4th Oct Middle Percy Island to Pearl Bay 58nm

We got up early and had a cup of tea and launched the dinghy to go back to the A Frame for a more detailed look and a walk on the beach.

I placed another piece of memorabilia on our plaque in the A Frame to acknowledge Maureen and Eric as crew on the voyage south.

At 8am we motored out and had breakfast of bacon and eggs on the way.

Shortly after leaving Middle Percy we saw two big sharks having a feeding frenzy on the surface. They were ferociously devouring fish. Possibly a small school of tuna.

It was a long motor as there was no wind to Pearl Bay. Our original destination was Island Head Creek but with the lack of wind I felt the midges would eat us alive.

We were worried about the SE swell but when we arrived it was flat as bowling green. We had a walk on the beach and collected a few shells.

We saw two turtles in the shallows in the horrid algae and were wondering if they had come close into shore to lay eggs or were they sick with the algae. They both raised their heads to breathe so we are hoping they will go ashore and lay eggs and return to the cleaner waters.

Someone had made a big smiley face with some big green rope that had been washed up on the beach. Very clever and I hope it will be there for many years.

We had dinner on Billabong with sashimi and a beautiful piece of tuna roll cooked medium rare for everyone.

A long day with-out catching a fish as the ocean was filled with the green smelling algae.

The northerly winds and the hotter than normal conditions have brought the algae bloom early and it is very smelly.

3rd Oct Keswick To Middle Percy Island 70nm

When we woke there was no wind and it was a well-protected anchorage. Worth noting that for next time. At 6.30am we raised the anchor for the long trip to Middle Percy Island. The fishing lines were put out and we lost a lure with-in half an hour on something big because I had a wire trace and the 100lb line snapped.

The day was overcast with the occasional rain squall and the wind would come and go. If we could sail above 6 knots we did but as soon as the speed dropped below the engine was fired up. We had to maintain at least 6 knots to get there and we were pushing current all day.

About half way just as I was in the middle of cooking lunch a yell from the cockpit came “fish on”. I quickly turned the gas off with half cooked fish and eggs left in the pan and scrambled up to see what was going on. We had 3 lures out and 3 fish hooked. One fish let go after bending both treble hooks and I pulled in the biggest tuna I have ever caught. Possibly 10kg which is good size and great to eat. On the other line, we pulled in a spotted mackerel.

After all that pandemonium, I was washing the decks and my good fishing bucket slipped out of my fingers. We tried to retrieve it but I think it sunk or it was low in the water which made it impossible to see in the waves.

Two fish landed meant we had heaps so we pulled the lines in. I filleted the 2 fish on the way into Middle Percy Island.

We arrived at Middle Percy in time to go ashore and visit the A Frame and had a rum on the beach in memory of a young man Trent who was lost at sea around Middle Percy. Maureen knew him. We also had a drink in memory to Eric’s son Jai.

We went back to Isabella where we were treated to crumbed mackerel. Another delightful meal.

It was a great day despite the rain and overcast conditions. The anchorage was little swelly but good enough for a good sleep.

2nd Oct Thomas to Keswick 34nm

At 6 am after practically no sleep we had to up anchor and get out of there. It was so rolly that it was impossible to get the motor off the dinghy and to raise the dinghy. I made the decision to tow it until Goldsmith Island which is 12 nm away and raise it in the lee of the island. That worked well and we caught another spotted mackerel on the way there.

In the lee of the island we were able to make tea and toast while raising the dinghy.

We had big concerns as to where was going to be the best anchorage for the night. We had hardly any wind but this huge swell was obviously being sent in from a major wind way out east. The decision was to anchor in the lee of Keswick Island which is also protected from another island adjacent called St Bees.

On the way, we caught a big eye tuna, another spotted mackerel and a mac-tuna.

We let the mac-tuna go as we have enough sashimi of better quality in the big eye tuna.

We arrived at Keswick Island and were relieved that there was little swell so we made the decision to anchor there. It was at the middle of the tide and in overcast conditions we thought we were anchoring outside the reef. At low tide and when the sun came out we were anchored above some coral bommies so we had to move further out or risk getting the anchor tangled in the coral.

I had a snorkel and found it a very good place for coral and looked like some good fish there. With a nearly full freezer there was no fishing done off the yacht although I think it could have been productive.

We had sunset drinks on Isabella and an entre of sashimi.

We returned to Billabong to cook the coral trout from the day before. I BBQ’d it nicely with lime, garlic, chilli and coriander rubbed with sea salt and bathed in olive oil. It was definitely a treat for Eric and Maureen.

It was a good night sleep with a gentle rock although the anchor did drag across the coral.

1st Oct Chance Bay to Thomas Island 18nm

We were in no hurry to leave after a big night on Ngak Ngak. A swim on the beach was required to clear the cobwebs.

After breakfast at around 9.30 am we headed for Thomas Island and 30 minutes into our journey we caught a spotted mackerel. I filleted it on the way because as soon as we got to Thomas Island we wanted to do some fishing. We also could use some offcuts for bait. I like fishing off the point of Dead Dog Island on a rising tide where I have previously caught Coral Trout.

We anchored in the bay and it was certainly calm and good enough to stay the night. We launched the dinghy for fishing and went over to Isabella and Judy wanted to come so we were invited into her dinghy. Eric was fishing with bait on a hand line while Judy and I were fishing with soft plastics. It was a contest between soft plastic and bait to see who would win.

Eric caught a couple of emperors on bait so we were relying on him to bring home the big ones.

Judy caught a rock cod which was too small. Then I caught 2 big stripey’s and then landed a big Coral Trout. Eric switched to a soft plastic and landed a coral trout too.

It started to rain and we had six keepers so we returned to the yacht to clean and fillet the fish.

Judy and Martin came for dinner of spotted mackerel and coleslaw that was left over from the night before.

Not long after dinner and the dishes were done we went to bed. An hour after bed the yacht was hit with a surge of south east swells and we rolled quite violently at times. It was an ugly night and very little sleep.

You get a night like that every now and then and it is horrible but you have to put up with the bad to experience the good nights.

30th Sep Abel Point to Chance Bay 24nm

An early morning start, up at 6.30am to get things ready for a midday getaway.

A quick load of washing, breakfast and shower and off to the Airlie Saturday markets for some last-minute supplies.

I booked the fuel jetty for 11.30 and was able to fill up with fuel waiting for my new crew Maureen and Eric to arrive.

They arrived at 12.30 and we departed as soon as they were on board.

They were quite hungry so cooked them a toasted sandwich on the way to Chance Bay.

There was not a lot of wind so motor sailed all the way.

We arrived at Chance Bay at 4pm in time for a swim.

Ngak Ngak invited us to a pre 70^th Birthday dinner. Hamish turns 70 on 2^nd Oct so we had early celebration. Mutual friends Patrick and Janelle Dubois were on board whom I had not seen for 20 years. We used to sail Hobie cats on the Swan river out of Nedlands Sailing Club. It was so good to see them and catch up on the past.

I gave Hamish a nice deep diver high speed trolling lure for his birthday so hope it catches him some fish. Oliver gave him a birthday card which he had made up before he left.

We had a great dinner of prawns and coral trout supplied by Ngak Ngak. I baked a vegie bake while Isabella provided coleslaw to accompany the coral trout.

It was a fantastic night.

29th Sep Abel Point Marina

Today was a sad day as Oliver and Tamara were flying back to Sydney.

All good things come to an end and we had a great time.

I have new crew coming tomorrow to assist me to sail Billabong back to Sydney.

Maureen and Eric my PNG friends will accompany me to Bundaberg.

At 9am Tamara and Oliver were all packed up and I had the Marina Courtesy car so I took them into Airlie for breakfast before dropping them off at the ferry terminal

For their trip across to Hamilton Island to catch their flight to Sydney.

Oliver had a great time and it was sad that it had come to an end.

I spent the rest of the day provisioning Billabong for the journey south.

I had drinks on Isabella and we joined Unruffled at La Tabella for a pleasant meal.

28th Sep Abel Point Marina

I had a fair bit of maintenance things to do on the yacht while Tamara completed all the washing.

We took Oliver for breakfast and then a swim in the town lagoon before returning for lunch where I completed most of the chores while looking after Oliver.

Oliver loves the swimming.

We met Ngak Ngak and Isabella for dinner at Sorrento’s