A Lazy Week On Magnetic Island 8th June

Old oyster lease, Horseshoe Bay
 

It is only ten Days until I head back to WA to meet the Geraldton girls for our annual get together, this time at Cervantes. Looking forward to that. I will also be able to catch up with Greg, Leisha, Karin and Paul and the grandies, and Mum and Dad in Albany. After flying back we will be spending the next two and a half months sailing north to Lizard Island again. Meanwhile a lazy ten days at Magnetic Island in Horseshoe Bay has to be one of the best ways of using up some spare time. The weather has been perfect. With the east coast low down south the winds here have been variable anywhere from north to south west at no more that 0-5kns. The days have been crystal clear and we have been able to see Hinchinbrook Island clearly from the bay. I read in Lucas's cruising guide that when there is an east coast low down south it is usually a good chance to put many miles behind you on a trip south as the SE trades disappear for a while. It appears that this is correct and we will keep this in mind for future reference.

We have spent mornings walking and boosting our fitness levels on our way to coffee over the range at Arcadia. Now that we have spotted koalas it seems that they are everywhere. Today we saw three dozing up in the forks of gum trees. Two of them were quite close this time. Also came across a legless lizard on the track - Peter informs me that it has a different shaped head to that of a snake. Anyway it wriggled off into the bush without much ado when we stopped to take a closer look. 

Finding them everywhere now

Today I purchased a painting of Picnic Bay by Peter Lawson. The view is looking across the jetty towards Townsville, with a couple of people examining the beach at low tide. I loved it. We had been to his gallery a couple of weeks ago and spoke to him about what we wanted. He informed us that he would do the painting and let us know when it was done, with no obligation to buy. I could tell he was pleased with it when he phoned to tell me it was finished and it is beautiful. He is very clever and I love the way he paints the puddles on the sand when the tide goes out. Unfortunately we forgot to take a photo of it so I can't show it here. It is being posted to WA. Peter is a descendant of Henry Lawson, the poet, and he has painted some wonderful illustrations of poems such as 'The Loaded Dog' and others. He told us how he had set up the scenes to paint and we thoroughly enjoyed the visit to his gallery on the beach front at Arcadia.

The best way to get down rocks. Like a crab!!

Yesterday, while we had glassy conditions in Horseshoe Bay, we decided to take Lily to a beach that had previously been out of bounds due to it being an oyster lease and the oyster farm taking up the majority of the bay. The man who owned the lease used to keep the public at a distance by shouting and yelling wildly at anyone who ventured near. He has gone now as has his house and shed. Apparently the James Cook Uni has taken over the lease and has cleaned the place up. There is still many ugly, iron stakes in the northern part of the bay, left over from the structures that held the oyster racks in place. The best landing area for the dinghy is to be found in the southern end of the bay near the rocks. Access here is clear of obstacles. There are some interesting rock formations there and the view across Horseshoe Bay to the island, taking in the boats anchored in the bay, is delightful.




Horseshoe Bay from the old oyster lease
That's the range we walk over for coffee - the low part, but still gets the heart rate up!

 



View from one of our coffee walks over the range, towards Horseshoe Bay anchorage.
Puff Puff! Pant Pant! Sweat! Sweat!
This had better be doing me some good!



We have met up with Tom and Vivien on their Beautiful yacht, an Adams 40, in the Breakwater Marina. Last year they helped us acquire the berth for Rene over the summer. They have been in Horseshoe Bay with us and asked us over for a roast dinner. Yum! Yum! Thanks Tom and Vivien for the lovely meal and good company. Vivien came walking and swimming at Radical Bay on a perfect winters day in paradise.

 

Liz and Vivien take a cool dip at Radical Bay