Big sandhill with a suntan

With the new motivation of a deadline — to be in the Whitsundays by early July — and, being tired of the cold and wet weather, and also, having found a ‘store’ online at Turkey Beach nearby, on Friday we made our way there through the rain and rough weather to top up fresh fruit and veg supplies. Though it was just around the corner, it took four hours to reach. Finally we got off the boat for a walk and found the ‘store’ only to discover fresh produce was very limited. Hmmm — let’s hope scurvy doesn’t set in before we get to Rosslyn Bay (Yeppoon). Turkey Beach had mountains around it and on a clear day probably would have been something to behold. Sadly, the day wasn’t clear.

On Saturday we pushed on — a longish day in winds that dropped off so we had to resort to using the engine. It was a relief to pull in behind Cape Capricorn, but then came the challenge of getting to Yellow Patch — across a bar of moving sands — for which local knowledge is recommended. After waiting a while in the hope that another boat would venture in to show us the way, finally a motorboat sped around the Cape towards our destination. We limped off after it as fast as we could as it disappeared into a speck in the distance. Captain ended up on the roof of the helm with binoculars to search for the way between sandbars and breakers while Matey almost blew the engine up. All up it added some excitement (and angst) to the day, and the anchor went down near Yellow Patch, a striking yellow sandhill devoid of vegetation. Today, finally, the sun returned.

Captain invokes the power of the Captain's hat for inspiration for crossing the bar

View from the top of Yellow Patch

Hummocky Island the in distance

Sandbars exposed at low tide

'Yellow Patch' 

Pancake Creek and Bustard Head

With strong winds and wildish weather continuing we’ve stayed on at Pancake Creek, which is relatively protected. Between barrages of wind we’ve managed a few walks including to Aircraft Beach, back to the lighthouse and beyond to Jenny Lind Creek.

On a more practical note, it’s two weeks since we’ve been in port and the fresh food supplies have lasted well – though the cold weather may have a lot to do with this. Water has also lasted well. This means the next challenge will be to try to last three weeks before restocking ...

Pancake Creek

Walk to Aircraft Beach

Mares' tails and mackerel scales make lofty ships carry low sails (or just hide)

Captain with his walking, err, snake stick

 View to Jenny Lind Creek from Bustard Head

Salt pan at Pancake Creek

Pigface at end of salt pan

Stragglers at the yachties' beach BBQ - our first fire on the beach

Beautiful one day, perfect the next

That’s what they tell the tourists, anyway.

Exploration of Round Hill Head and Seventeen Seventy revealed a pretty headland and views. A nature reserve was dedicated to Joseph Banks, who apparently collected 33 plant species here while on the Endeavour voyage. It was tempting to linger but festivities planned to celebrate the anniversary of Capt Cook’s landing might have seen the Captain wearing his pirate hat, and then who knows what could have happened? In anticipation of worse weather, and a more protected anchorage, on Thursday we sailed with Euan from Gallifrey (see previous comment) to Pancake Creek.

Weather beaten

Yesterday we braved the cold wind and rain and walked to the Bustard Head lighthouse — the first in Queensland, we’re told. On the way, as we reached the viewing platform at ‘Aircraft Beach’ an airborne group of campers landed on the beach. Not long after, we arrived at the well-tended lighthouse, and the volunteer caretakers, John and Jenny, emerged for a chat. We were invited in for a cup of tea, and were treated to lunch, a tour and a history of the lighthouse — a pleasant respite from the white-out outside. Later in the afternoon we hastily made our way back to the boats in the rain. The combination of wind on wet bodies made for a chilly evening with an overnight low of 8°C. Today was decreed A Day of Rest.

Round Hill Head

View from 1770

Euan and Captain

Euan and Gallifrey

Mutineer, the home of Chris, a professional seaman. We wish we could download his brain.

 

Aircraft taking off from Aircraft Beach

With Jenny and John, the welcoming party 

Pancake Creek

Thanks for the pic, Euan!