Rosslyn Bay via The Narrows to Gladstone

Wed 1 Sept 2010

Bye Bye Rosslyn Bay

Leaving  Rosslyn Bay at 0645 other cruisers waved us off as we passed by, how very social of them.

Bye Kerry

Bye Megan & Bruce

We headed for Cape Capricorn but the forecast NE wind did not eventuate so after 2 hours of slogging to windward at 3 knots with sail and motor we gave up the Cape Cap quest. The re-evaluation soon saw us heading for Sea Hill Peak, the entrance to The Narrows and we were then doing 6kts. Amazing how the swell knocks back the boat speed and having a beam reach benefits one's speed!! On checking the tides we thought we could pass through the Narrows without stopping and we did.

It was interesting to hear the yacht 'Murraweena' from RPAYC logging on with Keppel Sands Coast Guard and giving their destination as Broken Bay. The Coast Guard had to ask where Broken Bay was since it is not a regularly used destination around these parts. We resisted the urge to give our destination as Lake Macquarie and sail straight through.

Cattle Crossing in The Narrows (or shallows)

The water got a bit shallow around the cattle crossing with 1.7m of water. Apparently it dries to 2m here at low tide so its not a good place to run aground. As we entered the shallows the tide had already begun to turn and we were down to 5.3 kts with the engine working quite hard but as we passed out of the shallows the ebb was helping and we soon reached 6 to 7 kts again.

Coal Terminal

On Reaching Laird Point, at the edge of the Harbour Control Anne radioed in and we  were informed that there were no ship movements so that was one worry we did not have (ie 100,000 tonne dodgem boat).
Anne then radioed Gladstone Marina to see if they would still be open at 1730 and the lady kindly waited for us to arrive. Michael entered the berth without any great dramas (getting better all the time); there's a song in that somewhere, 'Los Beatles' perhaps? We know its not Elvis and he has not made an appearance since Pittwater in February.

Sundown over The Port

Passing the coal loading terminal and 2 bulk carriers tied up we were close to the marina as the sun dipped in the west.

Dinner at the yacht club was most enjoyable as the 2 members otherwise known as 'Los Saaremaates' wandered up and back. A restaurant/cafe at the marina would save the tired old legs but both closed some time ago when the rents were more than doubled by the Harbour Authority.

Tomorrow its up early, we have to get the ebb tide, and then off to 1770 with once again NE winds forecast, we will see!!!