Bundaberg to Lady Musgrave Island.

Late Tuesday afternoon and the anchor winch was finally repaired.! It had been a frustrating week of delays and let downs at Bundaberg. The forecast for Wednesday and the rest of the week looked perfect to sail out and stay at Lady Musgrave Island.

Not our photo, but this is Lady Musgrave.

This is a coral cay, a true tropical paradise. For 30 or more years I've dreamed of the day when I could drop anchor in the aqua lagoon waters of Lady Musgrave Island. The challenges of anchoring in a coral lagoon is that at high tide the reef is covered and the vessel is literately anchored in the middle of the ocean. Lady Musgrave is over 36 nautical miles from any other safe anchorage so knowledge of the forth coming weather is essential. The forecast was promising with a 20 to 25 knot south to south westerly to leave, with winds decreasing through the afternoon with calm conditions promised for the rest of the week.

 

We set sail at about 7am Wednesday and the wind was blowing as per the forecast. I put one reef in the main sail and turned north expecting to arrive at the lagoon around 3pm. Sea Trek III loved the lively downwind run with an average speed of around 7 knots and we all enjoyed the ride. Three other yachts had left Bundaberg that morning as well: Ocean Child with Dennis and Jenni, Tribal and Plum Loco (the latter 2 being catamarans). They left earlier than us and we could make out their sails a mile or two ahead in the morning glare.

The sailing was perfect!

We had one interesting experience and a first for us in our time of sailing. It was around midday when Jen (ever alert and keeping a good and proper lookout) noticed a large container ship on the horizon to our south east. As large as it was, the ship only appeared to be a curious side view of a small thing. No threat to us we thought, but within minutes it's side profile continued to grew bigger and bigger, and at a fixed angle to Sea Trek III. In no time at all this enormous cargo ship was beginning to bare down on us from an acute side angle. We were on a collision course! Evasive action was required fast. (even though under the Collision Regulations engine power gives way to sail.) Just as I began to slow down to alter course I picked up the hand held VHF radio. I wanted to establish that the vessel could actually see us! The radio then crackled to life: "Sailing Vessel, Sailing Vessel, this is ship Celine C, Celine C, do you copy?" I answered in my most official maritime voice "Celine C, Celine C, this is Sailing Vessel Sea Trek III, Sea Trek III: copy" . "Sea Trek III, Sea Trek III, Do you mind if we maintain our course?" I quickly replied "Celine C, we have already begun to slow down to accommodate your course. Sea Trek III: out" As you can see from the picture below he was very close and I wasn't going to argue with a ship of that size!

Care to alter course Sir?

The wind had completely dropped by 1pm and we motor sailed the remaining miles. It was uneventful except the occasional visits from two groups of playful dolphins. We needed to have ST3 moving through the narrow entrance before the sun dropped too low in the sky. Sun glare makes visualising the shallow coral bommies difficult; a real danger when entering a lagoon. This was our first visit to a coral cay and we were both nervous and excited.

Love at first sight.

We arrived at 3pm and were surprised at how narrow and shallow the entrance was. In we charged with ST3. The in-rushing tide swept our speed 'over ground' to 8 knots.

Jen's view after the big rush.

Jen was on the bowsprit pointing and shouting directions about which way to steer. After a couple of close shaves and a bit of excitement we were safely at anchor in the pristine waters by 3.30pm.

We admired the anchor.

 

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Not all smooth sailing. Bundaberg Blues!

A week in Bundaberg: not planned, not expected and not really appreciated.!

I guess that it had to happen. We have experienced dramatic highs in the last few months. Last week end was especially amazing with our unforgettable encounters with the humpback whales at Rooneys Point. During this past week all things nautical have came to a halt. We are in Bundaberg and waiting. For this entire week we have been stuck in the marina waiting for a new anchor winch motor. "We are not going cruising unless this is fixed." I have said.

Outside of the well manicured marina grounds it is flat dry land. It is so flat that Jen thought it may have been an extension of the airport because she noticed it being mowed. But no, it is just neat flat dirt, and it is extensive. Somehow some small biting things managed to attack her low legs on the first evening here and a week later there are still approx. 40 small blisters annoying her.

We took the bus to the town. Neither of us were impressed but for differing reasons. Jen does not like dry country towns that do not offer ice cream shops in convenient and obvious places.

No surf and no waves here.

People who sail come from many walks of life. Being out on the water forms a camaraderie that is lacking on land. While here we've caught up with old and new friends.

Graeme, Sue and their son Jamie of SV Symphony (and CCCA members ) were resting up here on their way to Cairns join the Louisiades Rally that is leaving in a few weeks. We shared their excitement and asked heaps of questions. Next year we will be travelling up that way as well.

During our time at the Woolwich Marina we met Cheryl and Mike of SV Gidgee. Our plans were somehow always out of step with theirs. Despite their whirl wind sail up the coast ahead of us and their recent return flight to Sydney we opened our eyes this morning to see Gidgee on the next finger! Perhaps this is a good omen.

"Up the road" with friends.

There is a certain 'something' about country clubs. The weekly raffle night is irresistible. I don't use poker machines or gamble but I am a total push-overwhen it comes to the boisterous ticket sellers of 'club supported' charities. Tonight's charity was the SES of Bundaberg. I bought 100 tickets...and guess what we are having for breakfast lunch and dinner for the next few days: CHICKEN!

 

Lucky Love Locks wins again.

Jen was not impressed to see the following sign on the clubs toilet door. A feminist at heart she came back from a visit and was furious. She wanted to complain to someone about both the picture and the title. She also tells me that she will not be eating chicken giblets for breakfast. I think that Bundaberg does not suit her.

"This is not funny" says Jen.

We went to the Bundaberg Rum factory. We are a DRY boat now and have given our health a rest. However we did fancy this liqueur because it is coffee and chocolate flavoured. It is hidden away for use on special occasion. Jen wants it as a topping for her ice cream! (We finally have a working freezer now.)

So tasty.

Jen has been bored and wanting to paint some bulkheads (walls) white. I'm not convinced of the need. I like the timber look. A morning bus trip to Bundy produced this decorating wonder. Favourite photos of the trip so far now grace the main timber expanse. The photos are colour coordinated with the cushions she made some months ago. It's a birthday treat for me. The candles are fake and remote controlled. ( Flames are dangerous on yachts, because of the potential build up of gasses). I think that she is clever.

Our saloon.

Monday morning the anchor motor saga continues,TNT how hard is it to loose a package between Brisbane and Bundaberg!!!

 

 

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