With the land really testing my patience and demeanor last week, I decided to leave my worries behind and put Galleycat through her final trial off Townsville.
Without much forethought or provisioning I pointed the Yot seaward and made my way to Bay rock just North of Magnetic Island.
I couldn't go 2 far from town as I needed Tv reception for the Clipsal 500.
After the race was over it was decision thyme Northeast Bay or the Reef!
As you can see from the fotoz The Reef won!
After a few very windy days, lots of swearing and cursing everything has turned around.
The storm clouds have given weigh to calm seas,blue skies and crystal waters.
Wyuna! Dad.
The first nite out here was 25 knot winds and driving rain I found myself sheltered behind the reef with 4 trawlers. (yeh company)
I'm going 2 need a new pirate flag!
Now itz a different world!
I am truly blessed!
I've moved Galleycat right up into the center of the reef and anchored with coral bommies in every direction.
The weather gods are predicting this to last fore the immediate future so I've broken out the dive gear and am setting about getting over some of my phobia's.
Swimming with good numbers of sharks is one and solo diving is another.
These are just a few points I need to get used to as I set off towards Cairns and Cape York.
This is really the first thyme I've been out here on my own for an extended period, normally there's at least one or two others for company.
I have picked up a bird though!
Not sure what type she is but she's horrible as a house guest crapping all over my solar panels.
Still at least I won't starve! (roast pigeon)
Foods not a problem as there's heaps of fish to be had by spear or line, only the number of black tip reef sharks have me favouring the rod and reel method!
Plenty of squid too...
During the day which is even more amazing I thort everything ate squid! but they swim around with the emporor and sharks no problem.
I'm anchored in 11 meters and it loox like you could pick the coral.
There are good numbers of coral trout which I found surprising I thought they'd be fished out here.
But I am in an area most sane people wouldn't bring a boat and defin8ly not a Yot.
I can just see the top of the mountains behind Townsville and the afternoon cloud build up makes 4 some pretty special fotoz.
Sunset not Sunrise!
The days are clicking by and the Yot is slowly becoming my Waterworld!
Along with the computer which I'm beginning to get organised and up 2 speed.
The Hot Water System is on the right track but still needz work!
Each day I've set the goal of repairing something aboard, going for a dive, catching a fish and unfortun8ly cleaning something! It seems even out here the housework follows.
However the laundry loads are drastically reduced as a pair of shorts and a towel is about all after 3 days.I'm also coming to grips with the dive camera and the photo editing program.
This allows the normally grey and grainy coral photoz to return to nearly the level as I see it when I take the shot.( need to work on reds and yellows)
The reef is alive with coral but very quite as far as quality table fish.
The before mentioned coral trout are "So" timid, they disappear before I can even get close enuf for a speargun shot (I wonder if they know something).
The sharks on the otherhand seem 2B ever present as soon as I hit the water.
That bits a little unsettling!
Still Itz now part of everyday life!.It seems the weather gods are speaking!
All forecasts point to a really big blow heading my weigh!
So I've caught a few phish 2 tide me over and set sail back 2wards Townsville..
2 important updates!
Just caught a huge stinkin barracuda
and have invented the "ICEBERG"!
I know I'm not the first but I bet itz a first 4 Far North Queensland!
I mentioned a BIG Blow was on the weigh!
Well they don't get much bigger!
Tropical Cyclone Nathan has been making life just a little interesting here. With all the geniuses at the weather place predicting a move away from us! We are busy preparing for just the opposite.This thyme of year can throw these monster storms our way and with memories of "Yasi" still fresh in everyone's minds itz a cautious wait and see attitude.
On the fishing side of things the harbour is alive and my barracuda yielded 6 big mudcrabs. Brother Andrew sent in the foto of his afternoon therapy sessions.
Itz not possible to paint the Yot with the daily downpours so that task is also in a wait and see pattern.
The final spare's have now arrived giving me at least 2 spare of each pump aboard . I dislike painting but I dislike waiting even more and I'm itching to get underway or at the very least away!Quote!
Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not.
Remember....
That what you have was once among the things you only hoped for!
Cyclone Nathan is set to hit Cooktown instead of us, so itz thyme to get A into G and finish preparing the hull for painting before the weather turns again.
Happy St Patricks Day Amanda!
looks bloody awesome....I spose you just waft the rod in and pick n chose what delicacy you want for dinner...
ReplyDeleteKarlos
Ahoy there, Captain Felix. Just looked up Keeper Reef on Google - are you sure you're still in Australia????!!!!! It certainly is a long way from your usual haunts (not a bad thing, I expect) but looks spectacular. I love the photos from the top of the mast!!! From the lack of information, it seems as if the Cat is performing to expectations, which must be pleasing. New pirate flag easy to arrange - G&S has quite a few and I'm sure wouldn't miss one of them.- will see what I can arrange.
ReplyDeleteNot sure if this will get to you or if you're out of range, but you'll get it eventually.
Not much Ford joy at Clipsal, and Mark didn't get to see Cold Chisel perform - he got in the spa at the hotel, and the stamp for admission got washed off his wrist !!! He had to content himself with Big Bang Theory reruns at the hotel.!!!!
Hope the weather stays nice enough for you to spend some time out at the reef- but not too much of the swimming with the sharks, please. catching dinner on a line seems like a MUCH better idea than BEING dinner.
Must away - cricket to catch up on before bed.
Fair winds and following seas.
Love
mum and Dad..
Ahoy Cptn Felix. Now I am truly jealous. Why did the 25 Knot winds not abate when Emily and I had the pleasure of 2 weeks aboard the YOT. Mind you we did get some pretty amazing days and nights between Whitehaven, bait reef and Magnetic Island. Clipsal pilgrimage completed for another year and as mum said, the spa robbed me of my Cold Chisel experience. Mind you spending the evening in the hotel spa and then chilling in front of the TV with Emily was a really nice way to spend the night. The search is on for a new house with my itchy feet getting worse by the day. Staying with mum and dad is ok except for the hour and 20 minute run to school for the boys. But i want my own place. Somewhere to start fresh and build a new life. Maybe I should take your lead and buy a boat. Point it north and meet you somewhere in the Gulf. Cant see that on the horizon anytime soon, but I am planning a trip around Australia with 4 or 5 months off work and no set plans. Hopefully in about 3 years once Maddie has finished School and the boys are old enuf to be left alone for a few hours. Anyway Looks like you have the best position at least for the immediate future. Enjoy the reef, the fish and the beautiful weather. Cheers for Now. Brother Mark
ReplyDeleteAhoy, CF.
ReplyDeleteWatch out for that iceberg ~!!! one did some pretty serious damage to a boat just a bit bigger than the Cat.
What IS the iceberg, anyway? you've got us all guessing.
Hope you're getting the last of the jobs done without too many hassles. Say Hi to Kenny from us/
Mum
Ahoy Cptn Felix.
ReplyDeleteI have purchased a renovators dream!! 1969 house on 986m2 level rectangular block in Maida Vale. Looks worse than it is as the kitchen needs replacing as does the bathroom. Found a kitchen on Gumtree that should fit nicely for around $3k which leaves me a bit for the bathroom. Looks like any plans I have for travels east are now on hold pending settlement and renovations. Its only 3x1 but lends itself to very easy additions to create a 4x2 with all large rooms and polished jarrah floors. Can possibly subdivide the rear of the block and sell it to reduce mortgage to around $150k this would mean i can rent the house out, and travel for 12 months with the mortgage covered and the rent paying for food and fuel on the road. Life is looking up. Of course all this is on the wish list. Still need finance approval and awaiting building inspection but the possibilities are definitely there. Must find a way of getting some of those beautiful mudcrabs to Perth. Can't beat singapore chilli crab on the back deck.
Anyway, just thought I would touch base to see how the fishing, painting and living is going. Got my first test for the EvaCools over easter with a 6 day trip to Augusta planned. Be good to see how they fit and how the power use goes with 1 freezer and 1 fridge/freezer. Hopefully the weather gods push Natyhan the other way and the yard returns to a place of productivity and painting opportunities.
Cheers for Now brother Mark