PAPA ARRIVES HAMILTON ISLAND

Crystal water and reef at Windy Bay - We snorkelled right along the edge

We had a very comfortable night anchored just off the jetty at South Molle Island and left early morning in order to be all settled at Hamilton Island Marina for Nina's Papa, flying in from Cairns at 9.30am.  A nice little boat boy in his welcome to Hamilton Island  boat met us at the entrance and ushered us to our berth which was only a short stroll to the General Store where Papa was meeting us after a short 1km shuttle bus ride from the airport.  It was very exciting to see the very dapper Chaman again looking so handsome and so well since we last saw him in Goslar and Bad Harzburg, Germany in 2010.  He very quickly settled into his Silver Affair Stateroom and was very impressed by the German and Australia flags we had flying from the back stay. Off we went back to the pretty Hamilton Island Harbour for lunch followed late afternoon by sunset drinks at the fantastic new Hamilton Island Yacht Club.  A beautiful architecturally designed building inside  and out, the nicest building we have seen in a very long time.  

Boatboy - Hamilton Island Parking Service

Papa arrives at Hamilton Island

Hamilton Island with Papa from Germany

Hamilton Island Yacht Club

Hamilton Island Yacht Club

Off we went next morning towards Solway Passage and through to Whitehaven Beach for a quick visit where we caught up with Robyn and Ian from "windChalmer".  Robyn and I had worked together at Glendale TAFE for about 20 years and Col in more recent years.  After we told Robyn and Ian about lovely Windy Bay we all decided to tootle over for a look see and a snorkle.  Again, it was low tide, the sun was out and we were able to go really close into the beach and marvel at the absolute crystal clear water and sandy bottom.  Spent a few hours looking at the reef in our dinghies and snorkelling as well.  The next morning was magnificent, so I called out to "windChalmer" ......"what a morning?"  to which they replied ...."what a night".  Not a ripple did we have, the boat could have been parked bang smack in our bedroom at home.  P e r f e c t   n i g h t.  "windChalmer" could not believe it.  We all explored the beach, did some more snorkelling and Ian went off for a little "troll" in his dinghy and under half an hour came back with 4 Mackerel (2 each boat).  That took care of dinner ....thank you Ian - delicious. 

"TAFE??"  ......"What's TAFE?"

WINDY BAY

Thousands of crabs on the march at Windy Bay

Eventually had to take off for Nara Inlet for the night, arriving there just before dark.  Anchored down the end of the Bay ready for an early morning hike into the bush to the Aborigine cave and paintings.   It blew like a gale right down the guts of Nara Inlet (I"m so eloquent, aren't I) all night.  So different from Windy Bay that didn't have even a puff of wind.

Decided I might as well not look like a grotty yachty for the Aborigine hike so got into my nice new white 3/4 pants, new top and off we went to shore.  Stepped out of the dinghy straight onto a slippery rock and went DOWN  %$@*&^#*- over head covered in green slime all over white new pants.  Tried to keep smile on dial to the top of the hill where we viewed very old original cave paintings before heading back down again. Nice photo from the top. 

Aboriginal Painting Hike at Nara Inlet

 Took off after breakfast for a longish trip up to Butterfly Bay, passing Hayman Island on our left.   Picked up one of the many moorings.  Beautiful sunny day and the fringing reef and bommies looked fantastic from above and I just HAD to get amongst it, even though the boys thought the water was a bit cold.   It was 100m swim from the boat to the reef, so I solved that problem with my brilliant suggestion of "let's not swim over or use the dinghy, lets all get on the stand up paddle board, henceforth known as the SUP.  Fortunately, or unfortunately there is no pictorial evidence of 3 silly old seniors complete with masks on head, fins on feet, flopping themselves onto a SUP with Capt. Col,  I mean Capt. Bligh at the rear trying to paddle our craft in a not straight line to the reef.  Our craft, which we christened the "SUP Dementia Delivery Express"  did eventually make it and Nina's Dad is thinking  we have the makings of a new business going around the Islands offering dementia delivery service to other senior boaties.   We saw clams and heaps of fabulous coral before Col's Taxi, this time the bright red dinghy returned and "towed" Papa from Germany and myseIf on the SUP back to Silver Affair.  Understandably we did leave Butterfly Bay rather early the next morning before other boats were awake.  We saw a whale flip itself out of the water just outside the Bay.


Nina's Dad thought we were unaware that today was his birthday, but his lovely daughter had sent down a secretly disguised package of a packet Gluten Free chocolate cake.  Happy Birthday Chaman........We sang Glückwunsch Geburtstag to him first thing this morning and I whipped up the cake for morning tea complete with candle AND THEN right on cue three whales and a baby were 50m off our bow as we came alongside Gloucester Island heading for Bowen.  Thanks to Nina's early birthday planning I was able to get Papa a nice Hamilton Island cap along with a 2013 pictorial calendar of the Whitsundays including lovely shots of Butterfly Bay and other spots he had visited.  Tonight we are having a special birthday dinner in Bowen.  As I said to his daughter............"Nina, we cannot get rid of him".  He was planning to fly back to Cairns from Hamilton Island but he wants to stay on board till at least Townsville or we run out of time for him. He has taken to the boat, the sailing, the charts, the chart plotter, the sails, EVEN the anchor like a duck to water, he seems to be really loving it all and has been a great help to Capt. Bligh and hence giving me a nice chance to just sit back and relax even more than I"ve been doing up till now.  Col and I have been so happy to show him a beautiful part of Australia and we have loved his company and having him on board. Thanks Grant for lending us your Father-in-Law, we've had a ball.

MAGIC WHITSUNDAYS - We are here

It was good to escape from Mackay Marina after 4 days sheltering from 33knts, but a very nice, well equipped and serviced marina it was.  We re-fuelled and set off for Brampton Island about 18 miles north.  Had a comfortable night just off the main jetty of the now closed down beautiful resort of Brampton Island. It seems unbelievable that such a fantastic tourist  destination is now defunct due we believe to the usual high cost of Australian accommodation and tourism.  So many people, ourselves included we have to admit, often consider overseas holidays a cheaper and better alternative for our dollar.  Brampton was a sad and lonely looking Island. Maybe someone will come along in the future and get it all up and running again.


Set off around 7am in a nice breeze for a 20 mile sail towards Thomas Island but moved onto Shaw Island to a more secure anchorage.  Lovely to at last see the first Whitsunday Pine Trees on Thomas and just like magic the water turned brilliant aqua and our first turtle popped it's head up for a sticky beak as we dropped our anchor at Shaw.    Nice roast pork cooking in the oven and an unbelievable Whitsunday sunset to finish off the day.  All good.
Late departure from Shaw Island, passing Lindeman and spotting Hamilton Island also on the left  and we made a straight path for 8 miles and into and through the notorious & famous Solway Passage. Famous because my grandfather's name was Charles Solway Fowler.  Hmmm, maybe named after him.  Straight away we were at the World's best and most famous beach, the fabulous Whitehaven Beach and it didn't disappoint.  Crystal turqoise water, white sandy bottom to see underneath as we anchored in about 2metres not far off the beach.  Took it all in as we had a beer in the beer garden on the back deck enjoying the sunshine and the magnificent views all around us.  Went to shore for a few hours, took lots of photos, then we went back and moved the boat closer into the southern corner where we stayed all night with just a very gentle movement to rock us off to sleep.  

Finally we arrive on Whitehaven Beach - Whitsundays

There we are in the middle

Yes SR, my dinghy awaits just off shore

THIS IS DEFINITELY THE LIFE......To wake up in the morning and sit up in bed with a morning coffee and toast and look out the window and realise where we were was a bit mind boggling, especially after the marathon journey we've had, but I must say, very satisfying and exciting to finally be here in the beautiful Whitsundays.  We spent a few hours watching the various boats and planes arrive at the beach, when we decided to have a little move and exploration over to Windy Bay.  This is a spot we've had a few stops at on previous trips but this time it was coming on low tide so we were able to guage just how far we could get into the beach.  Windy Bay is not too windy when in close and we decided we would stay for the night. There was not a person or boat in sight and the sun was out so we could see the reef and work out our plan of attack to get in close and we could also see the path and the way into the beach with the dinghy.  What a lovely little beach and sand spit we had all to ourselves.  We took in our soap and fresh water solar shower, hung it from a tree and Bob's your Uncle... all done and we saved on our boat water supply.  Col decided to check out his "new" knees having his first proper little run in about two years along the beach.  I could have been heard singing Chariots of Fire.  After a few hours we mosied about in the dinghy back along the edge of the reef to the boat and heated up some yummy  sausage rolls straight from the good old (but new) trusty Waeco.  Back to healthy salads tomorrow.  Had a really good quiet night.

SILVER AFFAIR anchored in Windy Bay

BLISS

Chariots of Fire

Had a fairly wild ride north to get to Hook Passage (28knts from behind) and made our way to Nara Inlet and Refuge Bay to have a lovely catch up with long-time TAFE teacher friend, who with her husband are on their first big sailing trip on their beautiful boat that Ian spent many years building.   We are meeting up again in a couple of days to do a joint snorkelling expedition and will also be joined by our new onboard guest from Germany.  We are booked into Hamilton Island Marina on Wednesday to collect Grant's father-in-law who is flying in.


For the next week at least we will be incognito, incommunicado and  doing some beach exploring around the islands with lots of reef snorkelling and lazing back to boot as well as plenty of sauerkraut I"d say.  Auf Wiedersehen 

BYE TRUDY & Co PLUS KEPPELS TO MACKAY

BYE TRUDY, JOHN, JACKSON, DREW & MIA

Many tears as we waved goodbye to Trude, John and the kids and watched them disappear down the road. We'd had such a lovely few days altogether and felt very down as we wandered back to the boat. However, a reality check dawned as we realised the boat must have been hit by a torpedo so we set about getting Silver Affair ship shape again, ready to take off within the hour. All washing was done and dusted and we set off at lunchtime for North Keppel Island, a mere 8 miles east from Keppel Bay Marina and 5 miles north of Great Keppel. We anchored close inshore from another lovely little beach for a well earned rest in a nice quiet anchorage. 


Left North Keppel at daybreak in very light winds and had to motor-sail towards Port Clinton, but ended up going an extra 6 miles to the beautiful Pearl Bay that has a number of little rocky islands at it's entrance. When anchored just off the beach and looking out towards the entrance it reminded me on a smaller scale of Vietnam and all it's little rocky outcrops and hongs.  Three other yachts were with us for the night. One boat was the biggest catamaran we've probably ever seen. It was 62ft long x 31ft wide, a veritable block of flats. Col didn't like that boat's chances getting through Swansea bridge.

PRETTY PEARL BAY Just north of Port Clinton

We had to laugh later as we were reading in bed and I asked Col the time.....7.40pm came the reply.  Now that was definitely a record.  Not surprising that I didn't seem to have any trouble with my 6am "anchors up" call, also a record. For our early bedtime excuse I am reminded of something a good boating friend once told us and that was the fact that your body is constantly moving when boating and it has nothing to do with alcohol but the movement of the boat and very quickly you become exhausted. That'd be it.  Thanks Laurie G. you are our Guru.


It's my second very worrying day in the non-communicado zone of Shoalwater Bay Military Excercise Area, the fact being that I have absolutely no "in service" bars on my mobile phone, let alone any mobile wi-fi. I don't even know if Trudy, John and the kids have made it safely home yet, not happy Jan, but it's not the only worrying fact. The Army just happens to be playing it's "war games" for the next two weeks. We have to head out and around more than what we wanted to go in order to dodge the military zone or we will be SHOT and blown out of the water never to be seen again.


Well we made it through the war games in one piece, what a relief that was. As we were making good time we by-passed Hexham Island and kept going towards the Duke Islands (40 miles total) in a very fine misty drizzle and anchored behind Marble Island and had a little late afternoon aperitif on the back deck. As I sit here I am gazing across to a passage between two Islands here at the Dukes (Hunter & Marble Islands) called Lola Montez's Passage and I won't say anything further on that interesting piece of information!!

We leave Curlew - head for Mackay Marina

Seem to be having good luck with all anchorages here in Queensland so far with all of them being dead quiet and calm with no nasty wind changes during the night. We left Marble Island at 6.30am heading for Curlew Island only 30miles north. An easy one today and the ocean is better than the lake, dead flat and glassy which of course means no wind. So it's just one engine on, sit back and relax, finish my book and do the last hour on my Liam crocheted rug. Must say I"m very pleased with it, somehow it has the look of the reef colours about it which is appropriate for my dear little far Nth Qld boy. I'm hoping it can go on the end of his very first big boy bed which might happen soon now that he is 2. Although Mummy says he hasn't quite worked out how to climb out and over the cot yet, which is very surprising as like his father he climbs anything and everything. 

LIAM'S BIG BOY BED RUG

Curlew was beautiful in the afternoon when we arrived in glassy conditions with the sun shining. We dropped anchor and another yachty rowed over for a chat, talking about the weather (what else does one talk about)and had a beer. Next thing, old Bligh looks at the glassy conditions, considers the 30knt southerly coming the next day and says "let's go". Have to admit I could see the sense of it so by 5pm we left Curlew, heading 40 miles in to Mackay Marina ready to sit out the strong winds and SHOP. Yeh. 


Bligh did well with that decision - to keep going through the night while conditions were excellent, ie excellent as in we had flat seas but pitch black, no moon whatsoever and FOG. We couldn't see 10m in front of us - thank God for the chart plotter which delivered us right to the very front "door" of the huge Mackay Marina. The good thing was, our heads hit the pillow at 4am and by 4.30 an almighty blow arrived in the form of the 30knt southerly which was not supposed to arrive till lunchtime.  Message for Sue: If it's Mackay Marina it must be Rissoles tonight. Bligh has put in the order. Where's those sarongs?????
Welcome back to Australia Nina's Dad - arrives today - see you soon

TRUDY & Co GREAT KEPPEL ISLAND

Our 4th time visiting Gladstone Marina - Good marina and nice to be back

We were well and truly "victualled" up again as we departed Gladstone marina early morning after a comfortable 2 night stop. Quite a navigational nightmare leaving there and going north with huge freighters, ferries and work boats to contend with, even floating pipes and channel markers every which way. We got into  'The Narrows' behind Curtis Island and made our way at high tide over the cattle crossing and in the afternoon went up Pacific Creek at the end of The Narrows and was surprised to find it full of boats due I suppose to the current 30knt wind warning. Of course,
Bligh being Bligh, decided after 5 hours of being quite safe and comfortable on anchor that he was not happy and a little move was in order. So up anchor in the dark (never nice with a howling wind) and I swear we moved 10m, well maybe 20). At least he slept well all night.

The Cattle Crossing in The Narrows behind Curtis Island

Left Pacific Creek early next morning as Trude and John and the kids were only 6hrs away after enjoying a night with the kangaroos at the Warrumbungles and then another night at Possum Park in Miles.  We had 30knt S/SE, 3m waves across the bay but
finally made it into Roslyn Harbour at Keppel Bay Marina near Yeppoon.  Had a nasty drama on the way when we were trying to bring in the whisker pole. The end of the pole smashed into the front bedroom window and the genoa sheet whipped and cut into
the Bimini windscreen.  We now have some repairs to attend to.

Wonderful to see the boys and little Princess .Great excitement and enough gear and food transported to the boat to last a month. Trude had done well with her pre-cooking and freezing for the road trip and we had lovely, warming home made soup etc and an early night. Left the marina in the morning and had a nasty 25-30knt trip out to Gt Keppel Island. Spent the afternnon exploring the lovely Keppel Island and it was very sad to see the main resort was closed down. The Wappaburra Bar was still up and running for the usual chips, burgers, pizzas. Spent a calm night at Fisherman's Beach off the resort.

Breakfast Chaos at Gt Keppel Island

The following day we moved around to Leekes Beach to do a bit
more exploring and up the creek we went WITH our paddle. Four catamarans were sheltered up inside the creek and we considered going on in but didn't really fancy going high and dry for 4hours of every tide change.  The boys took the stand up paddle board in and out of the mangroves and little side creeks and had a lovely time. We then had a nice afternoon on the beach collecting shells for a necklace to be made for Mia.  Capt. Col went back to the boat and brought in a cold bottle of champagne, 4 glasses and some nibblies and we stayed there till late afternoon.  Moved back around to the sheltered corner at Fisherman's Beach for the night and we
had a lovely dinner finished off with a marathon game of Uno (Mia being the Uno Queen).

Pop sharing some good fishing know-how

Trudy and John

1. Munchkins Movie Night on the boat

Heading now back into Keppel Bay Marina as we have showers most of the day. The morning was spent on the beach and we will cosy down at Keppel Bay Marina again tonight for our last night before we all head off in our different directions.

FINALLY GETTING SOMEWHERE

It was a nice relaxing change after crossing horrible Wide Bay Bar to have a couple of days in lake like conditions at the back of Fraser Island as we meandered our way, 40 sea miles through the very sandy, Sandy Straits. 8pm saw me into bed (world record) and I was served breakfast still in bed at 9am. 

Got out into open waters very quickly with the help of the outgoing tide and 25knts from behind and decided not to go into Hervey Bay but keep going 46 miles to Bundaberg. We eventually followed the flashing Christmas tree like lead lights into the Burnett River at Bundaberg and anchored with a couple of other yachts just inside the river mouth.  

Good quiet night and straight off again next morning for a good day of sailing with half the spinnaker getting a bit of a run and early afternoon we slowly made our way into 1770. It was very low tide, which let us see where NOT to go and we anchored in about a metre of water, keeping in mind that the high tide would give us another 4m of water. Pretty little spot  with plenty of campers and families fishing and playing on the waterfront. Wonder what Captain Cook thought when he popped in for a bit of a sticky-beak in 1770.


The tides in Qld are something to behold. We almost learnt about them the hard way back in 1994 on our first trip. We had anchored at Cape Townsend in 9m of water and woke up in the morning almost high and dry. Had another good quiet night at 1770 and we were getting the sails up at 6.30am for our run up past Pancake Creek and onto Gladstone. It was f-r-e-e-z-i-n-g and we were in scarves, beanies and gloves till nearly 11am. Lunchtime saw us dodging about 8 big freighters lining up in the shipping lane so we got around them and  headed into Gladstone Marina with an already booked berth waiting for us.  


Great marina, first stop the Laundromat, then a 15 minute hot shower instead of a 2min one on the boat. Funny thing happened in the shower.  I had quite an attack of sea sickness and noticed I was swaying from side to side and I hadn't even had a drink. Got over 
that and we got a bit spruced up and went for quite a long walk to the Yacht Club for dinner. Will have another day and night here.

 

Friday will see us making our way up The Narrows and the Cattle Crossing which is on the inside of Curtis Island.  Then it's non stop to Gt Keppel Island to await Trudy and Johns arrival at Yeppoon. We will have a night at Keppel Bay Marina and get them 
all on board and head back out to the island.  Beyond excited to see them all again.

WEEK 5 -1st JULY (Happy 15th Birthday darling Sam)

It's been a while I know and it has come to my attention that one of my dear readers is becoming quite impatient. Bill from Mooloolaba is waiting patiently with baited breath for the next instalment.  I do hope I don't disappoint, although have to say that it all has become a tad mundane of late as we wait and dodge, dodge and wait the atrocious weather we have encountered the last few weeks. We are determined however, to carry on regardless with the expectation of magic days that we know are up ahead. 

Lovely Mooloolaba

Unfortunately like the Gold Coast we had to escape lovely Mooloolaba at lunchtime, but it was a necessity in order to beat the atrocious rain and wild weather and seas that were coming. Luckily we made it to Double Island Point where we managed to have a quiet night anchored off the beach just around the corner of the Point. It was almost like glass. We left there at 3.30 am as we needed to catch the high tide at 5.30am to enter the notorious Wide Bay Bar at Inskip Point, Fraser Island. It lived up to it's reputation of white water and breaking waves, but Silver Affair has become quite good at surfing and we came out the other side still in one piece - sort of. The galley looked like it had been through a bit of an earthquake, but only had to toss a couple of broken glasses, which happens to be very rare on a catamaran. 


Plans have changed slightly because of all the delays and we are now aiming for Great Keppel Island within the next week ready for Trudy & company to join us. On thinking about it we decided that in a way it could prove a better alternative than the Whitsundays. Part of the Resort is open again, including the Wappaburra Beach Bar which the kids will enjoy for their treats and snacks etc. It's also a gorgeous beach and the boys will have fun on Pop's sort of new SUP (stand up paddle board) "Yeh" as well as exploring the island in the inflatable dinghy. Plenty of things to do, island walking tracks for the energetic amongst us as well as fishing and then there is snorkelling at the 7 beautiful little beaches around the island.  So Bundaberg next, 1770, Gladstone then the Keppels.  Beautiful sunny day today, dolphins jumping, it's finally all happening.  Then the pressure is on again after the Keppels as we keep going to the Whitsundays and get ready to greet our onboard visitor from Germany, Nina's Dad. Can't wait.