Our picturesc arrival in Bundy...

We were due in Bundy on wednesday 20th, and starting to look forward a good

shower and some fresh food...but it was decided otherwise : the trade winds let us

down again, just as we entered Hervey bay. When tried to start the motor, it went

dead...Romain and Vincent's best efforts could'nt convince it to start again...

We therefore spent 2 days becalmed in Hervey Bay, which should have taken us 1day

across...ok, it gave us time to enjoy all the wildlife around but on the second

day, when land was in view but we weren't getting any closer, it became quite

frustrating. Especially that the port  is located up a river mouth which seemed

quite tricky under sails and that we weren't close enough for the VHF to enable

us to get in touch with the marina so they could send somebody over...

We were getting ready for a 3rd day becalmed, luckily a fishing boat came close

enough that we could get in touch with them, and they called the rescue team on

their mobile phone...

Bundy Rescue team turned up couple of hours after. Heidi who was dreaming of

tanned musled and blond coast guards was quite disapointed to see the volunteer

rescue team, all retired seamen with grey hair, a thick OZ accent and more tatoos than musles…they nevertheless performed efficiently as only the OZ (and kiwis ;-)…) do and by 3pm we were tied along side the pontoon, getting ready for a nice shower and meal!

Bundy rescue volunteer team in action...

We are quite ashamed not to have actually sailed all the way in + it cost us some 260AU$, but it gives us a bit to laugh about…

And we had an even bigger laugh when the mechanic came to check our motor and found the problem in 2mn : the plastic key which cuts the link between the motor battery and the home electrics was out. So far we had been using the home electrics battery to start the motor, but after 6days at sea with GPS, navigation ligths and the lot on, the batteries were getting a bit tired, thus not being able to start the motor anymore.

As a summary for those of you who don’t understand the problem; if we’d known what this tiny ploastic key was about we would have saved 2 days, 260AU$ and the mocking look on the mechanics face.

The 260$ key

We are know reassured that the motor is in good working order (for how long, we have our doubts given that it’s made in britain ;-)…)…but I am doubtful about our captain and deck hand mechanic skills…

We are now getting ready, storing tuna cans (just in case) and oz beer, before heading up north to Cairns, via Whithsundays and Magnetic island.

We’ve been told they are pristine islands with beautiful beaches with good snorkeling…we are hoping our fishing luck (or skills?) will improve so that we eat something else than corned beef and canned tuna...

More news when we get to Cairns, early october...

Keep in touch and gives us your comments!!!

08:55 - 23/09/2006 - Ajouter un commentaire