Departed Pancake Creek 0545 hours on Tuesday 21st heading for Great Keppell Island after a comfortable night in the outer anchorage. We anticipated a sail of approximately 10-11 hours and motor sailed all the way. A pleasant day, nothing stressful, dragged fishing lines to no avail and met up with friends in Wreck Bay on the eastern side of Keppell Island at 1600 hours. Friends Ross & Georgie were sunbaking on the beach which they had all to themselves, a pristine white coral sand beach, the water a beautiful clear turquoise blue. We were watched over by 2 goats, apparently descendants of Captain Cook's goats. After a delicious dinner of freshly caught fusilier and ocean perch on "Starship", we enjoyed a good night's sleep although a bit rolly.
We up anchored at 0900 hours and made our way to Rosslyn Bay, only 1 1/2 hours away. Two days were spent reprovisioning, cleaning & washing. The marina provides a courtesy car which you can book for 2 hours during your stay and we managed to secure a booking on both days, 1 for shopping and the other for a hair appointment in Yeppoon (Val is feeling a lot happier now).
On day 3 we departed for an anchorage on the northern side of GKI as the locals call it, to shelter from the forecast strong SW/SE winds forecast for the next few days. A pleasant few hours were spent walking on the beach and catching up with more friends until we checked to see why the anchor chain was making so much noise. Oh dear, not only had the anchor chain jumped off the bow roller, but had in fact removed it from the boat altogether. So Ricko's 2nd unscheduled swim was in a lot shallower, clearer water and he managed to rescue the bow roller from the ocean floor! Back to Rosslyn Bay we headed into a 20-25 knot headwind with a short, sharp chop on the bow.
Arriving back at Rosslyn Bay at an hour after the lowest tide of the month, we managed to run out of water on the way to our berth, it is becoming a habit.
A few drinks at the Capricornia Yacht Club were called for, an extremely friendly club, with locals offering to help with the required hardware to remount the wayward bow roller.
Attached photo of Rick after his swim and new hairstyle.