ABSOLUTE GLASS BECOMES BLOODY BANANAS !

Here we go!,
                      Just B4 noon today we loaded the last supplies aboard, then loaded the dinghy and anchor and pointed the nose North.
The water is as glass calm as I've ever seen it!
No Sails!  But we have a good current making 4 perfect conditionz.
The forcast is 1 more day of calm then a change with 15- 20 knot SE breezez
These near perfect conditionz allowed us to arrive at North East Island around 7.30 pm It was here we bumped into the coral edge on the Port (left) side of the channel running into the bay.
2 hours of solid work with motors and the anchor winch got us free of the coral and anchored in 4 meters of water over crystal white sand.  .
Downhill is the only way to describe what has transpired over the past 5 days.
The highlight involves hitting the emergency beacon and getting several visits from AMSA aircraft 1 of which dropped a series of test flares B4 dropping a 400meter line attached to a satellite phone and vhf marine hand held radio.
The yot is that badly damaged more than a few thymes the decision to "abandoned Ship"haz been contemplated.
In the end a 50 meter patrol boat was despatched from Thursday Island while Lola and Myself kept the damage to a minimum just holding the yot into the 4 meter waves and 30+ knots of wind..
Everyone is safe and we are in sight of  Bamaga after 2 days under tow.
This is living proof that bananas and boats don't mix More than 2 of us queried the purchase of bananas.
Superstition doesn't sit to right with me but for some reason I joined in the ribbing and supersticionz.
 The efforts of the rescue pilots to drop a satellite fone from a plane to a yot in the middle of holy crap weather conditions.
Still somehow they managed to get the yot to drift across the floating rescue pack rope.
The plane left twice during the night and organised for us to abandon Galleycat once a bulk carrier was in the vicinity.
Thankfully that was deemed to be 2 dangerous so we held station until dawn when we got the message a rescue boat has been dispatched from Thursday Island and would arrive in a day and a half.
Fun thymes!.
A period of attriction as the wild weather took itz toll on both yot and crew.
A few days later and much has been achieved!
The sails are all back in service, all bilges are empty and new pumps fitted where needed.
The rear deck has been refitted to the transom with 5x10mm bolts instead of the 20 x 5 mm machine screws. I appears every screw suffered horrendous electrolysis basically dissolving the threaded aluminium.
We are still trying to source a welder to repair the safety railz and rudders.
Fuel will arrive on Friday then we should be able to get to Thursday Island.
Itz definitely a period of "licking wounds" and shell shock.
The whole event haz rattled my belief in my open  water cruising abiility. Itz very easy now to look back and realise just where mistakes were made and how quickly a situation can spiral out of control.
They do say "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger!"
Most replacement parts have been ordered but we still need to replace the EPIRB that was used during the gulf rescue.It z taken 2 weeks longer than expected, but Galleycat arrived at Thursday Island this morning.
Itz Sunday so most businesses will be shut but this gives us a chance to just wander through the main township.
Ciao 4 now!
Captain Felix

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.