Who shall dare the bosun's chair?



17 metres up replacing protective covers on the spar ends.

It's not the most sought after job on Sea Piper but this morning provided perfect conditions for being winched up the mast in the bosun's chair in order to replace the protective caps on the spar ends.
I'd like to say we tossed for who would go up the mast and who would work the winch - but I'd be lying.
Royden's made the new ends from a soft leather so hopefully they will last better than the previous `fabric tape' ones which deteriorated badly over the past two years.

Down at the next level - and still smiling.

Conquering Earl

From the top of Earl Hill looking south towards Yorkeys Knob, Trinity Park and Bluewater marina

We viewed our floating holiday home Sea Piper from a great height yesterday after climbing the almost vertical track up Earl Hill. It was a spectacular view and worth the effort.



It must be the Cairns' equivalent of Castle Hill when it comes to a popular venue for a fitness workout, judging from the number of people going up and down in the middle of the day on a Wednesday. However the difference lies in the standard of the track. Castle Hill is accessed via a made road while Earl Hill boasts a goat track of rocks and tree roots - and it goes almost straight up.
Today we decided to take it a bit easier and caught the bus to Kuranda (after baulking at the $74 for the train trip which we last went on 12 years ago). It was $6 on the bus!
It's such a pretty place surrounded by thick rainforest and we were happy to be there relatively early (9.30am-ish) to wander around before the crowds (which never really arrived - maybe because it's mid-week or maybe the generally quiet tourism throughout Queensland).
Of course, morning tea was the first thing on our agenda and we couldn't resist sharing a wholesome (?) pancake with our coffee at the quirky and very colourful original markets before wandering down to the railway station for a walk around the beautifully kept gardens.

Sugary sustenance.

Kuranda station

A stitch in time ...

After farewelling Andy and Donna to Darwin and the V8s, we caught up with ex-Rochy-ites Wendy and Onn in Trinity Beach.
They not only welcomed us with a delicious lunch at their beachfront house but also gave us an extensive tour by foot and by car of all the local beaches from Trinity to Kewarra to Clifton and on to Palm Cove. It was a great day and their hospitality was much appreciated. We were also very impressed with Onn's fishing photos and the fact that he has only to walk out his front gate to catch barramundi!
The wind has lifted several knots off, and north of, Cairns so we've decided to stay in the marina and have some repairs done to the sailbag which started to come apart on the way up. With the constant exposure to the tropical sun it is hardly suprising that the top stitiching holding the zip in place is disintegrating.
Getting the bag off the boom was another learning curve, requiring the removal of the lazy jacks (fibreglass rods threaded through the sailbag to which light ropes are attached to act as a guide for the mainsail to drop into the bag) then the edging forward of the sailbag's runners which slot into `tram tracks' along the boom. And of course the wind kept gusting at crucial moments requiring gripping the sail in a bear hug to prevent it spilling across the deck - and beyond as the protection of the saibag was removed.

A very naked looking mainsail, trussed like a chicken.

In the interests of having a smooth reinstallation of the sailbag, we took photos of every rope attachment and fitting. This worked a treat when we did the trampolines - and we wished we'd done it the first time we took the headsail off then tried to put it back on a few months later!
We borrowed the marina's courtesy car this afternoon (best marina idea ever) and dropped the sailbag to the sailmaker for a re-stitch of all the stitching which should alleviate the need for us to take it off again in the near future.

Chilling out at Yorkey's. The lunch crowd had left and the dinner crowd was yet to arrive. But the band played on.

Our pushbikes have come out again and a bike trip around to Yorkey's Knob marina and boat club was our first port of call. What a popular spot as well as a beautiful outlook. The music was pretty good too!

Oyiv Yoaf

Olive sourdough loaf - baked on board and eaten while it was still warm. Mmmmm!


Sunset and a picnic tea on the beach at Turtle Bay



What a life!

Just a few snaps from Turtle Bay

We found a `George' (of the jungle) rope. The landing wasn't pretty!

Turtle Bay

Coming into Turtle Bay

We thought Fitzroy Island was beautiful but we have just landed in Turtle Bay and it is even more spectacular - as well as secluded and sheltered.
Thought I'd update the blog while we do our customary anchor check hour. then it's off to shore in the dinghy for an exploration of the long stretches of sand, rocky outcrops and hidden waterfalls (maybe).
Yesterday we walked the tracks of Fitzroy Island.
The walk to the lighthouse, mainly through rainforest, and then onto the summit of the island were pretty steep - reminiscent of that last kilometre to the Wilsons Prom lighthouse, but the views were breathtaking.
Not so the lighthouse itself. It looked like something designed in the 70s - fully white-tiled all the way up and with a strange looking arrangement at the bottom that contained information about the place - however the door was locked.

Fitzroy Island lighthouse

A hard slog - but worth the effort

Unfortunately my camera ran out of battery as I reached the summit so - no photos to prove we made it. Maybe next time ...
We also walked through the Secret Garden (Wow!) and to Nudeys Beach and beyond. There were no nudies and our presence didn't alter that situation.

On the way to the summit.

Calm seas - Fitzroy Island here we come

Heading off to Fitzroy Island with enough breeze for the Code Zero

We arrived at beautiful Fitzroy Island after an early morning start from Trinity Inlet in Cairns this morning.
It's a picture perfect setting. Crystal clear blue, blue water, palm trees on the beach and a resort and bar tucked away discreetly amongst the trees.
We ventured out from the Moon River with Andy and Donna last Thursday, intending to go to Fitzroy Is but the swell was so uncomfortable we decided to anchor in Trinity until the weather improved.
Donna and I figured that Myer Cairns stocktake sale was of more interest than the ocean in its cranky mood, so into town we went on Friday, investigating the specials as well as having a look at Cairns itself. The city was impressive. Clean, lots of people, lots of variety in the shops and a fabulous fresh food market.
While we were in the inlet, Donna added to our supplies with some fresh fish and is presently out the back of the boat catching some rosy jobfish.

Fish for tea - again!

There's quite a few boats here, probably because it's a long weekend. We'll stay for a couple of days and probably tackle the walk to the lighthouse and maybe the summit of the island tomorrow with the end reward of a meal at the beach restaurant.
In the meantime we'll just chill out and wait for Donna to catch dinner!

Chillin' after a swim.