20th April 2013
Grass Tree Beach 21o
21.858S 149o 18.876E
I had to leave Curlew Island at 5 am to make use of a 2kn
tidal current on my way here. It meant
that when I got here the tide was out so the entrance to Grass Tree Creek was
if bit iffy. I anchored out the front
waiting for the incoming tide so that I could get in. I started to read a book but fell asleep and
missed the tide window.
Never mind it is quite pleasant out here anyway. The creek is probably full of sandflies
anyway…
21st April
2013
Mackay 21o
21.858S 149o 18.876E
Had a good wind to blow me up here and into the Mackay
harbor. I had to skirt around Hay point
loading facility. The AIS showed that
were over 2 dozen ships anchored or being loaded at the conveyor.
As I was pulling into the harbor I was hailed by the captain
of the Coral Princess which was trying to leave the port while I was coming
in. He asked that I go around his stern
which I did. He was too big for me to
take on. The fisheries boat came over
and took my details. Apparently it is a
pretty tight port with a lot of weekend boats cutting through so they like to
keep everything pretty well controlled.
You have to go through the harbor to get to the town marina and boat
ramp. I was a bit worried but, the
fisheries guys were cool and laughed saying that I did the right thing. At least I responded which apparently doesn’t
happen all the time.
Any way finally got to do my first solo docking. It all went a bit too smoothly. No one died.
Pulled out the old diesel tank and found a place that will
make me a steel one. All up it will
probably cost a boat $. At least it will
be done properly and I won’t leave a smear through the Whitsundays.
Walked over to North Mackay( about 7 km) today to visit the
closest hardware store and then caught the bus back. A good walk seems to be the only way
I can get my land legs back after being on the boat for an extended time. I’m sure that’s why marinas seem to be so
bloody far away from town.
The Great Kepple arrived on Friday might and I’ve had him
joining the walk/bus ride into town for some serious shopping.
Well we’ve been here in Mackay for a week now waiting for a weather window. These are no big pineapples or other large
objects here that queensland is famous for but, I have so far been able to locate an adequately large cane toad...
And a reasonably big banana...
Mackay is actually a bit of a boom town and it's a bit like home where Hi-vis is a fashion statement. I haven't been wasting my time here though and have managed to locate a Brumby's that sells what is possibly the perfect apple turnover...
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