Well we've decide to build a web site and hope to have it up and running early in the new year. It will have the remanded of the trip notes and more photo's.
We will put a link here when it is completed.
12 December 2008
8 October 2008
WIIN - York Sound (3 – 8 August)
Next stop is the Hunter River, and we left early in company with Justapussy, while Head Office planned to sail straight to Bigge Island. We were able to get the MPS up for a while, and again saw many whales underway. We anchored at Naturalists Island - apparently named after a party of naturalists camping in 1984 - at the mouth of the Hunter River.
The next morning we anchored in the river and over the next couple of days explored, being careful of the tides to ensure we didn’t get stuck up the creek with no water! Currently 8 metre tides, and at low many exposed rocks and sandbars - many crocodiles sighted as we explored.
At the end of one creek there was a freshwater stream and waterfall, which we stood under and was very cool and refreshing. We also took the opportunity to fill some water containers and do some washing. At night the river comes alive, with noise from ‘things’ in the water and on the banks, and too dark to see the fish and crocs out there.
After leaving the Hunter River we had strong wind warnings for the next few days. We stayed at an unnamed bay, where we explored by dinghy the bays nearby. There were sandy beaches, rocks, some mangroves, and beautiful crystals in the rocks. We also explored a huge cave which can only be accessed at low tide, which was inhabited by bats and many creepy crawlies. We ate big black tipped oysters from the rocks at the beach, and also, one evening had a great bonfire on the beach.
We took the dinghies a few miles across to Rainforest Ravine, which looked so out of place with the surroundings. It was a rainforest, lush with vegetation and a fresh water stream running down over the rocks. We had taken a picnic lunch, and had a dip in the cool fresh water before heading back. When we got back to the creek where we had left the dinghies, Darryl from Justapussy was able to retrieve our dinghy as he had arrived back ahead of us. The tide had risen more than we expected, and it would have been difficult to get to the dinghy without getting in the water – with the creatures that lurk within!
The HF radio has been fantastic and is our only link with the outside world at the moment. So apart from keeping up with the weather and news (and footy scoresL), we have regular skeds with other yachties we know. Recently we have spoken with Sunseeker (Dampier), Freo Doctor (Christmas Island), Eloise and Mischief (Indonesia), and Hanuman (in Broome).
Where you end up isn't the most important thing. It's the road you take to get there. The road you take is what you'll look back on and call your life. Tim Wiley
The next morning we anchored in the river and over the next couple of days explored, being careful of the tides to ensure we didn’t get stuck up the creek with no water! Currently 8 metre tides, and at low many exposed rocks and sandbars - many crocodiles sighted as we explored.
At the end of one creek there was a freshwater stream and waterfall, which we stood under and was very cool and refreshing. We also took the opportunity to fill some water containers and do some washing. At night the river comes alive, with noise from ‘things’ in the water and on the banks, and too dark to see the fish and crocs out there.
After leaving the Hunter River we had strong wind warnings for the next few days. We stayed at an unnamed bay, where we explored by dinghy the bays nearby. There were sandy beaches, rocks, some mangroves, and beautiful crystals in the rocks. We also explored a huge cave which can only be accessed at low tide, which was inhabited by bats and many creepy crawlies. We ate big black tipped oysters from the rocks at the beach, and also, one evening had a great bonfire on the beach.
We took the dinghies a few miles across to Rainforest Ravine, which looked so out of place with the surroundings. It was a rainforest, lush with vegetation and a fresh water stream running down over the rocks. We had taken a picnic lunch, and had a dip in the cool fresh water before heading back. When we got back to the creek where we had left the dinghies, Darryl from Justapussy was able to retrieve our dinghy as he had arrived back ahead of us. The tide had risen more than we expected, and it would have been difficult to get to the dinghy without getting in the water – with the creatures that lurk within!
The HF radio has been fantastic and is our only link with the outside world at the moment. So apart from keeping up with the weather and news (and footy scoresL), we have regular skeds with other yachties we know. Recently we have spoken with Sunseeker (Dampier), Freo Doctor (Christmas Island), Eloise and Mischief (Indonesia), and Hanuman (in Broome).
Where you end up isn't the most important thing. It's the road you take to get there. The road you take is what you'll look back on and call your life. Tim Wiley
2 October 2008
WIIN - Left High and Dry (29 July – 3 August)
We arrived at Sampson Inlet after a great sail from Raft Point, to find Justapussy (JAP) and Head Office (HO) anchored up.
Sailing up from Raft Point under MPS we had some wonderful and sometimes close encounters with the gentle giants of the deep, whales everywhere. A calf played 50 metres off the starboard side while mum slept a bit further away and while setting the MPS we got as close as we ever want to with one diving under the bow and us bracing ourselves waiting for the keel to hit and with all the excitement and being mesmerised we forgot to take any close up photos, but what memories.
Peter and Doris from Head Office had decided to beach HO and clean the prop.. Was an interesting sight with HO laid on her side, however all went well and she was floating again with the next tide.
Next we headed for Sheep Island – no kiwi jokes please – an d caught a huge yellow fin tuna on the way out of Samson Inlet. Another good sail and many whales again to entertain us.
We went ashore on Sheep Island and saw the grave of Mary Jane Pascoe – an early settler who died in 1865. On the mainland we walked up to the remains of the Government Camp in Camden Harbour. Crockery shards, shells and small items remain on a rock wall – the camp was abandoned in 1865.
Next we sailed to Glauert Island and this time caught a large Mackerel underway, so will not need any more fish for a while! Next day we went exploring with Jan and Darryl on Justapussy, visited the big boab with “HMC Mermaid 1820” carved in it, and also the boab in Ivy Cover with “IVY 19.10.1890 (or 91)carved into it. Ivy was a pearling schooner working in the area.
While at Glauert island HO was again high and dry this time it was not planned, and all worked out okay and they were floating again before long. We then all went ashore for a big bonfire on the beach.
Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans. John Lennon
Sailing up from Raft Point under MPS we had some wonderful and sometimes close encounters with the gentle giants of the deep, whales everywhere. A calf played 50 metres off the starboard side while mum slept a bit further away and while setting the MPS we got as close as we ever want to with one diving under the bow and us bracing ourselves waiting for the keel to hit and with all the excitement and being mesmerised we forgot to take any close up photos, but what memories.
Peter and Doris from Head Office had decided to beach HO and clean the prop.. Was an interesting sight with HO laid on her side, however all went well and she was floating again with the next tide.
Next we headed for Sheep Island – no kiwi jokes please – an d caught a huge yellow fin tuna on the way out of Samson Inlet. Another good sail and many whales again to entertain us.
We went ashore on Sheep Island and saw the grave of Mary Jane Pascoe – an early settler who died in 1865. On the mainland we walked up to the remains of the Government Camp in Camden Harbour. Crockery shards, shells and small items remain on a rock wall – the camp was abandoned in 1865.
Next we sailed to Glauert Island and this time caught a large Mackerel underway, so will not need any more fish for a while! Next day we went exploring with Jan and Darryl on Justapussy, visited the big boab with “HMC Mermaid 1820” carved in it, and also the boab in Ivy Cover with “IVY 19.10.1890 (or 91)carved into it. Ivy was a pearling schooner working in the area.
While at Glauert island HO was again high and dry this time it was not planned, and all worked out okay and they were floating again before long. We then all went ashore for a big bonfire on the beach.
Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans. John Lennon
WIIN - A Reef and Aboriginal Rock Art (27 – 29 July)
Underway again and our next stop is Kingfisher Island, where we stayed overnight, and then we headed for Montgomery Reef. This is quite amazing as is an extensive area, mostly underwater at high tide, and exposed at low tide causing water to cascade in a spectacular fashion.
We anchored up and saw more and more reef being exposed, and took the dinghy ashore - was like walking on the ocean floor, with some pretty corals, clams, shells, many turtles and rays in the shallows.
After lunch we made our way to Raft Point, where we thought we may have an anchorage to ourselves – but a charter boat arrived late in the evening.
We went ashore and trekked up the hill to view the aboriginal artwork in a huge cave. The path was quite clear as a lot of charter boats stop here, and beautiful views back on the bay.
The next morning we are on the move again, this time our destination is Samson Inlet.
Lost time is never found again.
We anchored up and saw more and more reef being exposed, and took the dinghy ashore - was like walking on the ocean floor, with some pretty corals, clams, shells, many turtles and rays in the shallows.
After lunch we made our way to Raft Point, where we thought we may have an anchorage to ourselves – but a charter boat arrived late in the evening.
We went ashore and trekked up the hill to view the aboriginal artwork in a huge cave. The path was quite clear as a lot of charter boats stop here, and beautiful views back on the bay.
The next morning we are on the move again, this time our destination is Samson Inlet.
Lost time is never found again.
WIIN - Ride of a Life Time (24 – 27 July)
We left Silvergull and travelled past Koolan Island where mining iron ore is active again. Once out of the channel and in to the Gutter there were confused seas, however they soon calmed down and had a good run into Dugong Bay. There were some strong tidal flows and whirlpools and you could feel them grabbing the boat and skewing us sideways. Dugong bay, Beautiful scenery – the waterfall only had a trickle of water, however, looks like it would be quite impressive in the wet.
From Dugong we travelled to Talbot Bay, where the Horizontal Waterfalls are located, and anchored near the entrance to Cyclone Creek. The Kimberley Cat is located here, taking tours through the falls. There are a couple of companies operating, sea-planes bring in the punters from Derby and Broome.
The tide flows through narrow gorges resulting in a tumbling torrent or water. There is a 1 metre height difference and the movement of 14 million litres per minute race through the gap in and out of the inland lagoon. The Kimberley Cat took us through on there boat Ocean Prowler. It is absolutely amazing going through in a boat with that much water movement. This has been one of the hi-lights of our trip so far.
We went exploring Cyclone Creek in the dinghy and travelling through the mangroves further up. Only seeing one crocodile, but looked like the sort of place you would find a few. Later we had dinner aboard the Kimberley Cat, the last flight in for the day stay overnight, so they have 10 guests on board. It was nice to get out and not have to cook or do the dishes. They have resident sharks swimming out the back of the boat – wouldn’t want to jump in the water with them – although they did look well fed!
We haven’t had phone or internet for quite a while, and friends of ours are getting married in Perth, so were thinking of them and wishing we could get a message through. Congratulations to Lisa and Gary.
"Do not be too timid or squeamish about your actions.All life is an experiment."
From Dugong we travelled to Talbot Bay, where the Horizontal Waterfalls are located, and anchored near the entrance to Cyclone Creek. The Kimberley Cat is located here, taking tours through the falls. There are a couple of companies operating, sea-planes bring in the punters from Derby and Broome.
The tide flows through narrow gorges resulting in a tumbling torrent or water. There is a 1 metre height difference and the movement of 14 million litres per minute race through the gap in and out of the inland lagoon. The Kimberley Cat took us through on there boat Ocean Prowler. It is absolutely amazing going through in a boat with that much water movement. This has been one of the hi-lights of our trip so far.
We went exploring Cyclone Creek in the dinghy and travelling through the mangroves further up. Only seeing one crocodile, but looked like the sort of place you would find a few. Later we had dinner aboard the Kimberley Cat, the last flight in for the day stay overnight, so they have 10 guests on board. It was nice to get out and not have to cook or do the dishes. They have resident sharks swimming out the back of the boat – wouldn’t want to jump in the water with them – although they did look well fed!
We haven’t had phone or internet for quite a while, and friends of ours are getting married in Perth, so were thinking of them and wishing we could get a message through. Congratulations to Lisa and Gary.
"Do not be too timid or squeamish about your actions.All life is an experiment."
18 September 2008
WIIN - Living in a Hole (21 – 24 July)
We arrived at Crocodile Creek at the same time as 2 other yachts, there was much discussion as to whether 4 yachts (WII 43ft, Head Office 38ft mono’s and Sail Away Too 36ft, Baiha 40ft Cats) could anchor in the puddle at the same time and in true cruising spirit we tried and all fitted – rafted up to one another - with room to spare for the visiting RIB’s of tourists off the cruise ships.
Crocodile Creek at low tide is like being in a big hole – a sand/mud/rock bar blocks the entrance and there are cliffs on other sides. The water level is at the bottom of the ladder, and the water flows down in a small waterfall. When you climb the ladder there is an area with plaques which all the visiting boats leave. We engraved some driftwood and added that to the collection. There is a pool which is fed by a freshwater waterfall that cascades down from the next level. At high tide the sea water also reached this level, so we didn’t swim here. We walked up the rocks next to the waterfall, and there is another pool – this time pure fresh water and beautiful to swim in. The tidal difference while we were there was 9 ½ metres – check out the photos of the ladder at high and low tide.
One of the yachts rigged up a collection of hoses and ran them down from the top pool, so we had fresh water on the boats to fill up water tanks, wash the boats, and do all the washing.
After a couple of days, we left Crocodile Creek on the high tide, and headed for Dog Leg Creek. There we filled up with diesel ($2:50 p/l), and filled our petrol ($3:40p/l) jerry cans from the fuel barge, and then headed for Silvergull Creek, where there were about 6 other boats at anchor.
Phil and Marion reside at Silvergull, and make and sell jewellery. So of course we purchased a couple of items, and also became members of the Squatters Arms Boat Club. There is an old BHP water tank there which is fed by a fresh spring and the water temperature a balmy 32 degrees and runs all year round at 250 litres per second, after a lazy swim in the tank we headed back to WII for a early night and a early start the next morning so the tide is with us as we pass Koolan Island heading for Dugong bay.
“It is good to have an end to journey towards; but it is the journey that matters in the end.”
Crocodile Creek at low tide is like being in a big hole – a sand/mud/rock bar blocks the entrance and there are cliffs on other sides. The water level is at the bottom of the ladder, and the water flows down in a small waterfall. When you climb the ladder there is an area with plaques which all the visiting boats leave. We engraved some driftwood and added that to the collection. There is a pool which is fed by a freshwater waterfall that cascades down from the next level. At high tide the sea water also reached this level, so we didn’t swim here. We walked up the rocks next to the waterfall, and there is another pool – this time pure fresh water and beautiful to swim in. The tidal difference while we were there was 9 ½ metres – check out the photos of the ladder at high and low tide.
One of the yachts rigged up a collection of hoses and ran them down from the top pool, so we had fresh water on the boats to fill up water tanks, wash the boats, and do all the washing.
After a couple of days, we left Crocodile Creek on the high tide, and headed for Dog Leg Creek. There we filled up with diesel ($2:50 p/l), and filled our petrol ($3:40p/l) jerry cans from the fuel barge, and then headed for Silvergull Creek, where there were about 6 other boats at anchor.
Phil and Marion reside at Silvergull, and make and sell jewellery. So of course we purchased a couple of items, and also became members of the Squatters Arms Boat Club. There is an old BHP water tank there which is fed by a fresh spring and the water temperature a balmy 32 degrees and runs all year round at 250 litres per second, after a lazy swim in the tank we headed back to WII for a early night and a early start the next morning so the tide is with us as we pass Koolan Island heading for Dugong bay.
“It is good to have an end to journey towards; but it is the journey that matters in the end.”
6 September 2008
WIIN - Finally in the Kimberley’s (15 – 21 July)
From Cape Leveque on we consider ourselves to be in the Kimberley’s and the scenery, currents and tide are letting us know we have arrived. Leaving Cape Leveque early in the morning to catch favourable winds and tide we headed for Hidden Island 36 nautical miles away. All going smooth till we reach Alarm Shoals, this is the fist and not the last time we’ll meet tide going one way with opposing winds and the swell coming a different direction from the other two - we now have a close affinity with how our clothes feel in a top loader washing machine while doing 9 knots. It only lasted a short while but was a real wake up to what we could expect for the next few months. Then it calmed down and we were flying across King Sound with the MPS up.
Hidden Island is the home of Silica Bay considered a safe swimming beach in the Kimberley’s, squeaky white sand, crystal clear warm water; we had arrived in Kimberley paradise. The afternoon was spent swimming, fishing or should I say loosing more lures, exploring and finished with a BBQ onboard Sail Away Too.
The next morning we were all jolted back to reality of where we were, with Sail Away Too’s RIB having been used as a teething ring by a croc, one of the pontoons had been torn beyond repair (at anchor 200 metres from the beach we were swimming at yesterday!). So we changed our plans with a trip to Derby for a new tender for Sail Away Too needed. We left pretty much straight away and had good tidal assistance – getting up to 12 knots at times and reaching a top of 13.4. We travelled the 45nm to Point Usborne in under 5 hours.
We went exploring the inland sea – it goes for miles and miles. We were amazed at the scenery – wide creeks with cliffs, red rock, boab trees, small shrub, then mangroves and mud-banks, and whirlpools caused by the big tidal movement.
We left early again the next day and reached our 2000nm mark! The water became very muddy looking and stayed that way into Derby, arriving around lunchtime on the high tide. We had trouble anchoring as the holding wasn’t great so picked up a mooring. Derby has some of the largest tides in Australia, and while there we had up to 9 metre movement in tide. Once the tide went out we were sitting in just under 3 metres, and there were sand banks all around us - quite amazing. The resulting current running past the boat was very strong.
Vin managed to find a new dinghy for Sail Away Too (aluminium this time), and we took the opportunity to do our washing and restock on fresh fruit and veges. We were also able to catch up with Murray – a friend from FSC.
We left Derby at 3am in the morning as needed the high water to get out and then the outgoing tide going with us. We made it back to Point Usborne early afternoon. I saw my first crocodile while exploring in the inland sea – just swimming by and at a polite distance away, so all okay.
We left at 2am the following morning to get the right tide, and arrived in Coppermine Creek just after 9am. We had strong winds of 25 knots gusting to 35+knots. Seas were sloppy, but with tide and wind we reached speeds of up to 14knots (a new record for WII) – Steve being a speed freak was loving the ride! The next day we motor sailed to Crocodile Creek as there was no wind.
The difference between an Adventure and an Ordeal is Attitude
Hidden Island is the home of Silica Bay considered a safe swimming beach in the Kimberley’s, squeaky white sand, crystal clear warm water; we had arrived in Kimberley paradise. The afternoon was spent swimming, fishing or should I say loosing more lures, exploring and finished with a BBQ onboard Sail Away Too.
The next morning we were all jolted back to reality of where we were, with Sail Away Too’s RIB having been used as a teething ring by a croc, one of the pontoons had been torn beyond repair (at anchor 200 metres from the beach we were swimming at yesterday!). So we changed our plans with a trip to Derby for a new tender for Sail Away Too needed. We left pretty much straight away and had good tidal assistance – getting up to 12 knots at times and reaching a top of 13.4. We travelled the 45nm to Point Usborne in under 5 hours.
We went exploring the inland sea – it goes for miles and miles. We were amazed at the scenery – wide creeks with cliffs, red rock, boab trees, small shrub, then mangroves and mud-banks, and whirlpools caused by the big tidal movement.
We left early again the next day and reached our 2000nm mark! The water became very muddy looking and stayed that way into Derby, arriving around lunchtime on the high tide. We had trouble anchoring as the holding wasn’t great so picked up a mooring. Derby has some of the largest tides in Australia, and while there we had up to 9 metre movement in tide. Once the tide went out we were sitting in just under 3 metres, and there were sand banks all around us - quite amazing. The resulting current running past the boat was very strong.
Vin managed to find a new dinghy for Sail Away Too (aluminium this time), and we took the opportunity to do our washing and restock on fresh fruit and veges. We were also able to catch up with Murray – a friend from FSC.
We left Derby at 3am in the morning as needed the high water to get out and then the outgoing tide going with us. We made it back to Point Usborne early afternoon. I saw my first crocodile while exploring in the inland sea – just swimming by and at a polite distance away, so all okay.
We left at 2am the following morning to get the right tide, and arrived in Coppermine Creek just after 9am. We had strong winds of 25 knots gusting to 35+knots. Seas were sloppy, but with tide and wind we reached speeds of up to 14knots (a new record for WII) – Steve being a speed freak was loving the ride! The next day we motor sailed to Crocodile Creek as there was no wind.
The difference between an Adventure and an Ordeal is Attitude
WIIN – Broome and Beyond (28 June – 15 July)
Well we are anchored off Gantheaume Point Broome, for those not lucky enough to have visited Broome here is a quick overview of our surroundings. Gantheaume Point is at the south western end of Cable Beach, one of the top beaches in Australia, most days the sea is calm and around 22°C, air temp around 30°C, most enjoyable (although often quite cool at night). We are anchored amongst charter boats, other yachts travelling north and a few mega yachts; the beach is 150 meters away at low tide and around 1200 at high tide. Broome’s history is in pearling and is today a major tourist centre.
Here we stocked up on food, water, and diesel as our next major stop will not be until Darwin or so we thought. Steve flew back to Perth for a few days, and we had a good look around Broome. Tides are starting to have a big effect, and you have to think about where you leave the dinghy on shore excursions. We purchased a new set of dinghy wheels (as our old ones failed us) and that made life much easier. The beach is beautiful hard sand so good for vehicles and the launching of small boats straight off the beach. It is also a popular destination in the evening to watch the sunset.
We caught up with a friend from Esperance – Tom, friends from Fremantle Sailing Club – Grant and Michelle, other yachts – Fayze Too and Thor, and Alex and Val off Hanuman again - having a sea food BBQ with them and Tom on our last night.
After 10 days in Broome we carried on north, stopping at Cape Bertholet and then Cape Baskerville, where we went exploring and mud crabbing in the creeks of Carnot Bay – resulting in chilli crabs for dinner.
From here we had a beautiful sail under MPS to the Lacepede Islands, and while underway we saw sea snakes, turtles, large schools of fish, and in the distance whales. The anchorage was a little rollie, like the anchorages over the last few days – not all that comfortable.
The Islands are four sand and coral islets connected by drying reef. According to the cruising guide it is the largest green turtle rookery on the west coast of Australia and a significant nesting site for frigate and brown booby birds. We didn’t walk on the island as we did not wish to disturb the nesting birds, however could see brown booby birds everywhere with many cute fluffy chicks amongst the grass on the island. We explored the lagoon and saw dozens of turtles, sting-rays and a few shovel nose rays.
Did I mention it was another rollie anchorage? Well we were up and going early heading back to the mainland for Pender Bay. Had a great sail under jib and main, maintaining 6-7 knots most of the way, and covered the 34 nm by lunchtime. The bay is very striking with red cliffs and sand, and the sunset was beautiful – and very protected – no roll!
The next day brought strong winds, and we were underway by 5.30am. Had a good sail with only the jib out and running with wind at 6-7 knots. However at 10.30 we anchored at Cape Leveque as the wind was up to 25-35 knots from the SE, and we didn’t want to round the cape in that and with the tide against us. Cape Leveque is a pretty area and has a well established camping ground ashore from where we had takeaway lunch.
Living the dream, not dreaming the life
Here we stocked up on food, water, and diesel as our next major stop will not be until Darwin or so we thought. Steve flew back to Perth for a few days, and we had a good look around Broome. Tides are starting to have a big effect, and you have to think about where you leave the dinghy on shore excursions. We purchased a new set of dinghy wheels (as our old ones failed us) and that made life much easier. The beach is beautiful hard sand so good for vehicles and the launching of small boats straight off the beach. It is also a popular destination in the evening to watch the sunset.
We caught up with a friend from Esperance – Tom, friends from Fremantle Sailing Club – Grant and Michelle, other yachts – Fayze Too and Thor, and Alex and Val off Hanuman again - having a sea food BBQ with them and Tom on our last night.
After 10 days in Broome we carried on north, stopping at Cape Bertholet and then Cape Baskerville, where we went exploring and mud crabbing in the creeks of Carnot Bay – resulting in chilli crabs for dinner.
From here we had a beautiful sail under MPS to the Lacepede Islands, and while underway we saw sea snakes, turtles, large schools of fish, and in the distance whales. The anchorage was a little rollie, like the anchorages over the last few days – not all that comfortable.
The Islands are four sand and coral islets connected by drying reef. According to the cruising guide it is the largest green turtle rookery on the west coast of Australia and a significant nesting site for frigate and brown booby birds. We didn’t walk on the island as we did not wish to disturb the nesting birds, however could see brown booby birds everywhere with many cute fluffy chicks amongst the grass on the island. We explored the lagoon and saw dozens of turtles, sting-rays and a few shovel nose rays.
Did I mention it was another rollie anchorage? Well we were up and going early heading back to the mainland for Pender Bay. Had a great sail under jib and main, maintaining 6-7 knots most of the way, and covered the 34 nm by lunchtime. The bay is very striking with red cliffs and sand, and the sunset was beautiful – and very protected – no roll!
The next day brought strong winds, and we were underway by 5.30am. Had a good sail with only the jib out and running with wind at 6-7 knots. However at 10.30 we anchored at Cape Leveque as the wind was up to 25-35 knots from the SE, and we didn’t want to round the cape in that and with the tide against us. Cape Leveque is a pretty area and has a well established camping ground ashore from where we had takeaway lunch.
Living the dream, not dreaming the life
17 July 2008
WIIN Slow Boat to Broome (11 – 28 June 2008)
Dampier, a harbour of red dust and a great yacht club Hampton Harbor Boat & Sailing Club, free membership to visiting yachts and what you get is: NO charges to use the club amenities, cheap meals and reasonably priced beer, BBQ’s, big screen TV to watch footy on Friday nights, dingy dock (no traipsing through the mud at low tide in the dark), and walking distance from the only supermarket - the ideal cruising yachts club.
We caught up with an old work mate of mine, Ray Boskell and partner Alana. Ray lent us his 4x4 to do our grocery shopping and deplete more of the cruising funds, (an aerial for mobile phone (suppose to be getting away from those things), a couple of extra crab nets, 3 extra 20ltr petrol drums and guess who bought herself a digital underwater camera, not that I’m complaining as I got a free IPod nano with the deal) in Karratha 24 Km away.
On Friday night we caught up with my cousin (we haven’t seen each other for nearly 20 years - a very close family) Bev Mckelvie, partner Jeff and daughter Zoe for a meal at the Sailing Club. Ray also came out to the Sailing Club and we visited him in Karratha for a couple of meals. One night we had take-away from the local Chinese restaurant, and I must say the best Chinese I have tasted in a long time, so if in Dampier give them a go.
As Selena had worked for Woodside in her old life a visit to the Burrup Peninsular was a must, driving out there she started seeing signs of all those assets, she had spent time on in SAP. After 4 days shopping, socialising, spending, sightseeing and washing, it was time to start for Broome.
Sunday morning had showers and squalls, not a nice day to take visitors sailing, but we headed out for Flying Foam Passage with Sail Away Too, Sunseeker and with Ray and Alana onboard, towing their 4 metre tinny. After a couple of hours motor sailing through Dampier harbour, and much improved weather, Ray and Alana departed back to the boat ramp, with the idea to visit us for a week or so when we get to Queensland.
We overnight at the north end of Dolphin Island, next morning headed for Bougner Entrance, near Cape Lambert, via Delambre Island where we stoped with Sunseeker for lunch and a snorkel to test the new underwater digital camera – lots of coral and colourful reef fish. After a rollie night the plan was to sail to Point Sampson and Cossack, but we had upset the weather gods again in some mysterious way and had strong east winds and a choppy confused sea. We were held up crossing the Cape Lambert harbour channel with 1 iron ore ship leaving and 2 more berthing. We changed our mind about visiting Point Sampson and Cossack with the current weather so headed for West Moore Island on the south side of Depuch Island, Sunseeker decided to return to Dampier a good move as we would come to see later.
The anchorage was well protected from all directions but the east at high tide, no prizes for guessing where we got the weather from, rollie at high tide twice a day, nice the rest of the time. So for the next 7 day we stayed put here, while a strong high down south in the bight brought us strong easterlies and gales. On West Moore Island the old pearling accommodation is being turned into a fishing lodge run by the Low family Shann, Merri, Kelvin, Daniel & Heather, who made use very welcome, I’d recommend anyone passing by stop for a night ( http://www.westmooreisland.com.au). We visited Depuch Island one afternoon to see the local aboriginal rock art and some graffiti left from the crew of the HMS Beagle in 1840 (see Depuch Island photos).
The weather finally changed, so it was goodbye to the Low family and off to the high seas again, 20 hours later we dropped anchor at Spit point just north of Port Headland, a few hours sleep then off we set again this time overnight to the Eighty Mile Beach where we anchored just off the beach to wait out a strong easterly wind warning, which never came, BOM strikes again. The next day we were Broome bound and after another overnight sail sunny Broome appeared over the horizon. It has been a quick sail from West Moore to Broome but we were trying to use the weather windows and find some warm weather as the last night sail was so cold we both had to retrieve our polar fleeces, wet weather jackets, beanies and someone even her ugg boots from storage in the forward cabin where we hoped they were going to stay for many months or if lucky even years - another one of the joys of sailing. The plan is to spend a couple of weeks here before heading to the Kimberley’s.
Check out the photos by clicking the link on the right hand side.
We caught up with an old work mate of mine, Ray Boskell and partner Alana. Ray lent us his 4x4 to do our grocery shopping and deplete more of the cruising funds, (an aerial for mobile phone (suppose to be getting away from those things), a couple of extra crab nets, 3 extra 20ltr petrol drums and guess who bought herself a digital underwater camera, not that I’m complaining as I got a free IPod nano with the deal) in Karratha 24 Km away.
On Friday night we caught up with my cousin (we haven’t seen each other for nearly 20 years - a very close family) Bev Mckelvie, partner Jeff and daughter Zoe for a meal at the Sailing Club. Ray also came out to the Sailing Club and we visited him in Karratha for a couple of meals. One night we had take-away from the local Chinese restaurant, and I must say the best Chinese I have tasted in a long time, so if in Dampier give them a go.
As Selena had worked for Woodside in her old life a visit to the Burrup Peninsular was a must, driving out there she started seeing signs of all those assets, she had spent time on in SAP. After 4 days shopping, socialising, spending, sightseeing and washing, it was time to start for Broome.
Sunday morning had showers and squalls, not a nice day to take visitors sailing, but we headed out for Flying Foam Passage with Sail Away Too, Sunseeker and with Ray and Alana onboard, towing their 4 metre tinny. After a couple of hours motor sailing through Dampier harbour, and much improved weather, Ray and Alana departed back to the boat ramp, with the idea to visit us for a week or so when we get to Queensland.
We overnight at the north end of Dolphin Island, next morning headed for Bougner Entrance, near Cape Lambert, via Delambre Island where we stoped with Sunseeker for lunch and a snorkel to test the new underwater digital camera – lots of coral and colourful reef fish. After a rollie night the plan was to sail to Point Sampson and Cossack, but we had upset the weather gods again in some mysterious way and had strong east winds and a choppy confused sea. We were held up crossing the Cape Lambert harbour channel with 1 iron ore ship leaving and 2 more berthing. We changed our mind about visiting Point Sampson and Cossack with the current weather so headed for West Moore Island on the south side of Depuch Island, Sunseeker decided to return to Dampier a good move as we would come to see later.
The anchorage was well protected from all directions but the east at high tide, no prizes for guessing where we got the weather from, rollie at high tide twice a day, nice the rest of the time. So for the next 7 day we stayed put here, while a strong high down south in the bight brought us strong easterlies and gales. On West Moore Island the old pearling accommodation is being turned into a fishing lodge run by the Low family Shann, Merri, Kelvin, Daniel & Heather, who made use very welcome, I’d recommend anyone passing by stop for a night ( http://www.westmooreisland.com.au). We visited Depuch Island one afternoon to see the local aboriginal rock art and some graffiti left from the crew of the HMS Beagle in 1840 (see Depuch Island photos).
The weather finally changed, so it was goodbye to the Low family and off to the high seas again, 20 hours later we dropped anchor at Spit point just north of Port Headland, a few hours sleep then off we set again this time overnight to the Eighty Mile Beach where we anchored just off the beach to wait out a strong easterly wind warning, which never came, BOM strikes again. The next day we were Broome bound and after another overnight sail sunny Broome appeared over the horizon. It has been a quick sail from West Moore to Broome but we were trying to use the weather windows and find some warm weather as the last night sail was so cold we both had to retrieve our polar fleeces, wet weather jackets, beanies and someone even her ugg boots from storage in the forward cabin where we hoped they were going to stay for many months or if lucky even years - another one of the joys of sailing. The plan is to spend a couple of weeks here before heading to the Kimberley’s.
Check out the photos by clicking the link on the right hand side.
20 June 2008
WIIN The Montebello’s
We only stayed the one night at anchorage at Onslow, the boat rolled all night, so was uncomfortable and difficult to sleep. We are now heading for the Montebello Islands, and day-sail over the next five days to reach them.
First we head along the coast and anchored at the creek entrance at Yammadery Island. The creeks were lined with mangrove trees and very muddy, so we tried our luck at mud-crabbing, but only managed to catch a small shark, which was untangled from the crab net and released back into the creek.
The next day we headed for Weld Island, skipped over a sandbar, depth down to 1.5 metres, oops! Managed to keep moving and the rest of the trip was incident free. We are sailing in company with Vin and Rachel on Sail Away Too, and we tried our luck crabbing again at Weld Island, and ended up with several tasty blue swimmer crabs for our entrée that night.
The winds are light and we sail under MPS to Pasco Island at the southern end of Barrow Island. A lot of the waters in this area are uncharted, so we are extra vigilant, and one of us keeps watch on the bow as we near the island. We enjoy some great snorkelling, and the next day head for Flacourt Bay at Barrow Island, were we meet up with Quattro again and catch a feed of fresh crayfish for tea. A petroleum company has tenure of Barrow Island and landing is prohibited. The anchorage is rollie and we leave the next morning for the Montebello’s.
Steve try his luck at fishing with a new squid lure that Vin has given him, he gets a few quick big hits but they get away, very strange? Oops the protective plastic sheaf was still on the hook, and once removed, he soon had a nice mackerel on the line. We saw whales today, and they put on a good show, breaching, with the resulting splash huge! Luckily we were a fair distance away. Also several large sea snakes slithered past, and turtles stuck their heads up for a look as we sailed past.
We spend the next nine days at the Montebellos’ first anchored at Brooke, then Alpha, then Trimouille Islands, exploring these and many more of the islands.
The Montebello’s comprise of around 70 islands and cover approximately 10 nautical miles from north to south. The islands are reasonably flat (highest point 37 metres), predominantly limestone and coral, with no trees to be seen anywhere. Three nuclear weapon tests were carried out on the islands in the 1950’s by the British and there are signs ashore on Trimouille Island warning people of possible radiation, advising not to spend more than an hour ashore. There are pearl farms everywhere and some of the bays have been taken over completely, so boats can no longer anchor or transit in these areas, which is disappointing.
We spent our time exploring the islands, snorkelling, and fishing. We are living off our catch – fish, squid, and chickens of the sea (crayfish), the freezer is still stocked with meat from Perth. The snorkelling was fantastic – very warm water, and lots of good places to go. We saw all the usual coral and fish, including moon ras, lionfish, nudibranks, crays, leopard and reef sharks, and even a family of “nemos”.
While we were at Alpha Island there was a gas pipe explosion on Varanus Island (part of the Lowendal Island Group). This was about 13nm from us, so we could see the black smoke, and after dark the red glow in the sky. We listened to the ABC news to find out what had happened. It is having a huge effect in WA with the reduced gas available as a result .
The last few days we had strong winds while anchored at Main Bay at Trimouille. Also in the bay was Quattro, Sail Away Too, Fremantle Doctor (on the way to Cocos), a rig safety tender from the drilling rig, and a large luxury boat. The last night a front came through with rain and strong wind – everything got drenched and we checked regularly through the night to make sure we didn’t drag anchor.
The next morning we leave early for a 70nm journey to Dampier, passing close by one of the offshore drill platforms as we leave. We start with 18 to25 knots of wind but end up motoring the last 6 hours as the wind dies out and we have glassy smooth seas, we catch a nice size mackerel to share around the other yachts that are at Dampier. It was a new experience coming in to port after dark, so many lights around making it hard to follow the right channel makers, but with Cmap, radar and Selena on the bow with a spotlight we arrived safely at the anchorage with a bit of help from Hanuman over the VHF.
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First we head along the coast and anchored at the creek entrance at Yammadery Island. The creeks were lined with mangrove trees and very muddy, so we tried our luck at mud-crabbing, but only managed to catch a small shark, which was untangled from the crab net and released back into the creek.
The next day we headed for Weld Island, skipped over a sandbar, depth down to 1.5 metres, oops! Managed to keep moving and the rest of the trip was incident free. We are sailing in company with Vin and Rachel on Sail Away Too, and we tried our luck crabbing again at Weld Island, and ended up with several tasty blue swimmer crabs for our entrée that night.
The winds are light and we sail under MPS to Pasco Island at the southern end of Barrow Island. A lot of the waters in this area are uncharted, so we are extra vigilant, and one of us keeps watch on the bow as we near the island. We enjoy some great snorkelling, and the next day head for Flacourt Bay at Barrow Island, were we meet up with Quattro again and catch a feed of fresh crayfish for tea. A petroleum company has tenure of Barrow Island and landing is prohibited. The anchorage is rollie and we leave the next morning for the Montebello’s.
Steve try his luck at fishing with a new squid lure that Vin has given him, he gets a few quick big hits but they get away, very strange? Oops the protective plastic sheaf was still on the hook, and once removed, he soon had a nice mackerel on the line. We saw whales today, and they put on a good show, breaching, with the resulting splash huge! Luckily we were a fair distance away. Also several large sea snakes slithered past, and turtles stuck their heads up for a look as we sailed past.
We spend the next nine days at the Montebellos’ first anchored at Brooke, then Alpha, then Trimouille Islands, exploring these and many more of the islands.
The Montebello’s comprise of around 70 islands and cover approximately 10 nautical miles from north to south. The islands are reasonably flat (highest point 37 metres), predominantly limestone and coral, with no trees to be seen anywhere. Three nuclear weapon tests were carried out on the islands in the 1950’s by the British and there are signs ashore on Trimouille Island warning people of possible radiation, advising not to spend more than an hour ashore. There are pearl farms everywhere and some of the bays have been taken over completely, so boats can no longer anchor or transit in these areas, which is disappointing.
We spent our time exploring the islands, snorkelling, and fishing. We are living off our catch – fish, squid, and chickens of the sea (crayfish), the freezer is still stocked with meat from Perth. The snorkelling was fantastic – very warm water, and lots of good places to go. We saw all the usual coral and fish, including moon ras, lionfish, nudibranks, crays, leopard and reef sharks, and even a family of “nemos”.
While we were at Alpha Island there was a gas pipe explosion on Varanus Island (part of the Lowendal Island Group). This was about 13nm from us, so we could see the black smoke, and after dark the red glow in the sky. We listened to the ABC news to find out what had happened. It is having a huge effect in WA with the reduced gas available as a result .
The last few days we had strong winds while anchored at Main Bay at Trimouille. Also in the bay was Quattro, Sail Away Too, Fremantle Doctor (on the way to Cocos), a rig safety tender from the drilling rig, and a large luxury boat. The last night a front came through with rain and strong wind – everything got drenched and we checked regularly through the night to make sure we didn’t drag anchor.
The next morning we leave early for a 70nm journey to Dampier, passing close by one of the offshore drill platforms as we leave. We start with 18 to25 knots of wind but end up motoring the last 6 hours as the wind dies out and we have glassy smooth seas, we catch a nice size mackerel to share around the other yachts that are at Dampier. It was a new experience coming in to port after dark, so many lights around making it hard to follow the right channel makers, but with Cmap, radar and Selena on the bow with a spotlight we arrived safely at the anchorage with a bit of help from Hanuman over the VHF.
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19 June 2008
WIIN Leaving Canarvon
We waved goodbye to Carnarvon, and headed up the coast. First up was an overnight sail to Mauds landing – lumpy and windy (consistently up around 25-30 knots) - but we made good time and arrived at Coral Bay mid-morning the following day. Another yacht “Nowa Days” travelled at the same time and having arrived ahead of us invited us over for a big brekkie which was fantastic after the long night sail. Fully recharged we started to explore the area, taking the dinghies to Coral Bay, soon realising why it had been so named as we weaved our way through the many bommies. Coral Bay is also in the middle of a fish sanctuary zone and the fish seemed to know it with Spangled Emperors swimming along the shore and around the dinghy, so close you could reach out and touch them. There were a couple of tourist shops and cafes, and we saw a large lizard (bung arrow) ambling across the path. At the Calm office we were told about a shark nursery in the next bay, so we kept an eye out on the return trip, but no luck, didn’t see any. We celebrated Stephen’s birthday the following day with chocolate cake (baked onboard), a nice meal and a lazy day relaxing (just like most other days).
Our next stop was Norwegian Bay, a day sail up the coast. It was the site of a whaling station which closed in 1957. We wandered amongst the ruins, which are now all rusting away. Other than this the coast is very baron with sand dunes and low scrub. The water was really warm and there was great snorkelling near the reef, we saw dozens of turtles, reef fish, and coral. A highlight (in an odd sort of way) is the first shark sighting while snorkelling (for Selena) – first a black tipped reef shark, and then a lemon shark nestled amongst the reef (disconcertingly, these become a common sight!). Sail Away Too caught up with us here and we spent a few days’ snorkelling, fishing, swimming and exploring the area, and then moved on to Yardie Creek.
We had a great sail under spinnaker (MPS) with light winds and calm seas, while reading and fishing (one tuna found its way on board).
Yardie Creek was a great place to stop for a couple of days, lots of good snorkelling , more turtles, small sharks and even a few crayfish, fish ing was okay but most of the Ningaloo reef is a fishing reserve so limited where we could fish. Yardie Creek Gorge is spectacular, and we walked along the track at the top of the gorge.
Yardie Creek to Tantabiddi was another sail under spinnaker (MPS) 8 to 21 knots from the south east and 1.5 metre swell made for a great day. It was also the day that we passed the 1000 nautical mile mark since leaving Fremantle. Then just before arriving at the gap in the reef, we had a fantastic hook up, which caused mayhem, drop the MPS, turn out to sea and fight a nice 2 metre sail fish. After about 30 minutes and some great tail walking we had him at Westward’s side, now what to do, too big to bring aboard for a photo and how do we release him while keeping him alive and retrieve our last large squid lure. The decision was made for us as 2 large sharks darted around the yacht, so Selena leant as close as she could and cut the trace. Vin (Sail Away Too) caught a nice mackerel not long after so we had some edible fish for tea.
Tantabiddi was a rollie uncomfortable anchorage and getting into Exmouth was a hassle, so while the winds were favourable we made an early start the next day, heading for Serrurier (Long) Island around 60Nm north of us, making a quick stop at the Lighthouse caravan park to get some more petrol for the outboards. This was one of the best sails we have had since leaving Freo, 18 to 25 knots from south east, which gave a great reach, we averaged 7Kns for 6 hours, resulting in a great days sailing.
At Serrurier Island we finally caught up with Eloise again, also Quattro, who we had been speaking to on VHF over the last few days. Serrurier Island was a seafood paradise with lots of nice big fighting fish and crayfish just walking around the sea floor at a small island next door. We eat like Kings! Also, one of the few times this year that the eagle flag has flown high on the mast!
After spending a few days there we headed for Onslow, to replenish our fresh fruit and veg, do some washing, the caravan park laundry didn’t have a drier so WestwardII looked like a Chinese laundry, welcome to the cruising world. The caravan park was very hospitable allowing us to use the washing machines and showers. Going to Onslow also gave us a better angle to sail out to Pasco Island on the south end of Barrow Island (more about that next WIIN).
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Our next stop was Norwegian Bay, a day sail up the coast. It was the site of a whaling station which closed in 1957. We wandered amongst the ruins, which are now all rusting away. Other than this the coast is very baron with sand dunes and low scrub. The water was really warm and there was great snorkelling near the reef, we saw dozens of turtles, reef fish, and coral. A highlight (in an odd sort of way) is the first shark sighting while snorkelling (for Selena) – first a black tipped reef shark, and then a lemon shark nestled amongst the reef (disconcertingly, these become a common sight!). Sail Away Too caught up with us here and we spent a few days’ snorkelling, fishing, swimming and exploring the area, and then moved on to Yardie Creek.
We had a great sail under spinnaker (MPS) with light winds and calm seas, while reading and fishing (one tuna found its way on board).
Yardie Creek was a great place to stop for a couple of days, lots of good snorkelling , more turtles, small sharks and even a few crayfish, fish ing was okay but most of the Ningaloo reef is a fishing reserve so limited where we could fish. Yardie Creek Gorge is spectacular, and we walked along the track at the top of the gorge.
Yardie Creek to Tantabiddi was another sail under spinnaker (MPS) 8 to 21 knots from the south east and 1.5 metre swell made for a great day. It was also the day that we passed the 1000 nautical mile mark since leaving Fremantle. Then just before arriving at the gap in the reef, we had a fantastic hook up, which caused mayhem, drop the MPS, turn out to sea and fight a nice 2 metre sail fish. After about 30 minutes and some great tail walking we had him at Westward’s side, now what to do, too big to bring aboard for a photo and how do we release him while keeping him alive and retrieve our last large squid lure. The decision was made for us as 2 large sharks darted around the yacht, so Selena leant as close as she could and cut the trace. Vin (Sail Away Too) caught a nice mackerel not long after so we had some edible fish for tea.
Tantabiddi was a rollie uncomfortable anchorage and getting into Exmouth was a hassle, so while the winds were favourable we made an early start the next day, heading for Serrurier (Long) Island around 60Nm north of us, making a quick stop at the Lighthouse caravan park to get some more petrol for the outboards. This was one of the best sails we have had since leaving Freo, 18 to 25 knots from south east, which gave a great reach, we averaged 7Kns for 6 hours, resulting in a great days sailing.
At Serrurier Island we finally caught up with Eloise again, also Quattro, who we had been speaking to on VHF over the last few days. Serrurier Island was a seafood paradise with lots of nice big fighting fish and crayfish just walking around the sea floor at a small island next door. We eat like Kings! Also, one of the few times this year that the eagle flag has flown high on the mast!
After spending a few days there we headed for Onslow, to replenish our fresh fruit and veg, do some washing, the caravan park laundry didn’t have a drier so WestwardII looked like a Chinese laundry, welcome to the cruising world. The caravan park was very hospitable allowing us to use the washing machines and showers. Going to Onslow also gave us a better angle to sail out to Pasco Island on the south end of Barrow Island (more about that next WIIN).
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6 May 2008
WIIN Are we sailors or power boaters ??
Our plan was simple, SAIL (using wind power) to Darwin then onto who knows where. Sitting here in Fascine channel Carnarvon, we have now covered 790 nautical miles about 140 hours of sailing or in our case motor sail around 50% because of no wind and we can not even say it was on the nose as most of the time it has been under 3 kn from astern. Eloise has even tried their MPS with mixed results.
We departed Fremantle at 6:30AM on Friday 14th March in ideal conditions of 15 to 18 knots from the East, averaging 6 knots, the adventure had started - this lasted for 1.5 hours. By the time we were level with City beach the wind had started to die and by Hillarys we had less than 3 knots, so on went Tex (we have a Perkins diesel engine) and so began the daily ritual of sailing for ½ the time and motor sailing for the other. We waited at Turtle bay on East Wallabi for a good weather window, heading off in 15 to 20 ENE and averaging 6 knots for the first 4 hours of a planned 36 hour trip, this sailing life was living up to everything we expected. From our hourly logs I can see at 13:00 the wind was 5kn from the East and speed 1.3kn and we had started Tex while we waited for the sea breeze to kick in, it never came and at 15:00 the next day we were at anchor at Denham after 21 hour of motoring, the sea state was 1.5 metre swell and glassy calm, was this a for warning on what was to come!.
We have had a fantastic 3 weeks exploring Shark bay with visits over the school holidays from Gary, Lisa, Jake, Anastasia and Imigen (ex Alderbaron Bay now looking for the new Biscayne Bay), my family Peter, Teresa, Mason and Chelsea and Parents Wendy and Ted. If you ever get to Denham you must visit Ocean Park, it is one of the most informative and interesting tourist attractions we have visited, the tanks and pools only have marine species found in Shark bay.
After they had all departed back to work and school, we tried to sail to Boat Haven Loop around 23 nm South East of Denham past Useless Loop but found the chart and cruising guide depths to be out of date as we were meant to find 3 metre deep channels. Most of these were silted up to around 1.5 at mid tide, so after touching the ground several times, called it quits and headed for Sunday bay at he southern end of Dirk Hartog island. 2 days here doing what cruising is all about nothing with a bit of fishing thrown in, we upped anchor and headed off to Mead Island 8 mile away. Yes it was another motor, not even bothering with sails these days as the wind has deserted us yet again, the sea is so smooth it's like a sheet of glass, the only waves or should I say ripples are made by the mighty Westward II. Mead island and surrounding bays are worth the visit with a mob of turtles (10 to 15) herding fish to shore , shovel nose rays cruising the shallows chasing crabs up onto the beach, the obligatory dolphins swimming around and the occasional dugong just keep out of distance so you only get a glimpse.
We awoke the next morning to the most awesome sun rise and headed for Turtle bay at the northern end of Dirk Hartog, but we never made it, around mid morning on another windless day on another glassy sea, I hooked a tuna, and then hooked my wife while trying to subdue the mighty warrior of the deep. Selena ended up with a set of triple hooks in the ball of her right foot while the other set of hooks were still attached to the tuna, which posed a problem as neither of us could move. I was holding the warrior of the deep, who was trying to return to the deep and not at all happy about being pinned to the deck, Selena showing true digger spirit was holding a 9 inch rappala lure, looking at me saying what do we do now!. Some how we got the tuna off the other set of hooks, dispatched him for later consumption, cut the hook off the lure, called Denham sea rescue, who sent a boat out (we were 24 nm away) to take Selena to the medical centre, where they cut the offending hooks out, while I motored (again) in.
Thinking that our troubles were over we settled in for a quiet couple of days, but King Neptune had other ideas as I had been pleading for some wind to go sailing, so he sent us a weeks worth in 2 hours just before dusk the next day. It started with a sudden gust, then another stronger one and just to test our anchoring skills another this time reaching 42 knots at which time our reliable Delta anchor started to move, so in driving rain at dusk with the wind above 30 knots, we had to re-anchor.
On leaving Denham we headed for Cape Peron 34 nm away, the red sand dune cliffs and smooth turquoise water made for another beautiful anchorage. We had a pair of dugongs swim past the yacht while schools of tuna chased bait fish every where around us, we had a go at casting a few lures around but got no takers. I kayaked ashore for a look around and got some great photos. The next day saw us off to Carnarvon where we are currently anchored in the Fascine channel opposite the Carnarvon Yacht Club (CYC).
We attended the CYC's Shipwrecked Pirates on the Fascine dinner and presentation night for the Fremantle to Carnarvon yacht race, and caught up with a few people we knew from Fremantle Sailing Club.
Friday night at CYC is club night and we joined the crews of Eloise, Sunseeker and Sprit of Isis for a meal and drinks and tall story telling session.
We hired a car on Saturday to explore Carnarvon and the surrounding area. All the plantation tours were closed, all the fruit and veg stands only had bananas and pumpkins, and the rain the week before had closed some of the roads so we couldn't visit some attractions. We visited the heritage district at the mile long jetty and spent the afternoon re-provisioning and filling fuel drums, while we had some transport.
Vire Nord arrived late Sunday afternoon, so it was sundowners on the beach to catch up with Mike and Charmain and swop high seas tails.
We are planning to spend a couple more days here before heading north to Gnarraloo bay, Maud's Landing (Coral bay) and destinations north.
22 April 2008
WIIN #1
WIIN 22 April 2008
We have been travelling for six weeks now and it has gone so fast – it just feels like last week we left Fremantle on our sailing sabbatical.
On our journey so far we have covered 600 nautical miles and visited Mindarie, Jurian Bay, Geraldton, Abrolhos Islands and are now at Shark Bay. The sailing has been great with the biggest problem so far being cray-pots which are everywhere. We have had to watch out for them all the time and at night we have tried to sail well off the coast in an attempt to miss them. The current count is at 3 – all in the thick of the night and in very deep water!
We now sit at anchor in Denham, Shark Bay - after a 33 hour sail, of which we motored for 21 as the wind gods left us - where friends and family have been holidaying. It has been great fun catching up with them all. We have visited the discovery centre, Monkey Mia, Ocean Park, and the eating and drinking places around town. Gary, Lisa, and kids (Aldebaran Bay) have now returned to Perth, and the Steddy families leave tomorrow.
The Abrolhos Islands were fantastic. We spent more time in the southern group than planned due to cyclone Pancho up north, sending some strong winds our way. We were safe at anchor at Middle Island, protected by the surrounding reefs. There we stayed as the gales and strong winds passed and the big seas subsided.
Some of the islands are little more than large rocks rising out between the reefs. The bird life amazing – the Guano jetty named for the Guano which used to be an industry on the islands in years gone by. We were out of range of phones, email, and shops. A few other yachts were sailing through and we were in the company of Eloise from Fremantle. Some of the islands are inhabited by the crayfishing community for the season which lasts for 15 weeks. The rest are bare.
We arrived into Geraldton nearly a week later than initially planned and spent a few days catching up on washing and re-provisioning. We then headed back out to the Abrolhos, this time to the Wallabi group. We visited West Wallabi Island and the remains of forts from the Batavia mutiny.
The fishing to date has been a little dismal, however have managed a few meals of fresh fish, and squid (thanks to Jasmine), but no crayfish (not through lack of trying). The snorkelling and swimming has been fantastic. One spot where there was a huge selection of fish, coral, and sea life was on the wreck of the Windsor.
We have come across dolphins everywhere. At Middle Island in the Abrolhos they were constant companions around our boat, and playing in the bow waves of the dinghy as we travelled around exploring and fishing. May sea-lions also swimming and frolicking in the clear blue seas entertained us. In Shark Bay we have seen Dugongs and sea snakes.
So now we continue on our way. Next we will visit more bays around Shark Bay, including Boat Haven loop, Meade Island, Dirk Hartog Island, Monkey Mia, and then on to Carnarvon.
We have been travelling for six weeks now and it has gone so fast – it just feels like last week we left Fremantle on our sailing sabbatical.
On our journey so far we have covered 600 nautical miles and visited Mindarie, Jurian Bay, Geraldton, Abrolhos Islands and are now at Shark Bay. The sailing has been great with the biggest problem so far being cray-pots which are everywhere. We have had to watch out for them all the time and at night we have tried to sail well off the coast in an attempt to miss them. The current count is at 3 – all in the thick of the night and in very deep water!
We now sit at anchor in Denham, Shark Bay - after a 33 hour sail, of which we motored for 21 as the wind gods left us - where friends and family have been holidaying. It has been great fun catching up with them all. We have visited the discovery centre, Monkey Mia, Ocean Park, and the eating and drinking places around town. Gary, Lisa, and kids (Aldebaran Bay) have now returned to Perth, and the Steddy families leave tomorrow.
The Abrolhos Islands were fantastic. We spent more time in the southern group than planned due to cyclone Pancho up north, sending some strong winds our way. We were safe at anchor at Middle Island, protected by the surrounding reefs. There we stayed as the gales and strong winds passed and the big seas subsided.
Some of the islands are little more than large rocks rising out between the reefs. The bird life amazing – the Guano jetty named for the Guano which used to be an industry on the islands in years gone by. We were out of range of phones, email, and shops. A few other yachts were sailing through and we were in the company of Eloise from Fremantle. Some of the islands are inhabited by the crayfishing community for the season which lasts for 15 weeks. The rest are bare.
We arrived into Geraldton nearly a week later than initially planned and spent a few days catching up on washing and re-provisioning. We then headed back out to the Abrolhos, this time to the Wallabi group. We visited West Wallabi Island and the remains of forts from the Batavia mutiny.
The fishing to date has been a little dismal, however have managed a few meals of fresh fish, and squid (thanks to Jasmine), but no crayfish (not through lack of trying). The snorkelling and swimming has been fantastic. One spot where there was a huge selection of fish, coral, and sea life was on the wreck of the Windsor.
We have come across dolphins everywhere. At Middle Island in the Abrolhos they were constant companions around our boat, and playing in the bow waves of the dinghy as we travelled around exploring and fishing. May sea-lions also swimming and frolicking in the clear blue seas entertained us. In Shark Bay we have seen Dugongs and sea snakes.
So now we continue on our way. Next we will visit more bays around Shark Bay, including Boat Haven loop, Meade Island, Dirk Hartog Island, Monkey Mia, and then on to Carnarvon.
13 March 2008
Westward II
Westward II – a Jim Young 43
Westward II was purchased by us in August 2005, after a 2 year search across Australian, New Zealand and by internet around the globe. In October we had a delivery skipper and crew bring her across the bight to her new home of Fremantle Sailing Club (FSC), with us joining at Albany for the last 2 days of the trip.
Designed and built in Auckland by Jim Young in 1985, she was brought to Australia for the 1986 Sydney boat show, spent a couple of years at Hastings NSW, before relocating to the Sandringham yacht club in Port Philip bay for the next 17 years, cruising around the bay and with the occasional trip to Tasmania and up the east coast.
Construction is a GPR centre cockpit, masthead cutter sloop rigged, lined with dark oiled teak, a Perkins 4:108 diesel motor, 1000Ltrs of diesel in 3 tanks, 8oo liters of water in 2 tanks.
Westward II was a little run down when we purchased her, so we’ve done a lot of work to bring her back, a small area of osmosis was found during the survey where the keel joined the hull, so we decided to replace all the gel coat below the water line, this should give us many years of trouble free cruising. The interior had been neglected, but after some elbow grease and oil it is looking a lot better and loved again.
We are planning to head off on a long term world cruise, so April 2007 we moved onboard permanently, joining the live-aboard community at FSC and becoming active members of the FSC cruising committee.
The major work has been adding dingy davits that have 3 x 80 Amp solar panels and 2 x Rutland 913 wind generators incorporated, also added has been a Katadyn powersurvivor 40 (desalination), and radios have upgraded to Icom’s VHF with DSC. The fridge and freezer had to be replaced as the installation had rotted, so now we have a separate fridge and freezer each running Danfoss BD50 units. Electrical system has had some work, installation of a 2000w inverter and 6 x 120w gel batteries. In one of the water tanks we have installed 2 x 200 liter bladder tanks with one dedicated to drinking water including a manual pump. We will only fill this tank from desalination or from reliable sources.
Our cruising area for these last few years has been around Fremantle, day trips to Carnac Island or around Cockburn sound and over night trips to Rottnest or Garden Island and Rockingham. Longer cruises have been to Mandurah, Bunbury and Busselton.
Westward II was purchased by us in August 2005, after a 2 year search across Australian, New Zealand and by internet around the globe. In October we had a delivery skipper and crew bring her across the bight to her new home of Fremantle Sailing Club (FSC), with us joining at Albany for the last 2 days of the trip.
Designed and built in Auckland by Jim Young in 1985, she was brought to Australia for the 1986 Sydney boat show, spent a couple of years at Hastings NSW, before relocating to the Sandringham yacht club in Port Philip bay for the next 17 years, cruising around the bay and with the occasional trip to Tasmania and up the east coast.
Construction is a GPR centre cockpit, masthead cutter sloop rigged, lined with dark oiled teak, a Perkins 4:108 diesel motor, 1000Ltrs of diesel in 3 tanks, 8oo liters of water in 2 tanks.
Westward II was a little run down when we purchased her, so we’ve done a lot of work to bring her back, a small area of osmosis was found during the survey where the keel joined the hull, so we decided to replace all the gel coat below the water line, this should give us many years of trouble free cruising. The interior had been neglected, but after some elbow grease and oil it is looking a lot better and loved again.
We are planning to head off on a long term world cruise, so April 2007 we moved onboard permanently, joining the live-aboard community at FSC and becoming active members of the FSC cruising committee.
The major work has been adding dingy davits that have 3 x 80 Amp solar panels and 2 x Rutland 913 wind generators incorporated, also added has been a Katadyn powersurvivor 40 (desalination), and radios have upgraded to Icom’s VHF with DSC. The fridge and freezer had to be replaced as the installation had rotted, so now we have a separate fridge and freezer each running Danfoss BD50 units. Electrical system has had some work, installation of a 2000w inverter and 6 x 120w gel batteries. In one of the water tanks we have installed 2 x 200 liter bladder tanks with one dedicated to drinking water including a manual pump. We will only fill this tank from desalination or from reliable sources.
Our cruising area for these last few years has been around Fremantle, day trips to Carnac Island or around Cockburn sound and over night trips to Rottnest or Garden Island and Rockingham. Longer cruises have been to Mandurah, Bunbury and Busselton.
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