The day dawned with no wind in a quiet anchorage. After completing a few boat chores and a sleep in for Morgan and John we dinghied ashore to explore the new place.
For years Middle Percy has had a lease on it run by caretakers. They farm goats, tend beehives and fruit trees. The current residents sell honey and other goodies to cover part of their public liability that National Parks have forced them to take out to cover visiting yachties. They were told if they didn’t take out PL the parks would bulldoze the A frame down.
The A frame has a huge history of visiting yacht names some dating back to the 90s. We found our much faded and weathered OzziWandra sign we left there in 2009.
There were literally hundreds of names in all different materials and forms. Its fascinating to read the names and see the creativity of sailors with limited resources. We spent quite a lot of time in this unique structure.
Both us and Eva Louise left current boat signs as neither boat had visited previously.
And here is a boat we recognise.
Ozzi
We have improved on our signage since 2009
Later I walked up the hill along the track towards the homestead to Ring Ring Rocks to call the office, the only spot for phone service as there is none down in the bay.
The track was dry and sandy and frequently used by the homestead 4wd to come down to the A frame to top up supplies of honey, eggs and chutney for sale.
The walk to Ring Ring Rocks was only 15 minutes passing some wild goats along the way. I threw them my apple core but they were more interested in scratching themselves.
Service was fairly good at Ring Ring Rocks. The view along the western coast of Middle Percy was magnificent with crystal clear water. What a place to do office work!
As usual one phone call generates another, so I was up on the rocks for an hour. Doug arrived to download the upcoming weather which appeared to be an extremely slow process.
The exact place to stand for reception.
John cooked us up mackerel in white sauce for lunch, its my favourite and soo delicious, while Sandra and Doug went for a paddle board around to the next bay.
After lunch he tried to sort out the water maker as we haven’t used it since 2012 and his memory has dimmed. Things were going well until it blew a hose as a relief valve was left on. Water went everywhere so we shelved that project until we get to civilisation where this is calm waters, and we can source parts.
The A frame was the place to congregate for happy hour or hours. Roughly 19 people from all types of boats anchored in the bay sat around on various tables chairs and stone blocks enjoying the last hour before sunset. Most were waiting for some wind to depart Percy. We chatted with a mix of folk from sailing couples to single handed fellows. Its great to mix with others who have a similar zest for life. John was particularly interested and jealous of a fellow with a brand new stink boat who had satellite TV and was watching the Ashes with a perfect picture, whereas on Ovive we can only get telly close to a port.
Two salty sailors
Wayne smoked some of the mackerel over the coconut husks he had smoking in the fireplace. It was delicious.
Back on Ovive we weren’t overly hungry, so we baked a potato and had vegies in cheese sauce topper with bacon and extra cheese on the potato. No TV reception, once again John had to resort to his transistor radio to listen to Australia play England. I don’t think the Aussies are going very well by the sounds of the cursing.
PS If you want to see the photos close up you can click on them and they will enlarge.