In Search of Crocodiles

Where Next?
Bob Williams
Wed 2 Oct 2013 11:27
Position: 18 22.26 S 146 12.17 E
At anchor Gayundah Creek, Hinchinbrook Island
Wind south, F1 light air
Sea: slight, Swell: north 0.5 m
Weather: partly cloudy, warm.
Day’s run: 26 Nm

Peter still hasn’t been ashore. He certainly would not want to go ashore where we have anchored today, in Gayundah Creek, Hinchinbrook Island. It is nothing but mud and mangroves. As the tide recedes it is exposing a multitude of mud crabs, all of which seem to be staring at Sylph from their gallery of glutinous mud.

Since writing the above several hours have passed. I was falling asleep as I wrote so decided a little snooze might be in order. The entrance to the Hinchinbrook Channel has an extensive sand bar across it, with only a meter of water over it at low water. Consequently we had to arrive at high water, which was at seven thirty, and to do that we had had to weigh anchor just before five. Of course, being very accustomed to managing Sylph by myself, I did not need to disturb Peter on our departure, excepting the rattling and clunking of the anchor as I heaved it in, and also, because there is very little wind to speak of at five in the morning, the noise of the engine as I fired it up and proceeded on our way.
All has gone according to plan. We arrived at the southern end of Hinchinbrook Island at seven, found the well marked leads, and negotiated the channels to end up in the small mangrove estuary of Gayundah Creek just on midday.
I have had a good sleep since my first attempt at writing my report, and now we have enjoyed dinner, the tide is in, the mud crabs are doing whatever mud crabs do in the dark when water covers their mud banks, and it seems it is Peter’s turn to get some sleep. I have shone the spot light around the mangroves in the hope of seeing its bright beam reflected in the eyes of some crocodiles, but so far it has only disturbed some small fry, causing them to leap and scurry along the surface of the creek’s murky brown waters.
Maybe I will get Peter ashore next stop.
All is well.