Farewell for 2020

Soon after Manookatoo reached Rosslyn Bay Marina in Yeppoon, the first mate flew south from Rockhampton to be with family in Sydney. The Captain wrote himself a long list of jobs, top of which was getting a new gearbox for the anchor! Fortunately supplies were delivered quickly and he was able to have a working anchor winch again within a couple of days. With border closures between Sydney and Queensland continuing, it was obvious that the first mate would not be returning to the boat in the foreseeable future, so cruising plans changed into boat storage plans, and the decision was made to get the boat to Bundaberg for the summer, avoiding cyclone prone areas and keeping the boat secure.

 

After a few days of windy conditions, a small weather “window” opened on Saturday and the Captain decided to take it, leaving Rosslyn Bay at first light and turning south, reaching The Narrows as the wind increased and cruising over the Ramsey Cattle Crossing as the tide was almost high. He continued on to Gladstone Public Jetty to catch up with our friends Andrew and Yvonne, before anchoring at Sheoak Island for the night. On Sunday, he moved to a perfect cove to protect Manookatoo from the winds blowing up to 25 knots, anchoring off Tide Island. On Monday morning he tied up for a few hours near Gladstone Marina, filling up the water tanks and catching up with friends Ruth and Peter for a quick chat, before walking into town for a few groceries, returning to Manookatoo to anchor off Sheoak Island again before lunch.

Leaving at first light

Aeroplane Beach

 

The wind finally settled on Tuesday so the Captain was up and ready at first light (4.30 am), leaving the protection of Curtis Island and continuing south, reaching Pancake Creek by 10am. The trip was a little "lumpy", with a 20 knot wind developing against an outgoing tide. Eighteen boats were anchored in the creek, all waiting for enough of a break in the rolling seas in order to continue south! After setting the anchor he dropped the dinghy and went ashore for a walk along the sand. Later that afternoon, quite a few Boaties gathered on the shore to enjoy sundowners and a good chat. On Wednesday it was time for exercises, followed by a refreshing swim, which included washing around the waterline! After breakfast he headed ashore again, walking along the bush track towards the lighthouse, then detouring onto the track to Aeroplane Beach and back to the creek via the rocky shore. He caught up with a couple of ex-members of Yaringa Mariners Club, Westernport Bay, where Manookatoo was berthed when we first got her, and enjoyed drinks on their 59 foot yacht.

“The family”

 

Thursday dawned clear and calm, so many of the boats on anchor in Pancake Creek made the most of the conditions to raise anchors and head south. Manookatoo and the Captain had plenty of company as they cruised along, entering the Burnett River just after 2pm, fuelling up and finding a berth at the marina soon after. Later that afternoon he enjoyed farewell drinks with Yvonne and Andrew on Tranquility Base; they continue cruising south tomorrow and will be taking our “family” of plants with them as we can’t enjoy them any more; this is our final destination for this year.

Slipped for summer "on the hard"

 

The next three days were spent preparing Manookatoo for the summer: emptying cupboards and fridges of perishable foods, cleaning all the walls and doors, spraying anti mould solutions on all surfaces, placing water absorbing containers and moth balls in nooks and crannies and containers filled with diluted vinegar (to kill any mould spores) in every room. Bedding was washed, mattresses aired, windows were cleaned and even the toilet was wrapped in gladwrap! He also found time for drinks and dinner with friends, bus trips to Bundaberg and a few local walks. On Monday morning the boat was lifted out of the water and had her bottom cleaned of any weed and grime before she was moved into storage “on the hard”. The captain flew out of Bundaberg airport on Monday afternoon, bound for Brisbane and the Gold Coast, then Sydney and finally Melbourne - our wonderful northern cruise is over for this year, but we will return in 2021!!

The Captain’s Log: Rosslyn Bay to Burnett Heads

Distance travelled: 140.6 nautical miles 

Fuel consumption: 163.4 litres

Travelling Time 27 hours 40 minutes