Gypsy Cruising

18 June

Pancake Creek to Cape Capricorn

We slept very soundly last night in this perfectly still anchorage.  Pancake creek really is quite delightful.  It has several pretty beaches along the stretch we can see, and the hills off in the distance provide a lovely backdrop.  I’m beginning to discover that you could happily spend an entire cruise just hovering around places like this.   There’s a strong current running under the boat as the tide floods the creek.  A school of fish appear to think the Gypsy is some type of huge, protective cousin, and are swimming along just behind our stern, trying to keep up with us in the current (although of course we’re still anchored and not moving relative to the ground).  All things considered, this place is worthy of a drone flight.

Flight over Pancake Creek Anchorage

We have a few days of straight motoring ahead of us in order to clear the Shoalwater area.  We’re targeting about 40 miles for each of the next two days and about 25 miles on the third day.  Winds are light from the south and are expected to stay that way.  The general weather conditions are just fantastic.  Temperatures are in the mid 20s, skies are clear and even at night we’re staying in t-shirt and shorts.

Today’s run takes us past the port of Gladstone and thence up to Cape Capricorn.  I don’t want to go into Gladstone, largely because I’ve been told that everything gets covered in coal dust there, but also because checking in with Harbour control and keeping out of the way of bulk ore carriers is a bit of a hassle.  As it is we pass close by a dozen or more huge ships waiting at anchor just outside the port. 

I think today’s highlight was the first launching of the drone while we were underway.  We’ve had plenty of practice catching the drone while we’ve been stationary, and the flat seas set things up as well as could be hoped.  The video came out pretty well, notwithstanding the five minutes of fear I endured trying to get the thing safely back onboard.  A good learning experience.

Gypsy Princess north of Gladstone, with Cape Capricorn ahead

Otherwise the day was pleasant and uneventful. 

I know nothing about the anchorage situated inside the northern lip of Cape Capricorn.  It looks tiny on the charts, and completely open to the sea.  However conditions will be benign tonight, so there’s nothing to be concerned about.  When we do anchor we can clearly see a path leading up to the Cape’s light and a number of small buildings on the peak overlooking the bay.  Looks like a good opportunity for a walk tomorrow.

Cape Capricorn, seen from the east - an imposing headland