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Gulf Trip 2009
Port Davis Creek |
Saturday Feb 28
Though the organizing was only recently landed in Pt Pirie’s lap this trip was very well planned thanks to Graham Hill on “Owed to Joy” also Brian Hill & Judy Pow “Jupiter”
We launched at Pt Broughton. Vehicles and trailers were taken to Pt Pirie where a bus was ready to return the skippers.
Dinner was provided by the Pt Broughton Boat Club which was excellent value for $10. Three courses even included delectable prawn satays. Commodore Mark Rush was in attendance and looking fine following recent heart surgery. It was very special having Peter Wyld & Ilma Taylor dine with us.
The chosen charity fund raiser this trip was announced as the Anti Cancer Foundation. Peter with his usual sense of humour offered a cancerous liver as first prize!!
Sunday March 1st.
Peter was at the jetty to wave and cheer as the flotilla departed. How sad we felt that he was not joining us.
It was pleasant sailing to Pt Davis. Thirteen boats settled here the first night.
Monday March 2nd
Weather reports – an approaching storm. “We are advised wherever you want to be tonight be prepared to stay 3 days” Rings and Things left for Pt Pirie. Shiraz and Dazzie crossed to Murninnie. Eight of us decided to sit it out in Pt Davis Creek.
Memories of 4 nights 3 days spent in Pt Davis
Highlight was the huge pot of crab chowder prepared by Mark “Bellatrix” and shared at Happy Hour. Imagine shelling 2 buckets of crab for our benefit!
It rained and we caught bowls of fresh water
“Owed to Joy” is a 5 metre 90 hp craft so Graham Hill with his ease of access to Pt Pirie kept us supplied with ice, bread, meat etc.
The brave “crabbers” shared their catch.
Mozzies and sand flies were troublesome at times. Michael Wright had a nasty skin reaction to the latter.
One dreadful night all boats except Go Jo had problems. We thrashed around as if in a whirlpool. Shortly after midnight Owed to Joy was bouncing against Go Jo. As Graham motored away his prop became entangled in Gin and Tonic’s anchor line. Graham phoned ever reliable Tug for help. Sky High and Bellatrix were beached and rafted together. They had a rough time before separating.
Port Davis Creek |
Thursday 5 March
It was good fun at Pt Davis with lots of socializing thanks to Tug’s dinghy.
Judy and Brian on Jupiter (beautiful Beneteaux) run a sked 1000 and 1400. We learn from this that the boats at Murninnie had found better shelter than we did!
We sail across to Whyalla. The water is lumpy but the wind is kindly behind us.We are 4th to leave Pt Davis and first in to the Whyalla Marina. We know our friends will not believe this!
The hot shower is most welcome before we enjoy a BBQ at the Sailing Club.
Here we meet up with friends from previous trips Roy Butson, Brian Barber and Danny Kloosterman.
We celebrate Ron Wick’s birthday. Judy read a poem especially written for the occasion. A sing a long followed.
Friday 6 March
Club members offer us transport to restock our supplies.
At lunch we are treated to a Civic Reception where we meet the Mayor of Whyalla.
Dolphins in the marina are a delight. They follow the fishing boats in and we watch them being hand fed. Why go to Sea World.
Following the evening meal in the Club Brian “Jupitor” and Chris “Sky High” play guitars while Noel (Tug’s brother) leads the singing
Saturday 7 March
Whyalla club organized an ice delivery.
We had the usual horrible lumpy water compounded by wind on the nose out of the marina to Port Lowly. Once round the point we are in calm seas.
Ten boats settle in Yatala Harbour.
This could be our most scenic evening watching the ranges change colour with the fading light. Several long trains pass urgently along the mountain base.
Hours later stars are like jewels sparkling in a black sky.
An Impromptu Table |
Sunday 8 March
In light winds we motor/sail to Blanche Harbour The plan is to lunch here and move on.
It is superb. In calm water we anchor, swim and have lunch.
Mark upends his tender for use as a community table – a brilliant idea!
The men enjoy collecting razor fish.
It is delightful in this harbour so we anchor for an overnight stay.
Monday 9 March
An easy sail to Port Paterson this morning. We meet for Happy Hour on the bank thanks to Kingsley’s dinghy.
Chef Mark shares a huge pot of seafood chowder.
Mardi provides about 80 ‘little boys’. Did I say happy hour? It was dinner.
The ranges turn on their colourful show again.
Tuesday 10 March
Yet another pleasant sail to Port Augusta. Shiraz is having some trouble today.
The motor has given up, then while rafting the bow rail snapped off taking Bruce into the water.
The boat pontoon is situated conveniently to shops so we restock the larder.
At lunch time we enjoy another Mayoral reception.
The good food made up for the Mayor not being in attendance!
Following the evening meal Alvin Atkinson addressed the group. Alvin was the instigator of this trip in 1997. He told us of his railway days in Port Augusta.
More fines after dinner. I am fined for ‘lurking in the liquor store’
Let me explain. 6 bottles wine 30% off. I was just waiting for fellow yachties to help make up the 6 bottles!
The only pooch on this trip Tyson escapes causing his parents (Miragemist) much distress. He is later found.
Wednesday 11 March
We are entertained by groups of children enjoying canoe classes out of the Aquatic Club. They arrive in coaches from surrounding towns – even Whyalla.
Yet another pleasant day sailing to Chinaman’s Creek.
The evening was to be a BBQ and 2 boats Go Jo and Miragemist had found their way into the creek at a fisherman’s hut area. Graham in his 90hp craft delivered another 6 crew and what a fun night we had! There were 4 huts each inhabited by 1 chap.
We were invited to the shelter of a shack.
The owner cleared space on his large table and set up lights and chairs for us. The fishermen all joined us offering their cooking facilities. We sipped our wine and listened to their tales of railway days.
Once the shack owner departs this life his land reverts back to government ownership.We were entranced by their stories and the uniqueness of this area. This has to be one of our best evenings. Unfortunately 3 boats Sky High, Bellatrix and Anticipation had settled in another limb of the creek and missed out on the hilarity!!
Thursday 12 March
By the time we reach Ward Spit we hear that a storm is heading toward the Northern area. We watch the heavy black clouds. Kingsley radios to inform us he is experiencing 50k winds in the Pt Pirie channel.
Graham has a sheltered creek plan for us tonight but we have to await a higher tide to enter. Somehow the storm moves around us. At dusk Graham leads us into Baroota Creek.
We all hit mud but once in, the water is deep and amazingly calm. Stunning reflection keep us agog as we mosquito proof our cabins.
Friday 13 March
We barely feel the overnight tide, but we are caressing mangroves. All other boats are nicely centered reflecting superb images in the dawn light.
We all want to come back here in future – no more anchoring at Ward Spit after this experience
We move reluctantly now as our trip is nearing the end. Just one more night viewing the beautiful Flinders Ranges. In company with Anticipation we settle at Pt Flinders.
Saturday 14 March
We motor to Pt Pirie for a Civic Reception in the Sailing Club. For the evening meal we are treated to Roast Lamb and Golden North Ice Cream.
Brian Hill departed for work reasons and our Fine Master is now John Steer !!
He kept us entertained with a long list of fines be they fair or foul??
My colourful misdemenour was for “unbridled lust for four men”
We raised $360 for Cancer Research.
Graham Hill’s leadership and care was much appreciated by all and he was given a presentation and enthusiastic ovation.
Next Year Whyalla will organize the trip.
Alvin announced the start date as March 6th 2010
Jan & Don Sheffield
SEA DRIFT
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