we have know idea what, who or whom; but we are planning another day heading S/E into the now familiar swell that increases as quickly as it decreases. A rolly polly anchorage in Ninian Bay , home to Dugongs, had the Fruno working overtime that evening as what you read about and what is fact can be deceptive.
Cooktown we have heard many conflicting stories about as to the anchorage and space in there, so it was great to see ample room for us to anchor on Wednesday 3rd November. Ian chatted to another boat and learnt that 6 had departed that morning, thankfully.
We plan to be in Cairns on Friday or Saturday as the winds have increased ,and will spend 4/5 days there while we have the motors checked out and generally catch up with some R and R for us both plus restocking food etc..Flynn tells us that he and Kai may meet us and spend time going south with us; that will be wonderful.
8 days since we left Gove so we think we both deserve some pampering after this huge effort, 758.36 nautical miles.
Ian has remaindered me that we have done 1208.65 since Darwin, boy and still along way to go.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
