Monday 26 May
Headed north again to Moon Point. Motoring along in the early morning, I was treated to the fantastic sight of a dolphin leaping about 20 feet in the air and then coming down with an almighty splash in the shallows. I imaged he was trying to stun fish or he could have been just happy. Arrived at Moon Point and though I’d have a fish for whiting but all I caught were small reef fish. Persisted and caught a couple of Venus tusk fish that made size .Had sashimi for lunch with soy sauce, wasabi and black pepper, superb. I still had enough fillets left over for a feed at dinner. Continued making my way north towards Wathumba Creek. Great run at a steady 5 knots. Ran out of daylight so threw the pick out for the night. I now was in Platypus Bay ,at the northern end of Harvey Bay, where the whales come every year .I’m only 3 months early. Fantastic sunset across the bay.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Sunday 25 May
Up early and left quickly to head north. I wanted to catch the tide. Diverted through Gary’s Anchorage mostly house boats moored there. The day is once again perfect .Travelling along at ¾ revs and still getting 5 ½ knots with the tide. Saw heaps of turtles, they stick their heads out of the water and take a big breath. Some of the heads are very large.
Had lunch near Ungowa Jetty. It used to be a forestry station but now is a ranger station. Just to the south is Sheridan Flats where the tides meet. What this means is although the tide is still coming in as you pass the flats it starts running the other way.
Moored up just south of Kingfisher Resort .On old jetty stands, here that was used by a quarantine station and before that, a missionary set up camp here in the 1800’s.
The sunset was once again beautiful and as the sun set all the lights came on along the ridge at Riverheads. The only way to describe them is just like fairy lights shimmering across the water.
Dinner tonight was pan-fried sausages with fresh salad, whipped avocado with sweet chilli sauce and onions and garlic with a oriental plum sauce. It is a tough life but someone has to do it.
Up early and left quickly to head north. I wanted to catch the tide. Diverted through Gary’s Anchorage mostly house boats moored there. The day is once again perfect .Travelling along at ¾ revs and still getting 5 ½ knots with the tide. Saw heaps of turtles, they stick their heads out of the water and take a big breath. Some of the heads are very large.
Had lunch near Ungowa Jetty. It used to be a forestry station but now is a ranger station. Just to the south is Sheridan Flats where the tides meet. What this means is although the tide is still coming in as you pass the flats it starts running the other way.
Moored up just south of Kingfisher Resort .On old jetty stands, here that was used by a quarantine station and before that, a missionary set up camp here in the 1800’s.
The sunset was once again beautiful and as the sun set all the lights came on along the ridge at Riverheads. The only way to describe them is just like fairy lights shimmering across the water.
Dinner tonight was pan-fried sausages with fresh salad, whipped avocado with sweet chilli sauce and onions and garlic with a oriental plum sauce. It is a tough life but someone has to do it.
Saturday 24 May
Fuel 51 litres— Note-couldn’t fill Starboard tank
Up early, rushing around getting the boat ready. Water, ice, fuel, rubbish, ext. Got away at noon and had a steady run up past Inskip Point and onto Fraser Island. Great to leave civilisation behind.
Went in close to where the old sand mining jetty used to be. I had many trips there in past years during the bream run in winter. It looked a bit sad with just a few stumps left on shore where the jetty used to be.
Moored up before Gary’s Anchorage at Snout point. Sea like a snooker table.
Fuel 51 litres— Note-couldn’t fill Starboard tank
Up early, rushing around getting the boat ready. Water, ice, fuel, rubbish, ext. Got away at noon and had a steady run up past Inskip Point and onto Fraser Island. Great to leave civilisation behind.
Went in close to where the old sand mining jetty used to be. I had many trips there in past years during the bream run in winter. It looked a bit sad with just a few stumps left on shore where the jetty used to be.
Moored up before Gary’s Anchorage at Snout point. Sea like a snooker table.
Friday 23 May
Washing day!! As it would appear, I only have brought 2 shirts with me so it was no shirts on when washing, unfortunalty it was raining and cold so I got a few strange looks, thank goodness I have more than 2 pants.
More work on the boat and then off to the Tin Can Bay RSL for drinks. What a great little bar ---no pokies---great bunch of blokes, met the president who is ex D Coy 6RAR. Had a good yarn, Graham is a good mate of local legend Laurie Drinkwater.
Off to bed
Washing day!! As it would appear, I only have brought 2 shirts with me so it was no shirts on when washing, unfortunalty it was raining and cold so I got a few strange looks, thank goodness I have more than 2 pants.
More work on the boat and then off to the Tin Can Bay RSL for drinks. What a great little bar ---no pokies---great bunch of blokes, met the president who is ex D Coy 6RAR. Had a good yarn, Graham is a good mate of local legend Laurie Drinkwater.
Off to bed
Thursday 22 May
Arose early and checked the crab pot, 2 undersize muddies. Got going back to Tin Can Bay Marina. Checked in, went to the Post Office, and picked up the internet parcel from Pip. Back to the boat and to work, only 4 hrs on the phone to Telstra and it was working-----hurrah!!!!
Off to pub and ran into Mike Eys son Daniel, who was doing a bit of work in town—had a yarn and a well-earned beer.
On the way, back to the Marina called in to the Black Cockatoo Cafe and Bar and saw old Nambourites Mark and Lorraine Taylor. Had a lovely prawn green curry, the cafe is a real credit to them, even Rove flies up and has lunch there.
Off to bed.
Arose early and checked the crab pot, 2 undersize muddies. Got going back to Tin Can Bay Marina. Checked in, went to the Post Office, and picked up the internet parcel from Pip. Back to the boat and to work, only 4 hrs on the phone to Telstra and it was working-----hurrah!!!!
Off to pub and ran into Mike Eys son Daniel, who was doing a bit of work in town—had a yarn and a well-earned beer.
On the way, back to the Marina called in to the Black Cockatoo Cafe and Bar and saw old Nambourites Mark and Lorraine Taylor. Had a lovely prawn green curry, the cafe is a real credit to them, even Rove flies up and has lunch there.
Off to bed.
Wednesday 21 May
Very cold morning, stayed in bed until the sun warmed up the boat. Checked the crab pot one muddie but a bit small, oh well there is always tomorrow.
Spent the morning trying to catch some mullet. There is a big school off the back of the boat .No luck but an enjoyable time.
In the afternoon watched a small turtle having a fine time splashing about and enjoying himself just behind the boat.
Pip reported that she had the new modem and would post it to me care of the Post Office at Tin Can Bay. Flathead for dinner and listened to the state of origin match on the radio.
Woke up at 02300 hrs to the sounds of dolphins attacking the mullet, at least that’s what it sounded like, made a brew, sat on the back deck, and listened to nature at work.
Very cold morning, stayed in bed until the sun warmed up the boat. Checked the crab pot one muddie but a bit small, oh well there is always tomorrow.
Spent the morning trying to catch some mullet. There is a big school off the back of the boat .No luck but an enjoyable time.
In the afternoon watched a small turtle having a fine time splashing about and enjoying himself just behind the boat.
Pip reported that she had the new modem and would post it to me care of the Post Office at Tin Can Bay. Flathead for dinner and listened to the state of origin match on the radio.
Woke up at 02300 hrs to the sounds of dolphins attacking the mullet, at least that’s what it sounded like, made a brew, sat on the back deck, and listened to nature at work.
Tuesday 20 May
Started work early on putting the final touches to Polly (the tender to Holly).Fitted brackets to hold the oars in and fixed the seats so that I could store items under them. Particularly the petrol for the outboard. I didn’t really want it in Holly. Fitted the new transom and put the outboard on.
Left the Marina at about lunchtime and headed up to Teerbar Creek. Good run and anchored up the creek a little way.
Put the crab pot out for the first time
Had the most beautiful sunset with the full moon rising.
Started work early on putting the final touches to Polly (the tender to Holly).Fitted brackets to hold the oars in and fixed the seats so that I could store items under them. Particularly the petrol for the outboard. I didn’t really want it in Holly. Fitted the new transom and put the outboard on.
Left the Marina at about lunchtime and headed up to Teerbar Creek. Good run and anchored up the creek a little way.
Put the crab pot out for the first time
Had the most beautiful sunset with the full moon rising.
Monday 19 May
Started the day determined to make the internet work. The signal in the Marina was excellent, but no joy. Then started one of those saga’s with Telstra which went 7 hours. The final decision was that the modem was faulty. Rang Harvey Norman at Kawana and confirmed that they would replace it. Quick walk up to the Post Office and posted it to Pip in an overnight bag. Luckily the Sleepy lagoon Hotel was on the route back to the Marina!!! Booked in another night, reef fish for dinner with chardonnay.
Started the day determined to make the internet work. The signal in the Marina was excellent, but no joy. Then started one of those saga’s with Telstra which went 7 hours. The final decision was that the modem was faulty. Rang Harvey Norman at Kawana and confirmed that they would replace it. Quick walk up to the Post Office and posted it to Pip in an overnight bag. Luckily the Sleepy lagoon Hotel was on the route back to the Marina!!! Booked in another night, reef fish for dinner with chardonnay.
Sunday 18 May
Another perfect day in paradise. Had an early morning fish and picked up a not quite size squire. Down to work on the diary and photos, might say an admin day.
Grant, eldest son, rang and offered to buy me lunch at the Sleepy Lagoon Hotel at Tin Can Bay. Upped anchor and moved to the public jetty near the boat ramps.
While waiting, snuck into the Yacht Club for a couple of quick ones. Grant arrived with some mates and off to the pub. Had a small win on the pokies followed by a extra large t bone and a couple of beers .Decided to move the boat from the public jetty to the Marina. Obviously got the taste for it!!!!
Another perfect day in paradise. Had an early morning fish and picked up a not quite size squire. Down to work on the diary and photos, might say an admin day.
Grant, eldest son, rang and offered to buy me lunch at the Sleepy Lagoon Hotel at Tin Can Bay. Upped anchor and moved to the public jetty near the boat ramps.
While waiting, snuck into the Yacht Club for a couple of quick ones. Grant arrived with some mates and off to the pub. Had a small win on the pokies followed by a extra large t bone and a couple of beers .Decided to move the boat from the public jetty to the Marina. Obviously got the taste for it!!!!
Saturday 17 May
Started day three of the trip by resting up and reading a book. Tried to set up the internet but couldn’t get a constant signal .Decided to move closer to Tin Can Bay to see if that worked. I waited until the tide turned so I was running with it. Had a good run down to the Town and moored near Norman point .No luck with the internet. They say they have coverage for 97% of the population, it’s nice to know that I seem to exist in the other 3%!!!!
Reef fish for dinner again and yes, the chardonnay was chilled.
Started day three of the trip by resting up and reading a book. Tried to set up the internet but couldn’t get a constant signal .Decided to move closer to Tin Can Bay to see if that worked. I waited until the tide turned so I was running with it. Had a good run down to the Town and moored near Norman point .No luck with the internet. They say they have coverage for 97% of the population, it’s nice to know that I seem to exist in the other 3%!!!!
Reef fish for dinner again and yes, the chardonnay was chilled.
When the tide turned at about 1200 hrs I headed for the Wide Bay Bar. I had originally thought to cross the bar through the Fishermans Gutter, which is close inshore. However since I was out wide it was quicker to go through the leads. Boy, what an amazing piece of water, it certainly lives up to its reputation and that was on a good day. The stretch is aptly described as the Mad Mile.
Headed out to the reefs in front of the Point for a fish.
Wolf Rock, which is about 1.5 klms off the Point, is a grey nurse shark habitat, as the shark is now an endangered species. They must be, as I didn’t see any as I passed through.Headed wider and picked up some nice Venus tusk-fish, also a rather large and angry octopus.
Wolf Rock, which is about 1.5 klms off the Point, is a grey nurse shark habitat, as the shark is now an endangered species. They must be, as I didn’t see any as I passed through.Headed wider and picked up some nice Venus tusk-fish, also a rather large and angry octopus.
Had a good run up to Double Island Point. Seas were a bit lumpy towards the end. A fighter jet travelling along the beach scared hell out of me when it went overhead.
Double Island Point was spectacular as I passed the front at last light. Towering rock cliffs bought back memories of when I had fished them with Coast fishing icon Bruce Cooper. Also strong memories of the first time I went fishing there. It was with Marilyn’s father Allen and his son Kevin .I think it was an outing of the Nambour Fishing Club, Kevin was tragically killed several years later in a car accident at Currimundi. It was quite different to see the Point from a different perspective.I anchored on the Northern side of Double Island Point. Ian Atkinson had told me that this was one of the bounciest moorings on the East Coast. He had pointed out that I should go straight through the Wide Bar. I guess we all have to learn lessons in life! I found out one that night, Ian was Right!!
Double Island Point was spectacular as I passed the front at last light. Towering rock cliffs bought back memories of when I had fished them with Coast fishing icon Bruce Cooper. Also strong memories of the first time I went fishing there. It was with Marilyn’s father Allen and his son Kevin .I think it was an outing of the Nambour Fishing Club, Kevin was tragically killed several years later in a car accident at Currimundi. It was quite different to see the Point from a different perspective.I anchored on the Northern side of Double Island Point. Ian Atkinson had told me that this was one of the bounciest moorings on the East Coast. He had pointed out that I should go straight through the Wide Bar. I guess we all have to learn lessons in life! I found out one that night, Ian was Right!!
Thursday 15 May
Hours Top 7903 Bottom 3271
Finally left Mooloolaba in Holly at 0900 hrs, so much for the 0500 hrs start. My long suffering wife Pip and darling ex-wife Marilyn and friend Pam waved me off at the pontoon.
Nick and Fran Wills came out onto the breakwater to say goodbye, my great mate Norm Cooper, who was there with his camera, joined them. Unfortunately, as I came up to Norm a boat came past so I had to do a quick 360 to make sure Norm got a good shot of me. If there is one thing worse than two professional photographers are two has-been photographers taking photos of each other.I had to do a sail past the Vietnam Veterans Thursday Breakfast Club. Being a bit late, I had missed the main crowd .A phone call to Kevin Lynch enticed him and Ian Atkinson and others away from their skinny coffees at the Coffee Club ,but in my enthusiasm I ran a bit close to the beach between the flags and was suitably rebuked by the lifeguard on his loud speaker. What a send off, the most important men in the Mooloolaba Surf Club waving madly goodbye to me at the Loo with a View and the Lifeguard roundly abusing me for all to hear. It doesn’t get much better.
Hours Top 7903 Bottom 3271
Finally left Mooloolaba in Holly at 0900 hrs, so much for the 0500 hrs start. My long suffering wife Pip and darling ex-wife Marilyn and friend Pam waved me off at the pontoon.
Nick and Fran Wills came out onto the breakwater to say goodbye, my great mate Norm Cooper, who was there with his camera, joined them. Unfortunately, as I came up to Norm a boat came past so I had to do a quick 360 to make sure Norm got a good shot of me. If there is one thing worse than two professional photographers are two has-been photographers taking photos of each other.I had to do a sail past the Vietnam Veterans Thursday Breakfast Club. Being a bit late, I had missed the main crowd .A phone call to Kevin Lynch enticed him and Ian Atkinson and others away from their skinny coffees at the Coffee Club ,but in my enthusiasm I ran a bit close to the beach between the flags and was suitably rebuked by the lifeguard on his loud speaker. What a send off, the most important men in the Mooloolaba Surf Club waving madly goodbye to me at the Loo with a View and the Lifeguard roundly abusing me for all to hear. It doesn’t get much better.
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