Logbooks:

East Coast Cruising (2)
England 2016
East Coast Cruising
Darwin to Sydney
Cape Leveque to Darwin
North West Cape to Cape Leveque
Hillarys to North West Cape
On Board Singita, Perth to Port Lincoln

Hillarys to North West Cape

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@ NW Cape

Date:	June 25, 2015, 2 a.m.
Position:	21 45.07 S, 114 11.07 E

Rounding the Cape, yes seas still sloppy & confused!

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Jurabi Point

Date:	June 25, 2015, midnight
Position:	21 51.25 S, 113 58.72 E

Left Tantabiddi this morning at 7am for a 55NM trip to Serriuer Island.Quite a momentos day hop as we are rounding NW Cape & starting to head east. The Cape is, as all Capes, confused & sloppy in all weather & tides. We have tried to pick a reasonable day &, let me say, it's still not good!
Our three days on anchor were mixed. We had the strong winds as predicted but mostly they passed by lunchtime & we were able to get off & have a snorkel.
One nice surprise we met up with Clint, a friend from Hillarys. He is on his way back south cruising on his boat, Charisma ii. We caught up a number of times which was great.

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@ Tantabiddi

Date:	June 21, 2015, 11:48 a.m.
Position:	21 54.51 S, 113 58.21 E

Arrived at 4pm after a fairly frustrating day, the wind was either too light or directly behind us &, given that the seas were a little confused it meant we wallowed at times doing 6 knots rather than a preferred 8. Adding to the frustration was that when trying to pick up a mooring in fairly boisterous conditions the boat hook slipped from my hands & drifted then sank probably never to be seen again :-( Good job that was one of our 'spare' requirements on board! Only highlights / interest for the day was the coast we were travelling was Cape Range National Park was really nice & the Australian Customs plane 'buzzed' us & then called us on the VHF checking our details & planned route, all very routine given no drug running or people smuggling planned for this trip!
Looks like we will be at Tantabiddi until at least Tuesday due to very strong SE winds.

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Norwegian Bay

Date:	June 20, 2015, 8 a.m.
Position:	22 35.72 S, 113 40.09 E

Our last few hours before anchoring were spent with engines on, as the wind had died, & whale watching. We had seven around us, a group of four one side & three the other. We were treated to two breeches & much pectoral fin slapping. The smallest of the group of three passed right under our bow sideways showing it's white underside which in turn shows beautiful green water above. Awesome day on the water!
Once anchored we went to shore for a walk, swim & to check out the ruins of the old whaling station here which operated from 1912 to 1957. Hard to believe that in the first year 2000 whales were killed & processed, they were easy picking so close to shore. Sobering thoughts.

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@ Point Cloates

Date:	June 20, 2015, 3:28 a.m.
Position:	22 44.46 S, 113 37.37 E

Left Mauds Landing this morning after an enjoyable & unexpected night with anchor neighbours Kirk & Barb who are living & sailing on their boat 'Do-it'. They came on board for a quick drink at 6pm & left after 9pm! Was great to meet them & spend time sharing experiences.
Now just rounding Point Cloates on our way to Norwegian Bay. Lovely sailing this morning, less than 10 knots of easterly breeze & we're cruising along very nicely between 6 & 7 knots.
Have seen four humpback whales so far, one in came up 30 metres in front of us, blew, then did a very graceful dive, tail fluke fully exposed, to get out of our way. Fabulous!

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@ Mauds Landing

Date:	June 19, 2015, 6:34 a.m.
Position:	23 12.04 S, 113 45.18 E

Have had a mixed days at Coral Bay, the day we arrived was good, the next 24 hours was feisty, winds up to 35 knots & loads of rain, completely filled 2 buckets! Luckily being tucked in behind the extensive Ningaloo Reef meant we rode it out very well with 50 meters of chain in 2.5 to 3.5 meters of water. I always think, in general, that catamarans look fairly ugly from the front but, boy is it nice to be streamlined!
By yesterday early afternoon the wind had reduced to a mere 10 knots & we were able to get in a snorkel, we were looking for turtles but alas, they avoided us.
Today we up-anchored & left Monck Head & wound our way up another very narrow channel to Point Maud. On the way we picked up a courtesy mooring, (provided by Parks & Wildlife to avoid damage to the reef, great idea!) & snorkelled again. The coral, here whilst plentiful & healthy, is various shades of brown, Ningaloo Reef is not known for it's colour, mind you that said we did see the occasional pinks, blues & greens. The fish colours & varieties are very good but the turtles, still elusive!

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@ Coral Bay

Date:	June 16, 2015, 12:15 a.m.
Position:	23 9.61 S, 113 45.75 E

Arrived after a trouble free & smoke free (:-)) overnighter just before high tide @ 8.15am, perfect, got through Yalobia Passage easily & now anchored just south of Monck Head. Have already been for a snorkel & walk to & from town for an explore. Given that there is a day or two of dodgy weather we thought we would take advantage of today's great conditions.
It would be fair to say whilst Coral Bay is great it is not set up with yacthies in mind. There are so many rules & regulations it's confusing. Where boats can anchor is either north 3klms or south 2.2klms from town, neither a long walk but if you need supplies that makes it hard! So glad we are all stocked up from Carnarvon.

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@ Red Bluff

Date:	June 15, 2015, 1:30 p.m.
Position:	24 1.96 S, 113 23.11 E

Had another leisurely sail this afternoon in light winds & smooth seas. As predicted the wind reduced <5kts by early evening so sails were put away & one motor engaged, at 1600rpm we're still cruising easily in the flat water. No moon tonight however the layers & layers of stars give some light......awesome sight!

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@ Point Quobba

Date:	June 15, 2015, 7:48 a.m.
Position:	24 32.00 S, 113 23.37 E

Left Carnarvon at 10am this morning to do an overnight leg to Coral Bay. We were planning to stop half way & not sail through the night but that didn't work as well with the high tide required to enter Yalobia Passage just south of Coral Bay.
Just rounding Point Quobba.

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@ Carnarvon

Date:	June 12, 2015, 9:21 a.m.
Position:	24 54.48 S, 113 37.70 E

Had a lovely sail from Bottle Bay to Carnarvon today, winds were very light, (4 to 7 knots true) so we cruised along at a very leisurely pace & averaged 5.5 knots for the 42NM trip. The disappointment for the day was the engines decided to recommence their smoking habit :-( We have a diesel mechanic who will hopefully be on board tomorrow morning to check them out. We did plan to be in Carnarvon over the weekend & leave Monday but that now depends on the outcome tomorrow.
In the meantime, we are very safe on a mooring buoy up the Fascine, next to town. The 'Fascine' is basically a large pond at the end of a long & winding (I feel a song coming on!), & at times shallow 2NM channel bordered by mangroves.

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Bottle Bay, Cape Peron

Date:	June 11, 2015, 11:58 a.m.
Position:	25 31.49 S, 113 29.98 E

Anchored overnight in another of our favourite spots from last year.
Tomorrow, all being well, we head for Carnarvon for fruit & vegies as we have recently been told that Coral Bay fresh 'bits' are not that reliable.

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@ Sandy Point

Date:	June 11, 2015, 6:51 a.m.
Position:	25 42.99 S, 113 5.05 E

This has got to be the best place in Shark Bay! It's a haven for all sorts of wildlife & no-one is there! We visited last year & decided we must revisit on this trip. Today, whilst the weather was great the visibility through & in the water was not so good so we didn't stay in long. From above water, apart from all the usual sea birds & schools of fish, we did manage to spot 3 dugongs, with 2 very near the boat, & a very quick manta ray.

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Anchored, Quoin Bluff South

Date:	June 10, 2015, 7:11 a.m.
Position:	25 53.02 S, 113 8.81 E

Pleasant day sail / motor further up the east coast of Dirk Hartog Island to Quoin Bluff South. Very calm weather predicted for Shark Bay over the next few days so we are hoping to see some wildlife, so far dolphins (always great to see), & flying fish!

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Shark Bay, Day Two

Date:	June 10, 2015, 1:30 a.m.
Position:	26 9.56 S, 113 14.81 E

Leaving Cape Ransonnet & heading for Quoin Bluff South

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@ Anchorage, Cape Ransonnet

Date:	June 9, 2015, 8:19 a.m.
Position:	26 9.66 S, 113 12.88 E

What a gorgeous day to welcome us to Shark Bay, sunshine & warmth, just stunning! We even went for a dip, bit chilly but very refreshing after being couped up for the trip.

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@ Steep Point

Date:	June 9, 2015, 5 a.m.
Position:	26 8.24 S, 113 8.83 E

After 29 hours we make our way through the southern entrance to Shark Bay, Steep Point. Much better last 6 hours than expected, it's usually very sloppy & confused off the back of the Zuytdorp Cliffs but seas, swell & wind were calmer, nice way to end the trip.

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@ Zuytdorp Point

Date:	June 9, 2015, 2:30 a.m.
Position:	26 23.74 S, 113 14.81 E

Passing just south of False Entrance, Shark Bay

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@ Bluff Point

Date:	June 8, 2015, 10 a.m.
Position:	27 50.73 S, 113 59.19 E

Rounding Bluff Point south of Kalbarri on our way to Steep Point, Shark Bay, about a 30hr sail. All good on board, wind & the following sea steady. Making our way inshore slightly to take advantage of the morning easterly land breeze & it's effect to flatten the ocean, hopefully!

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Ship Ahoy!

Date:

June 6, 2015, 12:29 p.m.

Good news! Geraldton Port has been re-opened for business after being closed since Tuesday. Ships started to be brought in late today after being offshore due to the recent swell. The port is closed when the swell or surge increase to 5m. Positive signs, means that we could soon be on the move again, yeah!

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@ Geraldton

Date:	June 3, 2015, 9:53 a.m.
Position:	28 46.43 S, 114 36.22 E

Finally we left the comfort of Port Denison & the great company of the 'Gonyonda' family to travel the short distance to Geraldton. Not the best day out on the water, wind was on the nose which meant motor sailing all the way. The SW swell, as predicted, was 2-3m which was fine but the light NE breeze fighting against it made the sea a little sloppy.
Our next leg is up past the Zuytdorp Cliffs is always challenging as it is very difficult to get the perfect (five) conditions, wind speed, wind direction, low swell, a full moon & the 'correct' tide for a daylight entry to Steep Point. Currently we have four of those conditions near enough, only one is missing. The swell, which as a preference should be less than 3m, for the next four days it is predicted to be 4m & above, doesn't sound much but given that all that water bounces back off the, in places, 250m high cliffs the sea will be very, very confused. That said looks like we could be in Geraldton until Saturday at least, more 'going nowhere really fast!'

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African Reef

Date:	June 3, 2015, 6 a.m.
Position:	28 58.01 S, 114 36.51 E

Rounding African Reef on our way to Geraldton

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@ Port Denison

Date:

May 31, 2015, 9:51 a.m.

Mum once bought Roger a great t-shirt that partly described sailing as.....'going nowhere really fast', this week has proved that correct! We stopped at Denison to sit out a 5m swell that was due Thursday & to investigate our smoking engines. Well, the swell has passed & the Captain thinks we have solved the smoking by reducing the oil level slightly, fingers crossed! We were all set to head to Geraldton this weekend however, after checking the weather an incoming fairly strong northerly due Monday, has delay that, Geraldton is not where you want to be on anchor in anything from the north, so fingers crossed for Tuesday! That t-shirt should have also mentioned the patience required!
That said we been having a great time out & about & catching up with friends we met earlier this year whilst cruising Geographe Bay. Stefan, Mariko & their 3 young children, Freya, Harrison & Rueben live in Port Denison but are planning to live aboard & cruise on their catamaran which Stefan & his father built. The reason why the boat caught our attention is obvious once you see 'Gonyonda', she's just like ours! Snap!

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Hillarys to Port Denison

Date:	May 26, 2015, 8 a.m.
Position:	29 16.41 S, 114 54.87 E

Arrived in Dension after overnight stops at Lancelin & Jurien Bay. We had elected to not travel overnight on this part of the coast as craypots are in abundance & picking one up to travel with you is not a good idea! Our three days we very uneventful, calm seas & little wind, in fact so calm motor sailing was the way to go. Our first great animal encounter came when we were greeted in Jurien Bay by a very active & inquisitive seal, he/she was even tempted to hop aboard! (See pics).
Looks like we could be in Denison or, next stop Geraldton, until after this weekend given the predicted increased swells to >5m & a starboard side engine that has taken up a mild smoking habit!

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@ Jurien Bay

Date:	May 25, 2015, 8 a.m.
Position:	30 16.90 S, 115 0.60 E

Overnight anchorage

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@ Lancelin

Date:	May 24, 2015, 7:30 a.m.
Position:	31 0.30 S, 115 19.06 E

Overnight anchorage

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Leaving Hillarys & Perth

Date:	May 23, 2015, 11:15 p.m.
Position:	31 49.44 S, 115 44.15 E

Well after arriving in Perth in March 2002 & planning to stay for only 2 years for a work project, we are finally on our way! Very sad to leave, we have two gorgeous 'grandchildren' who we will miss dearly & have made very some good friends, who we hope will remain so as we spread our wings & sail 'up & over' to the east coast.