New Name and Decals

 0530hrs:  An early start to catch the top of the tide and go into Leeks Creek on Great Keppel Island to put the new livery on the boat.

A high tide of 3.5m is very marginal for getting up Leeks Creek to dry out and put the decals on.  At the very limit of early daylight I motored in over the very shallow bar and into the creek holding close to the mangroves for maximum depth.  I'd chosen a spot well up the creek to anchor and wait for the tide to recede. Nearly there, shallow as, and then, I come to a stop.  Reversing off does not work so it's down with the anchor and wait for the bottom of the tide.

Unfortunately, as the tide goes down the bow swings around until at right angles to the tide and there I stay.  The next tide is the same height so I'll need to get a bit clever to get off, particularly as it is around last light.

All but one decal done.  The other side turtle got stuck together in the wind and I had to throw it away.

1700hrs:  Tide is well on its way in and I have moved the bow anchor into the channel next to the mangroves and deployed a stern anchor 30 meters astern in the channel.

1730hrs: The sun is almost gone and the double kedging bow and stern has paid off as I inch her towards the small channel-- finally, off the sand as the tide slows and ebbs.  The wind keeps her heading up the creek right next to (touching) the mangroves.  A fellow cat owner, Dean, is fishing in the creek in his tender and comes over to say hi. I ask him if he would retrieve my stern anchor in  his dinghy which he did for me and this saved the possibility of fouling the rope/rode and having to come back in the morning to retrieve my anchor.  Thanks heaps Dean.

1745hrs:  It's nearly dark as I skim carefully over the shallow bottom of the creek as the tide starts to retreat. A relatively successful day and a beautiful red sunset over Chocolate Rocks.