Gladstone to 1770

Thurs 2 Sept 2010

The beauty of concrete

Up early, again!!, a quick shower ready to go then Michael checked the bilge. Oh ho!! where did this water come from in our normally dusty bilge? Never mind about that for now (tastes not too salty so maybe a bladder leak) we dry it up and get going to catch the ebb tide.

Palm tree tropical ambiance

We left at 0640 contacting Gladstone Harbour Control and then trundled down the shipping lane (on the edge of course) past all the dodgem beasts tied up and loading so we were safe from them. As we passed the concrete silos we noticed the tropical ambiance of 3 palm trees incongruously placed on the dock (aah! its truly a tropical paradise when even the concrete surrounds are beautified).

Five tugs a glinting

Five tugs were glinting in the morning sun awaiting a days work as we passed two monsters tied up at what we guess is the alumina loading or unloading wharf. The black hulled ship registered in London looked to be in a better state of repair than the grey ship registered in Monrovia, (not really a strange situation for a flag of convenience ship).

Two ships a docking

One lonely crane

The lonely crane looked a bit out of it with no work to do and as there was plenty of room we went in towards it to put up the mainsail ready for the expected NE winds (you'll be lucky, and we were not, we seem to be blessed with the SE although there was some extra east in the wind later).

A monster looms

Adonis looming larger

Nice bow wave

Dodgem boat began soon as the bulk carrier 'Adonis' loomed and grew bigger but we were by now outside of the shipping channel to avoid a scene. These are very big beasts up close and personal but not so personal as to see the colour of the pilot's eyes.

A cracking stern

Continuing on out of the control area we radioed our exit to Harbour Control and then headed for Bustard Head. The sea was pretty calm with a 1m swell and the sun shone brilliantly all day but the wind remained at 5knots from the ESE. We were cruising along at 5+ knots and the motor was running smoothly (apart from the noise and vibration) all day (aah! there is nothing like a good motor sail which we are quickly becoming experts at). With the amount of motor sailing we have done so far, with no doubt a lot more to come, we might as well chop the mast off and become a motor boat, except having the mainsail up does keep things quite steady so maybe we'll keep the stick!!

On the way we saw several large turtles and lots of what must be bilge oil from the ships producing long ribbons of yellow droplets but no whales or dolphins. Alternatively the ribbons or slicks could be algal blooms but it is strange that it only occurs around the areas with lots large ships.

Clews Point entrance to Round Hill Creek 1770

On arrival at 1770 we asked if there were any special instructions about entering Round Hill Creek but other than a green buoy being upside down all was normal 'just follow the buoys' was the advice. We anchored at 1510 opposite the pub outside of the channel but could not go ashore for a beer without a swim as we were too slack to lower Muhu.
 

1770

1770 is a lovely spot but we will be leaving early again tomorrow to catch the forecast NE breeze to carry us down to Burnett Heads and Bundaberg.

1770

The fastcat 'Spirit of 1770' came in during our sundowners on her way back from Lady Musgrave Island. Lady Musgrave is a lovely spot but a bit off our route so its no go this time around.

Pork

Michael's crematorium was in fine form as he charcoaled the pork and another gourmet dinner was had aboard Saaremaa washed down with a lovely glass of kero and a flute of turps (ie red kero and white turps).

Other boats in the anchorage added to the charm of the place.

A sunset finishes off another lovely day.