Day 151: Kingfisher

Long - 11 hour - run to Kingfisher.

Just what you need on a long passage.

The wind suggested 4 hours SE and then a turn east to Platypus Bay but the second leg never really eventuated. My bearing was SE all day and, in the end, it made sense to carry on to Kingfisher for an easy run to Tin Can Bay tomorrow. Uneventful motor-sail and an easy anchorage. Didn't go ashore because I couldn't be bothered to drop the dink.

Location

Kingfisher

Day 150: Bundaberg

There's a lot of creature-activity around the boat at this anchorage so I though it best to keep the cats inside during the night. Cats are safe but they decided to play fighting on my head at 5.30am. Early start, then.

First, shopping. Walked up to the IGA in town for a few supplies.

The new trollies doing their thing.

Back on the boat and ready to go at 9, which is good because there is an outgoing tide to carry me down to the heads. Getting the anchor up was a pain. It decided, right then, that what it wanted more than anything was grease. It's tight, there is a current running, and the chain is coming up caked in mud so it needs hosing down every metre. Eventually got it up and shipped, and we're off.

Took a bit over an hour to motor to the fuel dock at the Bundaberg Port Marina. Beaten to it by a great big motor-sailer who decided that he only needed half the wharf - the middle half. The wife tried to help with the lines on the first run but got the rope knotted and I had to bail. On the second attempt, she secured a line - to the wrong cleat! Really, I should have waited till they left and done it myself. Anyway, all fueled up.

Went back to the pond past the sugar terminal for the night and, blow me, Anum Cara turned up. Nobody visited because the dinghies were both ready for the next day but it's nice to see them.

Location

1770

Day 149: Bundaberg

Up at 5.30am for a departure at 6. This is just before high tide.

Crossing the bar was uneventful. Armed with updated info from the VMR, this time I followed the markers and left the last green on 0' mag. Never saw less than 1.3m under the keel.

The sea state was lumpy. 1m swell but with a slight chop that combine to make going a bit uncomfortable. Happily, this diminished throughout the day. Even managed a bit of foresail when the wind went toward the east.

The tide was running in at Burnett Heads so I headed straight into town. It's about an hour and I found a spot opposite the jetty. Good time for a curry!

Moonrise over Bundaberg.

Location

1770

Day 148: 1770

Quiet day - prepping to leave.

Rain's gone and the temp is back up.

Tomorrow should be good to depart. High tide is at 6am, the sea state is a bit rocky but doable, and the wind is low - if on our nose. Should be a fair motor to Bundaberg.

Checked over the engines. These are overdue for an oil change so I'll be getting some stuff in Bundaberg to collect the mess.

Dinner at the pub and then brought up the dinghy. All ready for a morning departure.

Location

1770

Day 147: 1770

Still rain around but we managed a few things between showers.

Us riding around on the anchor - a good indication that it's stuck in well.

Still a bit of rain about.

Tied the dinghy up at the ramp for a walk to the up for lunch, then to the campsite for bread and ice creams.

Guarding the ashtray.

On the way back I filled up the petrol reserve - now carrying our maximum amount.

Bit broken down but the only game in town for fuel.

WOW will probably leave in the morning so we went over for afternoon tea to say goodbye. Hope to catch up down the way.

The 1770 sandbar. Uncovered in a 4m tide so we're good at the moment. This, we are told, is where a 3+m croc was sighted.

Cook's Cairn. Marking the spot where Cook first set foot in Queensland.

Location

1770

Day 146: 1770

Rained very heavily last night and it's not going to stop any time soon. There are a few leaks around the boat but nothing major. Most will be dealt with over the summer.

The rain kept us on the boat most of the day but we did manage to meet up with the WOW crew for dinner at the camping ground restaurant.

Martin and Monica - the crew of WOW (Walks on Water).

Location

1770

Day 145: 1770

Met up with Martin and Monica at the market. Not bad as far as markets go with some good food, fruit & veggies, the usual tat, and some fishing gear. I was banned from temptation for the latter.

Local market.

Moved the boat, again. We were way too close to the protective sandbank. We motored around a bit looking for a spot and eventually found one near the entrance. It may get a little rocky around low tide but this place is short of spots.

Expecting a lot of rain tonight so everything closed up.

Location

1770