Wednesday, 16 December 2020

Finally on our way!!

 Monday 14th December  Departure Day

Suzy arrived on the Great Keppel Island (GKI) ferry yesterday after having cleaned the house and prepared it to be left for 6 months or so.  All our provisions are now loaded and we headed off from GKI at 0630hrs.

0630hrs: We motored around from Svensons Beach and headed towards Cape Capricorn under jib and motor.  The sea state was confused with a south westerly chop, whipped by the prevailing winds,  on top of a 1 metre south easterly swell.  The wind built to 15 to 20 knots from the south west.  After a few hours we raised the mainsail, but we are still hard on the wind and need to make it to Gladstone before 1600hrs.

Leaving GKI

Humpy Island

1000hrs: Approaching Hummocky Island north of Capricorn on Curtis Island.

Hummocky Island

1110hrs: Arrived at Cape Capricorn and wind has dropped out.

Cape Capricorn


Amazing beaches along the Curtis Island coast.   

 

1400hrs: Arrived at Southend at the southern end of Curtis Island and attempted to enter a anchoring spot near the Curtis Island ferry channel.  The experience was nerve racking with very little water to maneuver and lots of shoals. Eventually we gave up after touching bottom.  We then backtracked back out and sailed down the outside of Facing Island with a great breeze but very hard on the wind and keeping out far enough to avoid the many reefs.

1730hrs: Arrived in a great anchorage at the southern end of Facing Island right next to the shipping channel.  Lots of active shipping happening here.

Gladstone Harbour Shipping

Other boats at anchor

Other boats at anchor


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