Cat Play

Day 88: Horseshoe Bay, Magnetic Island

Need the dinghy out of the water to install the wheels so I set up a workshop in the beach.

Beach workshop.

The wheels arrived yesterday: http://www.beachmaster.co.nz/australian-store

First job was to get all the gear off the dink - outboard, painter, security stuff, fuel tank, etc. after that is was just a matter of drilling holes in the hull and bolting the wheels on. Orientation was a bit tricky because, when retracted, they need to miss the lifting points and, when deployed, there needs to be some separation for stability. I splayed them a bit and that seems a good compromise.

Position and orientation is the key.

Finished job - good clearance.

Everything around the wheels still works.

Here's the thing in action: https://www.facebook.com/kim.roach.75/posts/1325164780942721

Sunset over Horseshoe Bay anchorage.

Location

Horseshoe Bay, Magnetic Island

Day 87: Horseshoe Bay, Magnetic Island

What was supposed to be a quick run-in for a swim and lunch turned into a bit of an odyssey when we found out there is a parcel waiting for us at the post office. Yes, the dinghy wheels have arrived. Bussed it into Nelly Bay and also walked up to the well-stocked Mitre 10 for some screws. Looks like I have a job tomorrow.

Ooh, a box of goodies.

Location

Horseshoe Bay, Magnetic Island

Day 86: Horseshoe Bay, Magnetic Island

Took the bus to Picnic Bay, at the other end of the bus route. Swimming wasn't how we remembered - algal bloom grum all along the waterline. Pub is great, though. Excellent lunch.

The jetty, Picnic Bay.

Location

Horseshoe Bay, Magnetic Island

Day 85: Horseshoe Bay, Magnetic Island

I installed the sheet bags we got in Townsville yesterday. These keep lines from underfoot, especially when sailing.

New sheet bag.

Went for a walk on the beach at a very low tide. A lot of stuff became visible including an old mooring. Not sure I'd trust my boat to that!

Remains of a mooring.

Went off in search of a geocache at the western end of the bay. Lumpy getting the dinghy on the beach though it's great scenery over there.

Rock climb.

Horseshoe Bay from the western end.

Met up with a dozen or so other yachties and bussed it into Arcadia. There is a big pub there with a couple of food outlets - we prompted for the Indonesian - and, most importantly, toad races. 8 toads are auctioned off and put in the middle of a big white circle. First one to the perimeter wins and the owner gets a payout. Good night out. Also saw a couple of rock wallabies.

Toad auction.

They're off.

A winner.

Location

Horseshoe Bay, Magnetic Island

Day 84: Horseshoe Bay, Magnetic Island

Day trip into Townsville.

Got up fairly early and got the bus to the ferry terminal at Nelly Bay. They've really got the integrated transport thing going here with the bus arriving 10 min before the ferry left which gave us time to buy a 10 trip multi-ticket. The fast cat trip was less than 1/2 hour and I clocked it at just under 25 knots.

Fast cat to Townsville.

Walked into town for lunch and then got a taxi to the cinema to see Dunkirk - an excellent movie.

Magnetic Island from the mainland.

When we were out we got a taxi to drive us around a couple of suppliers for some parts, then back on the ferry and dinner at the pub.

Art along The Strand.

Location

Horseshoe Bay, Magnetic Island

Day 83: Horseshoe Bay, Magnetic Island

Dusty doesn't get enough pics.

Not as adventurous as Pearl but she gets about.

Took the opportunity to mount the new breaker panel.

New breaker panel.

Shame this jetty isn't still here - would have been a good place to tie a dinghy.

Location

Horseshoe Bay, Magnetic Island

Day 82: Horseshoe Bay, Magnetic Island

The cats are out there somewhere.

Wild koala.

Walking today. The most popular walk on the island is The Forts. This complex was built during WW2 for naval defence and consisted of two guns along with lookout, ranging, control, and communication facilities. It is advertised as a moderate 1.5km each way.

Took the bus for the 10min ride from Horseshoe Bay to The Forts car park. The path itself is very well maintained with modern work over some of the original. The path up the hill is fairly easy - bonus; there's koalas in the trees - and this gets you up to the Forts circuit, a circular path that visits all the main structures.