Wind SE 10 – 15knts

We were feeling a little foggy this morning after last nights anchor alarm saga. We had been waiting  for the sugar tanker to head off at 7:30 as we didn’t want to get in its way in the tight swing basin. It didn’t appear to be moving so in the end I called up the port on the radio and we were informed the ship wasn’t departing until 6pm. Someone gave us a bum steerlast night. The 3 of us upped anchor and motor sailed to Fitzroy Island off Cape Grafton.

The morning was rainy and at times visibility very poor. The other two boats disappeared into the rain behind us and ahead there was an island somewhere. We had intended to stop at Russel Island but it didn’t look very inviting, mainly due to the weather We weren’t sure if there would be enough mooring buoys either as its quite deep all around the lee of the island. Continuing on to  Fitzroy was rather unpleasant for John at the helm seat as he needed to have the clears down to see where he was going. Morgan and I were fine on the other side of the cockpit.

By afternoon the wind had picked up to 15 knts and the rain began to clear. We managed to switch the motors off and sail on the jib cruising along at 7.8 knts, arriving at Fitzroy at about 3:00.

Picking up a mooring buoy was difficult due to the winds gusting through the anchorage with an opposing current. After 2 attempts I finally picked up a buoy and we settled in however the wind kept swinging us around in different directions and to add to the discomfort there was a nasty swell.

We all dinghied ashore to head to the bar. Fitzroy has never been one of my favourite islands, the beach is coral rubble and very steep. Its difficult to pull the dinghy up the beach with crashing waves and loose coral rubble under your feet and to make matters worse the bar doesn’t sell chips. You have to walk to the general store to buy chips or peanuts to have with your beer. Plus, poor Morgan is not allowed onshore.

This photo doesnt give a true indication of wind and swell.

I felt sorry for the tourists who had paid to come across from Cairns to a dismal, windy and wet resort.

After a couple of drinks John and I dinghied back to Ovive leaving Beach Bum and Nyeki to have dinner ashore. We sat and ate chicken stir fry for dinner whilst rocking, rolling and swinging in the howling winds which continued throughout the evening, then headed to bed early. It was that rolly that Morgan became very distressed, so we let her sleep on our bed.