Do not hurry the journey

Ithaka

written by Constantine P. Cavafy

1911

 

As you set out for Ithaka

hope the voyage is a long one,

full of adventure, full of discovery.

The Voyage of Arjuna 2014

Up the Mighty Clarence

 On Boxing Day, we headed 15 nautical miles up the Clarence River on a Huck Finn style adventure. The Clarence is navigable for about 100km inland to Grafton, but this involves getting under the Harwood Bridge which, with only 8.5m clearance, is too low for our 19m high mast to pass under.

Have we got enough clearance, Clarence?

Whitsundays to Yeppoon

We celebrated the Second Mate's birthday at Whitehaven Beach. Happy birthday Second Mate, we can't believe you are ready to start high school.

 

Second Mate in action - a fine sailor and indispensable crew member

 

Brolgas and Jabirus on the Town Common



Townsville Wetlands

Jane L. took us for a July afternoon stroll through the lush wetlands at the Town Common Conservation Area.

Great Keppel Island - Unexpected poetry and Hermit Crabs

Riding the sand dunes of Butterfish Bay - Great Keppel Island

Great Keppel Island exceeded expectations and we ended up staying for 6 days exploring and swimming in the beautiful clear sandy bays.

A pre-dawn start to cover  the 40 nautical miles from Northwest Island brought us back towards the coast. The afternoon snorkel around the coral on the drop off at Northwest Island promised much, but after four days not setting foot on land, the crew were becoming restless, we didn't want to risk another wind shift leaving us stranded.

Crossing the Bar

The crossing of the infamous Wide Bay Bar at the southern end of Fraser Island is the stuff of many a hairy tale amongst salty dogs in marinas along the east coast. The Bar is crossed via a zigzag series of 3 navigational waypoints and has a section known as the "Mad Mile" (between waypoints 2 and 3) due to a narrow passage with breaking surf on both sides.

Sailing lore suggests that it is bad luck to embark on a voyage on Friday  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sailors'_superstitions.

Bimini by Murray, bunting by Sophie.

Sea Fever

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,
And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking,
And a gray mist on the sea’s face, and a gray dawn breaking.

I must down go to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull’s way and the whale’s way, where the wind’s like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over.

by John Masefield 1902.