Tuesday 17 June

Left Turkey Beach and ran up to Gladstone counted 14 ships waiting out to sea. We were amazed at the number of huge factories, port infrastructure ext.

While going past one ship my phone rings, its River Rat (Shane Olsen) a mate of my son, Roy. It was his first day on a bulk carrier that goes to Weipa and back carrying bauxite. He was being shown the lifeboat when past sails Holly. Shane and Roy were on Holly when I picked her up from Brisbane and also on a few sea trial trips. He called around for a beer later that night.

We found a mooring at Gladstone marina, $20.00 a night. Its a beautifull setting at the marina ,lots of gardens and nice people.
On Thursday Gary and I caught the train home for a few days leave. I will pick up the Blog when I return to Holly

Monday 16 June
Left Pancake Creek and moved up to Turkey Beach passed some good reef which we fished without any luck. Counted 10 ships moored offshore from Gladstone.
Went up Robb’s Harbour to the township of Turkey Beach. Anchored offshore and rowed to beach. Walked a long way to the general store. Bought a carton of beer and things ,walked back to boat. Talked to a local who said houses here were around $ 500,000 not bad for beach shacks.
We were sitting on the boat at 1600 hrs having a beer when the sandflies arrived, thousands of them. Upped anchor and raced –as fast as you can on Holly---to the mouth of Rodd’s Harbour where we anchored for the night minus the sandflies.

Sunday 15 June
Another day fishing, this time without success. We didn’t see anyone catch a fish. So early night.

Saturday 14 June

Pancake Creek
No friend for Claude, so we went for a fish out at the reefs off Bustard Head. Caught enough for a feed. On the way back in we stopped for a walk along the beach, found a lot of oysters so sat down and had a feed. Moored up and had a chat to Claude about his life. That ended when he went in the pot. Fish for dinner, not a bad day oysters, crab and fish.

Oops this is still Friday 13 ----Rocket should be under Marcus------In the blog that is!!!!!!!!

Refuelled and headed off after a luscious lunch supplied by Rocket. I should mention here that Rocket is the main instigator of NO PANTS SUNDAY a somewhat quaint custom that means that girls wear their pants around their neck after midnight at the pub , or at least Rocket does----ask Marcus????Ran across the now notorious 1770 bar without upset and motored up to Pancake Creek. What a beautiful place it is. Moored close to the mangroves and set the crab pot in the hope we could find a friend for Claude.

Friday 13 June
Fuel
54.87 litres Hours top 914.3

Total 124 Hours. ( this figure is high)

Total Fuel 159 Litres.

Up early, checked the crab pot and found a clawless male mud crab in the pot so we called him Claude the Clawless Crab and invited him to join us on the trip.

Gary woke up with a sniffle so I made him a solid breakfast of scrambled eggs laced strongly with garlic. Marcus rang, so we motored down to the Marina and he joined us for breakfast. Spoke to Fritz, marina manager and a friend of Bens from Bundaberg. Fritz allowed us to connect to power for a while to charge up the batteries. Marcus invited us back to the police barracks for a hot shower. What a treat!!!