Category: By Date Blog

23 June 2012 (Eastern Hemisphere)

Dear F&F,

Today was quite a day for the crew of good ship \”Beach House\”. We were hailed and invited by Bronwyn and Rusty of \”Torres Strait Pearls\” off their residence at the Escape River. After a coffee and some chat, Nikki and I took a serious look at some lovely pearls. Nuff said on that for now.

We also got a few photos of the two 8 foot crocodiles that live RIGHT NEXT TO THEIR HOUSE! They further told us there is a 13 footer around the corner and that we shouldn\’t hang anything important over the side of the boat….Like our feet!

A late start with the morning excitement got us off toward Cape York, the very tippy top of \”OZ\”. We rounded late in the day and anchored with \”Obsession\”, \”Tin Tin\” and \”Delight\”. We also sailed by old friend \”Mr. John VI\” and radioed our hellos.

Tomorrow, we will try and go ashore and literally stand at the very tip of Australia. It\’s a beautiful setting. Like always, \”photos someday\”…:-)

KIT, Scott and Nikki

22 June 2012 (Eastern Hemisphere)

Dear F&F,

We traveled 71 miles today having left Cape Grenville at 0645 local time. The first 15 miles we motor sailed in what was the lightest wind day we\’ve seen. After that, we had a brilliant 40 mile spinnaker run with 13-19 knots of wind almost directly astern. When hoisting the spinnaker, Nikki had a quick time out to take the cake she was baking out of the oven!… We had 6 boats in our little flotilla today stretched out over 10 miles. New friends Zulu and Miri on s/v \”Shapirit\”, \”Kakadu\”, \”Obsession\”, \”Tin Tin\” and one other whose name we haven\’t yet heard.

We sighted Adolphus Island as we entered the Escape River (where we may head tomorrow?) and it is north of \”The Top\”.

We had a bit of a tricky time finding a good anchorage in here and the local pearl farmer and his wife came on the radio and gave us some nice advice. They also told us that there are two 12 foot crocodiles that live on the sand bar right in front of the boat!…

We asked the locals over the radio why this is the Escape River? They told us the famous cartographer, Matthew Flinders was stuck on a sand bank in the river and was glad to \”escape\” without much problem. Hence the name.

Jeanne Socrates aboard s/v \”Nerieda\” (single handed sailor) sent an email recommending we go to Adolphus Island and we\’re ahead of schedule, so we may do just that tomorrow which will be our shortest sail since we left Brisbane. \”Shapirit\” and \”Kakadu\” kept going to get there by dark, but I like to start dropping the anchor around 3:30-4pm in case of difficulties finding a nice spot. It took us till almost 5 pm today to get settled.

So KIT, Escaping the river tomorrow…:-)…. Scott and Nikki

20 June 2012 (Eastern Hemisphere)

Dear F&F,

We found the \”divers grave\” on Morris Island. Unfortunately in great disrepair. As there was apparently once a crocodile sighted here, we did not venture into the scrub. Unfortunately, an incredible amount of plastic flip flops and bottles are littered everywhere on these otherwise pristine sand islets throughout the Great Barrier Reef.

We had 33 knot gust last night at Morris, but were very protected behind the small sand island and it\’s very large reef system. When the tide was high, we \”rocked and rolled\”! Otherwise, a comfy evening.

Today was a windy then gray and drizzly day. But 25 knots right on the stern all the way from Morris Island to Portland Roads. Last night after dark, s/v \”Kakadu\” pulled into Morris Island and we sailed up here today with them. Anchored now at Portland Roads, Cape Grenville tomorrow….

KIT, Scott and Nikki

20 June 2012 (Eastern Hemisphere)

Dear F&F,

We found the \”divers grave\” on Morris Island. Unfortunately in great disrepair. As there was apparently once a crocodile sighted here, we did not venture into the scrub. Unfortunately, an incredible amount of plastic flip flops and bottles are littered everywhere on these otherwise pristine sand islets throughout the Great Barrier Reef.

We had 33 knot gust last night at Morris, but were very protected behind the small sand island and it\’s very large reef system. When the tide was high, we \”rocked and rolled\”! Otherwise, a comfy evening.

Today was a windy then gray and drizzly day. But 25 knots right on the stern all the way from Morris Island to Portland Roads. Last night after dark, s/v \”Kakadu\” pulled into Morris Island and we sailed up here today with them. Anchored now at Portland Roads, Cape Grenville tomorrow….

KIT, Scott and Nikki

June 19, 2012 (Eastern Hemisphere)

Dear F&F,

One hour before we arrived, the wind went from zero to 25 out of the ESE. We are snuggly anchored behind Morris Island with a 200 foot Tug boat behind us. We may go ashore for a quick visit to this very small sand island with one palm tree and a \”divers grave\” from a pearl diver buried here long ago (per the guide book). We\’re about 4 days from \”The Top\”…. Nice sandy beach….

KIT, Scott and Nikki

June 6, 2012 (Eastern Hemisphere)

Dear F&F,

We are in Gayundah Creek just west of Hinchinbrook Island, Northern Queensland. We are using the sextant aboard the boat (with it\’s powerful sun filters) to watch the transit of Venus in real time. We can clearly see Venus in the bottom left hand corner of the sun\’s disk…. Very Cool. The sky is 0 percent cloud cover and the view is breathtaking.

A lovely evening was had and we didn\’t get any visits from crocodiles though Nikki did want to feed one if it came close!….NOT.

KIT, Scott and Nikki (Gayundah Creek)….

June 2nd, 2012 (Eastern Hemisphere)

Dear F&F,

Hello all s/v Beach House web followers new and long term! First, let me say thanks for the 300 plus emails I received recently, I still have to respond to many of you…..and I will.

This writing finds me actually quite far along our journey up the East Coast of Australia. We are currently just 4 hours from Townsville in tandem with Nordhaven 62, m/v \”Oso Blanco\”, whom I met last season. Before I keep on about current events, I\’m going to try an catch up from our start in Brisbane this season.

Also, web guru extrordinaire, Jermiah Cohick has added a new feature which allows me to post my latest \”Ship\’s Log\” on the Welcome screen and keeps them in chronological archived order under the \”Ship\’s Log\” tab above.

As to photos, I\’ll get there, give me some time. No new videos are likely to be posted in the above link, but all the origninals are under the \”Scott & Cindy\” tab at the lower left of this screen; inside the original website.

So, I will try this post as a test of the new system and begin updating from Brisbane to current as quickly as possible. Feel free to write either myself or Nicola at our normal email addresses as we\’ve still good internet going up the coast.

Cheers and KIT,

Scott and Nikki – Brisbane, Australia

May 13, 2012 (Eastern Hemisphere)

Dear F&F,

Happy Mother\’s Day to you all!  Nicola and I have left Brisbane and are now in Mooloolaba.  Tomorrow we will head toward Tin Can Bay in what is an ambitious plan for this sailing season.

Ship\’s Logs will be updated soon and Position Reports are up to date (see links at the bottom right)…..

Currently, we are planning on covering 2000 miles north and then west to Darwin, Australia with many brief stops along the way.  From Darwin, we are planning on  joining the \”Sail Indonesia\” Rally and cross the Timor Sea into Kupang, Indonesia.  From there, we will head across the top of the Indonesian Archipelago and into Bali where Nicola\’s daughter is getting married at the end of August.  From there, perhaps to Christmas Island, Australia, Cocos/Keeling Island, Australia and on into the Indian Ocean.  Stops perhaps at Chagos Archipelago, Madagascar and into Richards Bay, South Africa.  10,000 miles in all…..hopefully not too ambitious, we shall see.  All sailing plans are written in sand at low tide.

KIT, Scott and Nicola

Extensive photos (underwater & topside), blogs and  underwater videos are INSIDE the original site. Please click on the link at the bottom left of this page…..

VIDEO LINK HAS BEEN FIXED WITHIN THE ORIGINAL WEBSITE AND VIDEOS SHOULD NOW BE VIEWABLE.

May 13, 2012 (Eastern Hemisphere)

Dear F&F,

Happy Mother\’s Day to you all!  Nicola and I have left Brisbane and are now in Mooloolaba.  Tomorrow we will head toward Tin Can Bay in what is an ambitious plan for this sailing season.

Ship\’s Logs will be updated soon and Position Reports are up to date (see links at the bottom right)…..

Currently, we are planning on covering 2000 miles north and then west to Darwin, Australia with many brief stops along the way.  From Darwin, we are planning on  joining the \”Sail Indonesia\” Rally and cross the Timor Sea into Kupang, Indonesia.  From there, we will head across the top of the Indonesian Archipelago and into Bali where Nicola\’s daughter is getting married at the end of August.  From there, perhaps to Christmas Island, Australia, Cocos/Keeling Island, Australia and on into the Indian Ocean.  Stops perhaps at Chagos Archipelago, Madagascar and into Richards Bay, South Africa.  10,000 miles in all…..hopefully not too ambitious, we shall see.  All sailing plans are written in sand at low tide.

KIT, Scott and Nicola

Extensive photos (underwater & topside), blogs and  underwater videos are INSIDE the original site. Please click on the link at the bottom left of this page…..

VIDEO LINK HAS BEEN FIXED WITHIN THE ORIGINAL WEBSITE AND VIDEOS SHOULD NOW BE VIEWABLE.