What a glorious afternoon it is here in the Glouceser passage. We sailed yesterday for 8 hours, leaving Cape Upstart after a very rough night’s anchoring to travel south to this destination. It was 7am when the engine went on and the sea was choppy with an unimpressive wind. The engine went off for a short time however we found ourselves almost surrounded by whales splishing and sploshing and crashing their tales across the sea. We even had a very large (Mother) we thought swim toward ‘Dalwhinnie’ with us gasping with excitement whilst being nervous that she would either run into the yacht or go under and hmmmmm toss us around a bit. We felt that she wanted to keep moving south whilst her youngster played raucously only 100metres from us. It was delightful and wonderful despite making us a little anxious. We kept the motor going to ensure that they could hear us and therefore stay their distance. Of course we can’t ‘chase whales’ and there is a 100metres safety distance that we are supposed to keep however tell that to the whales. It was very special and something we will keep close to our hearts for many years. Of course capturing these beautiful creatures is almost impossible as one minute you have your lens focused on them ready to snap away and then they are back under the water or they are just that bit too far away….. I guess that’s a lesson about life itself, ‘catching the moments’ or ‘carpe diem’ or ‘seize the day’ when we can because when we least expect it life can go a little pear shaped or ‘down the gurgler’ as my Mother would say.
8 hours and 49 nautical miles opposed to the previous passage which I wrote as 49 nm when it was in actual fact 69nautical miles (for those who like the detail). We arrived here at Gloucester Passage with only a slight breeze and the water sparkling with jewels and before us were a good 80 yachts and catamarans anchored and moored all in ready for the ‘Shagg Island’ rendevous. Dinner was a cheese omlette and after a bit of ABC television I crawled into my comfy bed (with an earache) and slept for hours.
This morning after breakfast it was time to pop into the tender and travel the 200 plus metres to the shore. The sand is white or almost that colour and the water is a beautiful azure blue. The sun was already hot as we wandered along the beach marvelling at all the activity already present for the Shagg Rendevous. At the Monte Resort we enjoyed a decent coffee and agreed that this really was a beautiful part of the Coral Coast with Bona Bay and Gloucester Island across the way and Shagg Islet itself across the water. Then it was time to register for the activities that the SIYC has organised and of course you can do as little or as much as you desire. Pay your $25 and then join in. I caught up with fellow yachties who had shared our Airlie Beach Marina Tim and Deb before Brian and I met a couple from Phillip Island who spend 6 months of the year here in their caravan. Jenny and Terry were great company and really interesting to talk to as we shared some stories about camping and the beautiful Australian countryside/beaches. It was time to putter back to ‘Dalwhinnie’ and after lunch settle down to reading, writing (for me) a chat with Tasman and bills to be paid. I think I’ll say cheers for now and do a Crossword before we throw on our Shagg Island Polo shirts and join several hundred fellow ‘Shaggers’ back on the beach for a few yarns and to see the sun set over the glorious sea. Definitely very blessed and when we receive messages asking ‘When are you coming Home?’ It’s hard not to respond with ‘I don’t know’ or ‘when we get tired of this island hopping lifestyle’ or even ‘never’!”
Attached are a few images to wet your appetite and wish you all well…….
amandaraeliddell 