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THE DREADED SMS

THAT’S ALL, FOLKS

...until next time

Left: Gladstone Marina sunset

Right: Masala tied up in Gladstone Marina

The highlight was the spectacular thunderstorm cloud that formed late in the afternoon (above). It turned into a magnificent sunset, with the bulk of Mt Larcom etched against the sky (below).

An unexpected SMS brought about the early termination of this year’s cruise. We decided to return to Gladstone Marina.

 

It was hot and we were feeling depressed so we couldn’t be bothered to put the mainsail up – we left our sun awning up instead. After about 2 hours we had enough wind to pull out the genoa. With tidal assistance, yet with the wind against us and only one sail, we were astounded by Masala flying up Gladstone Harbour into heavy chop doing 7 knots.

 

It was too windy to feel comfortable going into the marina. We had always wanted to explore the vast harbour and anchor behind some of the little islands, so we took a new route up the Quoin Channel and eventually anchored between Diamantina and Witt Islands. Spring tides meant that the water was charging through the anchorage, and muddy with silt from the mangroves. Still, it was a good anchorage for the night.

Next morning the wind had eased so we motored Masala into Gladstone Marina and returned home. By leaving her there and not sailing her back to Brisbane as we have previously done, we hope to get a head start going north next year.