Teds Terrific Trip

2008-12-09T17:37:00.000-08:00

Tuesday 2 December
Started early and had a good run across Newcastle bay to Albany Passage .
The pearl rafts made a nice site against the sunrise

I should have been travelling with the tide but the going was slow. I should have screamed through Albany passage instead it was a steady 41/2 knots. Still it gave me time, not only notice what a beautiful stretch of water but also to remember that here is some of our richest history in Queensland.
The entrance to Albany Passage

In the 1800’s the Government decided that here would be our northern city. It was to be of the nature of Singapore. John Jardine was despatched as the first government resident. His two sons with a surveyor and four black boys left Rockhampton with horses and a mob of cattle that would bolster the settlement. They finally arrived having lost all their horses and a fifth of the cattle, they battled hostile blacks nearly all the way. It certainly was an epic journey. They established a settlement beside Albany Passage and called it Somerset. Eventually the seat of power moved to Thursday Island. Sill there is many stories about Somerset in the history of the north.
A pearl farm in Albany Passage

Came out of the Passage and headed up to the very top, that sloping rocky hill that is our most northern point. I have been their twice before but it gave me a great feeling of satisfaction to gaze upon it from the water. The tip of Australia Cape York is on the left of the picture and York Island is on the right.

Went around Eboric and York Island and then the long haul across to Thursday Island. It seemed to go on forever but eventually I started to travel down Boat Channel between Horn Island and Prince of Wales Island.
Then I started to see the building, at last

My first view of Thursday Island.

the long trip was over, anchored and went ashore.
What more can I say.
At least the condoms are cheap!!!

2008-12-09T17:28:00.000-08:00

Monday 1 December
Started early, to a lovely sunrise, so that I can take advantage of the still mornings before the short, sharp northerly wacks me after lunch.,
The morning was just magic, the breeze didn’t start up till lunchtime you couldn’t pick the horizon on the water and the islands seems to be suspended in the air.

Arrived at the Escape River at 1500 hrs, a big run, the last two hours were sloppy but the rest was just magic. Had trouble finding a anchorage as there is a cultured pearl operation here and there is rafts of the bloody things everywhere .Had a quite beer , nearly there now ,I can taste it, or is the draft beer at Thursday island I’m thinking of, no it’s the achievement.

I don’t know if I will make it tomorrow as the tides are pretty vicious up here, just give it a shot and see where we end up.

2008-12-04T21:31:00.000-08:00

Sunday 30 November
Away across Shelburne Bay to have a look at Captain Billy Landing, I can’t find out anything about it. All I remember is that it was said to be very windy, but the name intrigues me. Had a good run across, the water is smooth again. Arrived at about 1400 hrs, there is a bit of reef around but sand closer to the beach, after a couple of trial run-ins I anchored in 3 meters of water.

Went ashore and found a toilet, information signs including one with the history ,at last the mystery is solved also a large shelter shed with a lot of flotsam hanging on the wall.

Met a young guy called John who had just pulled up, introductions were made and we sat down and had a yarn.
What a story, John and his mate put a 4wd on the train, they come from the Gold Coast, they flew up 4 days later, picked up the car and headed north. They when hunting around Musgrave Station and shot about 20 pigs, it was hot. Johns mate says he’s had enough, the heats got him so he hitchhikes from Musgrave Station back to Cairns and then fly’s home early. John is then left to go to the top ,hunting , fishing and extreme 4wdriving in HIS MATES BRAND NEW 4WDRIVE.Can you believe it ,his poor mate would be sitting down the Gold Coast wondering how is brand new baby’s getting along without him. Anyway, John was making the most of his long awaited holiday with or without his mate

2008-12-04T21:23:00.000-08:00

Saturday 29 November
Followed my marks out that I’d put on the tracker when I’d come in and headed north again. The country around the mouth of The Pascoe is very pretty with big hills and huge boulders on white sand .
Headed north to Cape Grenville, beautiful day, the water is like a mirror and I’m steaming along at a good 5 knots.
Passed through the Piper Island Group, it is here that the Channel is narrowest, and with my luck holding along comes a big ship. However much to my relief there was room for both of us. The light on the western side of the channel has a helipad built onto it ,I’ve seen quite a few of these as I’ve travelled up the reef. Can you imagine the poor civil servant who says Hey I.ve got an idea let’s put helipads on the lights .The fight he would have had to put up to win, well good on him it certainly seems sensible .
Arrived at the Home Islands of Cape Grenville, there is a resort on Hicks Island I saw some buildings but nobody was around. Was a bit reluctant to go ashore, I,ll have to find out about it when I get to Thursday Island. The island group are very pretty, I tried to go ashore a one little island but it had a shallow reef around it, which was a shame, as the white sandy beach was very inviting.
Found a mooring off Cape Grenville and had some fun stirring up some wolf herring with a lure , one had a wack at the lure and missed completely but shot out of the air , you could imagine him going ‘what the f***’ as he suddenly sailed through the air.

2008-12-04T21:21:00.001-08:00

Friday 28 November
Left Portland Roads in the morning and motored across Weymouth Bay to the Pascoe River. Negotiated the bar without any drama and anchored up inside. The Pascoe is a nice wide river with many sand bars and clear water, it reminded me a lot of the Maroochy River.
A bit bent but this is a panorama looking up the Pascoe.
Decided to have a day off and spent it reading. I wished the outboard was going as the river was most inviting, to be explored.

2008-12-04T21:18:00.000-08:00

Thursday 27 November
Woke up to the sounds of my very good friend Kevin Lynch giving me a call “”HOLLY HOLLY THIS IS MOOLOOLABA BREAKFAST CLUB OVER” a call I have received every Thursday morning since leaving the coast .What can I say ,if he didn’t shave I’d marry him .
Norm Cooper’s regular call every week also has been a source of great comfort to me.
The journey has been long and hard and the obstacles have come from some unexpected quarters and have been some of the worst I have faced but if you don’t try to take them head on, give them your best shot what do you amount to.
As Rudyard Kipling said – to gamble all on the toss of a dice – lose – and walk away without moments regret - and start again – you are a man my son –or something like that.
On a more even note, went ashore and took my rubbish with me. Rubbish on the boat is a big problem that grows every day, excuse the pun.
Called in and saw Sheree at the cafe and offered her copies of the photos that I’d taken yesterday. She in return offered me one of her lovely cups of coffee. Greg had gone fishing for the day so the cafe was closed ,though next week they have bookings every day.
We yarned on the veranda overlooking the bay about many things. I commented on the fact that one of the great things of the trip, even more than the scenery, has been the people that I’ve met, her and Greg are certainly on the list , wonderful people . There was one sour note though, she asked if I’d seen the crock this morning, I replied that I hadn’t seen one since starting the trip. A nonchalant reply was, Oh, a three metre one went past your boat this morning, ---Oh dear--,
The view from the cafe veranda.
Before I left, I borrowed a plastic bag off Sheree and picked up quite a few succulent mangoes from the foreshore before rowing out to Holly.

2008-12-04T21:06:00.000-08:00

Wednesday 26 November
Engine Hours 1432
Total Fuel 1021 Litres
Total Hours 764 hours
With great relief Temple Bay, the fuel barge answered my first call on the radio . He is moored at Portland Roads which is only a couple of hours away .Though I’d put the fuel from the jerry cans into the tank before I left. Managed to spill diesel oil over myself, so had to wash the clothes I was wearing before I left.
Motored around to Portland Roads and met Temple Bay. Had trouble getting alongside with steering from the back and the trouble I’m having with the gear selector. I just leave it in forward now and to change it into forward I have to lift the top off the control panel and jiggle the selector arms.
Met Paul who has been here with the barge for 18 years, put on 143 litres at $1.68 a litre, I think that the cheapest I’ve paid for it. Also topped up with water as I had lost quite a bit when I was grounded at the mouth of the Kennedy River.
Holly fuelling up on Temple Bay.
Quizzed Paul on what lay ahead and he gave me quite a bit of local knowledge, which was good.
Went and anchored near where the jetty that was built during WW2. The base here and the airfield at Lockhart River were big bases during the war and they were built after the Battle of the Coral Sea, which was fought to the south east of here.

The Jetty at Portland Roads during the war, I am moored just off its remains.
Went ashore and had a walk, its a very pretty place with about 10 houses that I can see. Found a cafe, called Out of the Blue a most appropriative name, my goodness, better have lunch.

Greg and Sheree run this wonderful out of the way bit of civilization.

Greg used to work for Telecom and lived on the Sunshine Coast in the 70’s .Had a change of lifestyle and found Portland Roads and has been here for many years as a mackerel fisherman now he’s changed direction again .A group from Lockhart River on a leadership course also came for lunch. Chatted to them nice group of kids.

Meanwhile a big storm seemed to be building to the Northwest but Greg said I’d have lots of time if it did get here so what’s for dessert , cheesecake , fine I’ve have some of the ,oh and another pot of that nice , fresh, coffee.

Storm clouds above Portland Roads.
Made my way back to the boat and have a relaxing afternoon and evening, Ah, the rigors of the lone putt putt traveller.

2008-12-04T21:01:00.000-08:00

Tuesday 25 November
Lovely morning, sunrise was spectacular, away by 0600 hrs. Went in close to Lowrie Island and realized I could have sheltered there last night. One to mark in the book. Put out a deep diver lure and caught a mackerel in 10 minutes, put the lure away. That’s dinner for 2 nights.
Lowrie Island
Had a good run up to Lockhart River although the northerly sprang up again at about 1400 hrs but not nearly as viscous as yesterday. Found a nice anchorage on the inside of Lloyd Island. Tomorrow I have to chase up some fuel or I’ll be rowing to Thursday Island. I can get telephone reception here so spent the evening chatting to family.

2008-12-04T21:00:00.001-08:00

Monday 24 November
Up early , had a read and then cleaned up . Got my first weather report from the Reef Rep. Gaye from Dancing Dolphin kindly wrote it all out for me when I was in Lizard Island. What it is is a series of VHF repeaters all the way up the coast, they control all the shipping up the way. They are located in hay point near Mackay. Pip, Marilyn and I were at their building at Hay Point to overlook the coal operations there. They are in the building on top of the lookout.
Headed out without any problems and headed north again .The weather was perfect, the water was just like a millpond. How wonderful, then it all went to shit. The northerly sprang up and in 10 minutes, it was blowing 25 knots. The waves were short and steep and I was bashing right into them. Let Polly out on a long rope and hung on as best I could. It was just band, bang, bang and so on. I tried to work out where some shelter was but there are very few hideaways from a northerly up this way. Eventually headed for Cape Sidmouth hoping I could shelter behind it . When I finally got there at 1630 hrs. No cover but by the it had dropped down to 15 knots with gusts of 20.I knew it would die down at about 2000 hrs because that’s the nature of the beast. Had a bumpy dinner and off to sleep.

2008-12-04T20:54:00.000-08:00

Sunday 23 November
Woke up to a fine windless day so got away at 0530 hrs to make the most of it. Was careful as I went over the bar and managed to stay in 7 meters of water , marked the channel for future reference.
Hade a good run up to Port Stewart. It got its name when they discovered gold near Coen and a small freighter used to run up here from Cooktown. It’s really shallow entrance and a couple of deepest holes just inside. I had a bit of trouble finding the entrance, bounced off the bottom a few times but wasn’t worried, as it was an incoming tide. Finally anchored off the entrance and ran in Polly to check it out. There was young chap fishing there and had a chat to him and then went for a wander. Many years ago Pip and I came up here with Sam and Roy .Sam was in grade one when we came and now he’s 21 ,just to give you an idea of how long ago it was. Found the spot we camped at and the spot where Roy caught his first fish ,a cod.

The old Campsite from many years ago.
Hopped back in Polly to run out to Holly and the outboard wouldn’t start. Tried everything, borrowed a shifter off the young fella and cleaned the spark plug, no joy. Then had ago at rowing out but the incoming tide was too strong. So sat down with the young fella, watched him catch a big queen fish, and waited for the tide to slow down.
Finally, it was running a lot quieter so I started rowing out. On the way 3 blokes came in a big tinny from fishing outside, they offered to run me out an offer I immediately accepted. It was bouncy outside and I would have had a bit of trouble getting to the boat. As it was they had to take Polly back inside and I came in, anchored, and got Polly back.
The guys that rescued me leave their boat at Musgrave Station and fly up from Melbourne where they live ,hire a 4WD and run up and pick up their boat ,not a bad system.
A wash with precious water, a small can of baked beans, cold and 3 beers and I’m off to bed.

2008-12-04T20:46:00.000-08:00

Saturday 22 November
Up early, did the log, and then picked up Craig for breakfast with left over damper. He loved the boat and reckons that it’s the way to travel, one of my own he doesn’t like sailing boats, needs a motor.
Good run down the river, it’s a very pretty river the Annie. Headed out to go into the Bay and noticed I wasn’t quite in the channel so cut across to it.
Oops, touched bottom, stuck ,turned off engine and tried to push Holly , Too late ,stuck. I had left on the start of the run out tide and the tide was running so quickly that within 2 minutes it was all over.
Read a book, scraped down the side that was exposed, and waited for the run in tide. It came 4 hours later and so I motored back up to the first bend to spend the night and have another go tomorrow. Only loss was about half of my fresh water which ran out on the lowest side, Oh and did I mention pride, properly not.
Big lightning storm in evening, lots of wind but no rain. Pulled Polly up close and tied her off beside Holly .Thought about an exit plan and all a bit too hard so went to bed.

2008-12-04T20:35:00.001-08:00

Friday 21 November
Checked the crab pots first thing, no crabs, again. Headed off and down the end of the passage was a large cruiser so I went over to him and enquired about the weather, as I couldn’t receive a reception on the radio. He informed me that the weather was going to be good for at least the next few days. That was good news, as the weather is just perfect. Leaving the flinders Group I picked up a Shark mackerel on the lure, he was a bit too big for me and I managed to get him off the lure.

Continued across Princess Charlotte Bay which is very shallow and the countryside is flat except for Jane Table Hill which stands alone above the flat mangroves.
Had a good run with the boat , by carefully tying up some yellow rope from the steering wheel [ doesn’t work] to the tiller[does work] I managed to get the angle just right and it stayed on course for 2 hours , I just sat in the back and read a book – auto pilot- who needs it.
Found the entrance of the Kennedy River that the Annie River runs off and promptly got stuck on a sand bar . Bounced for a while as the afternoon wind had come up but as the tide was coming in I was soon able to move across to the channel , which I marked on the tracker for future reference.
Turned off into the Annie and saw the old fishermen’s camp at the junction. Travelled up the river about 6 klms and just as I was about to throw out the anchor for the night I came around the next corner and there was a camp. This was the new camp that the pro fisherman were at. Craig was also there just pulling his boat out of the water. He had seen me over at Cape Melville; he had a small fibreglass boat that he towed behind his four-wheel drive. He had travelled up to the Cape and then across to New Guinea for a bit of a look. Customs wasn’t too impressed. I had dinner ashore with him, I supplied the steak and salad and he made damper, I must say he knocked up a good one.

Before dark Walter and Coleen turned up, Walter is a professional fishermen who has been up he many years . There is also Merv who lives and works out of here but he was away at the time.

2008-12-04T20:24:00.000-08:00

Thursday 20 November
Slept-in and got away at 0630 ,was treated to a lovely sunrise though.
Had a good run across to Cape Melville on the way I saw the most amazing thing, a fish somewhat like a mackerel come out of the water and go straight up in the air about 15 metres . At first, I thought it was a bird leaving the water, sort of diving in but in reverse, he must have had something a lot bigger chasing him.
Arrived at Cape Melville and marvelled at the huge boulders that make up the Cape. Anchored and went ashore, it was just amazing, any place like this down south would be a huge tourist attraction. I found a fresh clothes peg amongst the flotsam, quite a find that gives me 5 pegs now.
Continued across Bathurst Bay to the Flinders Group of islands. Coming into Owen Channel between Stanley and Flinders island there is a huge headland and the small rock mountains stand like sentinels to the channel called Castle Peaks .
I anchored near the National Parks shelter and put the crab pots out. I could see down the Passage from me a large war like boat and soon I got a visit from a couple of Customs Officers, nice blokes, we had a chat and off they went.
Checked out the facilities ashore, very good, some of the work that National parks have done on the Islands is extremely good. This one had a large shelter with 2 large water tanks, a large table and chairs and a toilet.

There is a walking track starting there, I only went a little way on it and found an aboriginal water hole neatly signposted.
Fresh mackerel for dinner.

2008-12-04T20:23:00.000-08:00

Wednesday 19 November
Headed off to Ninian Bay, on the way stopped at Watson Island which is where Mrs Watson ,her baby and their Chinese servant died. Found a great little sand spit at the back and went for a snorkel looking for a lobster but none were around today. The coral and fish life were great though.
Continued and hooked a big mackerel and a shark mackerel, l both got off at the boat ,thank goodness as they were a bit big, but great fun to catch.
Headed up to the suggested mooring site at the end Ninian Bay. Anchored and bid some work on the computer, by then it was quite bouncy. Decided to head back to the entrance of the bay and shelter behind one of the small islands their.
Put out a smaller lure ,a mad mullet made by lively lures in Caloundra. Picked up a mackerel pretty well straight away. At least this one was smaller, four meals for me, if that’s small enough. Anchored, still a bit rolly but not as bad as before.
Early night, just travelling a full day seems to bugger me pretty well , I’ll be asleep by 1900 hrs tonight but then I’ll be up at 0500 hrs in the morning and be away by 0600 hrs.
Sausages for dinner with fresh mackerel entree, not bad.

2008-12-04T20:22:00.001-08:00

Tuesday 18 November
Decided to leave as the weather going to be good for the next few days. Dropped my rubbish over to a bin at the resort, it looked just lovely.The resort not the bin . Then over to the pump to collect some water and off I head north again.
Arrived at Howick Island and anchored beside some reef, had a fish but all I caught were sucker fish. They would hit the bait before it hardly got down. Bit of a rolly night.

2008-12-04T20:02:00.001-08:00

Monday 17 November
Popped over to Robs and Gays for coffee and while there the seaplane from Cooktown arrived, that’s him passing Holly.
After he wended his way through the boats.
Went for a walk to see Mrs. Watsons house. It ended up quite a big walk. I started with the National Parks Camping area, it’s not very big but nicely done.
Someone has put a Pandora’s Box in an old wine cask and filled it with treasure such as goblets, bead jewellery and bangles it would certainly impress the kids. There is also a visitor’s book, so I left my mark in it.

I then walked around to the water point . What a ripper , primed it and gave it a go , yep it works.
Continued up the track to the remains of Mrs Watsons house . For those of you not familar with the story , Mrs Watson lived on the Island in 1880 with her husband . He went away with his partner and workers to collect beche-de-mer [sea slug] , leaving 2 chinese with Mrs Watson and her baby. While they were away the aboriginals attacked abducted on of the chinese , they found his pigtails on the mainland some time later .They then attacked the other chinese and he was speared twice but Mrs Watson drove them of with her gun. She then decided to escape the Island and she did this in a beche-de-mer boiling tub. They ended up on an island now called Watsons Island ,where they quickly died of thirst as there was no fresh water on the island . Their bodies were buried at Cooktown and her journal that she kept and the tub are in the Queensland Museum. I took a photo of the loverly memorial that was built to her in Cooktown in 1886 ,quite apporatiatly it has 2 drinking taps on it.

The lonely remains of a tragic part of our history.
I then continued up Chinamans walk, which takes you to the top of a ridge overlooking Watsons Bay and the saltwater mangroves and behind them the freshwater Pandanus Palm swamp. In the centre is the hill Capt. Cook and Joseph Banks climbed to find a way through the reef.
I the continued over to the other side of the island to Blue Lagoon, just stunning.
I had to get wet.
Then it was back to get ready for sundowners again, oh the hectic social life I lead. Great sunset

2008-12-04T19:50:00.001-08:00

Sunday 16 November
Bad night’s sleep, apart from worrying about the steering I awoke with a massive pain in my left foot. It was all right when I went to bed but now it feels light my big toes broken. C.Not much sleep.
Left Cape Flattery and noticed a big boat heading my way on a collision course so the way my lucks been in the last 24 hrs I idled till he went past.
Had a shit of a trip to Lizard, Grey skies, bits of rain, sloppy sea and for the 2 day in a row my water jug has been knocked over, spilling water down into the cupboards. I took a couple of panadol for my foot, which is starting to swell up, and another happy tablet.
Arrived at Lizard and got a friendly wave from Rob and Gaye on Dancing Dolphin. I met them Gladstone and are the first people in my cruising friends file. Finally anchored, a bit hard as I’m not used to steering from the back and adjusting the power at the wheelhouse. The steering worked well on the way across, a least I can sit down now to steer.
Rob called over and welcomed me, they have been here for a couple of months and he invited me to sundowners on the beach at 1700 hrsWent ashore at the appointed hour and met some great people. That’s Rob and Gaye with me.

2008-12-04T19:41:00.000-08:00

Saturday 15 November
Got away at 0600 hrs and the winds a bit strong but it’s from the south so I’m going with it . Passed Cape Bedford and lost all my instruments’, blown fuse, wonder what else will go wrong. Steering seems a bit funny!!
Arrived at Cape Flattery , there’s a silica mine and loading dock on the southern end , it had a ship in loading when I passed.

Moved around the northern edge to shelter from the wind. Just as I’m coming up to anchor I lost all steering. Quickly put out the anchor and investigated. First things first I put three beers in the freezer, no matter what happens I’ll need them.
Behind the steering wheel the cable that runs to the rudder has broken. I sit and look at the distant shape of Lizard Island. So close and yet so far.
Broken bits
The broken end of the cable.
NO, I’m not going to give up.

This is a low , low point.

Out with the tools and after 2 hours I’ve made a steering arm straight off the rudder. It seems to work, I’ll try it out to Lizard Island in the morning.

The new steering wheel

With an aluminium box rod that I was going to make a seat out of. I heated the end of it and flattened it with a hammer, drilled a hole through it and attached it to the top of the rudder shaft, a couple of hose clips help to support it.
I attached a broken anchor light pole to the top of the aluminium box pipe and used that to steer with.
Now for those cold beers.

2008-11-13T19:53:00.001-08:00

Friday 14 November
Engine Hours 1357
Total Fuel 878 Litres
Total Hours 689 hours

Did usual shopping run-around ,bought 2 more 20 litre jerry cans and filled them with diesel .This now gives me another 60 litres making a total of 200 litres. Hope that’s enough. A bit buggered by afternoon so I decided to leave first thing in the morning.
The main street in Cooktown has that country town look about it
The memorial to Mrs Watson who died near Lizard Island. That’s my shopping and another jerry can of diesel in the foreground.

2008-11-12T21:32:00.000-08:00

Thursday 13 November

Up early ,but it took an hour to pull up both anchors . Got away at 0630 hrs for a run up to Cooktown. Passed Cedar Bay on the way , it was the scene of the famous raid in the 70's by Police and Customs with the help of the Navy .25 hippies had their camp trashed and 12 were charged with drug charges. The thing that I most remember is that they all ran around naked . So when in rome do as the romans do.

Arrived at Cooktown at 1430 hrs a liberated man.

2008-11-12T21:30:00.000-08:00

Wednesday 12 November
Did a bit of maintaince on the boat and read .Wind should drop down tomorrow.

2008-11-12T21:17:00.001-08:00

Tuesday 11 November

No Rememberance Day Service for me today. Read a book and admired the rain in the Daintree.

2008-11-12T20:57:00.000-08:00

Monday 10 November
Up early and spent 4 hours on the Blog and then headed off.Winds blew stronger I knew I should have done something, check the weather . Made it to Cape Tribulation and anchored, had a think and reanchored with a second anchor out behind me. Pulled them both tight , now I was sitting head on to a metre to a metre and a half swell coming through from around the headland . Not much to do but sit it out.

2008-11-04T16:02:00.001-08:00

Sunday 9 November

Woke up at dawn and made a cup of tea and went and sat up on the roof and had a quite little memorial service for Steve Irwin ,it was here in 4 September 2006 that he was bought back from Batt Reef to meet the chopper from Cairns. Love him or hate him for a kid from the sunshine coast to achieve what he did in such a short time is proof that we can achieve what ever we want to, the only thing that stops us is ourselves .

Vale Steve

Went for a walk ashore ,the lighthose is the original one and is still in use today . Their is a research station and also a caretakers house .A little walking track winds through the island with descriptions of everything. Walked around the whole island and got a nice pic of an old stump with the old boat ramp behind it and in the distance the mountains. Before I left I had a bit of a fish feeding frenzy beside the boat . there was 4 sucker fish ,one moon fish , 2 Gt's and a 2 metre black tipped reef shark ,I was feeding them bits of mackerel , what a show.

Went over to Wonga Beach and met Lois and Bill , Lois is my mate Bruce Abbott's sister and we all grew up together.Went back to their house for a brew and lovely home made scones and pikelets . Then back to the beach armed with a bag of mangoes and limes .Talked about the old times and mutual friends ext. , under the palms while having a coldie.Great time , had to decline an offer of dinner, unfortunately ,and head off to shelter behind Snapper Island which is just off the entrance to the Daintree River.Fresh mackerel with mango topping and fresh garden salad for dinner.

2008-11-04T15:59:00.002-08:00

Saturday 8 November

Up early and running around again ,found an amazing saturday fruit and vegie markets , so bought my resupply and headed back to the boat and then back for the grog. Found a liquor barn but could'nt buy any casks of wine as they dont sell them before 1600 hrs , a initiative of the local police to clamp down on drinking in the parks by our darker brothers. Finally ready to leave and away I went ,as I came out the harbour I was continually smashed by big tourist boats, charter boats and fishing boats all heading out or coming back at 100 miles an hour . Goodbye Cairns!!!!!!!

Motored up to Double Island and had a rest for a couple of hours and then a night run to Low Islets with the tide. I picked up a nice mackerel on the way 30 inches or 80 cms long. Arrived ,found an anchorage and processed the fish and off to bed at midnight a very exhausted chappie.

2008-11-04T15:59:00.001-08:00

Friday 7 November
Up early , Grant my loving eldest son rang for a chat at 0600 hrs .Put washing on and had a look at the internet. Noticed that I have used my monthly allowance off 200 megabytes so looked at the change plans bit and changed up to 1 gig for the same money ,so tomorrow I’ll have an extra 450 megabytes to play with , 2 wins in 24 hrs , not bad.
Good run down to Cairns and then a mad run around to Sea Swift to organise fuel on trip ,chandlery to get another automatic switch for the bilge pump,doctors appointment , perscriptions filled ,weighed at chemist and have now lost 28 kilos ,5 block walk to get compression stockings for leg,Beer at Cairns RSL very nice and cold .back to boat buggered.

2008-11-04T15:58:00.002-08:00

Thursday 6 November
Engine Hours 1314
Total Fuel 740 Litres
Total Hours 646 hours
Green Island to Yorkeys Knob good run but against the tide. Fuelled up and got a berth ,nice clubhouse they had advertised that they run a bus to a shopping centre but they have cut that down to 3 times a week and guess what today isn’t one of those days. Walked to an IGA only a kilometre away and brought some groceries . Ended up winning 2 meat trays that evening at the clubhouse so they went straight into the freezer.

2008-11-04T15:58:00.001-08:00

Wednesday 5 November

Spent the day working on the blog site, chatting to the boys ,meeting the visitors .What a great little business Toody has ,have to laugh at Sid ,he just loves mucking around with the japs ,he's always bowing and waving at them ,well only the groups of pretty ,young .bikini clad ones who always respond .

Met George ,the boys grandfather what a legend ,he spent 16 years chashing big crocs up in the fly river in New Guinea .He invited me back to their house and met his wife Shirley their house is just fillled with carvings ,masks ext from New Guinea ,George is regared as somewhat of an expert on them .We had a wonderfull yarn , I really enjoyed my time with him,. Its not often you met a living legend. Relucently I left them and headed back to the boat .On the way I met Sid with the guests from the hotel having drinks on the beach , a bottle of champagne later and with on to go I wandered back to Holly.

2008-11-04T15:55:00.001-08:00

Tuesday 4 November
Off to Green Island and meeting up with Sams friend ,Billy's brother who has the beach consession on the island .

Arrived and found an anchorage opposite the beach . Went ashore and met Toody and Sid ,Billy's brothers who made me feel very welcome .

With 3 minutes to spare we rushed around and watched the melbourne cup , it didnt cause much of a stir amongst the jap tourists however.

Sid took me over to his grandparents croc display and I had a wander around ,boy they have got some monsters there , and then I remembered that were I'm heading ,right in the middle of their homes , I looked at them in new light then.

Went and watched Sid do his thing as activies officer for the resort at the fish feeding on the jetty ,he puts on a good show, then off to bed.

2008-11-04T15:54:00.001-08:00

Monday 3 November

Ran over to Fitzroy Island ,on the way put the lure out ,no luck. I went up to the eastern edge of the island where there is rocks and reef off the end ,thought i'd have a fish. Motored as close to the rocks as I could , left the engine running and raced out the back and dropped a line over the back.

The engine jumped into reverse and my line wrapped around the prop.

OH DEAR .

Cut the engine and watched to make sure that I didn't drift into the rocks , on with the face mask and with a knife , over the back. Sometimes it pays not to think , just act. With the back of the boat slamming up and down I was over the side ,big dive and came up under the prop,quick cut and then some swift strokes to get away from the slamming boat . Back onboard and a badly needed cold beer as I contemplated what I'd done . Well the sharks,stingers and crocks didn't get me and how I got away with the slamming boat was just good luck ,but the last thing I wanted was another $3,500.00 repair for a new gearbox.

On to the resort and a few cold beers ashore with Dee the barmaid wonderwoman.

The resort is being done up and is nearly finished it will be good to call in on my way back to see the result.

Stayed the night.

2008-11-04T15:53:00.002-08:00

Sunday 2 November
Left Innisfail and travelled over to Normandy Island ,it is a protected island and had a tourist boat their. Went for a walk around the island , very beautifull . The beach was solid broken coral.

The rocks are all made from old coral and are spectacular

A really nice spot , sad to leave it . The wind could be a bit of a worry so I went over to High Island for the night.

2008-11-04T15:53:00.001-08:00

Saturday 1 November
Stayed in Insnisfail another night as the wind was still a bit strong .

2008-10-30T20:31:00.000-07:00

Friday 31 October
Left Mourilyan Harbour after checking the crab pots. No crabs and a bit blowy when I got outside . Had a smooth run up to the Johnson River and then a toey crossing of the bar but in the end it all went well . Nice run up to Innisfail , saw the left over damage of the cyclone last year. moored in the centre of town.The town is really beautifull with all the roofs quite new after cyclone . the old buildings have been done up and looked really good.

One of the walkways had this really neat set of tiles that was about crocs .

and something I,ve never seen before , a stature to cane cutters .

2008-10-30T20:30:00.000-07:00

Thursday 30 October

Left early and had a long run up past Kurrimine Beach Past the Barnard Islands where the patrol Boats were hard at work filming again. The I found a little Beach called Robinsons Beach , well I had to stop and investigate . First up I picked up a lure that had been washed up ,it must be my beach. I counted about 10 single thongs and one new sneaker shoe wrapped in plastic. I walked along until I came across some large trackes .I freaked out and scurried back to the boat , then I realised that they went croc tracks but a large turtle had been up and laid eggs . Continued around the corner to Mourilyan Harbour , the entrance is between two hills and is quite narrow . Big ships come into the sugar terminal and load sugar where is the largest sugar storage shed in the world now that's some record .

Moved up the river a bit and put the crab pots out and started fishing ,hooked a monster and after about 20 minutes up he came a whopper of a shovelnove ray although they are good eating I let the big fellow go .
I ended getting stuck into the grunter bream,with 3 keepers and a suspected burrumundi which got away.

2008-10-30T20:29:00.000-07:00

Wednesday 29 October
Did'nt feel like doing much today so spent the day updating the blog site . Left a rod out last night and it hooked something , line everywhere , so on with the face mask and over the side to check that it wasn't hooked around the prop . Everything was OK but lesson learnt that's something that I would'nt like to do in croc infested waters . Went ashore and had a shower and a couple of nice cool draft ales to finish a good day.

2008-10-28T18:22:00.000-07:00

Tuesday 28 October

A good run up to Dunk although a bit sloppy at first then the sea settled down a bit . Anchored off the resort and very nice it is too .

Had a cold beer or ten

and watched them filming Patrol Boat in the bay , that's Holly in the forground.

2008-10-28T17:02:00.000-07:00

Monday 27 October

Awoke to the most magnificent sunrise ,tried to do a panorama nearly worked out but I liked the result.

That Tex on his boat , I think you get the idea.

Dropped Tex off at Cardwell at the new marina there with warm farwells to catch up on the return trip but spend more time .Tried to get to dunk Island but the wind blew up so headed to Garden Island and stayed the night their .

2008-10-28T16:53:00.000-07:00

Sunday 26 October

Ran over to Lucunda to meet Norm Coopers mate Tex who's going to join me for a nights fishing. Tex lives at Cardwell at the other end of the Hinchinbrook Channel and will run down in his tinnie to met me.

Met up with Tex and we moved up to Deluge Inlet to fish. Hinchinbrook Island is the most spectular backdrop just awsome .Caught a mud crab and a cod so we had crab and fresh fish for dinner.

2008-10-25T15:56:00.000-07:00

Saturday 25 October
Had a good run up to Palm Island ,decided not to call in and say hallo in view of the trial of Wotton for causing roits . Went around to Orpheus Island and moored for night . Should have gone for snorkel but too buggered.

2008-10-23T14:42:00.000-07:00

Friday 24 October
Left Townsville for Magnetic Island

On the way I saw a small cat not making any headway so I went to rescue them , just then a gust of wind came up so they were allright . They invited me ashore for a drink since I was such a good chap . Ron owened a shed on a block at West Point on the island and every Friday Ron and his mate Steve sail across from the mainland for a night at the shed .

Ron feeds the birds ,possums and small rock wallabies and their is heaps of them.

Then as the sun sets they go and sit on the beach on the point with drinks and a treat tray.

They are joined by backpackers and tourist buses , all doing the same thing.

Even some more locals come out to enjoy the view.

Then its back to the hut and the locals emerage from the bushes bearing gifts of food , drink and treats.

More neighbours arrive and they bring nothing but want everything .

The fire is finally lit .

And I stagger off to the boat at 0130 hrs and its all hands to help me pull Polly the 100 mtrs to the water as the tides has gone out.
And so we say farwell to the fair community of West Point ,I will return one day and it will be on a friday nite.

2008-10-23T14:41:00.002-07:00

Thursday 23 October
Travelled from Cape Cleveland to Townsville.

When I arrived I'd never seen so many planes , as I travelled across the bay Fighters were going over Magnetic Island and bombing Rattlesnake Island , Caribou practicing landings and then a Chinooks flys over with a slung load . I make my way to the marina and while fueling up a seaplane passes me, it bis the Red Baron and was used in the Phantom movie. things certanily come in rushers.

Thats my fishing rod in the picture. Caught up with Sam's [son] mate Jessie whos working on the new apartments that they are building at the marina. He invited me home and we had a BBQ overlooking the marina at his apartment .
Had a funny incident in the afternoon as I was walking past a pub this bloke rushers out and accosts me saying that there's someone inside the pub that wants to see me and he carnt come out . Well the old hairs go up on the back of the neck and not willingly I enter the pub and blow me down if its not Gary Mckay sitting there in a wheelchair with his leg in plaster . He was just in Townsville for a couple of days on business and was having a long lunch with a couple of ex army mates ,oh and his leg well it seems he's just had an operation on his ankle.

2008-10-23T14:41:00.001-07:00

Wednesday 22 October
Big run from Cape Upstart to Cape Cleveland

2008-10-23T14:40:00.002-07:00

Tuesday 21 October
Bowen to Cape Upstart

Had a good run up to Cape Upstart on the way passed the coal loading jetty at Abbot Point its one long jetty .

At Cape Upstart there is all these houses built amongst the rocks . There seemed to be no road to each cove so it would appear that everything came by sea.

Had a loverly sunset that night.

2008-10-23T14:40:00.001-07:00

Monday 20 October
Passage Inlet to Bowen

2008-10-23T14:39:00.002-07:00

Sunday 19 October
Bona Bay to Passage Inlet

There are a couple of top resorts here .The first is Montys which has been there for ages ,it has a restrant and bar that is open to the public its right on the beach.

Thats me on the beach having a beer.There was this amazing table that had a centrepiece done in shells set in concrete very effective.

The other resort is the Eco Lodge and is bnewer and about 200mtrs down the beach .

Once again another sunset.

2008-10-23T14:39:00.001-07:00

Saturday 18 October
A bit seedy this morning, wonder why. Went for a fish in Polly but no luck . Winds still quite strong and now there is regular showers with it. Had spam with tomatoes on crackers for lunch, very nice, it was the lite spam. Dinner on CJ

2008-10-23T14:38:00.002-07:00

Friday 17 October
Winds starting to blow, I dropped a line over the back and ended up catching 3 big trevally, one I let go as he was only lip hooked and I filleted the other two .
Darren called over from-----and invited me over for a BBQ , I had fresh fish to take . He had invited all the people in the bay ,there is 5 boats here. What a fun night , Bev his wife , played the organ after dinner and we all sang along , next thing there’s a stick with bottle tops nailed to it ,a harmonica , a tambourine and some shakers , we had a real good band going . the boat is a huge sailing catamaran worth about 2 million, They bought the hull and fitted it out themselves .

2008-10-23T14:38:00.001-07:00

Thursday 16 October
Thought I’d have a treat and go to the toilet ashore , they looked very nice , but unfortunately they were covered in green ants , not something that you want biting you as you try to do the business.

2008-10-23T14:37:00.002-07:00

Wednesday 15 October
Left Woodwark Bay and headed up to Gloucester Passage with the tide. Made good time and arrived at Bono bay after lunch. Lovely anchorage with a nice white sandy beach, tables, and toilets, apparently its very popular spot for the people from Bowen.

The place where we had drinks at Woodwark Bay was in front of the resort that was built to film tales of the South Pacific . It appears its owned by some multi millionarie now .

2008-10-23T14:37:00.001-07:00

Tuesday 14 October
Engine Hours 1093
Total Fuel 543 Litres
Total Hours 425 hours
Caught up with Mac and Edwina who I was moored beside at Gladstone . We travelled up to Woodwark Bay

We did a bit of shopping but when we got back to Polly she was high and dry.
Then on the way to Woodwark Bay I had to rescue some more people , as you do when your such a famous seafarer as myself.

Met up with some other boats from Gladstone and we had sundowners. This is the first time its happened on the trip.

Then the full moon arrived and the occasion took on a totally different atmosphere.

2008-10-23T14:36:00.000-07:00

Thursday 9 October
Ran to Whitehaven Beach and mingled with the hordes of Swedish female backpackers that were thronging the beach. The pure white sands had a green slime washed up on them, which was a bit smelly .Continued on to Macona bay for some oysters and then a run across to Airlie Beach to catch up with number three son Sam who is working on some renovations at Club Croc. Moored outside the Sailing Club

Went to the markets at Airle they were quite good Met lynn and Jill Dickman from the Sunshine Coast ,Lynn's at vet so we spent some quality time together. Also met a mate I served with Don but unfortunalty he had to go away so only had a long coffee and a chat with him.Still there's always the return trip.

Can you pick Holly moored in the bay.

Will resume log when I leave Airlie Beach

2008-10-19T22:17:00.001-07:00

Wednesday 8 October
Up early and away ,headed for Goldsmith Island ,passed between it and Linne Island ,lots of surface fish activity .I ended up running up to Lupton Island , passed some beautiful islands with lovely , isolated beaches , I can see why the Whitsundays are rated as highly as they are. Some interesting facts I travelled for 6 hours and went 34 nautical miles or about 70 kilometres . Arrived into a green zone or no take area so headed off in Polly to check it out. Went around a small headland and found a large area of reef that was exposed, walked around on it carefully, lots of clams, some of them quite large, the coral wasn’t the delicate type but large solid bits. Saw a couple of shovelnose rays who were trying to look as if they were hiding really well but not doing a good job of it. Snorkelled back to Holly , towing Polly again and passed over the best coral that I’ve seen yet , fantastic .Sat up the front of Holly at sunset having a quite beer in a wonderful spot

2008-10-19T22:00:00.000-07:00

Tuesday 7 October Total Fuel 427 Litres

Left Mackay heading north again. Had a good run up to Brampton Island and anchored in Western Bay before lunch. What a beautiful bay, white sands, clear water and wonderful reef. Dived over and snorkelled ashore, lots of coral and fish. Landed at oyster covered rocks, strange that, and immediately attacked them with my new oyster opening tools that young Barnes had made for me at Mackay , that I just happened to have , in the tender Polly , that I was towing . I towed Polly after me in case I got tired of snorkelling .I’m pleased to say that the new tools worked wonderfully. Returned to the boat, snorkelling, and washed down the oysters with refreshing ale. Upped anchor and moved around to Pelican Inlet, which is off the resort on Brampton. Interesting afternoon as I was under the flight path for the runway on the island. Did some navigation and course planning , working out for the rest of the trip.

Copy of Email sent as I left Mackay

hi everyone well Ive finally updated my blog site of the trip up to Mackay. I'm leaving tomorrow to head up to the Whitsundays and onwards ever onwards . I've had some great times in Mackay with Pip and Marilyn visiting . We went for a 2 night trip to Kesswick Island but had to come back early as the wind was picking up .Just so you wont get your knickers in a knot Elaine I''ve attached a pick of Pip putting Marilyn to bed on the back deck.It was great to catch up with my very good friend Mol ,we spent some quality time doing what we do best , drinking and bullshitting. Mol's generosity meant that I was mobile for my time in Mackay , thank mate. Nicky and Jay Barnes also opened the door of hospitality and it was great to catch up with them , I was even able to attend little Graces christening, I've attached a pic .I took Jay and a couple of his mates over to Kesswick Island fishing , Jay as usual was seasick most of the time as usual (Pic), and despite his help we still caught a good feed .As usual Jays crack featured(Pic)??? The link to the Blog is listed below REMEMBER click on 2008 then scroll down to pick up thread.http://ted-holly.blogspot.com/ Below is a link to Google Maps that shows my anchorages.Click onto Teds Trip on left hand side of page.http://maps.google.com.au/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=100219034282181368121.0004504d005f01eeba7ab&ll=-26.226911,153.167267&spn=0.54204,1.19751&z=10 To contact me by E-mail use the link below.Save it in your contacts.Please no jokes or funny movies ext. it all cuts into my monthly allowance.mailto:allowance.erob7320@gmail.com

2008-10-05T19:16:00.000-07:00

Thursday 19 September

Left the fine , hospitable people of Sarina Beach and travelled to mackay . on the way I rescued two young lads in a broken down dingy. All in a days work on the high seas.

Passed Hay Point loading wharf on the way , very big and getting bigger . Arrived at Mackay and will be here a while as Pip and Marilyn are coming up for a visit.

2008-10-05T19:05:00.000-07:00

Tuesday 16 , 17 September

In the morning caught a mackerel and then continued over to sarina Beach . moored behind the headland , stayed for 2 days enjoying the locals and draught beer . met 2 of the nicest people , Michael and Maureen ,stayed a night in their flat and had a shower, luxury. Kim their landlord was looking for victims to practice his hairdressing skills on , Ivolunteered and got just the best haircut and beard trim , a good couple of days with nice people.

2008-10-05T18:54:00.000-07:00

Monday 15 September

Left in the morning and travelled around the island to view a rock formation that is called Phantoms Peak . So now I know where the GOAST WHO WALKS lives.

Continued over to Irving Island for the night . Quite a nice little island covered in rainforest that looka like combed hair , proberly done by the wind. It has a long thin rock ledge running off the western side of it.

2008-09-18T12:47:00.015-07:00

Sunday 14 September
Possum arrived with Terry on, I met Terry in Yeppoon. He is travelling north in a little trailer sailor had a yarn with him and headed on to Curlew Island which is about 20 nautical miles away. Unfortunately, I was hit with the water flooding out of the Southern Broadsound, at times I was under 3 knots, a long day. On the way I got a call from Double Bass, who was at Curlew Island . Trevor, s ex Jan lives beside Marilyn at Mooloolaba and I had met him at Gladstone he was travelling with Ted an old mate from Mackay. I joined them at a little bay at the eastern side of the island. They invited me aboard the boat for a lovely chicken salad for dinner, heaven. The wine and good conversation flowed until midnight.

2008-09-18T12:47:00.014-07:00

Saturday 13 September
I found out at the homestead that if you can get high enough you can get a reception so ashore I went and climbed up a headland on the southern end of the beach. Managed to get through although it kept dropping out all the time. went down to the hut and as I had brought no water found a coconut and opening it on a stake driven in the ground for that purpose ended up having a cool drink. I think I must be going native. Went back to the boat, had a rest and went off to have a go at the fish again. As I was heading down to were the fish were 3 large whales and a baby came through the passage , they were quite close to me so I stopped and watched them . They passed me and then they turned around, came back, and checked me out. How amazing that was, they were very close to the front of the boat. Eventually they moved on and a bit shaken I continued. Had more success this time and landed 2. Dropped them off to three guys who were on the catamaran Inspiration 10 they in turn invited me to dinner, had a good night managed to get back to Holly safely.

2008-09-18T12:47:00.013-07:00

Friday 12 September
Another beautiful day so I contacted the homestead by radio and invited myself to morning tea . Went ashore and headed up the track that is called the long track. The first 11/2 klms is through scrub mostly going uphill, then a clearing is reached with lovely views to the south. The country then changes to rainforest with some big trees with fantastic root systems, another 11/2 klms and you arrive at the homestead. John, Cath, and Ernst, warmly welcomed me and my gifts of some ripe avocados and chocolate biscuits were appreciated particularly the biscuits .I was immediately put to work helping make bee hive boxes, not that I was much help. Cath is a cousin of Andrew Martin who lived there for many years . She and her husband John have only been on the island for about 5 weeks after winning the island back from a bloke who swindled the island from Andrew. He left it in a shocking mess on what it had once been, however they have the energy end vision to restore it to its formers glory. Life is so different living on an isolated island. Ernst was also making bread for tomorrow, sugar in the brew was a bowl of bees wax with the honey spooned out of the bottom. I left after lunch with John who took me down the short track, which is very steep; on the way, he showed me the little cove where the boatshed is their little motor boat sits. John and I went out and had a bash at the fish but didn’t hook any up.

2008-09-18T12:47:00.012-07:00

Thursday 11 September
Another beautiful day in paradise went for a quick fish caught 3 nice reef fish in quick time. Continued around the island for a quick look, it’s a lot bigger than I thought. On the eastern side the hills drop straight to the sea, with the most spectacular cliffs. Had lunch a freshly caught reef fish, what else, on Whites Beach which is named after the famous family that used to have the lease. Went for a walk, not only was I the only person there but I made the only set of footprints on the whole beach. The sand is white and small rocky outcrops covered in pine trees and a fringing reef guard the entrance. Found two large fishing floats that I claimed, as I was the only beachcomber in sight. Continued around the Island, engine stopped and so I bleed the fuel system, continued with no problem. Saw a trevally leap out of the water and worked out the it must have been up a group of bait fish that i could see as a dark shadow moving over the sand .Wrong , it was a school of large trevally , grabbed my lure rod and flicked out . Got a hit straight away, a long fight ensured with it finally getting away but it bent the hook on the lure. Continued on and picked up a half of a bucket of oysters and then on to the mooring in West Bay. Dinner, steamed oysters followed by reef fish and avocado. A few cold beers and then off to bed.

2008-09-18T12:47:00.011-07:00

Wednesday 10 September
Up early and away to the Percy’s. Had a group of whales go through, one of them did some spectacular leaps in the air. Had a fish and caught dinner, getting to be a habit. The trip was a bit rolly as I was heading north and a bit of a slop was coming in from the east. Arrived at Middle Percy Island and how beautiful is it. Anchored in west bay opposite the famous A frame building .Went ashore for a look, another of my ambitions achieved. Went back at sunset with a few beers and soaked up the atmosphere, fish for dinner.

2008-09-18T12:47:00.010-07:00

Tuesday 9 September
Slept in, lazy morning, winds picked up a bit. The hills have a grass on them and in the wind it was if it was fur, rippling in the light , never seen anything like it before. Went for a fish, caught dinner .Read a book and early to bed .

2008-09-18T12:47:00.009-07:00

Monday 8 September
Left Stanage Bay early in the morning for the run across the Marble Island. On the way, I saw the most amount of sea life for quite a while. The first was a group of whales heading south, they were a distance away but they were leaping just about completely out of the water. Then I noticed something close to me in the water so I motored over to investigate. It was a large whale with its tail stuck up out of the water and then a smaller one started to surface around it. The big one kept its tail up for a long time, 10 minutes or longer. Just when I thought, it was dead it rolled horizontal and had a number of big blows, and then it went to the strange position of its tail stuck up in the air. I wonder if it was a mother feeding her baby, who knows, I left them in piece. Saw tuna and other fish leaping out of the water. Marble Island along with several nearby islands is a cattle station, moored near the house and cattle yards. The wind came up so I shifted the a more protected spot on Hunter Island .I was going to head to the Percy Islands tomorrow but with winds increasing tomorrow i might spend the day around here. Finally had my red jew fish for dinner.

2008-09-18T12:47:00.008-07:00

Sunday 7 September
Engine Hours 1093
Total Fuel 377 Litres
Total Hours 313 hours
Up early, greasy breakfast , always good for a hangover. Wished good morning to the neighbours, as I headed out to Collins Island . Stopped at Mumford Island for a brew. The likely lads finally arrived and started fishing near me. They started catching red jewfish on the drift, so as I went past I had a drift and picked up one for dinner. Changed plans, decided to head for Stanage Bay, as the day was just perfect. Arrived at 1400 hrs and went ashore to Plume Tree Bay post office, hotel, store, service station and takeaway all in one shop. Hoping for a draft beer but like Adavale, only stubbies. The problem is that they only have tank water. The towns twice as big as Adavale population of 45. Rang my four sons for father’s day and couldn’t raise any of them. I just hope that they keep my presents for me! Ferried out a jerry can of fuel for Holly and then settled in for a couple of beers with the locals. Went to leave and the tide had gone out and left Polly stranded, so back to the pub to enlist the help of locals to pull her out to the water. Back to Holly, managed to get onboard without falling in, retired happy as another achievement of the trip achieved, have a beer in the Crab Bar at Stanage Bay Hotel.

2008-09-18T12:47:00.007-07:00

Saturday 6 September
Engine Hours 1076 Total Fuel 337 Litres Total Hours 286 hours
Did some maintaince first thing and noticed that my friends at Gladstone Marina Repairs had neglected to tighten up a hose clamp. Good one boys!!The battery that I spoke so wonderful ally about yesterday wasn’t maintaining the fridge in the morning. I’ll give it a good run today and see how it goes. Put the spare 20 litres in, small leak from the water filter, cleaned and put back, topped up the oil and water. Still a bit windy but I might run up to Cape Townshend. Just before I left the mating turtles popped up beside me still hard at it. Another glorious run , the seas quieted right down , the sun shone , the turtles popped their heads up to say hallo and the view was stunning . I just can’t believe how beautiful this coastline is, towering rocky headlands with huge clefts cut into them, large pine trees similar to our bunya pines and then through in little sandy beaches. Then there’s the islands, at one stage I counted 14 of them on the horizon. What a backdrop when the sun sets .Moored in Supply Bay, went ashore, big signs pointing out that it is a bombing range. For once, I was glad Pip wasnt6 with me as there was so many pretty shells and pebbles on the beach she would have collected enough to sink Holly. My solitude was broken with the arrival of a little yacht called Cleopatra ,and then a fishing boat with a couple of likely lads onboard .Teddy is a concreter from Emerald , a wild ten guitars kiwi from Wellington, a copy of Joe from the Sports Bar . His offsider Josh is a young fella, who comes from a professional fishing family at Stanage Bay. An invitation was issued to join them for drinks aboard their 30-foot fishing boat. I’ll leave the rest to your imagination, I managed to make it safely back to Holly with aching cheeks from laughing and a sore throat from singing.

2008-09-18T12:47:00.006-07:00

Friday 5 September
Woke up to rain but it cleared quickly. Weather report looks like i should be able to move on Saturday. Moved up to the front of the inlet, to a little beach and emptied Polly out of water. We had a bit of rain over the last couple of days. On the way, checked out a couple of big turtles either fighting or making love! Think it was the latter, ah the romantic that I am. Saw three kayakers pass the front of the inlet heading north. Must be keen!
Replacement battery seems to be going well, I’m glad Nick put those meters in for me, it really gives you good control over the batteries. Had a walk on the beach and saw a monster flathead , spent the next hour fling lures every which way to try and tempt him but no luck . Fished with some yabbies and picked up a nice bream and a whiting as keepers. Shifted up the first inlet for the night . Moored beside a little island .Fish and salad for dinner.

2008-09-18T12:47:00.005-07:00

Thursday 4 September
Cleaned up the boat in the morning, where’s a good woman when you need her. Went for a run up the inlet in the afternoon, had a fish not even a bite, sometimes the fish must be on strike. Went back to where I moor and fished some rocks nearby. Caught some pike bream enough for dinner tomorrow night. Wind easing.

2008-09-18T12:47:00.004-07:00

Wednesday 3 September
Had a bit of a fish for whiting, no luck. Went up to the mangrove again as the wind is getting quite strong.

2008-09-18T12:47:00.003-07:00

Tuesday 2 September
Woke up in the morning to find the fridge freezer not working. Fault light on it signified that it wasn’t getting enough power. Checked the new meter that Nick had put in and sure enough, the deep cycle battery was down to 11 volts. Coffee and double happy tablets and a good hard think and I started to put the spare battery in to replace it. Started the job at 0730 and had it installed by 1100 hrs, not bad for me. Now I’ll watch and see if this one has any problems, I guess that would mean the it not being charged. After that good effort, I though GOD would reward me with a big buck mud crab .It was a buck but 4 inches across. Moved out of the mangroves to the front of the inlet and had a walk along the beach, pumped some yabbies and put on kidneys a-la –holly for dinner. Still getting phone reception but it very dicey and drops out quickly. There is 7 other boats in the inlet and the nearest one in price to mine is about 300,000.00 more, but they’re not doing anything different to me. Strong wind warning just been issued, I might be here for a few days. Anchored in the first in for the night.

2008-09-18T12:47:00.002-07:00

Monday 1 September
Left early before the incoming tide got too strong. Lots of fish life as I motored out. I had something cross in front of Holly that threw up a bow wave that rocked the boat. Didn’t know what it was and properly better off not knowing. Had a god run up to Island Head Creek. On the way passed through Pearl Bay, what a top spot, reminded me of the bay of Islands in N.Z., all little rocky islands covered in pine trees with a secluded beaches with white sand. Arrived Island Head Creek another magic place, put the crab pot out. Bacon, eggs, and salad for dinner.

2008-09-18T12:47:00.001-07:00

Sunday 31 August
Had a bit of a rolly night with a small swell coming around the headland. I just packed a pillow either side of me and went with the roll. Continued towards Port Clinton, passed Quoin Island and some spectacular headlands. Arrived in Port Clinton and what a pretty place. Anchored up in a little bay before Bullock Point, went ashore for a walk and a swim. This was just what i had dreamed the trip would deliver. Walked around to the eastern headland towing Polly through the water and picked a swag of oysters off the rocks. Had a feed and then had to move as the tide started to run out and the water was getting shallow. Moved up the eastern arm to a army ramp and anchored for night. On the way saw my first crocodile, couldn’t get a good photo as I nearly ran up a dead end channel with excitement, when I saw him. More oysters as an entree for dinner. What a top day.

2008-09-18T12:47:00.000-07:00

Saturday 30 August
Woke up to a foggy morning .Prepared the boat for sea and was a bit late getting away .Was punished by a short chop on the start of the ebb tide at the entrance. had a smooth run up the coast past a place called five rocks, yes its five rocks coming in a straight line out to sea . Quite spectacular .Was going to Port Clinton but on the way passed a little bay called Freshwater, so I decided to anchor there overnight. When I arrived there were all these blokes with matching shorts having a swim, I knew that I had arrived at Shoalwater Bay Military Zone. They left on dark and I had the bay to myself.

2008-08-29T15:21:00.001-07:00

Friday 29 August
Engine Hours 1041
Total Fuel 317 Litres
Total Hours 251 hours

Up at 5.00 am to get ready to leave, this boating is getting to be hard work, Picked up my gas bottle that I’d left at a nearby service station to have filled and got told its got a leak in it but they filled it any way , am I stupid or something . So after forking out $20.00 for a leaking gas bottle I started in search of another one. Ended up getting the bus into Yeppoon again. Took time out to check out the military museum at the RSL. Matthew and Michelle have done a fantastic job with it. Matthew very kindly offered to drive me to pick up a new gas bottle and get it filled and then ran me back to the marina. Great guy, his dad “Slag “O’Keefe did 2 tours of Vietnam with the SAS . Finally got away at 1300hrs and had a 3 hour run up to Corio Bay. Bit iffy coming in with waves breaking everywhere but I took all necessary precautions and made it safely over. Moored by what looks like couple of car garages on water.

2008-08-29T15:19:00.000-07:00

Thursday 28 August
Up early and had a good run from Keppel Island to Rosslyn Bay Marina .Very nice marina under the shadow of a large rock headland. Got the bus into Yeppoon, did the shopping mostly salad stuff. Bus back to to marina then bus back to town for beer then bus back to marina .Boy you notice when you don’t have a car ,thank goodness that they have a good bus service in Yeppoon. Had a meal at the marina and met a nice chap, Brian who was in Vietnam with 4 RAR in 1971. He’s sailing up the coast in a small sailing boat by himself, must be a veteran thing.

2008-08-29T15:17:00.001-07:00

Wednesday 27 August
Absolute top day. Motored around the northern end of Keppel Island and anchored off a deserted beach that had white sands fringing coral ext. Went ashore and climbed up to the top of the headland .Fantastic. A charter boat then arrived in my peace of paradise, however nothing lasts forever. Talked to the deck hand who was bringing the tourists ashore and would you believe he came from Maleny, his father was the butcher there. Small world! Cruised back to my anchorage, off the empty resort.

2008-08-29T15:14:00.003-07:00

Tuesday 26 August
Left Pacific Creek and headed towards Great Keppel Island. Had a good run, Mac in Gladstone had obtained some info about when to travel with the tides, I had a good 5 Knots all the way. Anchored off the resort but it is all fenced off waiting redevelopment. There is still a couple of shops open ,don’t know how they survive .Had a hot dog and a beer ,did my bit to keep them in business.

2008-08-29T15:14:00.001-07:00

Monday 25 August
Decided to stay in Pacific Creek for another night as the wind was up a bit. Did some fishing and caught river Jew ,pike bream, steely salmon and grunter all within an hour ,spent the next 2 hours cleaning them. I had river dolphins around the boat all day.

2008-08-29T15:13:00.001-07:00

Sunday 26 August
Went fishing with Nick and Fran, trolling for steely salmon, everyone was catching them and we got our fair share , one. Left after lunch to pacific Creek to have a beer with Pat but unfortunately he wasn’t home. Steely salmon for dinner.

2008-08-29T15:04:00.000-07:00

Saturday 25 August
Quite day at the Narrows, had a fish, read a book, tided up the boat and entertained my visitors (Nick and Fran).One of the interesting things at the campsite was a collection of unique BBQ’s made by a chap called ‘the big fella’ . He works at the mines and the BBQ’s were masterpieces ,one even had an oven built into the back of it. Another was made out of the hub of a huge tyre rim Dinner was a BBQ ashore with many bottles of red wine and port. Staggered back to the boat—again.

2008-08-29T15:01:00.001-07:00

Friday 24 August
Left Gladstone ----again---- hopefully for the last time.
Good run with the tide down through the narrows. met up with Nick and Fran who had set up their caravan on the bluff overlooking the boat ramp at the Narrows. Roast Lamb with homemade gravy and roast veggies and red wine.Staggered back to the boat.

2008-08-29T14:59:00.000-07:00

Saturday 9 August
Returned to Maroochydore on the Tilt Train ---again....

2008-08-29T14:58:00.002-07:00

Friday 8 August
Ran to Gladstone early in the morning, lots of nice houses on the islands, in the harbour. Cleaned up the boat and had dinner at the yacht club. Met Wayne and Helen Nitschke, Wayne used to be principal at Immanuel College at Maroochydore and is applying for a similar job in Gladstone.

2008-08-29T14:58:00.001-07:00

Thursday 7 August
Left Pacific Creek early and did a low tide run through the narrows .Quite a navigation exercise. We only touched bottom once. Camped at the oaks overnight.

2008-08-29T14:57:00.001-07:00

Wednesday 6 August
Gave Polly a good run and practised throwing the cast net, caught one suicidal herring. We fished the afternoon and went ashore for drinks with Pat. Fish fillets for dinner. Pat has the habit of taking the top off a can of beer with a can opener. Makes it into a big tin glass.

2008-08-29T14:50:00.000-07:00

Tuesday 5 August
Ran down to near the mouth of the creek and went ashore to explore the Lighthouse and settlement. Met Pat who lives there. had a good yarn about the history of the place and received directions where to go. It used to be a quarantine station in the 1800’s.A couple of thousand people went through it when it was operating. It also had a pub ,school ,pilot station and cemetery where 38 people are buried. The lighthouse was built in the mid 1800’s an is still operating . We went for a walk along the beach and Nick picked up some nice shells for his grandkids. For dinner, I served Nick Holly’s Signature Dish –Beef Cheeks a la Holly-with 3 bottles of $2.40 red wine from Gladstone.

2008-08-29T14:46:00.001-07:00

Monday 4 August
Crab pot missing but before we could mount a search, John from a sailing boat down the river came up and told us the pot was in the mangroves near him. Apparently, it had washed down during the night. Invited john onboard and we ha d a brew and a yarn. He had built his boat and launched it in the early eighties .He and his wife Pearl had travelled all through Asia and India and many interesting stories followed.

Retrieved the crab pot, only big Jennies. Spent the rest of the day putting in 2 meters on the control panel that would give me the exact voltage of the batteries.

2008-08-29T14:43:00.002-07:00

Sunday 3 August
Headed down the Narrows to Pacific Creek. Went up a bit and anchored for the night .Put out the crab pots and had a bit of a fish without great success.

2008-08-29T14:43:00.001-07:00

Saturday 2 August
Headed up to Targinie Creek and pumped some yabbies on the way. Settled in for the night and caught a swag of whiting for dinner.

2008-08-29T14:40:00.000-07:00

Friday 1 August
Fuel
87.8 Litres Cost $158.71
Engine Hours 9871
Total Fuel 247 Litres
Total Hours 197 hours

Looks like running at ¾ revs about 1800 rpm is paying off in $$$$.
Finally, left Gladstone with Nick Wills on board, Nick comes with good credentials having served with artillery in Vietnam. Had a good run up to Graham Creek with the run in tide. Went close to Fishermans Wharves on the way ,it was interesting looking at the 2 big ships loading up there. It never ceases to amaze me the huge loading terminals in Gladstone. Had sausages ala Holly for dinner.

2008-08-29T14:37:00.000-07:00

Monday 28 July
Back home for another rest.

2008-08-29T14:13:00.000-07:00

Sunday 27 July
Fine. We left with the high tide to go back to Gladstone.
We left one of the jewels of the trip so far. The creek system consisted of long winding passageways fringed with mangroves. The beach was amazing; there is a strip of dead trees near the dune line. It runs for ages along the beach leading the eye to Cape Capricorn and the distinctive Yellowpatch Sand Blow. As one walks through the dead trees the twisted shapes take on the appearance of all kinds of creatures. A dog with 6 legs is followed by a ballerina with 4 arms followed by a 3 legged dragon the images are only limited to your imagination. Looking out to sea one sees the islands of the Capricorn Group and then to the north is the Keppel Islands. The fishing is good with Whiting, Silver and Pike bream, Salmon and Flathead .The mud crabs were elusive but the 2 bucks that we caught were whoppers. Gary who has crabbed for many years stated they were the biggest he had caught. It is a shame to leave such a paradise.

2008-08-29T14:10:00.001-07:00

Saturday 26 July
Fine

2008-08-29T13:56:00.000-07:00

Friday 25 July
Fine at last

2008-08-29T03:34:00.001-07:00

Thursday 24 July
Rain

2008-08-29T03:33:00.000-07:00

Wednesday 23 July
Rain

2008-08-29T03:28:00.001-07:00

Tuesday 22 July
Rain-Our neighbours left, making a run for it back to the narrows. They kindly left us with water and provisions that they did not use as they were going back early. Sad to see them go, as they were good blokes, reminded me of when I took the boys fishing and camping on Fraser Island.

2008-08-29T03:25:00.000-07:00

Monday 21 July
Fine
Fishing –Gary caught a fine flathead , had it for dinner.

2008-08-29T03:19:00.001-07:00

Sunday 20 July
Headed off early and called in at Pacific Creek .At the entrance there is an old lighthouse and a row of 4 buildings – 3 of them showing different types of building styles of many years.
Continued around the front of Curtis Island to Ibbotson Creek. Thanks to the GPS marks Russ Charles had given me at Gladstone, we had no trouble entering the shallow bar. There was a camp set up just where we had to moor. We had no choice as the creek system is very shallow and drains out at low tide and that is where there is a small hole so we went ashore and introduced ourselves to Des and Dave with their sons. Friendships formed we put the crab pots out and checked out our new home

2008-08-29T03:09:00.001-07:00

Saturday 19 July
Left with the run in tide and ended up with a convoy of catamarans and sailboats going through the narrows. A fascinating trip , in the centre are cattle yards where they drive cattle across from Curtis Island to the mainland. We made it safely through . We moored at Maria Creek and stayed the night there. Gary caught some live mullet in the bait net and that night he caught a good Salmon.

2008-08-29T03:02:00.000-07:00

Friday 18 July
After exactly a month I am, finally underway .Gary has joined me for a fishing and crabbing trip on Curtis Island. The saga of the gearbox is finally over and I had a good sign as I walked down the finger at Gladstone Marina to cast off , I noticed a bottle floating in the water towards me. I stopped and waited until it blew beside the finger; it was a bottle of rum. Sometimes you just have to believe when GOD sends you a message.

We got away at 1500 hrs and headed to Graham Creek on Curtis Island. Graham Creek is a popular stop for yachts doing the Narrows. Put out the crab pots but no luck.