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We did the second night sail of this trip on the way from Middle Percy to Great Keppel. This time however, the wind, waves and tide were smoother than the last overnight voyage. Avoiding main shipping channels and big, scary tankers, we could even get some sleep.
‘The guiding light of the stars led the way, as we cruised through the deep but gentle waters of the Coral Sea. As a mantel of millions of pearls painted on a ceiling canvas, they sneaked, timidly between the passing clouds’.
Taking two hour shifts again, we did 130 nautical miles, arriving just after breakfast. Dolphins greeted us on our entry to one of the bays of Keppel, another one of the many delights of this adventure.
As this was our second time sailing at night, we (Guido and Nivi) knew what to expect and what to be aware of. And even though we were just as eager to try out the trials of the night, as the fist time, the much better conditions made it a more relaxed experience.

We anchored in the bay on the northern side of the island as the wind and swell were easterly. This morning we went ashore and explored the beach and lagoon. The wind for this afternoon was predicted to be northerly so we hauled anchor around 10am and motored around to a bay on the southern side.

We have had lunch but we are still worn out from all the mornings activity, so exploring this bay will have to wait till tomorrow.

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We have now spent another three days on this wonderful island, and we are more in love than ever. We have used the charismatic ‘Percy Island Yacht Club’ a great deal. For a great lunch spot, a rest from the sun with a good book, a base to return to after a nice swim in the water. Gazing through all the creative signs gives you a nice picture of the great sanctuary Percy Island have become, with some of the old boat signs dating all the way back to 1955!
Now there is a new sign “Imagine NZ 2020”. Designed by Nivi and carved by Andrew.
On Thursday we had another nice barbecue with the other boats. Again some great stories where told over delicious food and good wine.
Thursday and Friday Guido and Nivi went on boat viewings on the other yachts in the bay, seeing a lot of great, different boats, hearing a lot of different experiences and opinions, all the time (hopefully) collecting a little more knowledge about the amazing adventure sailing is.
We have been going for nice walks, plenty of swims, and last but not least just a great big lot of chilling.
To get internet we had to walk up the hill and sit on the edge of the cliff which is the internet cafe! Not many cafes have such a view.
Now we will eat Andrews homemade thai chicken curry (it smells YUMMY), do a bit more of chilling and mentally prepare for the next night sail we set out on tomorrow. Hopefully we will find Great Keppel as mesmerizing, as we did with Middle Percy Island! Only time will tell..

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After everyone sleeping in (recovering from lack of sleep) daylight revealed that some of the boats had left the bay, so we reanchored closer in. Now, It was time to see where we actually were, as last night we were not really able to. Middle Percy Island is another paradise, another wonderful place with different things and surprises. Close to where we are anchored, we found the yacht club, a beautiful structure filled with the names and messages of boats passing through here. We also saw something no one would expect on an island so far from shore… a kangaroo. Actually, that explains the “no hunting” sign that had us concerned for a while. Also , we found a barbecue, so as you can imagine, we set a date with the flames.
We prepared dinner with slices of Spanish mackerel (courtesy of another sailor, back at Goldsmith) with boiled mint potatoes. We met quite a bunch of people from other boats cooking too. It is amazing to hear and exchange stories about sailing, specially for Nivi and Guido because every tale is a new lesson. After an exceptional dinner, with full bellies and happy hearts, we came back to the boat.
It seems the hard work to get here paid off, this place is great, just great.

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Hi! This is Guido, and this is my tale of ouf first night sail. Did it fulfill my expectations? Completely. Was it easy? Absolutely not.
We departed Goldsmith around midday, expecting easterly winds to guide us most of the way. As the wind started to change we realized that not only the wind, but the tide and swell would not be on our side. We settled to do 2 hour shifts throughout the whole trip, which left us 6 hours to “rest” between shifts. I will write about two highlights that made this a unique experience for me.
Highlight #1: my first night shift started just as we were approaching the port of Mackay. This means sailing through the shipping channel, where massive cargo ships and tankers go in and out of the harbour. The wind was kind during that part. The interesting chain of events started when I saw that there were two cargo vessels going into the same lane we were about to cross through. Now, for those who never experienced this, I can tell you, it is incredibly thrilling. Even though the calculations of speed and heading added up, the fact of not being able to see a one thousand feet tanker coming your way is a little bit unsettling. Not only these vessels are the size of a city, but they are also incredibly fast. After crossing, I could distinguish a dark shadow, hiding every other light I could see, by then I knew we made it.
It was a bumpy ride, and even though Imagine is a solid, strong vessel, sometimes I experienced zero gravity while trying to sleep.
Highlight #2: I finally got some sleep. The ocean calmed down for some minutes and then I woke up to the sound of the motor going. Ran up to the cockpit, where Nivi was on the helm. Apparently, the wind shifted and there were a few rain clouds coming in. What made this so magnificent was the landscape I saw when I looked outside, I’ll try to describe it the best way I can:
‘The moon cast a dim light behind the heavy, water filled clouds. Only the contour of the boat could be seen, while the sound of the waves colliding against the hull resembled the absolute force of the tides. The horizon, hiding shy between the foggy clouds and passing waves, a reminder that we were there on our own, challenging nature at its finest. A glance back at the helm, where the red light inside, glittering like wine being poured during an Autumn night.’
Maybe I was still asleep, but this portrait in, in my head will not soon be forgotten.
All in all, this was an incredible thing to do, an adventure really. I also believe that it is important to highlight how safe the boat and the crew made me feel.
Till

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Finally we arrived at Middle Percy Island, after our long sail from Goldsmith, turned into a very long, 33 hour sail. It was our first overnight sail. The experiences are as follows.
Nivi’s story: I had the first shift. It was back when the weather still was nice, the exhaustion unseen and the wind just right. Oh, how my innocent mind, still had thought of dolphins jumping around the boat, as we glided elegantly through the moonlit waters. On my second shift, everything had changed. It was pitch black. The boat banged against the water, as we went up and down, cutting through the meter high waves. Everything got thrown around in the saloon, onions and apples, books and guitars. Even Guido went across the hull. But I had no worries for them. My only thoughts, was with the instruments – my only eyes in this everlasting darkness. And how dark it was! I had heard the stories. Massive tankers, enormous cargo ships, ploughing ahead, stopping for nothing. In the back of my mind, I knew they where out there, roaming the deep blue sea, but thankfully, the chartplotter assured me, that they where all far, far away. What was getting much closer tho, was the rain. Never had I praised the hard cover of the cockpit so much as now. From the dry shelter of the cockpit, I could watch the spectacular inferno of rain and waves, merging on the outside. As the rain passed, the Radar told me, no further worries were to be seen. Again we only had the everchanging wind to fight against.
Authors note: As we arrived to our destination and anchored in the darkness of the night, a lot of thoughts finally had time to be. It was a trying, exhausting, but also a very giving experience. I felt like I learned a lot more in the hours alone on the helm, about sailing, the wind, the tides and not to forget, the instruments. I know a lot more now, about the power of the sea and how much a boat can take, being pushed around in it. It surely was a cool experience, but now, I’m happy we have some days anchored at Percy, resting and exploring the Island.

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We sailed from Goldsmith Island to Middle Percy Island. Andrew had worked out approximately how long it would take with the 15 knot easterly predicted for Sunday turning south easterly by Monday. Then working backward from arriving at Percy mid morning Monday meant we set off at lunch time Sunday. What we didn’t take into consideration was that Mackay (halfway point) had 8m tides which creates strong currents, which of course were against us. So we set off at lunch time with an easterly and a boat speed of 7.5 knots which slowly went down to 3.50 knots. Then the easterly turned south easterly ahead of time, which meant a lot more tacking than anticipated. With the wind turning south east the swell also increased. By Monday morning Percy was a faint image on the horizon. So it was 9pm by the time we dropped anchor at Percy Island.

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We were so tired after chilling out yesterday that today we had to spend the day relaxing. So there is not a lot to say today, other than we set off tomorrow to do a day – night sail. Heading to Middle Percy Island. Guido and Nivi’s first night sail. We may not have internet for the next few days. So we will catch up later.

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Apologies for not writing here yesterday. We were too busy… chillin’. Today we woke up with hardly any wind and a beautiful warm sun. After breakfast, time to work! Guido went up the mast to bring down and clean the tri-light while Andrew, Nivi and Sue held the safety lines. Mission accomplished! After lunch and of course a nap for Guido, we went exploring the nearby beach on the other side of the bay.
Basically, we had our own beach, amazing. We saw many turtles, rays, squids and other cute animals.
Back at the boat, Sue, Andrew and Nivi had some drinks and nibbles while Guido was “fishing”. No success today with this last part, as he gave up to join the the rest of the crew and well… no fish. The sunset was breathtaking, simply wonderful.
Nivi made some very tasty fried rice and after dinner, well, time to keep chillin’.

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After a bit of work, getting the double anchors up, we left Thomas Island for a nice couple of hours, sailing to Goldsmith Island. We had a couple of boats racing us there, but we found a nice spot in the bay as we arrived.
Guido and Nivi went out in the dinghy for some fishing, but without much luck. They were however unlucky enough to have the motor pack up on them, so the paddles came out. After 15 minutes or so, another dinghy thankfully came to their rescue, and towed them back to the boat.
We enjoyed the rest of the sunset with wine and nibbles, back on board, together with Andrew and Sue.

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We got up this morning started making breakfast (toasted spicy fruit loaf Andrew had made yesterday). Guido tried to change his fishing luck and put a line over the side, then came inside for breakfast. Just as he sat down we heard the reel buzz. There was a fish on it. We all raced on deck to watch Guido reel in a 3kg Snapper.
When we had finished breakfast we set sail for Thomas Island. This time Nivi was up the mast guiding the way and Guido at the helm as we went into the bay. We found that it isn’t as protected from the swell as Shaw Island. Nivi made a yummy Danish dish for lunch using Guido’s fish.
After we had been ashore and had a swim Andrew thought it may help if we set a stern anchor to point us into the swell. It only helped a little.
Just before dinner it was pass the pigs time. The competition is on! Once again Andrew blitzed everyone in the first game. Guido took out the second game, what a come back.
Sue is in the galley making her cottage pie for dinner.
Side note: this is Guido. Sue’s pie is amazing!!!