FALSE START !!!

 G'day All,
                 With a truly terrible weather forecast for the long weekend we decided to seek refuge at the Top of the Eylandt.
With Lolla (Italy) flying in at 6 pm and the wind already a solid 20 knots plus a rising swell. Chris Lolla and myself set off for the shelter of Marble Point anchorage.
We were not alone!, with several boats and 4 wheel drives already on the beach. With the breeze behind us we had a speedy run North, lubricated with much bourbon, arriving around midnight Friday.
Then it waz thyme to sort out the beanbags and sleeping gear.
Andrew arrived the following morning aboard YOGI with Jenny and Kat aboard. As was planned the smaller boats were soon engaged in fishing while I stayed aboard Galley to organise Lunch.
With the wind now howling at an easy 30 knots even fishing in the dinghy'z became impossible.
Kat and Jenny spent the arvo sifting though the beach sand for a feed of fresh pippy's. These were added to a creamy garlic sauce and tossed into fresh gnocchi for lunch.
Once we got the chainsaw started a heap of firewood was  collected B4 an evening of much merriment and alcohol consumption next 2 the roaring bonfire..
Our now famous pizza's kept everyone satisfied !
(thank the lord for camera's as none of us could remember what was cooked for supper).
Day 2 began with the wind even stronger. Thyme 4  a 2 boat oyster collecting trip, the offshore islands offered both the required oysters and shelter but you had to be brave!
After finding a "nearly safe" place to put the dinghy ashore Lolla and I set about the task of harvesting a feed of these monster shellfish. After a couple of hours we had two 20 litre drums full ready for the BBQ and a heap of kilpatrick sauce.
2nd course was a choice of beef or crumbed fish burgers B4 another late night of bonfire and bourbonz!.
Monday Morn!

Burger King

It was here that the rest of the group left and headed back to town through some of the roughest waters any of us has seen. Andrew used YOGI to punch a hole for Chris in the much smaller quintrex.
Lola , Honey and I stayed the extra 24 hours to allow for a forecast improvement in the weather.
We made use of this thyme 2 produce a fantastic dinner warm potato salad, coleslaw and sautee'd coral trout fillets with just a hint of lemon butter.
Dessert : fresh poached pineapple with warm butterscotch sauce and ice cream..
Our return journey was near "perfect" with good winds on the rear quarter allowing for 2 sails while the outriggers allowed a full spread of 5 lures. Lotz of weed fouled the troll linez until just near town when the middle reel screamed off with a veree nice 15 kg spanish mackerel.Not quite as big as Lola but the trip is still young!
I've set the challenge to catch a fish bigger than Lolla. I'm thinking Sail, Marlin or Big Mack.
Itz thyme to have another crack at leaving!
The yot is full of food, water and fuel and the preparations (wkoa) are as complete as can be.
We set sail for Northeast Island tonight then Cape York after the weekend.