Friday, August 31, 2007
Thursday 30th August Bundaberg to Pancake Creek - Cape Capricorn and on to Yepoon
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GILLY, HAVE A BLAST
Had a great sail to Pancake Creek and was great to revisit after 26years although was very nervous going into the anchorage as this is the first place we went aground when we came up here with Katie O. Wow,… now they have Port and Starboard markers and leads all very posh and updated. All we had were leads of which the bottom one had fallen down so it was just pot luck and we didn’t have any.
Saw the eclipse of the moon which was awesome and so clear….what a sight.
Left early the next morning for Cape Capricorn, again a pleasant day’s sail.
When we arrived at CC had time to go ashore and walk up to the lighthouse and on the way stumbled across n echidna ambling along the path. The view from the top was amazing and we could see into Yellow Patch across all the shelving sands. Blast,… forgot to take my camera, will have to do the walk on the way back and hope the echidna crosses our path again.
Had a great day’s sail from Cape Capricorn after a very lumpy night, roller coaster ride without the washing machine.We surfed along with goose winged sails and averaged 6 knts to arrive in Rosslyn bay at 11.30 instead of our estimated time of 1300 hours
Pam’s fishing Notes:
Hooked the most amazing Spanish Mackerel and managed to bring it right up to the boat and as Nick was lifting it on board and I was visualizing the way I was going to cook it as they are great eating… the Damn thing spat the dummy and flopped back into the ocean. The fish was happy and lived, Nick was happy that the fish lived and I was “NOT HAPPY PAM’
Thursday 31st
Changed engine oil, oil filter and fuel filter. Bled and refitted fuel filter. Stocked up the wine and rum cellar. We sail on the morning tide for Port Clinton or Pearl Bay and then on up through Island Head Creek, Percys then maybe Digby and on to Mackay, so we won’t have any more access to the internet for about 7days.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GILLY, HAVE A BLAST
Had a great sail to Pancake Creek and was great to revisit after 26years although was very nervous going into the anchorage as this is the first place we went aground when we came up here with Katie O. Wow,… now they have Port and Starboard markers and leads all very posh and updated. All we had were leads of which the bottom one had fallen down so it was just pot luck and we didn’t have any.
Saw the eclipse of the moon which was awesome and so clear….what a sight.
Left early the next morning for Cape Capricorn, again a pleasant day’s sail.
When we arrived at CC had time to go ashore and walk up to the lighthouse and on the way stumbled across n echidna ambling along the path. The view from the top was amazing and we could see into Yellow Patch across all the shelving sands. Blast,… forgot to take my camera, will have to do the walk on the way back and hope the echidna crosses our path again.
Had a great day’s sail from Cape Capricorn after a very lumpy night, roller coaster ride without the washing machine.We surfed along with goose winged sails and averaged 6 knts to arrive in Rosslyn bay at 11.30 instead of our estimated time of 1300 hours
Pam’s fishing Notes:
Hooked the most amazing Spanish Mackerel and managed to bring it right up to the boat and as Nick was lifting it on board and I was visualizing the way I was going to cook it as they are great eating… the Damn thing spat the dummy and flopped back into the ocean. The fish was happy and lived, Nick was happy that the fish lived and I was “NOT HAPPY PAM’
Thursday 31st
Changed engine oil, oil filter and fuel filter. Bled and refitted fuel filter. Stocked up the wine and rum cellar. We sail on the morning tide for Port Clinton or Pearl Bay and then on up through Island Head Creek, Percys then maybe Digby and on to Mackay, so we won’t have any more access to the internet for about 7days.
Friday, August 24, 2007
25th Saturday
Looks like we will be here till next Tuesday as the weather is not improving and with the Indonesian boat being washed up on Rainbow beach in the Storm a few days ago, who wants to go out in that when you can sit on the lawn and enjoy a very nice BBQ and meet all the other stranded yachties. Three American couples we met have lived on their boats for 10, 12, and 21 yrs. Another couple we met from Bne who are very nice and of course we ended up spending the afternoon of their boat chatting and drinking…….What else can one do under these storm conditions.
Listened to the plight of another boat which was in trouble off the north of Fraser Island with a couple and two cats on board. They had no food and hadn’t eaten for weeks. Left New Zealand for Bundaberg 6 weeks ago. Was dismasted 4 days out from NZ and then found out that their diesel was contaminated so had no engine. For 6 weeks they have been drifting along being becalmed then ran into all these storms which we have been experiencing safely tied up in the marina. By the time the boat was rescued two days ago they had portholes smashed out and lots of damage. Think I would give up and go home, but at least they are safe now.
Monday20th – Friday 24th Bundaberg
I suppose there are worse places to be stuck. The Bundaberg Port marina is a reasonably pleasant place and a courtesy bus runs us into town when the mood takes us and The Blue Water Boat Club at Burnett Heads provides an insight into local society. Meanwhile a low pressure system ensures that we stay put. A yacht heading to Bundaberg was dismasted yesterday and another one seems to have sailed into Rainbow beach. Handy reminders to exercise patience. We’re provisioning today in the hope that we can get going again on Sunday in which case we should be at Great Keppel on Monday or Tuesday. Thence, for any interested navigators, to Pearl Bay, Percy Islands, Scawfell and the Whitsundays.
Monday 20th North White Cliffs to Bundaberg
Had the wet weather gear, complete with ski socks and seaboots, out this morning. Given our proximity to the tropic of Capricorn is this yet more evidence for climate change? Now in the Burnett River dangerously close to the rum factory. It’s blowing like a bastard and gale warnings are rampant. Best day’s sail yet though. Would definitely have got the double in the GFS twilight. Ray struggles with anything over 20knots so had to share the steering. Between us I got the top speed but Ray got the best hour’s run. It’s hard work steering for hour after hour but as someone once said, “I feel no pain dear Mother now, but O what a terrible thirst”
Pam’s fishing notes: no trolling- no fish……..But a short walk to the Bundaberg fish co-op…….fresh prawns and other yummy things on the menu for tomorrow. Thought I may buy a crab net and see what wonders I can catch!!!
Pam’s fishing notes: Crab net purchased then found we had one on board so two now….look out crabs
This is one of the nicest Marina’s with good facilities and little seafood cafe. Very friendly people in boats around us waiting to take off north, so it will be a flotilla that leaves here when the weather permits. We’re just mooching and taking time out to do jobs around the boat and generally clean up. Today the Marina is putting on a free lunch time BBQ so when we get back from town will saunter up and join in.
Looks like we will be here till next Tuesday as the weather is not improving and with the Indonesian boat being washed up on Rainbow beach in the Storm a few days ago, who wants to go out in that when you can sit on the lawn and enjoy a very nice BBQ and meet all the other stranded yachties. Three American couples we met have lived on their boats for 10, 12, and 21 yrs. Another couple we met from Bne who are very nice and of course we ended up spending the afternoon of their boat chatting and drinking…….What else can one do under these storm conditions.
Listened to the plight of another boat which was in trouble off the north of Fraser Island with a couple and two cats on board. They had no food and hadn’t eaten for weeks. Left New Zealand for Bundaberg 6 weeks ago. Was dismasted 4 days out from NZ and then found out that their diesel was contaminated so had no engine. For 6 weeks they have been drifting along being becalmed then ran into all these storms which we have been experiencing safely tied up in the marina. By the time the boat was rescued two days ago they had portholes smashed out and lots of damage. Think I would give up and go home, but at least they are safe now.
Monday20th – Friday 24th Bundaberg
I suppose there are worse places to be stuck. The Bundaberg Port marina is a reasonably pleasant place and a courtesy bus runs us into town when the mood takes us and The Blue Water Boat Club at Burnett Heads provides an insight into local society. Meanwhile a low pressure system ensures that we stay put. A yacht heading to Bundaberg was dismasted yesterday and another one seems to have sailed into Rainbow beach. Handy reminders to exercise patience. We’re provisioning today in the hope that we can get going again on Sunday in which case we should be at Great Keppel on Monday or Tuesday. Thence, for any interested navigators, to Pearl Bay, Percy Islands, Scawfell and the Whitsundays.
Monday 20th North White Cliffs to Bundaberg
Had the wet weather gear, complete with ski socks and seaboots, out this morning. Given our proximity to the tropic of Capricorn is this yet more evidence for climate change? Now in the Burnett River dangerously close to the rum factory. It’s blowing like a bastard and gale warnings are rampant. Best day’s sail yet though. Would definitely have got the double in the GFS twilight. Ray struggles with anything over 20knots so had to share the steering. Between us I got the top speed but Ray got the best hour’s run. It’s hard work steering for hour after hour but as someone once said, “I feel no pain dear Mother now, but O what a terrible thirst”
Pam’s fishing notes: no trolling- no fish……..But a short walk to the Bundaberg fish co-op…….fresh prawns and other yummy things on the menu for tomorrow. Thought I may buy a crab net and see what wonders I can catch!!!
Pam’s fishing notes: Crab net purchased then found we had one on board so two now….look out crabs
This is one of the nicest Marina’s with good facilities and little seafood cafe. Very friendly people in boats around us waiting to take off north, so it will be a flotilla that leaves here when the weather permits. We’re just mooching and taking time out to do jobs around the boat and generally clean up. Today the Marina is putting on a free lunch time BBQ so when we get back from town will saunter up and join in.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
18th August Garry’s Gutter between Fraser Island and Stewart Island
Saturday- Lovely peaceful anchorage, lots of turtles surfacing around, hawkes soaring above and diving for fish.
Motored through narrow channels for about 3hours from the Gutter to South White Cliffs.
The guy on the next boat had his whole fishing tackle taken and it was 60lb strain so we decided not to take a dip.
Fishing Notes:At anchorage got one on the line up to the side of the boat and it took one look and flipped off. Dinner gone… open a tin of tuna!
“He told me he had the sea in his blood, and believe me you could see where it gets in” Spike Milligan.
Friday 17th August Inskip Point to Garry’s Anchorage (Fraser Island West (scurvy crew))
Great night, smooth as silk after the washing machine the night before, until the Fraser Car Ferry motored past at 4am, which sounded like a jet flying through your bedroom and then the wash hit and Oh!!... my sleep in was destroyed. Just settling again and 4.15 the next ferry charged past, then it was one every fifteen minutes until all four were happily ensconced at their pick up sites to take the early morning 4 wheel drivers to the other side to join the mass beach drive north on Fraser Island.
Since we were here last all the leads have been changed to lateral markers so it was a little disconcerting to try and sort out all the new navigational systems. But my trusty Capt Bligh was at his best, and navigating by Rays GPS took us safely up through all the channels and with me using the wonderful new binoculars we were a team again and I felt happy…….. We decided to go into an anchorage which looked quite interesting, not a lot of water but Nick said that it would be okay so we steamed in and it was lovely. Anchored in about 2.9 meters and with what Nick had read up about the tides we should be okay. Went ashore to explore and then back to the boat for a zzzzzzzzzzz. Woke up around 5pm, at this point I turned Ray on to check the depth and to my astonishment was in 1.2 meters……slight panic, but I was assured we were nearly at the bottom of the tide and we would float off soon. When it got to 0.9 even Capt. Bligh was looking a little concerned and when a tinny went past and the wheel jaggled about I thought this is not good. The captain suggested very calmly that we might move, if in fact we still could.
He’s now cabin boy and I am promoted to Captain. Slight miscalculation in tide range……..it happens……mistakes……..but who’s counting!!! Scurvy Crew promoted…..YES!!!!!!!!!!.........
Thursday 16th August
Spent a particularly unpleasant night at Double Island Point. Thought the breeze would drop and go back to the S.E. Instead it strengthened and blew all night from the North. Bad misjudgement but no damage done apart from a little sleep deprivation. Have accepted criticism from the crew.
Then across the Wide Bay Bar and into the Sandy Strait on the inside of Fraser Island.
On the subject of Schadenfreude the water pump made a grinding noise and ceased functioning which occupied the morning. Whole thing had started to vibrate itself back into its component parts. However the fuse had done its job and after reassembly it seems fine.
Scurvy Crew…….Unpleasant NIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!! Was like being in a washing machine and riding a bucking bronco at the same time and not sleeping as you were imagining you were dragging your anchor so you felt like a Meerkat all night bobbing up through the hatch in the washing machine seeing if you were about to hit the shore and die!!..
There are now four car ferries operating the channel to Fraser Island, 26yrs ago there was one dilapidated car ferry. Coming along the mainland to Double Island Point was like seeing the main highway with so many four wheel drives roaring along the beach and it was only Thursday and not a public holiday, weekends must be a nightmare, will need traffic lights on the beach soon. Looked like the wreck of the Cherry Venture was gone as we couldn’t see it as we passed, a lot appears and disappears in 26yrs………(and sags)
On the matter to do with the pump. I used the water and it made the most horrendous noise, Nick was on deck and I thought mmmm that doesn’t sound right. It was not until I used the water again and it didn’t work. We spent probably half an hour going through all the consequences of what may have happened and what a joy when Nick found another fuse within the pump as we had already checked the fuse behind the board and it was OK. One crisis averted…bring on the rum and coke
Pam’s Fishing Notes: no line out, no fish, dolphins welcomed us on arrival to Inskip Point.
Saturday- Lovely peaceful anchorage, lots of turtles surfacing around, hawkes soaring above and diving for fish.
Motored through narrow channels for about 3hours from the Gutter to South White Cliffs.
The guy on the next boat had his whole fishing tackle taken and it was 60lb strain so we decided not to take a dip.
Fishing Notes:At anchorage got one on the line up to the side of the boat and it took one look and flipped off. Dinner gone… open a tin of tuna!
“He told me he had the sea in his blood, and believe me you could see where it gets in” Spike Milligan.
Friday 17th August Inskip Point to Garry’s Anchorage (Fraser Island West (scurvy crew))
Great night, smooth as silk after the washing machine the night before, until the Fraser Car Ferry motored past at 4am, which sounded like a jet flying through your bedroom and then the wash hit and Oh!!... my sleep in was destroyed. Just settling again and 4.15 the next ferry charged past, then it was one every fifteen minutes until all four were happily ensconced at their pick up sites to take the early morning 4 wheel drivers to the other side to join the mass beach drive north on Fraser Island.
Since we were here last all the leads have been changed to lateral markers so it was a little disconcerting to try and sort out all the new navigational systems. But my trusty Capt Bligh was at his best, and navigating by Rays GPS took us safely up through all the channels and with me using the wonderful new binoculars we were a team again and I felt happy…….. We decided to go into an anchorage which looked quite interesting, not a lot of water but Nick said that it would be okay so we steamed in and it was lovely. Anchored in about 2.9 meters and with what Nick had read up about the tides we should be okay. Went ashore to explore and then back to the boat for a zzzzzzzzzzz. Woke up around 5pm, at this point I turned Ray on to check the depth and to my astonishment was in 1.2 meters……slight panic, but I was assured we were nearly at the bottom of the tide and we would float off soon. When it got to 0.9 even Capt. Bligh was looking a little concerned and when a tinny went past and the wheel jaggled about I thought this is not good. The captain suggested very calmly that we might move, if in fact we still could.
He’s now cabin boy and I am promoted to Captain. Slight miscalculation in tide range……..it happens……mistakes……..but who’s counting!!! Scurvy Crew promoted…..YES!!!!!!!!!!.........
Thursday 16th August
Spent a particularly unpleasant night at Double Island Point. Thought the breeze would drop and go back to the S.E. Instead it strengthened and blew all night from the North. Bad misjudgement but no damage done apart from a little sleep deprivation. Have accepted criticism from the crew.
Then across the Wide Bay Bar and into the Sandy Strait on the inside of Fraser Island.
On the subject of Schadenfreude the water pump made a grinding noise and ceased functioning which occupied the morning. Whole thing had started to vibrate itself back into its component parts. However the fuse had done its job and after reassembly it seems fine.
Scurvy Crew…….Unpleasant NIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!! Was like being in a washing machine and riding a bucking bronco at the same time and not sleeping as you were imagining you were dragging your anchor so you felt like a Meerkat all night bobbing up through the hatch in the washing machine seeing if you were about to hit the shore and die!!..
There are now four car ferries operating the channel to Fraser Island, 26yrs ago there was one dilapidated car ferry. Coming along the mainland to Double Island Point was like seeing the main highway with so many four wheel drives roaring along the beach and it was only Thursday and not a public holiday, weekends must be a nightmare, will need traffic lights on the beach soon. Looked like the wreck of the Cherry Venture was gone as we couldn’t see it as we passed, a lot appears and disappears in 26yrs………(and sags)
On the matter to do with the pump. I used the water and it made the most horrendous noise, Nick was on deck and I thought mmmm that doesn’t sound right. It was not until I used the water again and it didn’t work. We spent probably half an hour going through all the consequences of what may have happened and what a joy when Nick found another fuse within the pump as we had already checked the fuse behind the board and it was OK. One crisis averted…bring on the rum and coke
Pam’s Fishing Notes: no line out, no fish, dolphins welcomed us on arrival to Inskip Point.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Wednesday 15th Mooloolaba to Double Island Point
Wednesday 15th August Mooloolaba to Double Island Point
Thanks to Liz and Lindsey for their hospitality, transport arrangements and Glenlivet. I can report that the Sebel Maroochydore is a splendid place. The washing machines and dryers work and that it stands out when observed from a couple of miles offshore in the early morning light.
Those of you who have fished with my bride will have an insight into the unbridled excitement when the unfortunate Tuna hooked himself. Having established that with a poled out headsail it was a trifle inconvenient to bring the vessel to a halt and back up a bit, my request for gloves delivered a pair of pink washing up gloves which afforded rather less protection than I had envisaged and hardly smacked of Ernest Hemingway. The fish eventually gave up and the smell of burning rubber soon faded.
Currently rolling our guts out at Double Island Point. Rhymes with clucking bell.
Over to Rex Hunt……….
Had a great stay in Mooloolaba (try spelling that after a few!!).
Had our first baby visit the boat and was rocked to sleep within minutes and then his older brother fell asleep 2 minutes after starting Happy Feet. Had absolutely nothing to do with their picnicking all day and Thomas running his little feet off chasing footballs .
Pam’s fishing Notes:Yaahooo….Yippeeee……The one that didn’t get away……..there are fish in them thar waters and biggens tooo!!!!!!!!!! Great all day, whales, HUGE TUNA at least 20 kls and dolphins so I’m a happy little camper. Sandy Strait here we come…………..
Thanks to Liz and Lindsey for their hospitality, transport arrangements and Glenlivet. I can report that the Sebel Maroochydore is a splendid place. The washing machines and dryers work and that it stands out when observed from a couple of miles offshore in the early morning light.
Those of you who have fished with my bride will have an insight into the unbridled excitement when the unfortunate Tuna hooked himself. Having established that with a poled out headsail it was a trifle inconvenient to bring the vessel to a halt and back up a bit, my request for gloves delivered a pair of pink washing up gloves which afforded rather less protection than I had envisaged and hardly smacked of Ernest Hemingway. The fish eventually gave up and the smell of burning rubber soon faded.
Currently rolling our guts out at Double Island Point. Rhymes with clucking bell.
Over to Rex Hunt……….
Had a great stay in Mooloolaba (try spelling that after a few!!).
Had our first baby visit the boat and was rocked to sleep within minutes and then his older brother fell asleep 2 minutes after starting Happy Feet. Had absolutely nothing to do with their picnicking all day and Thomas running his little feet off chasing footballs .
Pam’s fishing Notes:Yaahooo….Yippeeee……The one that didn’t get away……..there are fish in them thar waters and biggens tooo!!!!!!!!!! Great all day, whales, HUGE TUNA at least 20 kls and dolphins so I’m a happy little camper. Sandy Strait here we come…………..
15th August just leaving Mooloolabar Harbour bound for Double Island Point and the Wide Bay Bar. The photos posted before I had time to do a script for them so here it is. The first photo was John and Marie in Bne lunching at their house. THe second is on Bribie Island with Scott and Felicity at a great restaurant, the third is peak hour in the channel off Bribie and the third is the oily calm where i lost my lure coming up the coast of Bribie. Clear Pam...Internet connection may be a problem from now on....we'll see.....
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Saturday 11th August. Manly to Bribie Island
A few days without updating due to hospitality ashore. This has had the effect of diminishing our fine motor skills.
John and Marie, with whom we were sailing 26 years ago, ensured that we didn’t overstay our welcome by dragging us all over Brisbane on foot. You don’t do much walking on a boat and the 10kms around the highways and byways of Brisbane has caused an early onset of steaming kneecaps. Great time with them despite the physical pain and our thanks for running us all over the place and hunting down a bicycle shop for Pam. Don’t ask.
Then on through the bewildering choice of channels to Bribie Island where Scot and Felicity were waiting on the wharf complete with lunch and associated beverages. Back to their great house on the beach where we discovered they’d run out of tea so had to drink wine. And then to dinner. The problem which had to be solved here was that we couldn’t leave the boat for long due to the indifferent holding in Pumicestone Passage and they couldn’t get a babysitter. This riddle was solved with wonderful pragmatism but I feel it would be inappropriate (there’s that HRy word again) to publish the result here.
Suffice it to say that dinner was had, boat and children both fine, constitutions on the rebound. Only near miss involved Felicity, dinghy-boarding-post-lunch and me. Bruising recovering. Scars remain. Mostly mental.
Motored all the way to Mooloolaba in oily calm sea. Pam has suffered a serious reversal of fortune. Lure, trace and swivel. All gone. Pam’s fishing record now in negative territory.
The following is re-published from my 1981 book of original sea-shanties and should be sung to the tune of that ballet music used for the 60s song “Hello Mother Hello Father Here I am in Camp Grenada”
Hello Mother, Hello Father
Here I am in Mooloolaba Harbour.
I am pleased to
Report to you two
That in spite of many hardships
That we pulled through
When we started
It was sunny
Then the wind blew
And I felt funny
Then the rain came
And the lightning
Mother, Father it was very very frightening
Key change…………..
All night long it rained and blew
My course was wrong what cold I do?
That lighthouse moved
It wasn’t there before
I think we’ll hit the shore…………..
But now the sun’s up
And the winds dropped
And the sea’s calm
And the rain’s stopped.
What’s that I see?
A coastal freighter!
Mother, Father I’m a clever navigator.
Alternative last two lines involves…… a coastal lugger
Clearly not enough to occupy my mind. Captain Bligh out.
Spent the most wonderful evening and night in Brisbane with our old sailing friends John and Marie whom we met 26 yrs ago on Keppel Island when they sailed in after being blown out of the Percy Islands. Had a great dinner with them, and catching up on the old sailing haunts was very interesting. Wobbled home to the boat and then the next day we were picked up again at 11am and off to a stupendous lunch followed by a 1 kilometer walk into Brisbane which turned out to be more like 7 kilometers. Felt good to walk but Nick’s knees not liking it too much and he is developing the swagger walk, right knee hurts going uphill, left hurts going downhill. Drinks at the Sebel gave him a much needed break and then we assaulted the hill for home. Great time in Bne and thanks for the much needed exercise……..Nick is now on walking stick!!...just kidding.
Thank you John and Marie for a great time in Brisbane.
On then through the very challenging channels across Morton Bay to Bribie Island. Perfect weather and Hot…I believe it was 29degrees in Sydney so good all around. Spotted Tuna jumping around in front of the boat but none jumped on my line. Nick has expanded about the great time on Bribie and I also want to thank Felicity and Scott for all their hospitality.
Pam’s fishing notes: you can’t get decent merchandise these days and just when I could have landed a leviathan of the deep the O ring which joins the lure to the trace was almost straightened when I pulled it in. So it is still Pam none fish winning. Pam Clear
A few days without updating due to hospitality ashore. This has had the effect of diminishing our fine motor skills.
John and Marie, with whom we were sailing 26 years ago, ensured that we didn’t overstay our welcome by dragging us all over Brisbane on foot. You don’t do much walking on a boat and the 10kms around the highways and byways of Brisbane has caused an early onset of steaming kneecaps. Great time with them despite the physical pain and our thanks for running us all over the place and hunting down a bicycle shop for Pam. Don’t ask.
Then on through the bewildering choice of channels to Bribie Island where Scot and Felicity were waiting on the wharf complete with lunch and associated beverages. Back to their great house on the beach where we discovered they’d run out of tea so had to drink wine. And then to dinner. The problem which had to be solved here was that we couldn’t leave the boat for long due to the indifferent holding in Pumicestone Passage and they couldn’t get a babysitter. This riddle was solved with wonderful pragmatism but I feel it would be inappropriate (there’s that HRy word again) to publish the result here.
Suffice it to say that dinner was had, boat and children both fine, constitutions on the rebound. Only near miss involved Felicity, dinghy-boarding-post-lunch and me. Bruising recovering. Scars remain. Mostly mental.
Motored all the way to Mooloolaba in oily calm sea. Pam has suffered a serious reversal of fortune. Lure, trace and swivel. All gone. Pam’s fishing record now in negative territory.
The following is re-published from my 1981 book of original sea-shanties and should be sung to the tune of that ballet music used for the 60s song “Hello Mother Hello Father Here I am in Camp Grenada”
Hello Mother, Hello Father
Here I am in Mooloolaba Harbour.
I am pleased to
Report to you two
That in spite of many hardships
That we pulled through
When we started
It was sunny
Then the wind blew
And I felt funny
Then the rain came
And the lightning
Mother, Father it was very very frightening
Key change…………..
All night long it rained and blew
My course was wrong what cold I do?
That lighthouse moved
It wasn’t there before
I think we’ll hit the shore…………..
But now the sun’s up
And the winds dropped
And the sea’s calm
And the rain’s stopped.
What’s that I see?
A coastal freighter!
Mother, Father I’m a clever navigator.
Alternative last two lines involves…… a coastal lugger
Clearly not enough to occupy my mind. Captain Bligh out.
Spent the most wonderful evening and night in Brisbane with our old sailing friends John and Marie whom we met 26 yrs ago on Keppel Island when they sailed in after being blown out of the Percy Islands. Had a great dinner with them, and catching up on the old sailing haunts was very interesting. Wobbled home to the boat and then the next day we were picked up again at 11am and off to a stupendous lunch followed by a 1 kilometer walk into Brisbane which turned out to be more like 7 kilometers. Felt good to walk but Nick’s knees not liking it too much and he is developing the swagger walk, right knee hurts going uphill, left hurts going downhill. Drinks at the Sebel gave him a much needed break and then we assaulted the hill for home. Great time in Bne and thanks for the much needed exercise……..Nick is now on walking stick!!...just kidding.
Thank you John and Marie for a great time in Brisbane.
On then through the very challenging channels across Morton Bay to Bribie Island. Perfect weather and Hot…I believe it was 29degrees in Sydney so good all around. Spotted Tuna jumping around in front of the boat but none jumped on my line. Nick has expanded about the great time on Bribie and I also want to thank Felicity and Scott for all their hospitality.
Pam’s fishing notes: you can’t get decent merchandise these days and just when I could have landed a leviathan of the deep the O ring which joins the lure to the trace was almost straightened when I pulled it in. So it is still Pam none fish winning. Pam Clear
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Wednesday 8th The broadwater
Wednesday 8th The Broadwater. Browns Bay…….OOOOppss
I decided Nick needed to get more grounded, so nudged the boat into a sandbar very gently with dire results……..I have been stripped of my first officer stripes and am now the cabin boy.!! One has to concentrate very much going through this labyrinth of channels and waterways with some very narrow and shallow passages. Got my own back an hour later when Captain Bligh just bumped the ground in another area……Touche!!!I yelled. Over and out Pam..over to the Captain
On the TV news Brown’s Bay is mentioned as an excellent spot for fishing. We are anchored in Brown’s Bay. I have watched a simple minded kite whistling while he caught a fish in Brown’s Bay. I have also watched my bride use an impressive arsenal of hooks, lines and sinkers to limited effect. It wasn’t entirely without result. The entertainment value alone of watching lines get caught in rigging was possibly worth the dollars spent on gear. I’m thinking a visit to the fish market again. Hope springs eternal.
Looks like cabin fever is setting in.
Pam’s fishing notes: frustrating…there are none..it’s all a mith…I don’t think they like chicken skin and bacon rind ?….Oh well! Rack of lamb for dinner, can’t be bad.
I decided Nick needed to get more grounded, so nudged the boat into a sandbar very gently with dire results……..I have been stripped of my first officer stripes and am now the cabin boy.!! One has to concentrate very much going through this labyrinth of channels and waterways with some very narrow and shallow passages. Got my own back an hour later when Captain Bligh just bumped the ground in another area……Touche!!!I yelled. Over and out Pam..over to the Captain
On the TV news Brown’s Bay is mentioned as an excellent spot for fishing. We are anchored in Brown’s Bay. I have watched a simple minded kite whistling while he caught a fish in Brown’s Bay. I have also watched my bride use an impressive arsenal of hooks, lines and sinkers to limited effect. It wasn’t entirely without result. The entertainment value alone of watching lines get caught in rigging was possibly worth the dollars spent on gear. I’m thinking a visit to the fish market again. Hope springs eternal.
Looks like cabin fever is setting in.
Pam’s fishing notes: frustrating…there are none..it’s all a mith…I don’t think they like chicken skin and bacon rind ?….Oh well! Rack of lamb for dinner, can’t be bad.
Monday, August 6, 2007
Monday 6th August Southport
Spent the last night in the Clarence at Iluka (right hand side going in) and for anyone interested in cruising it has to be one of the top spots to anchor. Only us and one other boat, dinghy ashore to the pub and fish co-op, to buy local prawns ( I know, I know with all the fishing gear we have on board….etc etc) lake-like conditions in 3 metres of water…..does it get any better?
Left just before sunrise and had a blinder of a sail up to Cape Byron where we anchored in the bay. Very pleasant despite the Splendour in the Grass Festival in the middle distance. The kids of today and their loud music! Great anchorage provided the weather is from the south. Slept with the GPS, which provided a bit of excitement for both of us. It’s a subtle device. When the Anchor Drag Alarm goes of it just brings up a window which advises you of the fact. No alarms, loud noises or other disturbances. Very considerate.
Left Byron at sunrise. Good sailing most of the day with the usual whales, dolphins and of course no fish.
Now anchored inside South Stradbroke with a view to pottering up the channels over the next couple of days
Thanks to Amy and Luke for all their hospitality in Yamba
Pam’s Fishing notes: not worth mentioning, just as well we are not living off the sea. Spectacular Whales cavorting right by the boat.
Spent the last night in the Clarence at Iluka (right hand side going in) and for anyone interested in cruising it has to be one of the top spots to anchor. Only us and one other boat, dinghy ashore to the pub and fish co-op, to buy local prawns ( I know, I know with all the fishing gear we have on board….etc etc) lake-like conditions in 3 metres of water…..does it get any better?
Left just before sunrise and had a blinder of a sail up to Cape Byron where we anchored in the bay. Very pleasant despite the Splendour in the Grass Festival in the middle distance. The kids of today and their loud music! Great anchorage provided the weather is from the south. Slept with the GPS, which provided a bit of excitement for both of us. It’s a subtle device. When the Anchor Drag Alarm goes of it just brings up a window which advises you of the fact. No alarms, loud noises or other disturbances. Very considerate.
Left Byron at sunrise. Good sailing most of the day with the usual whales, dolphins and of course no fish.
Now anchored inside South Stradbroke with a view to pottering up the channels over the next couple of days
Thanks to Amy and Luke for all their hospitality in Yamba
Pam’s Fishing notes: not worth mentioning, just as well we are not living off the sea. Spectacular Whales cavorting right by the boat.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Today’s problem involved the lifting bridge at Harwood on the Pacific Highway, which has a lowered headway of 8.5 metres , our mast height which is about 14.5 metres above the water and the Harwood pub which irritatingly lies upstream of the bridge. Now you can arrange to have the bridge opened which is a lot of work for the contractor and a fair disruption to traffic. Or you can anchor the boat, inflate the dinghy, attach the outboard, crane the whole lot into the water and spend time coaxing the outboard into service. And that’s a whole lot of work for us. Against my better judgment we opted for the latter.
We then anchored in the river for the evening until we heard the strong wind warning and are now tucked up in Iluka Harbour having crept in at dead low tide with the depth alarm demonstrating its ability to do just that. Alarm. Happiness is a soft rock. Also have our first visitor on board for a few days daughter no. 2 Sam.
We then anchored in the river for the evening until we heard the strong wind warning and are now tucked up in Iluka Harbour having crept in at dead low tide with the depth alarm demonstrating its ability to do just that. Alarm. Happiness is a soft rock. Also have our first visitor on board for a few days daughter no. 2 Sam.
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