Gold Coast to Lady Musgrave island

Gold Coast to Lady Musgrave Island

Cast away dock lines on the 25^th July 2015 11.15am with farewells from friends and our mechanic who was on board doing last minute checks on the motor 15mins before departure.

Shane O’Reilly waved us farewell at the seaway and Tanya was standing in the spot where she waved her mother goodbye 15 years prior when I took on the challenge of sailing to New Caledonia, leaving my Tanya, Jacqui and Terry behind.  The good omen was that it was not raining this time

 Sens de la Vie on board has Geoff our yacht engineer and Captain Teza, and Bilge Bitch, winch wench and Galley Gastronome, me. 

So far the yacht has performed well under sail but winds change onto the nose which required us to motor overnight and into the next day.

Day one went very fast and we were entertain along the way by dolphins and whale escorts.  We counted 20 whales on our first day.

First night passage under motor with very calm seas and no wind was a good start to get our sea legs.  All crew took turns on the helm and watch, having naps in the cockpit.



Whales Off Moreton Island

Sunrise seem to be my shift but I did not mind as this is when the sea life wakes up. The whale plumes are a welcoming sight and a  comfort that these majestic creatures do not see us as a threat. Awe inspiring watching them make passage cruising along with us almost felt like they were on guard.

 

Our Escorts for Todays sail

Enjoying the calm seas

 

 

We made way to Iniskip Point and the infamous bar Crossing went well despite having breaking waves all around us, Sens de la vie stayed on  a true path through this difficult bar crossing. We had to go to Tin Can bay to refuel as Hervey bay fuelling station was closed on a Sunday.

It was a nice relief to get out of the swell of the ocean as so far none of us have been sea sick but I must admit I have been queasy at times making working in the galley preparing food a little challenging. 

Iniskip Point Bar Crossing

It was a long day on Sunday and little rest for the captain as he negotiated the great sandy straights channels. Geoff and I took over around 9pm when we were out into the bay passed Frasier Island with the auto helm set for Lady Musgrave.  No shipping traffic so the night seem very long.

Head wind, choppy seas with a heavy sea dew required us to rely on the motor.  The motor to our surprise has lost its chugger chugger rattle and is now purring. It was a very cold and boring night as we lost sight of the coast around 3pm.

Note my supplies for Night Watch Coffee, Chocolate and Red Bull

The yachts electrical, plumbing, generator and alike are all performing well and have not failed, except for a fuse on the refrigeration which was easily fixed.  It has been uneventful in any breakdowns which I am very relieved and thankful for the work in preparation done by Geoff and our new best friend the mechanic Stuart.  I am so pleased.

10.30am Monday 27^th 284nm from the Gold Coast we arrived at destination Lady Musgrave Island. Negotiated the difficult entry and put down anchor for the first time without anchor argument.

Arriving a Lady Musgrave

 

Enjoyed a leisurely lunch, walked the island and got some much needed sleep.  Caught 5 fish in the evening, I cooked a roast dinner, cocktails, wine, good cheer, exhausted and relaxed we all went to bed at 9pm, and crashed.

Only to be woken up by 30knot wind so checking anchor and batting down the hatches kept us busy overnight.  The coral cay protects us from the sea swell but not the wind. 

A Blue Lagoon

Sens De la Vie  in the Blue lagoon

Tuesday 28^th Disappointing day for water activities as it was not perfect for a dive however I think we all needed a lay day just relaxing.  The fishing was great and Geoff caught a the prized Coral Trout.  You are able to fish at Lady Musgrave with Limits as it is a Protected Marine Park.

The crew committee meeting was held and we decided that we would brave the elements and depart 6am in the morning to make passage to more sheltered waters on the Northside of Great Keppel Island.  This will take a full day sail and hopefully arriving just on dusk at our destination.