Shaw Island to Island Head

15th October
We had had a wonderful run of weather in the Whitsundays but now it was becoming changeable with South Easterly’s forecast so we decided to get down to Keswick / St Bees Islands early and leave ourselves the option of pressing on to the Percy Islands or sitting out the possible stronger south east weather.

So it was up anchor at 0600, rudely awakening our new crew member in the forward cabin.

As it turned we had a nice run down to Egremont Channel between the two Islands, where we anchored at 10.30.

The wind got up a bit in the afternoon but we had an explore in the dinghy and later on the rising tide went over to a beach on St Bees for a walk and a swim. The wisdom of going down the ladders backwards and using both hands was demonstrated by Jon who, attempting to get in the dinghy with an arm full of fins, snorkels and mask, was throw off balance by a roll of the boat and landed heavily on the duckboard. Assuring us he was all right, he went after the items he was carrying as they spiralled into the depths – retrieving all.

Turns out he was not OK – with a nasty gash on his calf and grazing and significant bruising on his thigh. However after some hasty first aid, he was back in the dinghy and we headed past the resort for a look before landing on the beach.

16th October
We were out of bed early to sniff the weather and it was do-able at about 15knots but had been blowing overnight. We had a big day ahead, about 9.5 hours run which turned out to be over 10 as we were pushing the tidal flow. Our autopilot had gone out about a week before so there was no respite for the helmsman. The first few hours were hard going pushing directly into the sea, which had got up overnight. Suzanne had never had a run like this in her life, being used to Moreton Bay (with the exception of a run north last year) but she took it in her stride. The anchor leaped off its mount on the bow and Edgar had go forward, kitted up in raincoat and life jacket, to tie it down (ruined my varnish too the b thing!) whilst Jon did his share of the steering.
The sea eventually settled down a bit but it was a tired crew that saw Middle Percy Island come up over the horizon. We sailed past West Bay with no time to stop for a run ashore as we had hoped. Our goal was the east end of South Percy, more sheltered from the southeast wind. So on we went past Whites Bay and eventually dropped anchor at South Percy. We felt a need for firm land underfoot so launched the dinghy to go ashore.

We were the only boat there and when we stepped onto this most beautiful wild beach we all felt the hard day had been worth it. There was not another human footprint besides ours and three tracks where turtles had come ashore to nest, one as recent as the last tide. Numerous shells were added to the collection and feeling totally fulfilled it was back on board for a peaceful night.

17th October
After breakfast we went ashore for a roam on the beach and rocks, Lyndal walked the beach and Jon had snorkel round the rocks.

Back on board we got under way at 10.00 for Island Head.

The first couple of hours was a nice run, wind under 10 knots but then, although wind remained light, we encountered an increasing swell from the east, reaching about 2 to 2.5 metres.

Suzanne swooped over the swell manfully (womanfully?), then when a bit of a sea got up on top of the swell it became pitching and rolling as well. On one of the rolls the chair Jon was sitting in went over, quite badly bruising his other thigh – we were beginning to wonder in what shape we would be sending him back to Miranda – and they say things come in threes! Once again we were pleased to see our destination appear ahead. Passing between the heads into the inlet was like going from one world to the next with perfect calm inside. We went a couple of miles up the inlet to drop anchor.

The BBQ lamb dinner was well earned. The forecast for the next couple of days was grim so it looked like we were here for a while.

17th and 18th October
We awoke to heavy showers of rain in the morning so Suzanne got a nice wash-down to remove a lot of the salt. In the afternoon we put down the crab pots with the dinghy, and after a bit of a survey further up the inlet, we motored down to the sand spit near the entrance for a walk on the beach.

That night the 25-30 knot south easterly arrived with a vengeance. The wind howled and the boat even got up a bit of a rock – most unusual that far up the river. Even the birds got sick of flying and headed for shelter
Next morning it was sleep in and a late breakfast of delicious corn fritters and eggs cooked by Lyndal. The crew got back to their world geography jigsaw puzzle, and when the skipper suggested they might up anchor to move further up the inlet for more shelter, the deckies- who would have found themselves hanging over the bow hosing the muddy chain in a howling gale – got very mutinous expressions on their faces so the “consensus” was that we stay where we were.

The wind eased in the afternoon so we picked up the crab pots: one nice sand crab and lots of tiddlers – all his children perhaps? We let him go to fight another day and put the dinghy up in the hope of getting away in the morning.