DISASTER STIKEZ !!!

HIGH & DRY CAT

Semi-submerged

Last entry had me on Cyclone Watch!
We didn't get hit by a cyclone but disaster still befell the Yot.
We learned from Brother Andrew That the Yot was on the beach after dragging itz anchor and waz being pounded by big surf.
Not much damage luckily but the interior iz full of sand and water.
All hulls and lockers were full of water and it took 2 days with pumps and an excavator to empty then re-float the boat.Big thanx to Brother Andrew and all those who helped out during the refloat attempts.

The Stb hull is taking water with only the bilge pumps keeping the yot from becoming a submarine.
The damage will all be water related with several pumps and electronic devices like fridges going under water.
This means once again I'll be back in repair mode once I return 2 the Yot.
All items that got a bath will need to be dried or disposed of.
The long term damage is unknown but I do know 1 rudder has snapped,1 motor wont run and several pumps are burnt out.
A generator and welder are now on the way to Groote 2 fix the rudderz.

GOT TO START SOMEWHERE!

My primary task while I'm in Perth haz begun with 50+ meterz of tiling 2B done in the next few dayz.
The tiling will be finished (not Swedish) B4 I  head back to the disaster zone that iz the Yot.
I'll head back to start the repair process with the damage far more severe than we initially realized.
The Yot needs to come out of the water 2 repair the Stb hull.
The closest harbour with any facilities iz Gove. 130 miles away.
It loox like the yot will need 2B towed to there or Darwin for repairz.
Mean while back in Perth my task of tiling iz nearly complete, with the final grouting 2B completed this week.
Mum has good dayz and bad but tends to spend more thyme in bed than not. Hopefully she'll have more good than bad days with the alfresco area nearing the final touches we need a supervisor.
I managed a fish with Ash out from Woodmans point.
A gr8 day waz had with our boat limit of fishes in three catagories of a rule laden fishing system over here. I much prefer the Norths more layed back approach to fishing.Especially the rules relating to drinking while fishing. So while Ash remained the design8ed Skipper I proceeded to get well merry 2 try to forget the drama's with the Yot.

BIG ASH BIG PHISH

We set out to catch our Demersal fishes with snapper the target second drop had us at our bag limit of 2 fishes each, thyme to up size the baits and species with a couple of Sambo's taking our baits. Ash's 42 kg monster defin8ly the catch and fight of the day.
Even with an electric reel the fight still lasted 20 mins with Ash not as fitt as he once waz.
The it waz thyme 2 head back into Rotto in search of King George Whiting. Here 2 we succeeded with half a dozen thumpers to complete our species haul.A couple of nice squidlies adding to the tally just B4 we packed up..
Back home into the teeth of a 20knot C breeze. nothing to do but slow down and cruise back slowly with a can in hand.Not a bad day at all!
Much more enjoyable than worrying about my submarine.
Still reality comes crashing back with a flight now booked so I can get the Yot repaired.
Itz still Cyclone season and Galleycat iz in no fitt shape to tackle even another tropical storm.
Next Wednesday will see me back on Groote Eylandt to begin the massive task of securing and safetying the Yot B4 stripping the damaged cabins of destroyed clothes, boox and memories.
All my photo's of Cameron were in the desk that was 3 feet under water.

BACK 2 PERTH...

PILLOW CAM

 G'day All,
 You know itz thyme 2 leave when you wake to a croc less than a meter from your bedhead.
Night and day there iz alwayz a croc present, so with the temperature climbing and the local lizzards getting friendly- I've left Groote and heading back to Perth.
Mum is struggling with some basic tasks like stair climbing, so itz good for someone 2B around full thyme if she needz any help.
Not that thatz very often!, I'm surprised how good she loox considering how sick she really iz.
While I'm here I'll be tiling the rear alfresco area so the area iz nice for Mum to sit and enjoy the afternoon sun and seabreezez.
A few porcelain tilez were kneaded on the laundry floor also.

re-recycled jarrah

I've already got a batch of biltong on the drying rax and have enjoyed the  local seafood with a feed of fresh steamed mussels for lunch. Yummo!
Garlic prawnz 4 dinner hopefully local crayfish and swan river crabz to come this week,It turnz out none of our filletz made it down here to Brother Mark but I dont think it'll be a problem to catch a few down here as the fishing ban haz finished recently.Also,
Rite on cue it loox like the first cyclone of the season iz brewing off the Kimberly Region.Cyclone Evette.
I have managed to use some of the jarrah timber I sent to Kenny in Townsville to make this compass rose bowl hopefully Ken haz found the deep red hardwood, just as inspiring. Lotz of woodworx this week with Dad wanting the coffering finished above the alfresco area B4 I start tiling.
Mum should have a nice area to sit when she comes out of hospital in the next few dayz.
Ken iz also sick with Cancer hopefully he 2 getz out for a fish this Xmas break, Loox like I'll get out boxing day with a perfect forecast.
Loox like Dad haz solved the croc issue back on the yot.
The dive platform is on hinges so  I can put up the back fence B4 I go 2 sleep and no crox can climb onto the rear deck/ dive platform.
As I get further remote heading towardz Darwin and the Kimberlyz, the croc problem iz only going 2 get worse.
Mite even B thyme to source a "bang stick" to keep the crox at bay also.

TOTAL BLACKOUT!

A BAD DAYZ FISHING!!!

G'day All,
                 I believe the expression goes
"a bad dayz fishing iz betta than a good day at work!"
That could never be more fitting than todayz eventz. I didn't even wet a line.
Around 10 this morning I got the shout "Stu, You Home!"
It was "Blackout" and a few of hiz mates returning from a nightz fishing at North East Island (see earlier postz).
The fish they produced had the brag mat out in a flash. Huge Nannygai and Jacks plus a few Jew to round out the bucket.
No sooner had they introduced themselves and the photoz began 2B taken that our friendly lizzard arrived to complete the party.
Blackout being Blackout decided to swim while we kept an eye on the croc. "CRAZY"
It wasn't until half an hour after he got out that we realized there waz actually 2 crocs not one.
1 huge 4 metre and a smaller female around 2.5 meters, still u wouldn't catch me swimming.
After 2 hours of filleting and fotoz inter-spaced with Rum and cokes it was decided to continue the drinking ashore. Not a bad Wednesday by any standardz.

CROC and TURTLE SOUP?

FARK ME!!!  DIVE GEAR FOR SALE!!!

G'day All,
Chris and I spent last night up at Wedge Rock trying to get a few phish for Brother Mark.
 But a real surprise waz the flood of baby turtlez at the back of the yot. I think they were just hatched on the island and found our squid lights attractive.
2 Cute!.
We didn't get many fish as the tides played havoc but a few good table fish still made the esky and a tuna also took our lure on the return trip
Mumz treatment is on going with good dayz and bad days, but thatz 2B expected when your having  chemo.
Galleycat iz now in limbo at Groote with the cyclone season begun and a trip to Perth in the very near future.
This weekend is the Big game fishing tournament so we are heading South in convoy late on Wednesday nite. We are planning to use a couple of Go Pro's and maybe the drone 2C if we can get some decent footage this thyme.
Unfortunately the Stb motor iz chewing oil which iz a major worry but as long as we carry spare oil we should be OK.
I'll limp it through to Darwin when I return from Perth and get it fixed there. Shitloadz cheaper!
One welcome visit this week waz a flood of prawn trawlers heading South so I've now got a freezer full of tigers and endeavour prawnz. Not a bad thing!
The partz 2 fix the damaged Stb hatch are finally on their way from a factory in Turkey (isn't the internet amazing). Once they arrive I'll B able 2 re assemble the damaged hatch then refit it to the hull.
This week haz us down at the bottom of Groote Eylandt for the Big game fishing tournament.
Day 1 yielded 1 marlin only but heapz of macks and tuna kept it interesting.
We arrived a day early and spent the day bottom bouncing for table fish. I hope Brother Mark likes coral trout with 4 good sized trout now in the freezer.
Itz day 2 of the comp and the Yot has left the Eylandt and will travel South 20 km  to a spot known as Mack Mountain. The idea is to anchor the yot on the top of the peak and fish the afternoon then through the night.
Awesum activity!
With the yot safely anchored it waz thyme to catch a fish or 2.
Lots of quality fishes coming aboard, with my 14 kg spanish mackerel and 12kg cobia plus plenty of tricky'z and other reef fish but the freezerz are full.
So itz all catch and release now.
Andrew iz heading to Perth on Wednesday for a week so he'll be carrying the bulk of the fillets.
I'm using the current lull in activity to get on top of the jobs needing attention, I'm still finding/repairing storm damage.
The forward port hatch had a huge crack develop on the hinge side thatz required a complete rebuild of the hatch frame.
Just a few short weex now B4 I head back to Perth in an effort to escape the oppressive humidity and spend thyme with Mum.
I'll be tiling the alfresco area of Mum and Dadz new house that'll just about see the house completed as far as tiling goes. Perhaps a tile splash back on the alfresco kitchen.
The WET is defin8ly here with soaring daythyme temps and humidity, meaning if you don't get your jobs done early they won't get done. Then to spice thingz up the afternoon storm arrives doubling the humidity.
Itz thyme to head South!

Captain Felix

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAM!

HAPPY THYMEZ

With Cameron due 4 a birthday this week I'm spending many hours reminiscing!

Just how far I've come in the years of Cameronz life.

I'm only here because it waz meant 2B.

With the cyclone season now underway itz a case of hurry up and wait.

The void in my life life created by Cameron is not something that can be patched easily. Still he'll be 15 years old this week and I last saw him when he was nearly 4.

I have physically seen him so I know he is alive and well!

 itz now another waiting game while life and thyme plays out itz cruel twistz and turnz.

With Andrew due to head South to Perth in a few weex 4 Hayleyz graduation (wkoa) I'll wait until he returns B4 heading South myself.

Mr Mick iz not coming back to Australia this year so I'll be spending more thyme with Mum this trip.

Mumz treatment iz going well with minimal side effectz so far.Thatz something 2B thankful 4.

With our own mortality in mind the rift between Cameron and myself needs 2B repaired sooner rather than later.I know Mum craves contact with her errant grandson.

I spent a large amount of thyme this week reflecting on what could of been and the path that led me 2B here. The positives and negatives of life and my perceived lack of balance.It seems my demon iz back for a visit. 

With the Yot officially dry of alcohol we have started the distilling process at Andrews place again.

I consider myself a non drinker at the moment yet I still managed to use 25 litres while at Thursday Island and Seisia. I blame Captain felix or Jake on the consumed alcohol. I know I didn't drink it all!

The radical change that haz overtaken the Yot in design and practicality iz also something else that reminiscing brings to the surface. Itz almost unrecognisable that itz the same yot. Although the rudderz look a lot simpiler and easier to service.I'm sure Kenny will get a flashback or 2 when looking at these early yot fotoz.

This was my first look at Galleycat upon arriving in Townsville after driving across the continent with Mum and Dad that trip seems like a lifethyme ago when infact itz not a lifethyme but a childhood thatz past. And thatz something that can never be replaced.
With the build and fittout of Mum and Dadz new house nearing completion itz thyme to do the final tiling job the outdoor alfresco area.
This huge area is the focal point of the downstairs entertaining and living area.

More tiling 2 do!

Huge glass panels mean the wall between the areas can disappear, effectively doubling the living space.
The tiles are a Turquoise green which will blend into the lawn and garden areaz beyond.

SERENITY...

 G'day All,
                  Galleycat haz once again returned to Groote Eylandt.
The trip from Thursday Island to here waz thankfully trouble free when compared to the reverse trip where we needed 2B rescued.
I'm having major telstra issues with the modem being disconneccted and it seems impossible to convince telstra to undo the changez they made and return the data connection to itz original settings.
This leaves the Yot without internet which is very very frustrating.
To fill out this blog entry I need to remove the sim card from the mobile phone and fit it in2 the modem. Hopefully we can solve the issues with Telstra in the next few days and things will return 2 normal.
I did manage to cop some damage on the trip across. The window in the Stb hull waz destroyed when I hit the jetty pylon while refuelllng at Horn Island and I also hit a floating tree, which damaged the Stb propellor, luckily I had a spare prop.
Brother Andrew haz organised a replacement piece of perspex to fix the damaged window, so we can take the Yot to mainland Australia this weekend 4 a barramundi fishing comp.
It didn't take Cory the Croc long to show up behind the yot, despite everyone saying they hadn't seen Cory for months it took him just 1 day come and say hello.
I think Honey waz on his menu planz.
With absolute glass calm waters itz a welcome change to the 20 knot plus winds that are constantly hammering Thursday Island.
 How'z the Serenity!
The Northern Territory certainly knowz how to put on a sunset at this thyme of year.
An unexpected bonus this week with a box of prawns falling from the back of a trawler onto my Yot.
The Trawler factory ship Shearwater waz parked beside me so I gave them some movies and they reciprocated with a box of large endevour prawns. The automated processing plant aboard waz state of the art with digital grading and sorting of the catch, the conveyor system even separates the by catch.
15kg bulk frozen prawns or 3 x 3kg snap frozen boxes. I know watz on the menu this week.
Ciao
Captain Felix

BATHURST VISITOR.....

HAPPY SNAP

 G'day All,
                  Bathurst iz over 4 another year!
What a race 3 hours of tedium followed by 3 hours of chaos. The late race activity had me reaching for the Fellixxer. Itz been a while but it iz Bathurst weekend and it wouldn't be right not to have a drink.
During the first half I had a spectator or spec-gator, my friendly  neighbourhood croc came to keep an eye on the proceedingz.
A huge crash just 14 laps from the end turned the resultz upside down completely gifting the win to Will Davidson.
I waz lucky even 2B able to see any of the race as Galleycat was stuck at Seisia with itz wonderful service black hole.
Foxtel play provided the feed when there was signal strength enuf. But considering just how remote I am any vision waz welcome vision.
Big Joe called to thank me 4 a gr8 trip the week prior. He'd made hiz way to Port Douglas already.
These 2 fotoz show the extreme size variance between mackerel (we let the little guy go) as the lure he hit was nearly as big as him, he took on BIG BERTHA the rooster popper. Thanx Hanni!
While my Mack took the eva popular red and white halco. My inventory iz back down to 3 primary lures with the loss of my Rapala CD24 Magnum in Mulie colorz.
I am preparing the Yot to once again set out across the Gulf of Carpentaria a short hop of 600nm and the follow up trip to the big disaster that was the last crossing.No Epirbs this thyme!
Loox like I'll ready in a couple of weex with the fibreglassing and sail repairs still needing completion B4 I consider the Yot safe again.
The lack of generator iz still the biggest handbrake to getting these major jobs finished. The cross stitching on WFT3 is failing and I need to resow over the fraying dacron stitches. Mum sent 3 rollz of upholstery  cotton I just need 240 volt power to run the machine itself and a clear brain to operate said same.
Lucas iz once again helping me out by taking the sails, machine and operator to hiz workshop for the day so I can plug into a wall socket (what a novelty 240 volt power from a wall socket).
I should once again have enuf water by Wednesday to get the fibreglassing done. The 2.5 meter change should see the keel dry. It'll probably take 3 goes to build the layers and strength to an acceptable level.
Both sailz R now repaired and back on the mast.
What a prick of a day, doing battle with the sewing machine. "A seamstress I am not".
The machine itself was seized so it was just as well I was in a workshop as we did open heart surgery on the motor.
The salt air seems the likely culprit DC motors don't like it onboard.(see powedive issues)
Once we freed the main crank the machine fought me the whole day til frustration (wkoa) halted work at 3pm. I'll use sticky back 2 complete the top of WFT no1.
The list of jobz needing attention
 seemz 2 grow each day.
However if I  tackle 1 or 2 jobs each day, I should get everything sorted by next weekend.
The major task is the strengthening of our new keel with lotz of layers of epoxy fibreglassing.
With 3 dayz of big tides I will be looking to having the Yot ready for a short trial run on Saturday.
Lucas (welder man) is hoping to get out for a fish. I'll take it easy but still put the repairs to the test.
I nearly stepped on this "croc slide" as I jumped off the back to begin my first day of glassing. This was evidence of just how close a croc can get while you sleep. He came straight under the Yot and waz just 6 feet from my bedhead.
Thank god for sleeping tablets! because that would of been just a bit freaky had I been awake.

very close Croc Slide...

TWINZ or DEJA-VU...

RED SKY IN THE MORNING SAILORS WARNING!

G'dall All,
                   I awoke this morn 2 find a duplicate yot parked right behind Galleycat.
I was immediately drawn back to the original fotoz of Paseo that shape was like looking at a thyme warp.
The functionality (big word alert) of Galleycat nee Paseo over this version iz mind boggling.
However I did spy a look at how easy his rudder system is to maintain having spent the better part of a month 2 repair myne.
And I've still got to do the fibreglassing.
Also obvious iz just how fat Galleycat iz now.
The other 37ft yot Has so much more hull above the waterline.I would guess that Galletcats footprint in the water would look like a pregnant hippo while this version iz more like 2 ice skates.
The repaired rudders and keel performed well on the trip across from Seisia.
I'll return to Seisia Monday or tomorrow depending on tides and wind conditionz.
I've now  repaired WFT no3 with the sticky back repair tape and just need a calm period to refitt it to the mast.
The New WFT no1 (genoa in teck speak) works really well despite me chopping nearly a meter off the top.
Galleygat will finally have 2 working rudders, 2 working motors and all 3 WFT's working again.I have no idea how long itz been since the damage but itz taken until now just to bring all the safety essentials bak online.

WINDZ OF ZENDATH! (google it)

"Make it go 4 ward, make it go backwardz, make it turn left, make it turn right, make it stop then make it sail." K.Pearson quote!
The storm damage is nearly repaired to pre storm conditionz or better.And I feel the boat is finally safe again.
To get all these MAJOR repairs completed in such a remote part of the country haz been nothing short of a miracle.
Now itz just a case of re-tensioning all the rigging and preparing the Yot to head bak across the Gulf.
However between now and the departure date happens 2B a motor race.
Itz Bathurst Thyme!
Last weekend I waz able to watch the Sandown 500 as a trial run now itz thyme 4 the BIG one!
With foxtel play sending me a most welcome signal even at seisia which has sum terrible reception.
This BIG Zendanth warrior was the centre piece of a large cultural festival last week here on Thursday Island Once again I heard the tribal drumz bellow out over the island foreshore.
Last year while Destiny and I were here, we arrived to the same drums and island singing.
The post office has yielded a few treats recently with a "Bag of Croc's" arriving not the local saltwater variety but more the footwear style.
Mentioning crocs and style in a sentence iz a push but they a by far and away the best shoe for walking in the coral shallows around here.
No more oyster cuts!~On my toes!
I also gained a Red Cap and a Green Thumb. With this embroided hat arriving from Mum and a heap of herb seeds sprouting me new gardens for the kitchen.
Twas thyme to meet up with Joe my next traveller.
Our basic idea was to use a 2 day lull in the breeze to re-visit York Island again perhaps a feed of rock oysters.
While heading North away from Seisia we pick'd up the 1st of 2 good sized Spaniards around the 15-17 kg mark.
No shortage of filletz now!
Being the size was a little on the large size we hail'd Serenity Charters as they passed us, giving them one monster slab of Spaniard fillet to feed their 8 passengers and crew.
They reciprocated with a bag of tiger prawns. (fair trade in any language.)
So we decided on simply cocktail sauce to enhance the fresh prawnz.
We crumbed some mackerel chunks for dinner with a fresh Greek salad from the garden.
Arriving at York around dusk and settled in for a night phish!
A few nice emporer and squid to boot.
We journeyed ashore on the following morning too relieve the dog and collect half a drum of plump oysterz for the grill.
So we already had prawns, squid and fish for the table, I'm sensing a boulliabaise  or paella.
The return journey also yielded another couple of macks. As a bonus prize.
Bathurst Thyme!!!
Galleycat is now on Bathurst duty ie no moving and all day iz dedic8ed to Mt Panorama...
The culinary standards are once again on the menu. Chicken Caesars Sushi rolls a sacred dish reserved for this special weekend. KFC also with a version of the Chicken fillet burgerz.
On a sombre note the Guy who got me into cooking in the first place Terry Farrall passed away recently, I was once told your life is on the downhill slide when you attend more funeralz than weddingz.One more reason not to do funeralz.
My reverse birthday calender worx the best of any and I just celebr8ed my 34 th birthday working towards a big 30th.
I'm planning to "survive " the weekend with 3 litres of Felixxer and Foxtel play giving me vision of the racing.
I've largely been a tee totaller since leaving Groote something I intend to rectify this weekend.
Captain Felix

I see Terry