Day 166-172 - Pancake Creek - Gladstone - Cape Capricorn.

Wednesday 28th May

Quick school and a bit of work this morning at Pancake Creek.

Kristie tried calling the lighthouse on the VHF, but no response (turns out it was broken on their end!).

Mozzie spray on, hiking pack ready, tender in the water and off we went. The tide was mostly full, so we didn’t have far to drag it up and tie up to a tree.

We had to walk about 50m to find the path, which then went across a bit of a mangrove swamp (mostly dry).

The walk was easy enough (3, maybe 4 skittle stops?), albeit fairly overgrown.

One of the caretakers (Pat) came out to greet us when we got to the top.
She was hesitant to do the tour, as the LARC was on the way up (20min or so away), and the tour would take longer than that.
Kristie managed to convince them that we didn’t need the full (nor shorter) tour, just a quick 20min ($10pp) up the lighthouse and back down.

Pat’s husband came and did the tour for us.

The steps used to go around the outside, but now on the inside:

Interesting history, and good views from the top.

The LARC turned up as we were up the top, so a bit of a rushed climb down.

The caretakers had suggested (a few times) we walk back down the way the LARC had come up to go see the lookout over Jenny Lind Creek.
The tour guide/driver from the LARC also suggested it, so off we went (after some snacks).

It was only about 500m down the track. We didn’t get all the way to the bottom, but still a great view.

Back up the track to the lighthouse, and then back the way we came.
Was just over 7km all up.

The tide had gone out considerably since we’d left. We probably had 25m or os to drag the tender to the water.
The mudflats are pretty good for dragging, and with the girls pushing it didn’t take long.

Back to Lazuli for a late lunch.

As we were in Pancake Creek, it was only natural that we should have pancakes for lunch.
The long life cream works surprisingly well :)

By the time lunch was done and cleaned up it was almost dinner time… and time to hide from the mozzies!

Lovely sunsets over the still water.

The following is Emma’s recount of our time at Busted Head:

We went on a tour in Busted Head Lighthouse.
In the forest, on the way there, we saw lots of neon yellow butterflies.
The butterflies were in the bushes collecting nectar.
Mummy found some Antlion holes and dug one up for us to look at.
I didn't want to touch it because it looked like a tik.
There was soo many spooky spiderwebs in the trees that made me shiver.
Eventually we got to the lighthouse.
We were lucky and got a tour just before the LARC came.
On the bottom flow we saw a mermaid figurehead.
Then climbed up the spiral stairs to the top.
There was a fog horn. 
They would use the foghorn when it was foggy so the ships would not run aground.

The following is Kristina’s recount of our time at Busted Head:

At Pancake creek, we went on a lovely walk.
ON that walk there was one thing that stood out.  
Every where we looked there were butterflies.  
It was so amazing!
After a little bit of walking our Mum pointed out some Antlions that were making holes to catch their lunch.
I didn't want to touch them and neither did Emma or Dad.
We did some more hiking and then we decided to stop for a skittle break.
Unluckily for Emma the stop was under some trees covered in spider webs which made her shiver.
When we continued walking it was smostly nonstop other than two more skittle breaks to keep us going.

Thursday 29th

We’d booked two nights at the marina as we needed to do a big shop for the next leg of our trip north
(also, Gladstone Marina has really nice showers!).

With no wind, it was about a 4hr motor with easier/calmer conditions than last time we came to Gladstone.

I worked more or less the entire way in while Kristie kept watch and directed the autopilot.

At one stage the reel started running a little bit, we thought we caught dinner. Turns out it was just some seaweed.

We were in berth A8 this time. You come around the corner and into the marina and have about 300m to line up the entry into your berth!
There was still someone there from the marina to catch our lines.

Lunch, check-in, then time for boat jobs:

• filling water
• emptying rubbish
• washing/dryer (Kristie was plesently surprised to get the squid ink out of her dress)

It was raining, so some of the jobs we had planned got pushed to tomorrow.

Kenny and Nic came over for drinks and nibbles while Kristie was up waiting for/getting the Woolies delivery.
(was handy to have another set of hands to help unload the trolley and get the bags downstairs - thanks guys.)

Dinner on the boat tonight.

Friday 30th

When I’d published the last blog and mentioned we were on the way to Gladstone, one of our friends (Bride) messaged to say that she and her partner Andrew would be there as his mum was currently in the Gladstone hospital.

They kindly offered the use of their car so that we could do some shopping while they were visiting his mum.

We met up for breakfast at the cafe conveniently located at the end of our berth/pontoon. We left the girls onboard and went up for a tasty breakfast and a bucket (at least 2x a normal mug!) of coffee.

Kristie went back to Lazuli to start school with the girls.

It was still a bit early for visiting hours, so Bride & Andrew helped me spend more money on the boat (Gladstone has turned out to be our 2nd most expensive city!):

• Yamaha 2kva generator for those rainy days when solar won’t top up our batteries
• Two new red jerry cans for unleaded (we ran short with the diving compressor and tender usage on Musgrave)
• Oil for generator and outboard.

I dropped them into the hospital and continued shopping at Bunnings and BCF.

• A box to wash regs/dive computer/camera in
• The solar sensor light as recommended/used by both Exhale and Bella.
• Toilet paper (we get the light camping/RV rolls that dissolves quickly)

Back to the boat after a stop in at Woolies for more food (and a hot chook).

Quick unload then back out to Kmart to get some ugg boots/swim shoes for the girls.
(the swim shoes I got Kristina was too big and fit Kristie!)

Kristie went for a walk to get the gas bottle filled and did a couple of trips back and forth to the fuel dock with the 6 empty jerrys.

Back to the boat and time to test the generator. Filled up the fuel and oil and started up ok.
Tested a few appliances. Ran the toaster and microwave, but the big kettle we have was too much.
So off to BCF (again) to buy a collapsable lower power (but still 240V) kettle.

With Bride and Andrew in town, we also organised to have dinner with them tonight.

We’d booked a table up at the Gladstone Yacht Club. I still had their car, and when they called it was more or less time for us to head up for dinner.
I took both girls with me while Kristie set off for a rainy walk there.
They were staying just up the road from the yacht club, so once we were dropped off they took the car back and were back pretty quickly (before Kristie got there).

Good drinks and dinner: another Mexican parmi for me!

Walked home, only a light rain/mist, but we had umbrellas and it’s not that far.

Saturday 31st

We were supposed to leave today, but the weather wasn’t great, and it looked like we’d just be anchored off Facing Island in rain, chop, and swell from the port traffic.
I went up to see if we could stay another two nights. That was fine and we didn’t even have to move.

I spent the day working as I hadn’t been able to do enough hours this week.

Kristie gave all of our dive gear a good wash and hung it up to dry.

Everything had been starting to feel a bit sticky from the salt. So Kristie got out the self soaping scrubbing brush/broom and gave the whole deck & cockpit a good scrub.

As there was nowhere dry left to sit, Kristie disappeared up to the marina lounge room to use her laptop up there.

I also installed the solar/sensor light, and got some fishing rod holders fixed to the bimini.

Kristie had seen a local markets advertised. Just across the bridge - easy walking distance.
We met Kenny + Nic + Charlee at 4:30 and walked over.
They weren’t great markets. However, the girls found some fidgets (3d printed) so they happily spent some of their pocket money there.
Food options weren’t great, so back to the boat for dinner.

Bride and Andrew popped over for a drink/chat after dinner.

Sunday 1st June

We had spent some time yesterday planning our next month ahead. We need to be up at Airlie by the 29th to pick up the first of our Whitsunday guests.
With the plan we had, we’d need more food/supplies.

Thankfully (for us, not for Andrews mum) Bride and Andrew were still about and we could use their car again.

Kristie and I enjoyed avo on toast on the boat, before heading up to the cafe to catch up with the other two boats (and some others).
I had another bucket of coffee, hot chocolate for Kristie.
We talked our plans through with the others. They aren’t on such a tight schedule as us, and don’t need to be in Mackay until a week after we’re in Airlie.

Bride and Andrew turned up not long after coffee was done, and we headed off so that I could drop them at the hospital.
Getting to know Gladstone reasonably well!

Back to the marina to pick up Kristie and the girls (and Charlee). Kristie would do the Woolies shop while I took the three girls to the playground.

They all declared it a fun park.

Stopped in at Kmart on the way back to get some more iPad charging cables: two of these new ones ended up breaking the same day we opened them :(

Sushi for lunch before driving home.

Charlee stayed on Lazuli a bit longer, before inviting the girls back to her boat.

Vacuum sealed the meat and filled up the Engel freezer (We now have lots of dinners!) while Kristie headed up for another load of washing/drying.

No Bunnings/BCF trips today :)

The others went over to the Yacht Club for music and drinks, but we stayed on board for an earlier/easier night (turns out the musician stopped a few songs after they got there).

Monday 2nd

We were all (us, Bella, Exhale) checking out of the marina this morning and making our way north.

Our plan was to check out Cape Capricorn (Yellow Patch) and see how conditions were there. If it was good we’d stay, if not keep going to the Keppels.

A few final boat jobs (topping up the water) and we were ready.

We (and Bella) weren’t keen to exit the North Channel at low tide, so out of the marina and to the East Channel (same way we went out to Heron).
Russ and Viv had to fuel up and that opened at 8am, so they weren’t far behind us.

Exhale took a bit longer to get going with their outboard. With that working (and their shallower draft) they left for the North Channel.

There was some good wind in the main channel heading out of the marina, but by the time we got out past Facing Island there was none to be had.

We motored the entire way north :(

Crossing the Tropic of Capricorn gave us a bit of a chance for some extra schooling, but the girls weren’t too interested.

Refresher:

The Tropic of Capricorn is a line of latitude located 23.5 degrees south of the equator. 
It marks the southernmost point where the sun can be directly overhead at noon. 
This occurs during the December solstice in the Southern Hemisphere.

Shortly after this momentous event we rounded Cape Capricorn and got into the bay there.
With the next few low tides not being too low we could tuck in reasonably close.
(turns out I probably got a little too close - 2.8m depth the final low tide when we swung with the NW winds!)

Russ and Viv decided to press on to the Keppels as they had work to do.

Exhale anchored near us. We dropped the tender and geared up to walk up to the lighthouse.
As Kenny was working, we picked up Charlee on the way and took her with us.

Smooth ride around to the beach where the walk starts, then 380m (distance, not elevation!) walk to the top.
We “needed” two skittle stops ;)
It turns out the care takers had just been down to paint the seats and rocks along the path, so it was easy enough to follow
(though still too overgrown for Emma’s liking).

There’s no tour or anything at the top, but still a good view. We had our snacks.

The lighthouse has a red sector for the rocks (Rundle Island) just SE the headland.
The sun just happened to line up so the girls got in that sector.

Back down to the beach then off to explore/walk around the rocks some more.
We got around to the next little beach that was a lot nicer - sand instead of rocks/shells.

We hadn’t been exploring too long when Kenny and Nic turned up. The girls had a great time on the beach and in the water.
Another yachtie came in, and we had a quick chat to him.

It was nearly 5pm by the time we left the beach and went back to our boats.

At some point after dinner we could hear some commotion on Exhale (“get a bucket!”). Turns out they had some squid.
I put my squid lure in, and after a bit of time managed to hook one tiny squid.
I tried for more, but a combination of mozzies and tiredness got the better of me.

The stars have been fantastic. Covered in mozzie spray & oddies, Kristie & Emma enjoyed using the Sky Guide app to find all the different constellations.

The following is Emma’s story about her stargazing:

We are anchored at Cape Capricorn.
It's only a little bit north of the Tropic of Capricorn.
At night time me and mummy were stargazing using an app called Sky Guide.
Using the app, we found all of our star signs.
My star sign is Scorpio and I memorised the position of all the stars for it!
I really enjoyed star gazing with mummy!

Tuesday 3rd

School and Work.

Today we wanted to go explore the sand dunes and Yellow Patch. It’s a favourite spot for many sailors and locals.

We needed to be leaving this area by 1:30pm at the latest so we could get to Great Keppel Island (GKI) before dark.

Working backwards meant leaving Yellow Patch by 1pm.

We had a pre-lunch lunch, then jumped in the tender for the trip across, nearly 2km.
The crew from Exhale were in their tender and following along as well.

It was low tide, so we dragged the tender across a small sandbar rather than go all the way around.

Once around the corner you’re into a lovely protected waterway and a stunning sandhill (when the sun is out).

There are a few deep (4m) spots, but in general this area is too shallow for Lazuli :(

We pulled our tender up the beach, and Kenny went off to check his crap pots.

Lots of fun jumping and rolling down the sand dune.

Time was starting to get away from us, and still no sign of Kenny. He eventually came back, sharing the bad news that he didn’t have a single crab to show for his efforts :(

We all got back in and went back to get ready for a sail north.

Quick lunch, then we got Lazuli ready. Exhale with their dodgy outboard went first, and us following close behind.

By this stage, we probably had a 13-15knt W wind. I ended up putting in a reef, but even still at the start I had the traveller down and main backing a little, and still doing 8-9knts.

We aimed to go around GKI from the West, and Kenny was aiming for the Eastern side. Bella was in a bay in the north.

With the westerly winds there wasn’t much swell, so we had some glorious sailing conditions.

We were matching Exhale for speed, so it’d be a tight finish (it’s always a race!).

The wind started to die out about 30min out from GKI, and with the sun going down we started motor sailing.
That didn’t last long until there wasn’t even enough wind for that.
The sun disappeared before we got through between GKI and Middle Island.

We got around to Leekes Beach and to Bella at the same time as Exhale, and dropped anchor before it was actually dark!

Lots of reviews mention how rolly it can be here, but it’s no worse than anywhere else we’ve had.

There’s probably 20 other yachts in the bay with us.

Calamari for entree, steak and noodle salad for main.

The following is Emma’s recount of our time at Yellow Patch:

Yellow Patch is a giant orange sand dune.
When we arrived, we climbed up the sand dune with Charlee.
It was tiring since it was so tall and so steep.
But hopping down made the climb worth it.
We climbed up again and played tag on the big open area behind the sand dune.
It wasn't long before tag was over so we hopped down and dug some really deep holes in the sand.
When Charlee was half way through digging her hole, Kristina and I climbed up just a little bit and rolled down!
The orange sand stuck to us making us look like Dorietos!
We went for a swim to wash off but the sand didn't come off easily.

The following is Kristina’s recount of our time at Cape Capricorn and Yellow Patch:

Yesterday, we went to the beach at Cape Capricorn.
The shore line was full of rocks so me and Emma were glad that we had shoes on.
Charlee was wearing crocks but that didn't stop her from coming with us.
IT was mostly the same as all the other walks we did except every now and then a family of pigs would run across the path.
When we got to the top there was a stunning view but Charlee realised that the mozzies were getting us.
So our group went back down the hill.

(today)
We tendered over to Yellow Patch and go a great view of the dunes.
Despite the name Yellow Patch we think that the sand dunes look more like ginger bread orange.
Charlee got there first but when we got there Kenny went to check the crab pots.
We raced up the dune but this time Augie their dog beat everyone up.
The climb was kind of hard because it was steep and crumbly but we still made it up to the top.
When all the kids (and Augie) were up the adults took a photo while we bunny hopped down.
(It's our favourite thing to do on big sand dunes)
Up we climbed again but this time we stepped in our previous foot prints so it wasn't as hard.
When we got up, we decided that the giant flat area of sand was the perfect spot to play tag.
It was fun until Emma got upset that I tagged her.
To get back down we did some more bunny hops then Me and Charlee started digging some deep holes.
Eventually Emma joined in the hole digging process.
After a little while I started helping Charlee with her hold.
The hole got about neck deep but then Me and Ema go bored.  
So I came  up with a rolling down the hill.
After we tried it we realised that we looked like dorietos because all the orange sand was sticking to us.
We got a photo then rolled down a couple more times.
Charlee saw how much fun we were having and couldn't resist joining in.
We had more fun but then the adults told us to wash it off.
It was hard to wash it off especially when it came to getting it out of our hair.
By then it was getting close ot the time when we were going to sail.
So we packed up and waited for Kenny to come back.
We all hoped that he had caught some thing but id didn't.
He missed our on all that fun for nothing!