Sail to Bundaberg

Friday 22^nd September 2017

The early morning forecast suggested that Lady Musgrave would be hit by 15-20 knot North Westerlies tonight, so we opted to head off to Bundaberg. It seems about half of the boats anchored there had the same idea, and there was an exodus to either Pancake Creek or Bundaberg.

It was about mid incoming tide when we left at just after 7 am, and the passage through the gap in the reef was relatively smooth. Once outside, however it was pretty bumpy until we cleared the shallow water that fringed the reef. When it was a bit more comfortable, we raised our mainsail  and changed course for Bundaberg, the wind dead behind us and only about 8 knots.  It was a rolly old motor sail all of the way.

Dalwhinnie behind us

There were plenty of whale sightings and a few dolphins along the way. I put a lure out the back with no action for hours until about 3 hours out of Bundaberg, the reel took off and most of the line had been stripped off it before I could cut the power and grab the rod. I had something pretty big on. Sadly as I started to gently wind it in, it took the lure, shredded the wire trace which was rated for around 60 lb.

The Birds have been active over the  water so there must be something there

Closer to Bundaberg it looked like a storm was brewing, so we got the sail down and secured, in case. All we got was a few rain drops, but were glad we took the sail down when we did. The closer we got to Bundaberg, the rougher the water got as it was now blowing 15-20 knots NW and the water is pretty shallow.

Inside the river, we got our lines organized for a port tie up, and they have given us a blow off berth right at the outer end of the marina, very exposed to the breeze which is on our beam . It was not a pretty berthing but we got in with the help of a few others with no drama. We have subsequently seen some much more exciting ones.

We have had to double up most of the lines just to hold us near the marina arm.

Looking at the AIS over the past few days, we had noted that some CCCA friends from Sydney were in Bundaberg, and we suspected they may still be here. I sent then an SMS and sure enough, Mischief is still in Bundaberg and we caught up with Lyn and Andrew for a BBQ Dinner at the Cruisers Cove at the marina. Every Friday night, the marina puts on a BBQ in a little area reserved for visiting cruisers. The marina provides meat and everyone brings a salad or other side dish and their own drinks.

Cruisers Cove

Dalwhinnie and  Moonshadow were with us, and the meat part of the BBQ was pretty lean pickings, but there was plenty of salad and good company.