Nara Treat - The Waterfall Running

A great benefit of the rain while at Nara was that the normally dry waterfall was running - so off went for a dip. Apologies for the thumb - perhaps a shiver. Anyway you can tell that Karen did not think it was too cold and was straight in!
Apologies for the body - Budha was already booked so Mark had to stand in.

So the photos are not too good but the experience was fantastic.

"Boat City" - Cid Harbour

They call Cid Harbour "Boat City" - not hard to see why.

Did we get all the boats into the phot - no way - this is just a sample. However an advantage of the wee boat is that we could get closer to shore and away from most of the fleet.

These guys are keen - Trans Tasman Solo

While anchored at Cid Harbour we had a knock on the hull; Alan from Delphina, a Cheeko 30 (second photo), one of two yachts in the anchorage that had completed this years trans tasman race from New Plymouth (NZ nth island) to Mooloolaba. Lots of these guys are now cruising the coast. You can visit the race website here, regretably not complete. Further info can be found on a media website here.

Alan was anchored with Richard, skipper of Nimbus II, a 22' crewcut. (first photo below). Alan knocked us up as were another small boat. The small boats tend to gravitate together and I think we differentiate ourselves from the larger boats, hardier souls, no comfort for us.



Richard has just sailed from another spot to anchor near us as it was a little smoother. Alan had done the same. Though Richard had demonstrated his skills by sailing off his anchor, through the very crowded Cid Harbour and sailed onto the new anchorage. Richard is a very experienced and passionate skipper and a profile can be found here.

Not to be outdone on the following morning when Tiburon depearted we sailed off the anchor and out through the anchorage. As we passed Richard and Alan were on another of the trans tasman boats and called out that they were proud of us as we maintined the honour of the small boats. Mark was a little choofed - boys!

We met Richard again at Nara Inlet. Interestingly on a day where we left Nara and it was as rough as, and at least one fellow small boat, Peter and Ann on a Hunter 260 returned to anhcor because their 9.9 hp outboard would not push them against the chop, Richard sailed out, upwind, tacking away in the confined area - impressive stuff.

Hamilton Island To Cid Harbour

After two excellent nights at Hamilton Island we moved on to Cid Harbour (northern side of Whitsunday Island).
Shortly after departing Hammo the rains came and hung around for most of the trip. Interesting situation with minimal visibility and able to hear but not see the jets moving in and out of Hammo. The flight path is low and across the popular shipping routes, so low in fact that there are restirictions on where some yachts can go; those with very tall masts, not a problem in wee Tiburon. Once agin into the dinghy for a bit of exploring, here a great little beach with a creek to expolore for some way until the mangroves close over it.
And at the end of the day the rains have gone and we were treated to another beautiful sunset.

That's Relaxin'!

Hamilton Island

You will have noted Mark talking about 20/25 knot winds, others remaining in port, 30 knot gusts, full safety gear, suffixed with "quite safe"!

Well here is the proof. All our heavy wind sailing in Tiburon has been downwind. This guy is heading south between Hamilton Island and Lindeman, passed by Tiburon on Friday. Look, only a small reef in the main, full headsail, and a big happy wave - "quite safe" - but agin best not to look behind because for some reason no photo has done justice to the size of some of the waves. I guess when the big ones are bearing down we aren't taking photos!

Mark wants our next boat to be more of a competent sailer like this one, but of course it must carry a washing machine an on no account heel to the point it spills the champers!

Anyhow we are at Hamilton ISland and Tiburon is berthed down with the dinghys - at least it is close to the toilets.
Our thanks to Graham and the gang from the catamaran behind us in the photo who donated there leftovers as the cleared off from their bareboat. They made up about 50% of our provisions not to mention the rod, reel and landing net - the "hunter gatherers" toolkit doubled in size with that donation.

Tibby does look a wee small compared to it's playmates in the background. At Mackay a lady (new to sailing) commented to Karen at the "knowledge library" ie., laundry, that she was very apprehensive sailing the 42 foot boat from where they had recently purchased it - Gladstone. She felt it may have been a bit small to be safe, or comfortable, for coastal cruising. Enquired of Karen how BIG her boat was; 27 feet the reply - the lady nearly fainted.

Mark just reminds all that John Guzwell (who was sane) circumnavigated in the 20 footer, Traka.

But does concede that the sanity of Serge Testa, who circumnavigated in the 12 footer Terra Australis, may be questioned!

Anyhow we have enjoyed Hammo:
- hot showers
- most expensive marina so far
- least impressive marina so far
- but with access to all island and resort amentiies for $45 a night it's great
- capucino
- a gr* chinese feed on Friday night
- a great Italian feed last night
- sitting by the resort pool yesterday afternoon with too many Pina Colada and Margarita.

We are off today for 8 nights amongst the Whitsundays, hopefully some snorkeling, and arrive Airlie Beach on the 10th.

Tiburon on a truck on the 11th and should be back at RQYS on the 13th where she will be antifouled, buffed and polished ready for the coming season at RQYS.
We stay in the Coral Sands Resort for three nights. Karen gets a buff and polish ready to return to Brisbane looking as usual beautiful and not at all like a galley slave.

And Mark cannot deny looking forward to a night in a bed after three months, particularly his own, a ride on the Trumpy and giving the kids a cuddle.

We fly home on the 13th where we will see Erin and then the three of us will fly down to Newie on the last weekend in Sept to celebrate Shannon's 23rd birthday.

More On Shaw

One of many interesting features we have been watching as we progress along the coast are the rock types and formations. Mathew Flinders "scientific gentlemen" would be proud of us. My apogies to all the geos that I may have insulted over the years - yes they can hold your interest.

We have seen dark angular formations; formations like laid tiles; stratified gravels and more. Shaw was interesting as from the sea the tan rocks gave a sense of crumpled brown paper, or old school shoes at the end of year where the light coloured worn and torn areas contrasted with the areas tucked away from harm where the original polished leather could still be spied.

Another feature we sometimes find are the small tidal creeks. Often at the south western end of a beach. Great to explore a little way, but always with the reticence that comes from the crodile warnings in all the reference books. As unlikely as it may be those marks could be the tracks of a ......?
Out on the bay you can see a large catamaran - not the one described below but similar. A price we had to pay for travelling in the strong winds were some sleepless nights worried about dragging the anchor, complicated by the large tides in these areas. Well one night as we were up and worrying about ours we saw a large Sunsail charter cat closer than it was a while ago........
and then it was a lot further away........

and we tried to explain it away as "they must have a lot of chain out to be swinging that much"....

until they were even further away and we are thinking (aloud) "noone carries that much chain"


and then they were cleraly off and running - one thirty am and we are trying to raise them by spotlight, radio (as if they had that ont) and finally resorted to the airhorn (which I have only used once on Moreton Bay to attract a stink boat that was about to run us down) (thoughts go out to the people killed last night on Moreton Bay) and the bloody horn did not work!

So for Tiburon it was up anchor and chase them down, catching then almost a nautical mile away. Well you should have seen the entertainment when we finally woke the unfortunate couple who were first up!

Imagine man with pants on one leg and not the other scrambling across rear deck followed by wife!

Anyway they returned to anchor safely for the rest of the night and arrived next morning to thank us again and added to the beer stocks.

It happens to all of us and we spent a little time with Peter and Lou reflecting on our "big drag" at Tangalooma on New Years Eve last.

Our good deed done we left Shaw and made our way to Hamilton Island in 20/25 with 30 gusts, at one stage followed by the biggest wave we have seen thus far. Quite safe though.

A TIP FOR VIEWING IMAGES

You will see that the images in the blog are relatively small. To enlarge just place your cursor on the image and click - voila - now large.

Then use your explorer BACK button to return to the blog.

Shaw Island and a meeting with some RQYS people

So from Goldsmith to Shaw Island, again in 20/25 with the safety gear on and some waves that reinforced the theory "best not to look behind" !

So here is the anchorage with Tiburon on the far right - is she not a wee thing compared to all the others.

We met Merv and Glenva (yes spelling in this case is right - apologies for my other uncorrected errors as I try and type fast!), where was I, yes Merv and Glenva from "More Intrigue". A small world as they slid past in the dinghy one afternoon and asked "are you guys from G row at RQ?" - yes we are, so were they with their old boat "Intrigue still there and for sale if anyones ins interested in a Nolex 30.

Merv and mates had just completed both Airlie and Hammo race weeks in the recently acquired Northshore 38 (beautiful machine and neat as a pin). They had us over for drinks and we went on to discover it truly is a small world; they have Robyn Herringe from RTCA as a next door neighbour at Carina Heights; just one of the acquantences we shared.

More on Goldsmith Island

I think I uploaded the wrong image in the last post, however the one below is definately the "hunter gatherer" in ppursuit of the big one.
And yes some may be sick of sunsets but we are not and for those that join us here is one from Goldsmith. This was a much better evening the the one on the long anticipated lunar eclispe where we had full cloud cover and the eclipse meant mothing to us other than - "gee it's gone really dark"; and "gee it's now really light again" !

Goldsmith Island - "It's Gold!!!"

At the risk of raising anything to do with the "Knights" after this weeks debarcle, I can only quote the Chief with regard Goldsmith Island; "It's Gold!!!!". What a great spot. We arrived here from Brampton after again sailing in 20/25 knot with all the gear on.

Recollections of our three nights at Goldsmith:
- swimming on the beach (sometimes skinny as we had the place to ourselves for two of the three).
- the fantastic little creek with a garden that looked like it had been placed by the hand of you know who.
- the rock gardens that broke up the beach. If you could take one and transport it you may win any garden design prize; fantastic rock placement, layered plantings from low growth through to the beautiful pines.
- the short mangrove trees that intermittently lined the shore and looked like well trimmed hedges they were so uniform.

Karen doing laps in the dinghy looking for a fish. Schools of garfish "flying" across the surface twenty fours hours a day. See seperate post on the effectiveness of the "Grand Dinghy Trap".
And our friend below. All through the trip we have had the joy of watching the eagles. AT Goldsmith there were three near our anchorage. This bloke, the largest, would keep us entertained with his very effective fishing pursuits. A joy to watch and boy was he efficient.

Facing this bay at Goldsmith was another small island (Farrier) with a few weekenders on it. They looked into this bay from their verandahs - "gold".

Then onto Shaw Island.

Mackay to Brampton Island

Saturday last we finally departed Mackay Marina after twelve nights. Our original intention was to stay only three but poor weather saw us marina bound, that and the flicks, restaurants and sightseeing.

We sailed to Brampton Island in forecast 20 to 25 knot winds, less than desirable conditions for a comfortable trip in Tiburon and which saw many remaining in the marina. Fully rigged in lifejackets, harness and restraints away we went. The trip was great, good downwind sailing, and quite safe.

As we were being sent off from Mackay by new friends Dawn and Geoff (Martini - Beneteau 35) we were discussing how happy I was with the Diecon engine we had fitted to Tiburon; 230 hours and not even a leak of oil, though a bit heavy on v-belts. Then whilst motoring for a short period of almost no wind I looked checked the instruments and to my surprise the tacho was reading wrong. Shut down and up with the engine cover and to my dimay the alternator, complete with its full mounting arrangement was hanging on the belt. A couple of broken bolts (clearly and alignment problem when they manufactured the brackets) and a period of head down in a running sea while Mark made temporary repairs.

Anyhow at the end of the day we were settled into the lovely Brampton anchorage, just off the resort (see phot below) but with strict instructions that "yachties are not welcome under any circumstances" !

The Hunter Gatherer Strikes Again

Not content with just fishing during the day Karen is now setting traps at night. The first success, a garfish captured in the "Grand Dinghy Trap" ! This trap was set at Shaw Island (southern Whistsundays).