Miss Behaving

TEST

Well in my last blog I said that mother nature has the last word and she did it to us again. On Sunday we left Gladstone on the final leg of our journey down the coast to Brisbane. We motored most of the way to Pancake Creek, a lovely inlet West of Bustard Head lighthouse. The Grib forecasts were spot on (this time) and we expected to motor this leg. My brother, Liam, Irina and I had a fantastic sunset (and near full moon rise) BBQ and beers together with a great night sleep. Next day, Monday we left the shelter of Pancake creek and set sail on a tack ENE of Town Of 1770 then tacked back for a run down the beach at Agnes. Our friends at our Holiday house estate were lined up on the beach waving which was very moving. With less than 2 metres under the keel I kept my distance in case of a swell doing an Eagles Quest on us (sorry Steph and Fiona). We then set the genoa for a straight overnight passage past Burnett Heads and into Hervey Bay for some whale watching. Tuesday morning we arrived in the bay and were greeted with whales breaching and slapping their tails. They never got close with the nearest being about 100 metres. At times we thought the Queensland Government had gone bonkers and permitted high rise buildings in the bay but soon realized that we were seeing whales launching themselves out of the water. They manage to get their immense weight almost airborne in just 30ft of water! We dropped anchor for breakfast and a sleep then after lunch headed north to round Sandy Cape. The maps give some hope that you can slip past the northern tip of Fraser Island however it took us 3 hours to find a narrow washout in the shoals well north of the Cape. In fact the whales helped us find the hole by using the same route we had chosen. I figured they would not head for the gap if it was too shallow. As it was we slipped through with 2 metres under the keel. After crossing the shoals we then set sail for a fantastic night sail under the full moon. We averaged 6 knots with a small SE swell and 15-18kts of quartering tailwind. The forecast had a trough hitting Brisbane Thursday so we cancelled plans to anchor off Moreton Island and headed for Brisbane. From abeam Fraser Island to Moreton Island we were followed by whales albeit at a distance and the whole way pods of dolphins played chicken with us. Nearing Moreton Island a 72ft Oyster yacht which had been following us overtook us (smart arse) and sailed ahead and into a murky afternoon overcast. As I was watching he got knocked over to about 60 degrees heel. Pretty impressive for a 72ft yacht to do that!! I took the lead and furled the genoa and set the main for a wild ride. It hit us with 8 miles to run to Manly Harbour and just got worse. Rain, 2 metre seas and 40kts was the welcome none of us expected. The forecast was 12 hours out. After using the main and engine for 2 hours and only covering 4 miles I dropped the main and hid behind Mud Island off Manly. There we tidied up the main, reduced our windage and took the west side of mud island on the high tide. At no time did we have more than 2 metres under the keel and this is the new normal I will have to become familiar with. After initially missing the lead in lights (blue) to Manly Harbour we turned back and (holding 20 degrees drift) made it along the narrow channel and into the harbour just as the winds peaked. After one attempt at parking in our berth we gave up and flopped into the nearest vacant berth that suited the wind. That was our arrival and welcome back. Just as we tied the last mooring line we saw the Lunar Eclipse Red Moon above us and I had to smile. Someone must know if this was a blessing in disguise or an omen. I saw it as a fucking amazing way to end what was an experience of a lifetime.

We spent the day yesterday getting our washing and clothes back home and today the process of Customs began. To be honest I am slightly shocked to be back on land with the attendant meaning of this being retirement. I know I am going to have to keep busy to keep the mind alive. Anyhow that is my tale. Irina will regale you with her tales of woe when we see you both. In reality I am sure she will look back on it and see that it was not all bad but that is for her to tell. I find that such journeys as we have made can be interpreted 100 different ways by 100 different people. I found it helped me get the whole Cathay Retirement and medical issue into some perspective. It allowed me countless hours of sheer meditation with just me and the ocean during which you can think so clearly. I wish there was a tablet invented to recreate the same feelings. The glimpses of life on the Pacific Islands will live with me forever. What magical places and peoples we are surrounded by. What’s next? I think Miss Behave needs a lot of TLC then it is off again. No idea when or in which direction except that I will be sailing around Australia and health permitting back into the Pacific to see more of those fantastic islands and peoples. Take care everyone and thanks again for your warm thoughts and well wishes. I promise to put some more photos onto the blog but encourage you to stop living life vicariously and get out there and do it yourselves. You will never regret it. Please email me at: kbshanley@gmail.com if you want any questions answered in particular if you have questions about the route, equipment and catering. We made a lot of mistakes but always erred on the safe side when it came to navigation and redundancy as you must.

Love, Kev and Irina.

Well after giving up on Mellish reef and turning right we headed for Lihou Reef intending to heave to till daylight then seek shelter for some R&R. Having found the lee of the very large reef we settled in for a long sleep while hove to and drifting north of Turtle Islet which indicated an anchorage. Daylight shattered our picture of a quaint island full of nesting turtles. The island is no more. On the Eastern most end is an 8M high sand island with a light and SART beacon but not a green shoot. I went to start the genny and it didnt play ball and when I started the engine our cooling problem returned. All sorted with the engine but the genny is a wip so no airconditioners, bugger. We are now due to arrive at East Diamond Islet at 3.30pm today and will stay for at least one night while waiting for the winds to favour a route through the barrier reef. We are both well and looking forward to some terra firma. Love to all. Kev and Irina.

Hi all. Well the last 48 hours have been as much fun as riding bare arse naked on a bronco. We and Miss Behave are fine but I will admit to a few bruises. All went well till 100 miles north of Mellish reef then in a few minutes all hell broke loose with the arrival of a rainstorm hiding a squall that lasted 24 hours. 40kts and 6 metre seas so no fun. At the 80 mile mark to go to Mellish reef it was obvious we had been blown too far west to make it so I decided to 'make a run' for the coast so to speak. Immediately the downwind sailing gave us a well earned break but also means our arrival will likely be in Mackay now. Anyhow all well aside from the dozen or so flying fish that made bad landings on our deck last night. I will update when I see what the winds deliver for today. Love to all. Kev and Irina.

Hi everyone. We are both well. The winds are being kind but the sea is confused making things just bearable. The boat is perfoming well. We have motored for 10 hours but I see no need to use the engine from here on. I hope you are all well. Love and best wishes, Kev and Irina.

Hello. After the usual delay due to Immigration/Customs we departed yesterday at 0120Z. Departing Ghizo to the south was easy however all those beacons I was told my outrageous customs charge was to pay for were nowhere to be seen. It seems that every Yachtie visiting Solomons is outraged over the customs fee of 18USD per metre of boat length. Anyhow we made good progress overnight. When possible I am taking the easting as much as I can to cater for a change of wind but we are on track for arrival in Mellish Reef the morning of 16th. It is raining but we are comfortable. Cheers and love to all. Kev.