It’s been awhile between posts but here's the latest from crew Erica. Since late October we have visited Adelaide (by plane) and driven to Melbourne and back for a 21st birthday, just missing the Melbourne Cup. We rejoined Erica at Mackay Marina on 10th November and after some maintenance and provisioning set off for Hunter Island in the Duke’s group. These islands are mostly grazed and the Pastoral Manager was in the process of burning off - a spectacular site at night (see photo) but our boat was all covered in ash next morning.
Again the Military were playing games in the Broadwater area so we sailed further on to Port Clinton for a few days and then into Rosslyn Bay to re-stock with fuel (it appeared we had an air lock in our fuel system). As you have probably all read by now most of Queensland was covered by storms and strong winds and we certainly saw some spectacular lightening. With a marginally improved outlook we had the option of heading out to sea past Cape Capricorn (our north bound route) or through the “Narrows” which is a shallow stretch of water separating Curtis Island from the Mainland. We choose the “Narrows” which at low tide is nothing more than mud banks and puddles, not generally the best place for a 40’ yacht drawing 5’6” but with the right tide this is possible we were told. On entering the Narrows at Sea Hill a thunderstorm changed to our direction and completely blocked all visibility as we were being sucked into the river mouth with a 5 knot tide – Very interesting! Within 30 minutes the storm passed and we proceeded past mangroves and sandbanks until we reached the approximate middle where cattle cross when it dries (see photo). After about 8 hours we reached our overnight anchorage of Targinie Creek which is still part of the Narrows system but has sufficient depth at low tide. With the storms around we stayed several days and managed to catch our first “mud crab” (see photo) which was delicious with chilled champagne.
From the “Narrows” we went through the Port of Gladstone but didn’t stop (too many ships and coal dust) enroute to a little known anchorage of Thornton Creek. Here the local fisherman Bill provided us with bait and an update on the area but sadly all we managed to hook were baby sharks. I am now typing this as we motor past Bustard Head lighthouse on our way to Lady Musgrave Island which is the Coral Atoll we visited on our way up in May - over 6 months ago - and now signalling our reluctant progress southwards.
