Boring Night Travell (Shades of Tokyo/Australia)
08 May 2011 | Grub Reef
Doug
We are on the way to Centipede reef about 50 NM North East of T'ville."Phil Allen"
We have spent the last few days doing repairs and maintenance. We replaced the leaking taps in the sink on the back deck with a new set from Bunnings. Wile we were at it we removed the sink and polished it with an electric "buff." It looks brand new. We also put shelves in the cupboard under the sink. We made new more permanent ropes for the "flopper stoppers" and put mounts on the side of the cabin so they can be stowed neatly while not in use. It isd carpet amazing how long it takes to do the simplest of jobs. Any way, with the new sink and carpet the back deck look great (or it would if not for the mess due to all the gear strewn around on the floor.)
We forgot to "off load " the fish we caught last week to Alan's place. Unfortunately they will all count to our bag limit. Since it is only Nev and me on board we might be limited (well hopefully any way.}
Nev and I are sorry Cal is not here as we know he was looking forward to the trip and it was cut short in a most unfortunate way. Still, we are all relieved to hear he got to Brisbane alive and that the surgical repair was successful. It is well known that the further south you go the better the medical care gets - until you get a bit south of the Tweed.
We left T'ville about 4pm and have an ETA of 10pm. The seas are "slight" and on the nose, so very comfortable. It was light misty rain when we left. There are scattered showers all around on the radar but its warm and dry inside. Hopefully it will be fine to morrow as I don't fancy fishing in the rain. We will pass over one of the fishing spots supplied by Alan about 1/2 an hour before we get to centipede. If it is calm and dry we might stop for a fish, other wise we will sleep at Centipede Reef and com back to it in the morning.
Alan kindly left his "Spot" with us so you should be able to follow our progress on Google Earth.
The night travel is a bit boring. Nev has gone down the back for a sleep for the next few hours while I keep watch. This basically means a regular scan of the horizon (for what its worth in the rain,) radar, course, speed, engine RPM, oil pressure and temperature (in the engines and gearbox.) Nev will do the last 2 hours before we get to Centipede Reef. As well as the Navionics Chart Plotter the iPhone has a timer which I reset every 10 minutes. It acts as a "deadman alarm" so I don't fall asleep at the wheel. Of course all this would be no good in an sailing boat due to the constant salt spray coming over the side.
I'm typing this on the Lap Top computer using a 23" external display. The display also has the radar and chart plotter on it so it makes it easier to keep an eye on things. If you are reading this you will also know the HF radio email is working ok in spite of interference from radar, computers, fluorescent lights, fridges, alternators, inverters and all the other things a well equipped cruising boat has these days.
Doug
03 May 2011
Tuesday sitting off Keeper reef after departing yesterday about 11am. Trip out was slow because the the props needed cleaning. We were behind
Running so far behind that we had to run on both engines to get here before dark. Watched the sun set as we finished anchoring. Was a bit rolly when we arrived and setup the new flipper stoppers. They do work well but the boat stills moves around a lot. I am not saying who got crook while getting tea.
This morning was a slow start with a little fishing followed breakfast. Then we moved up into the shallow water so we can change a prop and clean the other. This prop has needed to be changed back to the original for some time.
Fish for Dinner
29 April 2011 | Grub Reef
Another perfect day in paradise. Calm seas, clear skies, good company. Good fishing too. What more could you want?
We caught more than we could eat so the excess went into the freezer. We had Sweet Lip and Coral Trout baked with garlic, onions, limes and some other assorted things accompanied by baked potatoes and carrots, and beer or red wine as desired.
As you know Tough Life rolls like a pig even in calm weather. However Alan's "Improved Flopper Stoppers" are working like a treat and this allowed me to have a little sleep this afternoon after a particularly tiring lunch of avocado and salad and cold meats (very tasty) and beer.
We don't have TV here or phones or any other time wasters. However the tide is due to turn soon and we expect the fishing to pick up again, so I'm afraid I can't spend any more time on the blog.
Doug