Gypsy Cruising

6 September

Turtle Bay

I've been preoccupied with things recently and not allowed myself to enjoy the simple pleasures that living on a boat can bring in a place as perfect as this.  I woke this morning intent on taking a different tack.  I put on a brand new shirt, never worn, and before the sun had made an appearance over the hills, I set out on a hard, two hour row in the dinghy.  Funny that I can’t run for even half an hour to save myself, but I could keep up a solid pace rowing for the whole two hours.  I guess it’s the same muscles I use sailing a boat.  Two hours of listening to the sound of my breathing and of the boat surging through the water, and just concentrating on making each stroke the same as the last.  The shirt came off after about 15 minutes, but then I’ve been told that having tanned limbs and a white torso isn’t de rigueur, so maybe going topless for a while will be ok.   

I saw plenty of fish and a reef shark, and got up and over a fringing reef in one of the small inlets off the bay.  Having got back to the boat I had a quick swim and a shower, made breakfast, and felt wonderful.

The weather today is just a repeat of what we’ve seen over the past few days.  Turtle Bay looks stunning.  We’re ringed by at least five sandy beaches along the shore immediately to our north and, to the south, we look out on Pentecost Island and all the southern islands of the Whitsundays.  There was no reason to move, so we didn’t.  I fell asleep on one of the cockpit seats, the first time that’s happened all cruise.  It’s therapeutic to have nothing to do (now that this blog is finally up to date!).

Nirvana’s Kitchen and three other Club boats came into the anchorage this afternoon.  It’s lovely to see them again.  Drinks were arranged on the beach at 4, where we also met the man who created the Shag Islet Cruising Yacht Club and a whole lot of other “Shaggers” members who happened to be in the bay.  It’s finally become apparent to me what the cruising fraternity really means.  We’re part of a very large group of people who love visiting places like this on their boats, and who treat each other essentially as their extended family.  Coming together on the beach for an impromptu drinks and social get together was like meeting up with old friends you haven’t seen for a long time.  Almost all were Shaggers members.  It was a great way to end a wonderful, quiet, restorative day.