small steps

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Was watching a British documentary about dogs last night with Martin Clunes. He "went all the way to Australia" to visit Fraser Island to see dingos. Was odd to see this TV program from the homeland visiting an island that we were actually at.

Up on time today (Monday) to leave Garry's. The French catamaran "First Trax" that we originally anchored behind was running his engines again - I assume he was charging his batteries like he had yesterday afternoon.

We cranked up the engine, pulled up the anchor ...by hand! (the new bolt for the stripper fitted well but now the other bolt needs replacing - and the winch itself only worked briefly too), and finally left Garry's cautiously via the shallow but slightly quicker northern entrance.

Then turned north and continued to follow the navigation markers carefully and went by engine alone as this is the shallow part of the Sandy Strait. There were scattered showers but we didn't have far to go before we reached South White Cliffs (AKA Yankee Jack Anchorage) S25 31.77 E152 57.92. We only travelled 10 miles but in fact it was only 6 miles as the crow flies! Small steps.

As we came into the anchorage we waved back as we passed the motor-cruiser "Liberation" that we almost swung onto at Garry's. We had joked that they might not be keen to see us and we had anchored a long way from them. Also saw another boat that Naomi was admiring in Tin Can Bay, and a stink-boat no less! I must admit I was impressed with their second tender- a hovercraft!

Before the tide had a chance to drop we jumped in the dingy and headed south to explore a beautiful little waterway called Yankee Jack Creek. We had some more light rain but then the sun broke out and sheltered from the wind it was a lovely serene spot.

Had a brief stop on a beach and then headed back to the boat to find First Trax had anchored right next to us. They later moved to different part of the anchorage - I think to get more shelter from the wind as it was picking up to 20 knots again - I think that's why.....

After lunch the rain really came down so spent the afternoon reading. Late afternoon, now dry, with the tide now low exposing the many sand-banks around us, we visited one so Naomi could go hunting for fish bait such as yabbies even though we couldn't find the yabby pump she was sure we had. No luck. Also stopped back at the same beach as before which was more mud flats now and Naomi sunk almost up to her knees!

Nice to be somewhere different... and with better TV reception too! We plan to head up the river to Maryborough but there's a few more things at this anchorage I want to see first so may spend an extra night to work the tides properly.

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