Tuesday, 24 May 2016

Dunk Island in the Rain 21st - 24th May






Happy Birthday Audrie
 
Here we are back at Dunk Island sheltering in Brammo Bay for several days until the weather improves. We just managed to finish our celebratory lunch at the kiosk for Audries birthday, when the heavens opened, and for the next day and a half we could barely see the mainland or Mt Kootaloo for the cloud and rain. During the night of the 21st the sky emptied 133mm of rain on us and at one stage we wondered if we were above the ocean or under it. That amount of rain eventually found some little crevices and bolt holes in Rene's hull to work its way in and cause some discomfort, especially to Auds, who vacated a wet bunk during the night. We found her in the main cabin in the morning  surrounded by wet sheets and looking a tad dejected. We are still trying to dry out the mattress. Readers will be pleased to know that she has clean sheets, but has now formally taken up residence in the main cabin.

Our trusty little grey dinghy 'Lily' had an adventurous night as well. In the morning Peter found her dangling forlornly off the stern, three quarters full of water. She was so full of water that our thongs and sunscreen (yes I did say sunscreen - we can only live in hope!!) were threatening to float away on the morning tide. He bailed her out and by then we thought the weather was improving so we motored over to Purdaboi Island (a very small island just north of the anchorage) for a look around. Bad decision! While we were exploring the clouds built up over Dunk and soon it was raining again. We decided to wait a while and venture back to Rene when the worst was over. (Bad decision number two!!) Things did not improve so we arrived back soaked through with more clothes to dry.


Things are looking up - Sunshine at last


Today the worst is over. Probably the only thing that could be said of this weather is that it has not been very windy. We noticed a strange phenomenon today. As we sat out eating lunch we could see brown water beginning to creep across the bay from the south. There must be a river down there somewhere discharging flood water into Rockingham Bay and it is making its way north. Slowly the brown tide overtook Rene and the other boats anchored in the bay. Along the front of the change in current the water rippled and lapped and foamed making quite a gurgling rushing sound. Most interesting to watch. We watched a kayaker paddle across from the mainland and he appeared to be having some difficulty rowing against the current. As he paddled past us he commented on how difficult it had been to negotiate particularly the area where the two currents collided. Now the sun is out and Dunk looks beautiful, sleeping in the sunshine.



The collision of the currents at Brammo Bay
(and dredging the berths at Abbot Point is going to ....?????)

This morning whilst walking along the southern beach of Dunk we found a sea snake washed up on the high tide mark. A bit of poking with a stick revealed that he was definitely not dead, although a little slow. Peter found a couple of lengthy sticks and he gradually lifted and flicked it towards the water. Once in the water it was easy to see it was a sea snake with it's fin like body shape. It had diamond shaped patterns across the back and it did not waste any time swimming away. Later we walked the beach and did not see it again so it must have survived.


North East Bay Great Palm Island


Liz and Audrie



Our first night of this trip was spent in North East Bay on the eastern side of Great Palm Island with two other boats. This bay was particularly beautiful and we had a lovely swim off the shore. In the northern end of the beach was a freshwater stream bubbling over the lichen covered rocks - so pretty. The enormous paperbark trees shaded this stream and we scrambled over the rocks to look further inland. The weather forecast next morning had us deciding to make the break for Dunk Island and wait there until the wet weather passed. It was a good decision as at least there are opportunities for onshore exploration and cold showers in the National Park amenities (Did we really need that!!!)


Freshwater creek North East Bay


Peter explores North East Bay Great Palm Island

Tuesday, 17 May 2016

Hello Blog, 2016 Sailing Season



Townsville 11th - 17th May

Rene ready to go back in the water

I was very pleased to arrive in Townsville on Wednesday morning after a quick trip on the 'midnight horror' from Perth via Cairns. It was an event free trip, but with no sleep overnight I was happy to sneak off to bed straight after dinner. Peter has been here for three weeks and has had Rene out at the Ross Haven Boatyard for antifouling and he also re-bushed the pintle. She is now ship shape and ready for our 2016 travels. Re-stocking the larder took several trips to the supermarket as we had used up or thrown out most of our supplies. Those items still on board, such as, flour, unopened tomato sauce, etc I threw out anyway as the heat of summer had not done them any favours.

We have a long time sailing friend, Audrie, sailing with us for the first three weeks. Audrie arrived on Sunday evening and the three of us moved to Rene for our first night on board. It felt good to be back on our boat in the Breakwater Marina. Andrew, Peter's dad, offered to take us for a drive around Townsville to see the tourist sites, such as Castle Hill, Cape Cleveland, The Strand and Port. Audrie has not visited Townsville before. Later in the day we borrowed Andrew's car and did the final fresh food stock up in anticipation of an early morning trip to Horseshoe Bay, Magnetic Island on Tuesday.


Selfie on Castle Hill
Andrew, Peter Liz and Audrie

A stiff south easterly greeted us as we motored out of the Breakwater Marina and bouncy conditions gradually abated as we sailed along the southern coast of the island. By mid morning we had our first glimpse of the quiet water and beautiful backdrop of the anchorage in Horseshoe Bay.

Whilst Audrie is on board we intend to sail north, probably as far a Dunk Island and then slowly make our way back to Townsville in order to deliver her in time for her flight back to Perth. The Palm Islands, Hinchinbrook, Dunk and various smaller islands are on the agenda depending on the conditions.

Audrie and Liz relaxing on arrival in Horseshoe Bay