further into the blue

 

We spent a relaxing night at Stokes Bay, Stanley Island after motoring for 1hr from Frederick Point, Flinders Island. When we pulled up Manatee's anchor a very old, barnacle encrusted piece of wire rigging was wrapped around the anchor. After pulling most of it onto the deck we opted to keep it simple and motor around!

 

Stokes Bay was gorgeous, 9 fishing boats (tiger prawns) were spending the day there so crew could get some sleep. I suspect the bay was home to lots of sharks.

The next morning we walked the beach- just beautiful.

 

At 1000 we departed the magical Flinders Group of islands and set sail for Hedge Reef, 25nm NW. We are now on "the peninsula" so sailing west means we keep inside the reef!

We arrived at 1700-the worst possible time to be picking our way amongst reef due to the low angle of the sun. We got as close to Hedge as possible (which has a sand cay) narrowly missing a few coral bommies. We decided we'd pushed it far enough and anchored in 5m. What an awful night...we pitched all night (like a rocking horse), the anchor dragged, we again took turns at anchor watch so were tired the next morning. We couldn't move as isolated coral bommies are not charted so it was fingers crossed.

 

We made it through the night and got the anchor up at 0830, the earliest we could see below the surface of the water. The winds were 10-15kts so we were forced to motor sail 35nm to our next anchorage. We arrived at Morris Island at 1500hrs and did a slow walking lap of the island. Beautiful spot but very distressing to see the amount of plastic washed ashore- bottles, thongs etc.  

 

Morris Island has one coconut palm, a grave of a pearl diver, a resident croc and is covered in sisal plants which makes it impossible to get to the islands interior. Allegedly the sisal was planted so shipwrecked sailors could use the staff to knock down coconuts! The reef surrounding the island is substantial, the water very clear and the sand cay stretches for miles at low tide. A very pretty spot. We stayed the next day to rest and ensure Ruby was walked out.

 

 

 

 

Marg and Ruby enjoying the view

 

too many sisal plants

leaving Morris Island

We left Morris at 0645 to catch a weather window of reasonable winds. The wind up here is so strong it nearly blows your eyebrows off! Manatee enjoys the sailing although we are heavily reefed most of the time. As usual we trolled hoping a catch dinner. We haven't caught anything since leaving Lizard Island, where we managed to land a tasty Spanish mackerel. We have managed to lose 4 lures since Lizard. We think sharks as other boats are pulling in fish as sharks grab them, often hauling in all that remains- the head.

The weather was very squally, with gusts of 35kts, causing Manatee to actually heel-her first time. We were abeam Night Reef at 1015 but it looked pretty miserable so we decided to keep going to Lloyd Bay (Lockhart River) We managed to complete the 60nm by 1445 and we anchored in shallow protected water at Almond Point. It was Christian's (SY Brunhilda) birthday so we ended the day with a impromptu party aboard Manatee.

As I write this, Marg is fishing the river with Khylie and Christian in our dinghy and I'm making the most of the isolated internet reception here. Although we are anchored off a patch of sand Ruby is boat bound due to all the crocs! We've had our crab pot out and Marg found 2 sand crabs which we released due to their size. Pity. It is also Aboriginal land and we haven't sought permission to be ashore.