Tuesday 2nd August
Everyone was up at sunrise, eager to set off on the first day and night trip. The day started like the others, we hauled anchor and headed out into the southerly breeze. Everyone took two hour shifts on the helm.
It was hard to make headway against the southerly wind and swell. After 4 hours we sailed past the northern side of Scawfell Island on a tack heading out to sea. An hour and a half later we were forced to tack back to avoid a cargo boat heading south. Another two hours went past and we had to tack again as we were heading into the eastern side of Scawfell.
Safia was on the helm as we reached the shipping channel again. Once again a cargo boat looked like it was going to greet us. Andrew calculated that the boat would pass just in front of us and said to stay on course. With worried looks on their faces the crew nervously watched as the boat approached four times faster than we were moving. The look of worry turned to relief as the boat past about 500m in front of Imagine. We continued on this tack enjoying the company of several groups of whales including a pair breaching for us.
Back on the port tack we passed the southern side of Scawfell. Twelve hours after departing we had managed to travel 10 nautical miles south. We knew the trip to Percy Island was going to be a long trip sailing into the wind.
Suddenly the wind turn easterly and we were off. The easterly meant we could sail directly south. Not quite in line with Percy but close enough. Four hours of sailing at 7 to 8knts took us almost all the way to Percy. Then it was over, the wind suddenly dropped from 17knts to 8. Imagine needs 10knts to sail, so on came the motor for the last 25 nautical miles.
Once anchored the crew were eager to get off the boat and explore Percy Island. This afternoon will be some chill time before heading over to the A frame on the beach for sundowners, catching up with other Boaties and a barbecue dinner.
Sent from Iridium Mail & Web.

Saturday 30th July
Although we love Goldsmith, it was time to start heading south again. After looking at the weather and after breakfast, we said goodbye to the turtles, hauled anchor and set sail for the next place.
We still had southerly, sou-easterly winds reaching up to 25knts at times with a 1-2 metre swell. Safia, Sandra and Bram took turns on the helm. After three and a half hours tacking we decided to pull in at Brampton Island we had only travelled less than 10 nautical miles. Which meant that if we wanted to go back to Goldsmith we would be going with the wind and it would only take 1.5 hours.
When safely anchored and had lunch, Andrew, Safia and Bram went ashore to check out where the walking tracks were. Tomorrow will be trekking around the island and up to the top of the hill, but today was a walk along the beach.
Sent from Iridium Mail & Web.

Friday 29th July
Another day of sunshine. Yesterday we were sheltered from the high winds with a nice sunny day. Today the wind has dropped and still sunny. Bram & Safia did their ritual exercising on the beach followed by a quick swim. Sue and Andrew passed the time fishing off the side of Imagine. They didn’t catch anything worth keeping.
The afternoons are consumed by the strenuous job of watching the turtles in the bay come up for air. It never gets tiring watching the turtles chill out
Sent from Iridium Mail & Web.

Wednesday 27th July
Today was the reason for coming to Goldsmith. It wasn’t the clear water, the nice beach, the whales frolicking in the distance nor the numerous turtles in the bay, it was to shelter from the high winds. They start dying down tomorrow so we will stay another day.
There was a lot of reading and playing cards. Safia and Bram spent time this afternoon on the beach and Sandra prepared tonight’s dinner.
Sent from Iridium Mail & Web.

Monday 25th July
We hauled anchor at 7:30am. Safia took the helm for the first two hours followed by Bram. We made it to Goldsmith with only 5 tacks. During one of the tacks the headsail furler jammed meaning we had to sail the rest of the way using the staysail. As we anchored in the bay we were greeted by a turtle. Before having lunch Andrew went up the mast to see if there was anything at the top of the mast that could be jamming the furler. He couldn’t see anything. He then greased the bottom of the furler as there was nothing obvious causing the problem.
After lunch Safia and Bram swam to the shore and back and Sandra jumped in for a snorkel. The water temperature is a lot cooler than normal so it wasn’t too long before everyone was back to warm up in the sun. Chill time in the afternoon with Safia reading )(and turtle spotting) and Sandra, Andrew, Bram and Sue matching wits and coming up with cunning strategies in Monopoly Deal.
Sent from Iridium Mail & Web.

Monday 25th July
Another early start so we could get through Solway Passage at slack tide. Again everyone had a turn at honing their skills helming as we made our way south tacking against the wind. We made Thomas Island by 3pm.
After a couple of quick games of Monopoly Deal the fishing rods came out. Unfortunately despite the so called fisherman and women we are having pork for dinner.
Sent from Iridium Mail & Web.

Sunday 24th July
Early morning start, with Sandra on the helm. It was Sandra’s first time helming without an auto helm on. Now she is on a mono/Ketch she knows what real sailing is. After 2 hours of keeping on course it was Bram’s turn at the helm then Safia’s. By the time it was back to Sandra’s turn we had the motor on cruising along Whithaven beach.
Once anchored we went ashore to stretch our legs and walk up to the lookout to see the view and get phone reception.
We made it back to Imagine in time to see the sunset.
Sent from Iridium Mail & Web.

Saturday 23 July
Everyone was up early ready to head out to Hook Reef, unfortunately the weather had other ideas, so we just moved around the corner to Maureen’s Cove.
Sue and Sandra stayed below deck playing scrabble. Safia took the helm again while Bram on the bow guided the way to picking up the new mooring as if they had been doing it for years.
Not long after anchoring it was in the water for a snorkel. After warming up in the sun and eating lunch it wasn’t long before Bram and Safia wanted to head back into the water.
Andrew took them in the dinghy across to Butterfly Bay. On the way they came across three Manta Rays, so it was overboard to check them out. It was more like the rays checking out Bram and Safia, as the curious rays kept cruising up to them. After about 20 minutes they returned to the dinghy to continue to the coral reef. They didn’t quite make it when yet they came across another group of rays just waiting to be played with.
It was another 20 or 30 minutes before Safia and Bram remembered they came to look at the coral. Another half hour and it was time to return to Imagine for rest.
Andrew and Sue introduced the others to a boat burger for dinner.
Sent from Iridium Mail & Web.

Friday 22nd July
The weather has finally changed. Everyone was up early this morning, Bram watched the sunrise from on deck. We waited till after breakfast then we were off. Sails up, just a slight problem. There was only 5 knots of wind. That wasn’t going to stop us getting out of Airlie.
Motor on and off at 5knts. It only took half an hour before the wind got up to 10knt then 15. Sails back and motor off we sailed for 3 hours at about 8knts with Safia at the helm, navigating between other boats and made it to Luncheon bay in time for lunch.
After lunch Andrew, Sandra, Safia & Bram headed off in the dinghy. It was a surprise seeing two Mantarays chasing a school of fish on our way to the next bay. Andrew hadn’t told them what to expect in the next bay.
Everyone’s faces lit up when we tied up at a buoy and they looked over the side of the dinghy. So many fish. They slipped into the water and fish of all sizes surrounded them.
On the way back to Imagine Safia and Bram jumped back into the water and chased the two Mantarays still catching their dinner.
Sundowners on the back deck completed a great day.
Sent from Iridium Mail & Web.

Thursday 21st July
Safia & Bram joined us yesterday as our new crew. Originally from the Netherlands, they flew in from Bali to Brisbane then up here to Airlie.
Today Andrew took Bram & Safia into Airlie to get a few things before we set off.
Back on Imagine we lifted the dinghy onto the deck and tied everything down ready to set off in the morning.
Sent from Iridium Mail & Web.