Turned left inside the Great Sandy Strait and headed up Tin Can inlet to Snapper Creek where we used the keel as a depth gauge. Almost fast on quick shoaling sand off Norman Point but more power got us floating again and we dropped anchor. Went ashore in Penelope (who is suffering from a deflating symptom) and had a drink in the Tin Can Bay clubhouse. Nice spot but not much to do.
During the night a commotion at the back of the boat got me out of bed and a couple of drunks in a half cab cruiser had their anchor directly underneath us. They must have anchored a bit close and a tide turn swung us over their anchor. They were highly embarrassed but we got em free, no damage done and then they ran aground too. Used my more power technique and plowed their way into the night.
We left Snapper Creek and headed for Garry's Anchorage where we tested the bottom again trying to get to the anchorage so we anchored while the tide caught up with us and we could get in. Dropped the anchor and promptly dragged so had to reset and stand watch against the northerly at 15 plus knots. Held OK and spent a couple of nights there. Sally got attacked by sand flies and has spent a miserable few days trying not to scratch about three dozen welts - the joys of the tropics. Good fun calculating tides and navigating the Strait when we decided to head further up. Plan was to spend a night or two at North White Cliffs but guess what? Bloody Northerlies made that plan untenable so we headed for Hervey Bay marina awaiting our slot in Bundaberg. This place is full of game fishing boats as the classic is on this weekend so had a good chat and gave lots of gratuitous advice, l'm sure they all appreciated it. We'll stay here till Saturday and then head for the boat's summer home in Bundaberg.
We've travelled 1500 miles in 8 weeks (Cliff Young would be faster) and we're now at the southern end of the reef. We've suffered no major indignities, we still talk to each other, I've learnt heaps and it's been great fun so far but really, the adventure starts now. We'll fly home for the summer and plan our way north for when we recommence in March 17. Original plan was to get into Torres Strait and that still stands. That's a long way up and a long way between drinks so well relook at that from Port Douglas when we get there. What I'm REALLY looking forward to is sailing south next spring with the Northerlies up our ginger!
