CAPE GLOUCESTER

With the winds continuing we were looking for something different to do. Our original plan was to have a game of beach cricket but with the forecast of showers this plan was looking rather flaky.
On the off chance we went over to the fishing boat to see if they had any seafood for sale. They were not only happy to sell us some magnificent prawns at only $13 per kilo but they had run out of fuel for their outboard so we swapped some fuel for some prawns as well.

We got to have a look around the trawler, and now have a much better insight into what they do.
They catch the prawns in the nets and dump them onto a sorting table on the deck. As soon as they are sorted they are put into a tank of hot water to cook them (30 kgs at a time), are then put into cold water to cool down before being put into boxes of 5 kg of cooked prawns which are then put into the freezer for immediate chilling. They need to catch $3,000 of prawns a night to make it worthwhile.

We all got together for a seafood lunch on our friends catamaran. Another great long lunch, must be the relaxed location.

In hindsight 11 kilos of prawns between 13 people is probably a bit too much but we did our best. Looks like prawns for lunch tomorrow.

You can see why we are staying put - the yellow is winds of between 20 and 30 knots.

CAPE GLOUCESTER

With the strong wind continuing we spent the morning on board before going ashore for lunch with our friends who had also chosen the resort as a place to wait out the strong winds. Our lunch turned into a classic long lunch, with our departure at 5pm brought on by the resort staff wanting to set the tables for dinner.

You can see we all wearing our "cruising uniform".

You can tell the weather is not good when the fishing boats even come into the bay to seek shelter. These are some prawn fishing boats sharing the bay with us.

CAPE GLOUCESTER

The arrival of our cruising friends from Alfreds Cruising gave us an excuse to go ashore for lunch and some drinks. We went for a walk along the beach in order to not feel so guilty. You can also see in the photo how far the tide goes out (there is a 2 metre difference between low and high tide)

 

 A different ABS with a cold but happy Sonia.

GLOUCESTER ISLAND TO SHAG ISLET

Woke up to a very different sunrise with a sea fog surrounding Gloucester Island

We had to go though the Gloucester Passage at high tide as there are low patches in the passage. The passage is quite wide but you have to carefully navigate past the beacons marking the channel. It is a short distance across from where we anchored for the previous night so we had a leisurely motor across the bay.

 

 

 

We were able to pick up a mooring at Cape Gloucester Resort as the forecast for the next few days was for strong south easterly winds (20-25 knots) with a 2 metre swell. Being tucked in Edgecumbe Bay the conditions were much better but still windy with gentle rocking.

  

We were moored next to Shag Islet which is a small rocky outcrop, but amongst the cruising fraternity it is very famous as the home of the Shag Islet Cruising Yacht Club. For a one off joining fee anyone can become a lifetime Vice Commodore of the club. The club was founded

with the following objective:-

 

The concept is to create and maintain a Network for Cruising Yachties and individuals who enjoy boating. Each "Vice Commodore" representing an individual Nautical Location ie an Island, Islet, River, Bay, about which they have some knowledge so as to be able to provide advice or assistance to other "Vice Commodores" However, in SICYC, your social commitments could be your most demanding responsibility.

 

There are currently 6772 Vice Commodores including David and Sonia Williams.

The club also actively raises funds to support the Prostrate Cancer Foundation of Australia.

If you want to learn more





 You can see Shag Islet in the foreground.

 

Shag Islet is situated in the Gloucester Passage in the Whitsunday Region in North Queensland Australia (20 03.8 S ... 148 26.5 E). It is a small rocky islet with a beach which is exposed on the southern end on a falling tide.
There is nothing on the islet except at the annual SICYC Rendezvous when hundreds of "Vice Commodores' gather on the last week end in August each year.

 

 

The Cape Gloucester Resort does not charge any mooring fees, all they ask in return is for you to avail yourselves of their restaurant and bar which we certainly did as well as enjoying the beach

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOOK ISLAND TO GLOUCESTER PASSAGE

Finally time to leave the Whitsunday Islands and head for Townsville. First stop was just south of Gloucester Island. Could not have asked for a more perfect day - SE winds around 15 knots and almost no swell. Even had whales off in the distance.

A beautiful sunrise to start the day

Captain Sonia taking us out of the bay

A great mornings sail

 

Anchored at Little Jonah Bay

 

 

Realised that in all the posts had not shared with you any photos of inside Galadriel.

The master cabin

The Galley

 The Saloon

The Third cabin ("The Storage Room")

HOOK ISLAND

Spent the day “bay hopping” to explore the lovely bays on the northern side of Hook Island

First stop Maureen’s Cove for a walk on the beach to see how much coral damage was done by Cyclone Debbie. The beach is actually coral not sand.

 

 

Next stop was Manta Ray Bay where the fish are so tame they swim right up to your boat for food. Not sure if you can tell from the photo, the Marine Park Authority provides mooring buoys near the reef for you to tie up to so that your anchors do not damage the coral. Only problem is that the ropes are so thick they require a super-human effort to lift them up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our peaceful stay at Manta Ray Bay was interrupted by a rib from Airlie Beach that comes out so everyone can jump in the water and spend 10 minutes with the fish.

 

W also had another visitor, he was tame enough to land on the our whilst we were in the dinghy.

 

 

After lunch a motor back to Butterfly Bay out of the wind and some more snorkelling.

AIRLIE BEACH TO HOOK ISLAND

Departed Airlie Beach for a great sail across to Hook Island. With a 10-15 knot SE wind had the opportunity to unfurl the main sail and the “big sail” (the furling reacher). Spent the whole crossing with speeds of more than 8 knots.

 

 

 

 

Headed around the top of Hook Island past Hayman Island to anchor at Butterfly Bay. There are moorings in the bay which have a two hour time limit until 5pm. Luckily no-one arrived after us to we could stretch the friendship and stay over-night on the mooring.

 

 

 

Went snorkelling and saw the damage from Cyclone Debbie in 2017. Luckily there are signs that the coral is starting to recover.