Day 121: Gloucester Passage

Lazy day around the resort. Kim did the washing while I made water. Swim before lunch and a walk to Montes.

Cooked up the mackerel for dinner. It really is an excellent fish. Gas finally ran out so I swapped it for the full one.

Location

Gloucester Passage

Day 120: Gloucester Passage

Another early day, though a shorter run, this time. Joined the flotilla leaving Upstart at 7am and turned ESE for Gloucester Passage via Abbot Point and Bowen.

All the sails up.

Abbot Point.

New fishing tackle paid off with a couple of spotted mackerel just past Abbot Point. First one was too small and went back, the second filleted and frozen. Having used up all remaining freezer space, that was the end of fishing for a while. For the record, I dragged a medium-size barra spoon on 50lb braided line. I'll be doing that again.

Spotted Mackerel. Much too small for us - he went back to grow up. Caught a bigger one 10 min later and, this time, it went in the fridge.

Location

Gloucester Passage

Day 119: Cape Upstart

Left the pond at Townsville at 6am for a good fast run to Cape Upstart. Motor sailed most of the way and made close to 7 knots on average, getting into Shark Bay around 4.30 pm. Had a prior warning about a sunk boat in the bay causing a hazard but, by the time we got there, someone had put a marker on it so it was easy to avoid. Nice surprise, Notorious was already anchored there.

Notorious

Anchored in 4m clear of the reef and, for a while, had a nasty side-swell that threw a few things around the cabin. The wind eventually swung us round stern-to and things quietened down for the night.

Sunset at Cape Upstart.

Location

The Pond at Townsville

Day 118: Townsville

Turn-around day. From now on we will be making our way home to Port Macquarie. The stay at Horseshoe Bay has done Kim's back a world of good so we should also be able to do a few more things on the return trip.

The last look at Horseshoe Bay for a while.

Upped anchor around 8 am to motor over to the Breakwater Marina in Townsville for fuel. Nice uneventful docking with Dave & Terry from Venture there to catch the lines. Topped off the diesel tanks and filled the spare cans - 130l all up. Also got petrol. Anchored in the pond and it was very rolly at first, so much so that we planned to leave at midnight if things didn't improve.

Chilling out on deck on the way to Townsville. Easy to do on a catamaran.

The Pond at Townsville.

Went into town for a very good curry with Dave & Terry. Very pleasant evening. By the time we got back to Cat Play, the swell had settled down nicely. We set the alarm for 5.45 am and hit the sack.

Dave and Terry coming into the marina for dinner.

The girls with a bit of booze on board.

Location

The Pond at Townsville

Day 117: Horseshoe Bay, Magnetic Island

Day before turn-around so it's a perishables shop. Bus in to Nelly Bay and a swim on the way back.

Don't see this every day in Australia - dogs on the bus. Should be a lot more of it.

Had Caroline & Walter over for dinner. It will be a long time before we see them again. I roasted a chook on the barbie and Kim did the salad. Hope to see them again when they go south past Port Mac.

Dusty wants her tummy tickled.

Location

Horseshoe Bay, Magnetic Island

Day 116: Horseshoe Bay, Magnetic Island

Quiet day so I prepped the boat for passage.

First, check over rigging / deck hardware. We rarely sail but we always live in hope.

Then there is the all-important engine check. Raw water, coolant, fuel lines and filters, oil level / state, alternator belt, does it look sane. Both engines good and ready to go

As I'm not busy enough, I started making paracord stuff. Keeps me out of trouble.

Kim grabbed an early model.

Location

Horseshoe Bay, Magnetic Island

Day 115: Horseshoe Bay, Magnetic Island

Preparing to leave in a few days so we went into the IGA at Nelly Bay for a non-perishables shop. All good and packed away.

Resort pool in Nelly Bay - checked out while waiting for the bus.

Went to the RSL at Arcadia for dinner with Carolyn and Walter. There is a small night market and good basic grub. This is a real local RSL. No wall-to-wall pokies and officials driving flash cars.

RSL.

Night market.

Location

Horseshoe Bay, Magnetic Island