4th to 12th Sandy Strait to Tin Can Bay
Spent several days in Gary’s Anchorage trying to avoid the rain seeping down the back of our necks. Had a memorable Melbourne cup lunch while it rained like a pissing cow. I won the best hat competition because there were just the two of us and Pam didn’t wear a hat.
Spent the time here trying to catch mudcrabs which was wonderfully successful in that we got six. Unfortunately they were only the size of a butch prawn.
Down to our last bottle of charddy we fled to Tin Can Bay. A delightful spot which will be hard to leave. We are equidistant from The TCB Yacht club and the Sleepy Lagoon Hotel.
The Sandy Strait was more of a navigational challenge than we remember from previous experience and we now await the abating of the wind and swell so we can get across the
Wide Bay Bar and make all speed for southern waters. Him
More Bum clenching….. hopefully they will be rather smaller by the time we return to Sydney. Nearly made myself sick worrying about going over the Wide Bay Bar as spent some time at the Coast Guard Station and the stories they told of the terror and death wreaked by boats crossing when they shouldn’t and flipping them over backwards with the poor trawlerman trapped in the wheel house and drowned was enough to want to get on a plane and fly home. The night before we crossed we sailed up to Inskip Point with 15 other boats all waiting their chance to battle the Bar. The wind was still howling from the South East which was not a good sign and the seas still sloppy as we took to our rock and rolly bunks. Fortunately 5am the next morning awoke to mild conditions and the sound of many anchors being raised and engines warmed as the flotilla readied themselves for the onslaught. With stomach churning and bum clenched so tight that I’m surprised it hasn’t disappeared we took off. The Crossing was not as bad as I thought but very lumpy and confused seas and would not have likde it any rougher. Goodbye Wide Bay Bar, and good riddance. Days sail to Mooloolaba was quite good and the seas weren’t too bad so made it to the marina by 4pm and safe anchorage to catch up with friends and a fun night.
4th November Bundaberg to Mary River entrance top of Sandy Strait
Up again at sparrows and with 5 other yachts are making a dash for the shelter of the Sandy Strait from Bundy as a southerly change is on the way and we want to be tucked up in the sheltered waters before it hits. Had a great sail with goose winged rig and averaged 6.5 knts and no engine which was very relaxing and quiet for a change. Got to the turn off to Mary River and deciding we were both tired and the wind was really coming up, headed for the calmer waters of the river and were rewarded with a most spectacular sunset and peaceful anchorage.
Spent several days in Gary’s Anchorage trying to avoid the rain seeping down the back of our necks. Had a memorable Melbourne cup lunch while it rained like a pissing cow. I won the best hat competition because there were just the two of us and Pam didn’t wear a hat.
Spent the time here trying to catch mudcrabs which was wonderfully successful in that we got six. Unfortunately they were only the size of a butch prawn.
Down to our last bottle of charddy we fled to Tin Can Bay. A delightful spot which will be hard to leave. We are equidistant from The TCB Yacht club and the Sleepy Lagoon Hotel.
The Sandy Strait was more of a navigational challenge than we remember from previous experience and we now await the abating of the wind and swell so we can get across the
Wide Bay Bar and make all speed for southern waters. Him
More Bum clenching….. hopefully they will be rather smaller by the time we return to Sydney. Nearly made myself sick worrying about going over the Wide Bay Bar as spent some time at the Coast Guard Station and the stories they told of the terror and death wreaked by boats crossing when they shouldn’t and flipping them over backwards with the poor trawlerman trapped in the wheel house and drowned was enough to want to get on a plane and fly home. The night before we crossed we sailed up to Inskip Point with 15 other boats all waiting their chance to battle the Bar. The wind was still howling from the South East which was not a good sign and the seas still sloppy as we took to our rock and rolly bunks. Fortunately 5am the next morning awoke to mild conditions and the sound of many anchors being raised and engines warmed as the flotilla readied themselves for the onslaught. With stomach churning and bum clenched so tight that I’m surprised it hasn’t disappeared we took off. The Crossing was not as bad as I thought but very lumpy and confused seas and would not have likde it any rougher. Goodbye Wide Bay Bar, and good riddance. Days sail to Mooloolaba was quite good and the seas weren’t too bad so made it to the marina by 4pm and safe anchorage to catch up with friends and a fun night.
4th November Bundaberg to Mary River entrance top of Sandy Strait
Up again at sparrows and with 5 other yachts are making a dash for the shelter of the Sandy Strait from Bundy as a southerly change is on the way and we want to be tucked up in the sheltered waters before it hits. Had a great sail with goose winged rig and averaged 6.5 knts and no engine which was very relaxing and quiet for a change. Got to the turn off to Mary River and deciding we were both tired and the wind was really coming up, headed for the calmer waters of the river and were rewarded with a most spectacular sunset and peaceful anchorage.
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