Return home from Fraser
Sat 10 Apr 2010
Traveling north is on the Queensland is nearly always the way to go and the recent return trip from Maryborough has been no exception.
Dot.com fresh from repairs, anti-foul and engine servicing required the removal of one final log from the anchor chain to free our way for the motor down the Mary River. Leaving the Mary is good in one way, but the town has so much to offer. Set up in grid squared streets into the river bend, the towns folk are friendly, casual and very fair priced. $300 a month for the hard stand, $100 a month for the trailer, $100 each way on the haul out from the local truck driver that carefully orchestrates the haul out. The Maryborough Marina also offer assistance where ever, with cheeky Des always looking out for mooring or tie up commitment – you would think he was on commission.... :)
Fraser Coast Boating where great on the engine servicing. I am ignorant of my Yahama 9.9hp's well being, so it was not really surprising that one had to be returned from the dead.... its dronning 3000rpm hum is right now shaking the boat after its resurrection.
The Mary River ride requires consideration of the yesteryear trade. Timber and farming established towns like Maryborough, and the river life blood through carriage of trade upon vessels of every manner. Recent summer travels included stops at Lismore, Grafton, Bellingen – all towns of a similar ilk – now almost lost of their heritage as they struggle to maintain identity and commerce as the highways now “bypass” along with the ladden “b doubles” ladden with foreign goods destined for the nations homes.
The daydream evaporates as a old cruise craft passes at the break-neck speed of 8 knots, just two more than ours, the crew and captain set for a Easter break inside Fraser. They friendly waves indicate and mode of travel make it clear that they remember.
By River Heads the new crew are settling to the task, the head sail unfurled in anger and course set for Moon Point on the first evening. Sneaking over sandbanks make for an interesting close of day to regard another magic sunset as the stars take guard.
The new morning is an early start and by mid morning the SE winds are starting to pump. By the time the main is completely on the deck and the 25+ knots have whipped a fair sea, the destination of Musgrave Island has been removed from the table in favour of in shore Pancake Creek. The celebration decision is marked with the arrival of dolphins – a complete family that are keen to show off their aerial skills and at one time the jump in unison for the perfect 10 score, the youngster between the parents.
Pancake is made by 11pm, 2300 in sailors time, and its estuary a welcome refuge from the wind and waves. Sunday is spent cleaning – the side effect of the two months under trees. There is mould, ants and gum leaves to displace. The weather abates for the most part and the tides favour a run through the Curtis Island narrows, which are a picture for new eyes to behold, including the cattle fencing disappearing into the high tide.
The north exit from behind Curtis opens to the Keppel Bay and fast passage is made for a sunset tie up at Rosslyn Bay / Keppel Bay Marina. New crew Robyn has earned her stripes and the right to a return visit. :0
The replacement crew requires two, and a free lift from marina to shops balances the $22 cab ride back, with a mid afternoon close hauled sail to North Keppel. Ashore the beach is researched close up, with the Dutch lasses, Marloes and Laura approving of the Great Barrier Reef island setting.
Pre-dawn the next day way is made for Middle Percy Island. The 100 odd miles made by 8pm, made possible by reasonable winds.
The crew were amazed by the morning views, an island paradise complete with coconut trees, a-frame with sailing memorabilia behind a sandy beach. Ashore are new friends, sailing the world having left Norway two years earlier. I never expected to be learning the tight rope at Middle Percy Island, but that morning I did – the firm opportunity to hurt oneself must herald fact that I was having fun.
A volleyball game ensued, the dot.com crew victors over the visitors. 150,000 to 4. For lunch there was a snorkel at nearby Pine Islet, the coral hidden amongst a bit of weed. Boat tidied and crew washed, we made back for middle anchorage and the sun set on a growing fire under the BBQ plate, steaks sizzling above. The Marloes pre-image of Australia gained, the perfect beach BBQ complete with friends, stars, a glass of wine but “sans” guitar – as if we needed that too.
An early start made by foot to the homestead complete with Tim Tams, the islands gold bullion form or currency. It was wonderful to hear that the “conservation lease” terms had been agreed for a 20 year lease, cementing the certainty over further investment by Katherine and crew. The goats parade, the chickens scratched, the tea fine and those butterflies..... we had been swarmed with butterflies all the way from Yeppoon. A migration it must be, sitting on the verandah of the homestead you can only be amazed at the display of a million of these gently winged aviators gliding on the wind currents in front of the homestead, with gentle breezes making flight easy.
The walk back to shore was complete with goat escort – the domestic goats of the islands, the leader laden with with twins warded off rival goat factions as we made our way down hill. Midday back at the boat put the pressure on – a quick swim and the least part of the trip – a 13 hour motor sail to Keswick. The 5 hour sleep a motor sail to the Whitsundays – the trip is almost complete.
