Year 2 –9 May 2025 -Hunkering Down in Stonehaven Anchorage

There were lots of bullets (strong gusts) in the night and occasionally the buoy touched the sides of the hull and there was a little thumping until we moved away again. The wind would be light one minute and then strong the next. We woke to a rainy and windy day. We had porridge for breakfast for a change which seemed apt with the wet and windy conditions.

After coffee we relaxed and chilled and I did some admin (emails, planning, crew needs etc). We decided we would not move today due to the weather. Peter made a loaf of bread which looks great – see picture of the day. It is the first bread he has made in his life and Stormbird sometimes pushes you to do things you otherwise might never do, which I think is a good thing. I have been doing quite a lot of cooking -which is a little unusual.  I made the spiced red cabbage dish with cranberries which will do 2 meals at least. I also prepared a good chilli which we will have tonight.

I had contacted the shipwright at Townsville marina and sent him pictures of what I wanted doing including the bow thruster (I should have explained this is a small tunnel through the front of the boat under the water with two propellers which enables me to push the bow either to the left or right without using the wheel. It is very helpful when manoeuvring a boat of Stormbird’s size.) He then referred me on to another for the bow thruster and head (loo) valve issues. I contacted that new agent and sent him details. The first shipwright will meet me at 2.00pm on the 15th May. You have to get on to these things in advance in order to get them done in time. Peter helpfully snorkelled on the bow thruster and discovered that the propeller on the starboard side had lost its blades and the shaft was touching the sides of the tunnel. This needs new parts and to be put back together. Something must have entered the tunnel to have caused this damage.

After lunch we got the dinghy down and went over to the reef which was not far from where we are moored. This area of coral was outstanding and the best of what I have seen in the Whitsundays. There were all sorts of colours-mostly shades of browns and greens but also purples and blues. There were also a range of colourful fish and it was good to see it looking so healthy. I understand David Attenborough has launched a new film Ocean and this coral would have been a good example of healthy coral within it. Once we had enough we returned to Stormbird and got the dinghy back on the davits. We had some tea and it rained again. The rain has been on and off for days and the wind has been the same. It is expected to get to 37/38 kts overnight.

After tea we had a sundowner (or should be called a raindowner!) and then I warmed up the chilli which we had with rice and red cabbage which was eaten with compliments. We  then decided to watch a film – the crew selected Thunderbolt and Lightfoot – a Clint Eastwood favourite of mine which we all enjoyed. We were snug and enjoyed this whilst the rain fell and the wind howled.

We hope the worst will be over by the morning and we can move on. It is sometimes good to chill for a day.

Need/Opportunity Year Three

In year three I will be going from Thailand to Sri Lanka, India, Maldives and then on to Chagos, Mauritius, Reunion, Cape Town, St Helena, Azores and back to the UK.  I am looking for crew from Reunion to Cape Town and from Cape Town to the UK. If of any interest do email me.

The blog will continue as we continue the journey. If you have any comments or suggestions about the blog then do email me on hine.nick9@gmail.com