Galleycat iz once again under sail and heading away from Cooktown.
The local lizzardz have been cruising past on a daily basis !, and if thatz not enuf incentive to leave I don't know what iz!
We are in convoy with "Paws" and heading for the local seafood shops.
First stop iz Cape Bedford this arvo. Here we'll "purchase" some fresh oysters for dinner.
Paws with Andy and Jemma left while I waited for Gus (again)
Once he arrived, it waz sails up and we were off in pursuit.
Destiny (Quebec), Gus (Cooktown local) and Myself make up the crew for this leg.
I opened the fish count with this fantastic blue marlin, what a way to start a trip. A short fight was followed by a quick happy snap or 6. This is my first Blue!, something that made it Xtra special.
Destiny followed up with a nice mackerel. My new Rapala cd 18 lure is no longer!, with something huge grabbing the swivel above the trace and shredding the 120lb nylon leader. Easy come easy go!
Luckily I bought 2 this thyme.
Dinner was a buffet of HUGE rock oysterz in several stylez. Kilpatrick, natural then an interesting mix of parmasean, cashew, fresh parsley, Worcestershire and lemon.
So as usual the food is just a tad above average.
Our oyster dinner was followed by a nite of merrymint, with Andy and Gemma from Paws, joining Craig and Claudia from the Half Yacht Gallivant and Us for a nite of fresh trevally sashimi, followed by a carrot, kan koon spinach and cream cheese ravioli served with a fresh tomato and herb sauce. This was complimented by Destiny'z tapioca and banana bread crumble.Our meat free dinner was inspired by 2 of the galz aboard claiming 2B "vegaquarians" (seafood only) while the rest of us are happy being of the "opportunivoir" class.
Then it was a solid sleep 4 all B4 we head out to Low wooded Isle to collect a couple of muddies and emporors.
The wind iz up and getting stronger, so Paws and Gallivant have gone on ahead while we spend one special nite behind Low Wooded again.
The fishing lived up 2 xpectationz (wkoa) !
We now have plenty of coral trout fillets for the next few days.I've finally heard from Kenny, his trip West was fruitful but not life changing. He did find gold and gemz which was the idea, but the break from the Slipway was just as rewarding.
Twice as long next year mate! You've earned it.
Perhaps Groote Island may yield you some gems of the fish variety.
While Brother Mark has now tiled his new house! Well done, not bad for an accountant!, Mum and Dad helped with their advice gleaned from my effortz while tiling their new house.
We are aiming 2B in Lockhart River 4 Bathurst weekend which gives us a 20 nm sail each day. Should B easy enuf!Our nite produced more seafood as Xpected with a trip into the mangrove estuary leaving poor Destiny with a bad case of "crab"!
Perhaps a sweet chilli mayo ointment!
We have that many MONSTER Crabz we'll be eating fresh muddies 4 dayz, or Oysters from our aqua culture drum or just perhaps Coral Trout from the chill box. Decisionz Decisionz!
Decision maid!, We are sheltering behind Cape Flattery while the winds peak at 35 knots outside.
Our dinner plans: Fire roasted mudcrabz, oysters, cod and a rosemary damper.
So a bonfire was kneaded! as well as the dough.
We chose a bay behind the point far away from the normal campsitez and mooring area. Our bay haz a fallen tree rite in the centre of a big sandy patch, so we don't even need 2 collect firewood.
Honey loves any trip ashore and this one will last 2 or 3 dayz depending on the wind.
Destiny set off in search of adventure up and over the Cape, while Gusta and Eye trolled up a couple of cod plus a few queenies and wolfies.Then it waz thyme 2 relax and try 2 enjoy life!
Our thyme of shelter iz over and we have now set sail for Lockhart River and Iron Range National Park. Here we'll catch up with Gary "the ranger" and enjoy land again.Gary haz foxtel reception for Bathurst weekend so that definez our timeline.We now enter a huge area of coastline that haz no facilities or population (wkoa) base.
No people but no end of features with some of the most remote sections of the Gr8 Barrier, countless tropical Islands plus small treats like Princess Charlotte Bay.
We have a week of strong winds 25 knots plus, so we'll use this wind to cover a good portion of this journey. The aim is 2B "somewhere?" amazing when the wind drops to an acceptable level.
We are running with the wind which makez 4 comfortable cruising.
We will lose internet service shortly as we near Horwick Island group.
So until next we rejoin your world this is syonara from Galleycat.
