HURRY UPOLU AND WAIT !!!

UPOLU CAY !

 G'day All and Everyone else!
We have to wait for the gearbox parts to arrive so I've  purchased a "minn kota" electric outboard to give the tinny a power source,  grabbed a few backpacking types and left the bad weather and rest of the world behind ,heading once again out to the Gr8 Barrier Reef !
Arriving at Upalo Cay just on dark!
We awoke to the magnificent view of the Cay in bright sunshine!
Itz still a little windy 2  fly the camera drone so this "mast cam" shot will give you an idea of the water around Galleycat.
Then we look under the Yot to find a coral forest with Giant Clams and some of the biggest spangled emporor I've ever seen.
Luckily for them Upolu is in a "green conservation zone" so they live 2 swim another day.
The crew numbers have swelled again with the addition of 3 travellers.
Minella (Germany), Yoko (Japan) and Anna (England) joined Alasdair , Nathan and Myself to escape the constant rain thatz kept Cairns soaked for the last 3 weex.
The weather is defin8ly based  around the land as we have landed in "Paradise"  Plus
The crew are amazing!
We have all "clicked" in a way that everyone haz agreed is something very special.
I had never intended to visit Upalo but have been alerted to the power of the "Green zone"
The Corals and fish life are a scene straight out of "Finding Nemo!"
Our visitors will soon lose their voices if they scream much harder at every new sight that's scent their way.
Even I have 2 admit this is a very special place
Jake has come out of his shell and is a lot more involved in the social activities.
This is a good sign as up til now he'd been fairly reclusive and withdrawn!
Gnome therapy 101 ...
The trip has proved a good distraction with the sun shining and the winds dropping to give near perfect diving conditions.
My inner Demon needed this break as the constant rain soaking and breakdowns saw me heading down the spiral again.
The distraction of a busy thyme was sorely needed.
Itz very easy when I re-visit (the world) to forget about why I'm on this journey.
We must of course move to a place where we can fish!
The paradise that is Vhlassof Cay waz just wat waz kneeded!

With one vegatanarian type amongst the crew we have altered the diet slightly with  lunch a gr8 spread of salads and stuffed eggs.
Pizza wrapps have also become a regular feature on Galleycat's Lunchthyme playlist.
None of the girls had ever caught a fish B4 let alone dived the Gr8 barrier.
So being able 2 catch, clean , crumb then eat fresh fish haz proved a real treat, especially 4  Yoko, who has a Birthday this weekend!

So we are trying to catch a yellowfin tuna or better still she could catch one.

The squeals of delight as a fish, shark, squid or prawn come aboard is some of the best medicine available.
Once again the Powerdive is proving a Gr8 addition with everyone pushing their own personal boundries and spending hour after hour watching and photograffing the amazing world beneath us!
With the wind due 2 rise steadily over the next 24 hours itz thyme to re-visit Turtle Bay
We left the crystal waters of Vlassof Cay behind and steamed the 9 miles into Turtle!
The bay was glass calm and with the rainfall over the past few weex all the freshwater springs were running freely.
An afternoon ashore exploring and experiencing the beach.
While Nathan collected firewood, I visited the freshwater spring at the far end of the bay and spent a good hour pondering my place in the world
An evening of fire and music ended what was a Gr8 day.
Fresh caught B.B.Q'd fish, baked potato with sour cream.
this waz followed by coal roasted oranges with fresh butterscotch.
Then it was thyme for Yoko to make a Birthday wish on a shooting star.
So 5 of us spent hour after hour listening to some fantastic tunes while stargazing!
The "Milky Way" is clearly visible when there is no other light for many miles.
Everyone had a fantastic night and only returned to Galleycat when the supply of drinks waz exhausted.
Yoko spent the rest of the evening trying to "Catch her Wish" no prawns but a few Calamari were sent her way by the universe.
The following morning the windz were up and it waz once again thyme to raise the sails and head bak 2wards Cairns.
Perfect conditions saw us cruising at around 6 knots with just 2 sails up.
We arrived in Cairns around 2pm and with a big blow expected I put the Yot into the Marina for the night.
Luckily for Yoko "I know a guy" so while everyone was cleaning themselves and the Yot I ventured out to find a few Leeder Prawns.
Yoko was amazed as her wish was presented to her on a silver platter.
Not many but a serving of Jumbo Leeder prawns grilled with garlic butter and lemon.
Then it was thyme to farewell our guests with a round of drinks and some very "teary" eyes.
A moment in thyme that can never be repeated!
Thanx Guy's and Gal's this was truly a trip to remember
Captain Felix...