Gypsy Lover

Saturday 22 June 2013

On Our Way --- Port Bundaberg ------------- Airlie Beach

On our way – up early Tuesday morning the 4/6/2013 -- left the marina at 4.30am. New head sail and main with one reef set, 14kns of wind SW doing 5.5kns comfortably. Motor on about half way (could have sailed all the way) wind lighter slowed to 4kns. Having not been to Pancake Creek before wanted to make it in daylight. Anchored at 4.30pm. There were eight yatch’s in the creek. We had a nice comfortable night, Left Pancake at 7am Wednesday morning, by 10am motor running, conditions weren’t good, anchored at Cape Capricorn for the night, one other yacht anchored. Very uncomfortable night, washing machine effect. Up anchored and pushed on to Great Kepple Island a total of 26nm. Anchored at 1.20. motored most of the way, part with no sail. Comfy night. Friday morning decided to book in to Kepple Bay Marina to escape the 30knt wind forecast for Saturday and Sunday, all so to catch up with Bass Voyager a boat from Adelaide. We had a good 2 hour sail from Great Kepple to the marina. We made the most of our time in the marina, Stocking up supplies, washing, and exchanging tips, and stories with Caitlin and Michael of Bass Voyager. The facilities are good at the marina, we booked the courtesy car for the shopping trip in to Yapoon about 10ks from the marina, there is a bus in to town. Monday morning we left the marina and sailed 7nm to North Keppel and anchored in Considine Bay. Left 6.30am, main up on anchor, good conditions, sailed most of the way anchored in Pearl Bay at 3.30pm. Really enjoy this spot, stayed two nights, the beach is divine. Left Pearl Bay 6.30am and motor sailed the entire way to Middle Percy, Rained most of the afternoon, anchored at 4.30pm. Here we met up with a couple of American’s that we seem to have been following, we first saw their boat at Cape Capricorn and again in the marina, North Kepple, Pearl Bay. Thursday was a lovely day on Percy we spent a few hours ashore and had a chat with the american’s nice people, we got to know them better in the evening, as we were all invited to the A frame for a goat curry. There were eleven of us, and we had a great time with all. There is a tree house on the fore shore where a couple live and care for the beach area, the goats run wild on the island. There is also a home stead where a couple live and maintain things, it is quite a walk from the beach area. We got back to the boat about 9pm. We were awaken about 2am the boat was rocking and rolling badly, a westerly was blowing and the tide was against us, not a good place in those conditions. We were up and down for the rest of the night, you could not stay in bed, as you would be thrown to the floor. As soon as it was first light we out of there, followed by the rest of the boats. The sea was rough with waves braking over the bow anoccasionally over the coach house. Sailed with just the head sail. Wind up to 30knts SW. We anchored at Digby Island 21nm from Percy. Spent a comfortable night and motor sailed 44nm to Scawfell Island. Just out of Digby John was adjusting the head sail when it fell to the deck, the rope halyard had chaffed, lucky for us the wind and sea conditions were light and we managed to put it on the spare halyard and feed the sail back in the track. Scawfell Island is the most southern Island of the Whitsunday. We spent 2 comfortable nights and a beautiful sunny day, walked the beach and collected shells. Tuesday we motor sailed 42nm to Shaw Island and anchored at 2pm. Wednesday we had a good sail (up to 7kns) to Long Island and anchored in Happy Bay, to catch up with a couple John met in Bundaberg. Thursday morning went ashore with Terry and Cathy, went for a walk on the island, returned to the boat and motored to Airlie Beach.

Cape Capricorn

On our way

Pearl Bay

Middle Percy

Taken from Middle Percy

Goat Curry - Middle Percy

Tree House -- Middle Percy

Digby Island

Sail fell to the deck

Taken from Scawfell Island

Scawfell Island

Taken from Scawfell Island

Wednesday 29 May 2013

UPDATE

I (Chez) spent a couple of weeks in Midtown Bundaberg on a fore and after mooring on the boat with John, and a week with my sister and brother in law at their on site caravan.

On Sunday Denise and Barry kindly drove me to Brisbane, where I spent the next 2 months with my daughter and family.
On Boxing day John came to Ashlyn's via the tilt train and that evening we flew back to Adelaide.
John spent the next 2 weeks with me, and in that time we caught up with friends and family. John had some work done on his car so he could drive it back to Bundaberg.
Early January he drove back to Bundy, and as you all know on Australia day weekend got caught up in the flood. For the past few months he has been working on the boat to repair the damage, and make a few additional changes.
I spent 4 months in Adelaide,and had an enjoyable time getting around in an array of transport with family and friends.
2nd of May I flew to Brisbane and spent 3 weeks with my daughter and then took the tilt train to Bundaberg where John picked me up and we spent the night with Denise and Barry. Monday 27th
off to Port Bundaberg marina to get Gypsy stocked and ready for our next adventure.

Bundy flood 2013

No 2

No 3

No 4

Mid Town Marina (John was wash from his mooring here)

Transport to Ceduna with my brother.

House sat for my niece.

A weekend at Whyalla with my sister Jill and Frosty (drag races)

Off to Glenelg for coffee with a friend (on the back)

A trip with Lance and Lou to Port Vincent

Ashlyn's quick trip to Adelaide to check out her brothers new

place at Aldinga Beach.

A trip to Bute with my cousin Christina to visit her brother.

A visit from my son and family

Mother's day in Brisbane the boys cooked,
what a wonderful lunch.

Tuesday 16 October 2012

Bundaberg-------end of this trip

Stayed at Island Head over night, left 5.45am and arrived at Great Keppel 6pm anchored on the resort side. Spent a great day ashore. On Monday we sailed to Great Keppel Marina (Roselle Bay) on the main land, to refuel, water and restock. Spent 4 nights in the marina, Friday we returned the GKI. Sunday the 7th at 4.30am we sailed over night, while on watch at 3.30am a dolphin swam up and down the jumping out splat splat ha ha you can't see me. It took us 30hrs and we managed to sail 20hrs, arrived at Chalmer Point and anchored in Burnett River by 10.45am Monday. Tuesday morning we moved up the river to Mid Town Marina Bundaberg. John will stay here for the next few months, while I go and spend some time with my daughter in Brisbane and return to Adelaide. John will be working with my brother in law Barry of and on. Wednesday afternoon Denise took me back to her place. On Sunday 21st Denise and Barry are driving me to Brisbane, they will spend a couple of days with Ashlyn and then on to Nabour to visit Barry's mum and dad, the round trip worked out good for me. That is me signing of until 2013.

Thursday 4 October 2012

Heading South (good bye Airlie Beach)

Spent 10 days in Arlie, in total we have spent 23 days between Airlie and Able Point, felt like a local, running into people we have met along the way. Goodbye Airlie Beach. Friday 21/9/2012 morning we motored to South Mole Island, with the intentions of spending the day with Seabird, no wind, the sea was like a milk pond, and I would say the hottest day we have had. We anchored about midday in Sandy Bay, Seabird did likewise. John didn’t like the anchorage so decided to carry on south to Lindeman about 3 hours away. We said good bye to Seabird as they planning to head south in a couple of weeks. Anchored overnight at Lindeman in Gap Beach. Left 6.30am and motored 30 miles to Brampton Island. Brampton is the southern most of the Whitsundays resorts (this resort is now closed what a waste, it would have been a great spot to relax, only having room for about 200 guests) I took the walking track to turtle bay leaving from the jetty and walk to the closed resort, they do have a care taker there supposedly looking after the grounds. In all took me about 2 hours. About 11am we motor sailed 13 miles to Keswick Island. Real estate has taken place on Keswick, there are some great looking houses jutting out on different levels on the southern side where we anchored. There is also an airstrip on the Island. We didn’t get a chance to go ashore. We met up with Kerry here (ex North Haven SA) and had him over for dinner. At 1am Monday we up anchored and left for Middle Percy 65 miles south. Arrived at Middle Percy at 4.30pm and anchored in West Bay. Middle Percy is the largest of the Percy Isles and are part of the Northumberland Islands and lie 40 miles north-north-west of Island Creek on the mainland midway between Yeppon and Mackay. Middle Percy has achieved fame over the years as scores of yacht skippers and crew have visited the telephone hut, now with an added aframe and left some souvenir, usually a plaque with the boats name. We found the plaque for Gypsy Lover left on a visit from the previous owner dated 1991. John was a bit emotional as the owner has now passed away. The Island is inhabited and was used for sheep farming. I walk the 3.6kl to the homestead and met the current owner, I didn't see any sheep, plenty of goats. On west beach there is a tree house that is occupied by a couple who maintain the beach area, barbecue and aframe. We spent 3enjoyable days. Friday morning we left at 3.30am and motor sailed all but about 2-3 hours to Island Head, arrived at 4.30pm.

Middle Percy

Aframe Middle Percy

Gypsy Lover - in aframe

Great Keppel

Wednesday 12 September 2012

Airlie Beach - Whitsundays - number 2

From Stone Haven we sailed to Woodwark Bay, on the mainland just north of Airlie Beach. Spent a comfortable night, and sailed back to Airlie on Thursday 30/8/12.
We spent 7 days in Airlie , doctors appointment ( all good), ect. We restocked our provisions, and on Thursday
we had a good sail back to Cid Harbour, in the company of Seabird, where we stayed for the night.
Friday we attempted to sail to Turtle Bay with no luck, the tide and the wind were against us. We also had a mishap, John started the motor, while trailing a fishing line, and it spun around the prop, lucky John noticed and quickly turned the motor off. This meant we could not use the motor until he could get in the water and untangle it. We had to anchor under sail, (this was a first, job well done) at the first safe anchorage we could sail to.
We stopped at Homestead Bay on Cid Island. John had to use his scuba equipment to fix the problem.
We went back to Cid Harbour for the night.
Saturday morning we motored around to the east side of Whitsunday Island through Hook Passage to Tonge Bay. Took us about hrs. On this journey I made a date,apple & walnut pudding in the pressure cooker (no oven on this boat) no pudding tin so it went into the only cake tin I have, and it did turn out, and very tasty. We had Martin & Sheryl over for a dinner of roast lamb (in the cobb) and pudding with custard.
Sunday morning John & I went ashore with the tide,( this beach is only accessible at high or near high tide) and took the track (great track with board walk and steps) that leads to a silica sand beach on the other side, where the amazing spectacle of Hill Inlet and Whitehaven beach unfolds. I got some great photos, the light was just right. Early afternoon we motored to Whitehaven Beach. Very busy here, with all the charter boats on day trips, seaplanes, and helicopter's landing on the beach. We went ashore and Martin, Sheryl & I went on a walk, 3.6km one way, the track extends between Chance Bay , a secluded bay on the southern side of Whitesunday Island, and the iconic Whitehaven Beach. It branches off the Solway Circuit (we also did this 1.2km) Sensational views over Solway Passage. That was a big day.
Monday I made bread in the pressure cooker as supplies were getting low, and we all had a picnic on the beach and a bottle of wine. Later we went for a stroll on the beach. We had dinner on Seabird.
Tuesday John & I sailed back to Airlie Beach as John had an appointment on Wednesday.
The trip back was interesting, we started of with the full main, and the pole (goosewinging) sitting on five knots. when we changed direction to go through Hook Passage, headsail put away, and motor on. Once we got through the passage the wind was favourable, and the headsail back out, no pole, we were scooting a long at 8 knots, John at the helm, trying to catch the boat in front, at this time the wind was hitting 28knotts and the boat was well over powered, consequently rounded up & back winded the sails and then got pulled over. ( John wants you to know the same thing happened to the boat in front). We arrived back in Airlie Beach in one piece.
That is me signing of until the next chapter.

Tongue Bay

Hill Inlet

Picnic on Whitehaven Beach

Whitehaven Beach

Pudding in a cake tin and yes I had to try it

Monday 27 August 2012

Airlie Beach - Whitsundays

We stayed at Airlie four nights, easy to catch the bus to the major shopping centres.In the main street there plenty of places to eat out, lot's of pubs and touristy shopping, all in walking distance from the sailing club. The Saturday morning markets along the foreshore have great fresh fruit and veg, plenty of clothing, jewelry ect. While wandering around the market, caught up with a few people we have met on the way.
On Wednesday early morning we moved around to Pioneer Bay in front of the Able Point Marina and anchored near Seabird. Sheryl and I caught the bus and went to Centro Shopping Centre, we both managed to pick up a few thing we were looking for.
We spent 2 nights at Able Point--- left 8.15am on Friday 24/8/12 and had a good sail most of the way to Cid Harbour. Anchored at 12.30pm. Cid Harbour is formed by a bight in Whitsunday Island and by Cid Island partially enclosing it. Cid Island is 7 miles east-north-east of Shute Harbour on the eastern side of the Whitsunday passage.
We anchored at Sawmill Bay, where you have access to a couple of walking tracks.
I went for a lovely leisurely walk on the walking track to Dugon Beach, this track was rather busy as it is the easiest of the two, on return I sat at a pick nick bench and read my book for an hour.
On Saturday Seabird turned up late in the afternoon.
Sunday the four of us (yes even John) walked Whitsunday Peak = 2.5km one way.
the Whitsunday Peak track is one of the most challenging of the Whitsunday Ngaro Sea Trail. Reaching an elevation of 437mt. It was well worth the out of breath, sweating (did I say sweating, that is perspiring for women.) once you reached the top, spectacular views. It was much easier coming down. It took us 3.5 hours with a good stop on top.
In the early evening we had beer tasting (home brew) on Gypsy Lover. John's first brew got high marks from Martin the connoisseur.
Monday we sailed to Nara Inlet on Hook Island and anchored over night. Very nice anchorage calm and protected. We took the dingy ashore and went to the Ngaro Cultural Sight. The track ascends 170m, initially steeply up the banks of the Inlet, to a rock shelter containing Ngaro art motifs. The sight includes a boardwalk
viewing areas and interpretive displays. Very interesting.
We went aboard Seabird for a dinner of curried chicken and rice, yummy.
Tuesday morning we sailed to the western side of hook island and picked up a mooring in Stone Haven Anchorage.
An interesting thing happened on the way, i was copying some recipes in side the boat and I could hear some strange noises, called for John to listen, and sure enough we could hear whales calling each other.
John went on deck to do the man thing over the side of the boat, and he got a shock as a whale broached beside him.
Well that is me signing off for now.