Great Keppel Island to Pearl Bay

The forecasts all seemed ideal for sailing north, downwind, so we set sail from GKI to Pearl Bay (~50 nm). 

Seas were bigger than we expected as we cleared North Keppel and Pumpkin Islands, bearing in mind the VMR adage “seas may be larger and winds 40% more than forecast”, and cruising along at 8 knots, a sudden squall ripped the mainsail along lower batten below the 2^nd reef point then vertically, held only by the leech.

Peter, in life jacket and clipped on the jack line, was able to reef down and continue sailing, but the squalls continued and we limped into Port Clinton, anchoring just as another big squall came through, drenching crew and cockpit.  Luckily we were able to capture enough rainfall to do all our washing as we relaxed for a few days in Port Clinton, joined by a pair of sea-eagles and a pair of pelicans (though it’s hard to tell with pelicans).

More boat (“bring out another thousand”) maintenance as we track down a friendly sail maker and another boost to the Australian economy, although 6 months ahead of our schedule!

New Trampolines for Heatwave

After several recommendations from other yachties, we contacted Gordon Myers of Multihull Trampolines https://www.multihulltramps.com.au/, as we were heading up to Bundaberg.  

The odd shapes of our trampolines meant it was easier for him to come and measure them up on his template, rather than follow our attempts at measurements and photos, before making them.  Fortunately he was able to make them while we were still in the marina, fit them and show us how to tweak them later on, after they have settled in.

It was a good choice to go with grey Spectra and the silver edges blend beautifully with our aluminium bow sprit and centre bar.  We are very pleased with the look and feel, next week will be the blue water test as we are hoping for a screecher run to Pancake Creek or the Keppels.

Thanks Gordon!

Bundaberg to Bargara

Thanks to a local yachtie tip-off, we easily found the bike path from the marina that winds through Burnett Heads, Neilson Park, Moore Beach, Mon Repos and Bargara, meandering along beaches, rocky coastline and through shady forests of casuarinas and pandanus.  Our picnic breakfast at the Turtle Centre was only disturbed by the noise from the construction site next door, which could be a new and bigger Turtle Centre.

Cockatiels near the beach

Without really birdwatching while cycling, we managed to see 35 species of birds, including an amazing 28 cockatiels near Moore Beach and 4 more near Bargara.  (This could mean the drought is severe and they are moving closer to the coast?)  The forest around the Turtle Centre was noisy with honeyeaters, though it was hard to pick the species without binoculars, and around the wetlands mobs of finches were darting about.

Kingfisher Bay

Enjoying Lunch at the Sand Bar

After the rain and squalls of the last few days it was great to break out the kayaks and paddle in to the beach.  

Love the giant banksias and delicate boronias on the meandering Wildflower Walk, just off the beach, which features a wetland full of purple water lilies with a few grebes and coots.

Day 1: Sandy Straits (Don’t worry, we won’t be writing daily reports, just occasional posts)

First day of this year’s adventures, beautiful sunshine, light SE winds  and a good sized queenfish came along to feed us.  

Said goodbye to the car and camper, sold and gave away lots of stuff, reduced clutter and now we are fancy-free boat people.  Left our marque at Crab Creek yottie shelter...

First anchorage at South White Cliffs we have all to ourselves, just the birds for company, whimbrels strolling the sandy beaches and turtles popping their heads up everywhere.  A sea-eagle cruises past looking for his supper.