Cape Upstart

Tuesday 4^th August 2015

Things got a bit bumpy overnight at Bona Bay, but we slept well. There was a small interruption in the early hours of the morning when the drag on my fishing reel went off. By the time I got to it the line was firmly snagged on my anchor chain. Inspection when lifting the anchor this morning shows the line had been wrapped around the chain about 20 times. The remnants of the cut line took  a while to be cut away from the chain. Janet was a bit luckier and caught a spotted mackerel overnight.

It was a still , foggy morning

I put a line in before we left in the morning and caught a few undersize stripeys and 2 unidentified fish (photo below).

We headed off at 9 am for a longer day sail today to Cape Upstart, about 45 nm. Ruby has joined our fleet and headed out with us.

Koonya under way

We had a whale sighting just off Bowen, where a mother and baby put on quite a display close in to the shore.

As we approached Abbott Point there was more excitement as a loaded ship was leaving the dock, and heading out our way, soon after which the tugs and pilot headed out towards us at pace to get the next ship for loading.  We dodged it all and were entertained by listening to them on the VHF radio.

Cargo vessel Pioneer leaving Abbott Point

It was light winds for most of the day, but sufficient after lunch to raise a headsail to give the motor some assistance.

We were anchored at Cape Upstart by around 4.30 pm, in a very comfortable spot out of the swell (not that there was much).

Ruby anchored at Cape Upstart

Sundowners were on Koonya, which soon extended into staying for dinner. We plan to head off to Cape Bowling Green in the morning, hopefully with enough breeze to sail, but not enough to make it an uncomfortable anchorage.