Middle Percy Island
Where Next?
Bob Williams
Sat 10 Aug 2024 02:36
At anchor West Bay, Middle Percy Island
Wind: SE, F4 - moderate breeze
Sea: slight Swell: S 0.5 m
Weather: sunny, warm
Day's run: 89 nm
We enjoyed the trade wind sailing, wind abaft the beam at a steady force four, and made good time towards our next stop-over at Middle Percy Island. We arrived at 0330 in the dark, the slither of a moon having set several hours ago with only the light of the milky way and the numerous anchor lights shining out of West Bay to guide us.
With so many boats at anchor in the relatively small bay I thought about continuing straight on to Arlie Beach rather than attempt to wend our way in among all those expensive hulls and risk a collision or fouling someone's anchor chain. But, after a further assessment of the density of boats it seemed that there might be some space close in to the beach so I decided to give it a go.
I handed sail and started the motor, spotlight at the ready, and slowly manoeuvred our way in through the bobbing lights. I eventually found a clear space in about six meters of water reasonably close to the beach, though this is hard to judge in the dark, and at 0350 let go the anchor. After ensuring Sylph had her cable, I turned in for what remained of the night.
Arising at 0900, I found that many of the boats had left the anchorage and we had a lot more room to swing at anchor. After a late breakfast, I got the dinghy in the water and then made a loaf of bread which I have just taken out of the oven. I have decided not to make a trek up the mountain today. Unfortunately, I am still feeling some congestion from the cold I caught back in Sydney and do not feel up to a long hike. Instead, after lunch I will go ashore for a short walk around the lagoon (one never knows what interesting nautical characters one will find hidden away in its drying flats), then inspect the A-frame, in particular to check that Sylph's votive to Poseidon is still there and in good condition, then have a fresh water shower in the gravity fed shower next to the A-frame (assuming it is still in working order), then back on board for an early night.
Tomorrow we will make another overnight sail - next stop Airlie Beach where I will resupply and hopefully sort out Sylph's insurance.
All is well.