Day 129: Mackay Marina

Small job day - for me, Kim got the bus into town.

The starboard sheet bag lost a grommet (rubbish build) so it got a nice big washer.

Sheet bag repair.

There has been an annoying leak in the deck wash plumbing that needed fixing. This was on me. Bit of PTFE tape and a jubilee clip did the trick.

Deck wash hose connection.

The gas alarm has needed wiring in since we started.

Installed gas detector.

Connected it to the new breaker panel so that got some basic wiring as well.

New breaker panel wired in. I'll need some labels.

Met up with Darryl and Dawn for Italian.

Dawn and Kim getting into the sauce.

Location

Mackay Marina

Day 128: Mackay Marina

There's some crap weather coming so it's time to hide.

The western anchorage at Brampton Island started to get a bit rolly around 4.30 am and by 6 we were ready to leave. It is an easy run to Mackay where we decided to hide out the weather. Bit lumpy but I got the jib out for most of the way.

Caught a beautiful Spanish Mackerel along the way, my first.

Arrived at Mackay late morning, logged in and jumped in the pool. Had half the fish for dinner - barbecued up a treat - but was then told about ciguatera fish poisoning. Apparently this species is one that is prone to this. Ours was well under the 10kg size which commonly has this but the risk / reward didn't add up. Did what I hate doing to something I caught for food - dumped the remainder. On a brighter note, we lived.

Foreshore.

Location

Mackay Marina

Day 127: Brampton Island

Getting the hang of sail into the wind, albeit on jib alone pending fixing the batten carriers on the main. Not as lumpy as yesterday, a short run to Brampton. Initially anchored on the north side next to the abandoned resort. Lovely bay and we went ashore for a walk / swim. By the time we got back to the boat, the swell had picked up and a check of the forecast suggested a rolly night if we stayed put so we upped anchor and moved around to the western anchorage.

Kim on the beach at the resort.

Cat Play anchored way out in the bay. We left for the western side after this.

Location

Brampton Island, Whitsundays

Day 126: Goldsmith Island

Short but lumpy run to Goldsmith. I was going to anchor behind Farrier Is but the next bay to the north was empty and got a better write up. Dropped anchor for lunch and went ashore for a swim and walk - deserted so clothing optional. Quiet night here, too.

Does SOMEWHAT go to windward. Learning to sail this baby.

Bruce, the new owner of Red October sent me this today. He really has done this boat proud.

Location

Goldsmith Island, Whitsundays

Day 125: Shaw Island

Set off early to try and catch the relative calm before the wind was scheduled to pick up in the afternoon, the first choice being Goldsmith Is. The Whitsunday channel was very rough though. I quickly bailed to Shaw which is a well known safe anchorage for the conditions, and half the distance.

On approach, the sea went flat as expected and we dropped anchor around lunch time. Dinghied to the beach for a swim and had a good night's sleep.

Pearly-girl enjoying the evening.

Location

Shaw Island, Whitsundays

Day 124: Long Island

Provisioning for the first leg of the run south. This is easy at Canonvale. There is a ramp dock next to the VMR. It has a 30 min limit but this is widely ignored. Occasionally, someone enforces this but, seemingly, only when something is going on. There is a small shopping centre with a good-size Coles, bottle shop, servo, and some smaller shops about 10 min walk away. Handily, Coles allow their trolleys to be taken back to the ramp which is a huge help with the carting about.

Back on the boat, I brought up the dinghy and we left for Long Island. We've been here before. 5 years ago we went into the active resort for lunch and a swim. 2 years ago, I went for a walk around the derelict resort and was told to bugger off by the caretaker. This time, it was even more broke down and we stayed on the beach so the caretakers just glared at us.

As this marks the 14th anniversary of when we met, a selfie was in order

Us, 14 years down the road.

Location

Long Island, Whitsundays

Day 123: Airlie Beach

Spread-out shopping day.

Abell Point Marina.

Jumped on a bus to the Centro shopping centre for some odds and sods, then back to the Coles shopping centre for Kim to do her nails while I found a small chandlery to pick up some wire. Then the all important grog run.

Went into the lagoon before dinner at the Hogs Breath with a few WWSA.

Location

Gloucester Passage