Gypsy Cruising

4 September

Gloucester Passage to the Whitsunday Islands

Our stay at Gloucester Passage a month ago, on the northwards leg, coincided with a bit of a mixed bag weather-wise.  We had a perfect day when we walked around to Hideaway Bay but also a couple of days with strong winds and overcast skies.  In contrast, today dawned absolutely still with a cloudless sky.  It was low tide just after sun up, and we were sitting (quite happily) in 2.7 meters of water.  The water was so clear we were able to see the bottom with perfect ease and follow the anchor chain as it meandered up to the anchor.  It was also hot.  We’ve always had warm weather up here during the day, but today the sun is actually vicious in its intensity.  

We haven’t been ashore but certainly the wonderful memories of my last visit were enough to want to capture one last set of photos.  I also made a point of watching the sun set last night, one last time (for now).

Looking towards Montes Resort on Cape Gloucester.  It was a gorgeous, still morning.

On the other side of the passage, Gloucester Island

I was remiss in not previously referring to the Shag Islet Cruising Yacht Club (SICYC).  As I've had it told to me, the Club was created some time ago by a yachtie who was rejected for membership at some other club on the basis he wasn't already a Vice Commodore of a yacht club.  He turned around and formed the SICYC and made himself Vice Commodore.  Shag Islet is a tiny lump of rock in the Gloucester Passage.  In fact, that's not even its real name but everyone calls it that because of the birds (shags) that are there.  Lifetime membership is open to everyone for a once only fee.  As their website states, "we're exclusively non-exclusive".  The Club now has over 6,700 members in over 17 nations, more than most, maybe any, other yacht club.  All members are Vice Commodores, and all have the same membership number - 0010.  Member rendezvous are held every year and are a focus for serious fund raising work.  The Club burgee can be seen flying on many cruising boats up here, including quite a few of the Alfreds cruising fleet.

Shag Islet

The trip from Gloucester Passage to the Whitsundays is relatively short.  In fact I consider Gloucester Island to be the northern boundary of the Whitsunday region.  I’ve said in my posts over the last few days that the seas have been flat.  Today they were glassy, and the boat almost glided across them under engine power. 

The Whitsundays remain a very special place.  Certainly they’re busy, with many commercial boats and bareboats floating around even in a non-school holiday period like now.  But they have a unique beauty that reminded me today of why I fell in love with them so many years ago.  It’s nice to be back for another couple of weeks.

Some of the many Whitsunday islands

Nirvana’s Kitchen and some other Club boats are down here already, heading for Whitehaven.  We’ll probably catch up with them tomorrow, somewhere.  

Today we’ve put in to Macona Inlet for a restful afternoon and to allow me to finally get this blog up to date!!!  John and I dinghied in to one of the many very pretty beaches shortly after arriving.  The beach happened to be occupied by one of the power boaters also anchored in here.  He'd  set up a very pleasant camp involving beach chair, esky full of beers and a large beach umbrella to keep himself covered from the sun.  He needed that - 'cause other than a hat and glasses he had absolutely nothing else on to cover him.  We had a good chat with him anyway, about cruising in general and this area specifically.  On the way back to the boat, John commented that he'd been hoping the guy didn't stand up!  No pictures for this one – you’ll just have to use your imagination.

Crew work on Gypsy Princess.  Before dinner each day the crew is required to scrub the decks, from the transom step to the bow roller.  Every Sunday the mast has to be polished.

Me starting to look a bit like a local I think