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Chesterfield Reef: While in Vanuatu, my nephew-crew Mike aggravated a bulged disk in his back and ended
up being pretty uncomfortable much of the time. Though he tried some rest and physiotheropy provided by a
capable and lovely theropist from another boat, it became obvious that getting ashore for some extended rest
and rehab was in order. We got a pretty nice weather window and set sail from Vanuatu, planning to stop at
Chesterfield Reef in mid-ocean if the weather deteriorated after the first four days.
up being pretty uncomfortable much of the time. Though he tried some rest and physiotheropy provided by a
capable and lovely theropist from another boat, it became obvious that getting ashore for some extended rest
and rehab was in order. We got a pretty nice weather window and set sail from Vanuatu, planning to stop at
Chesterfield Reef in mid-ocean if the weather deteriorated after the first four days.
Nothing lasts forever, so we departed Chesterfield expecting a fairly boisterous 3-4 day sale to Bundaberg,
Australia. Knowing we would get some contrary winds, we sailed well south of our rhumb-line for the first 36
hours, and then rode a breaking, beam sea the rest of the way to Australia. It wasn't very comfortable for Mike
but he gutted it out, and upon arrival took off for some rest and treatment in Sydney. (I am happy to report that
he his recovery has progressed well and he intends to depart Australia for a trek through Africa by late
November.)
Australia. Knowing we would get some contrary winds, we sailed well south of our rhumb-line for the first 36
hours, and then rode a breaking, beam sea the rest of the way to Australia. It wasn't very comfortable for Mike
but he gutted it out, and upon arrival took off for some rest and treatment in Sydney. (I am happy to report that
he his recovery has progressed well and he intends to depart Australia for a trek through Africa by late
November.)
Lady Musgrove Island: After clearing into Australia, I sailed out to Lady Musgrove, one of the southern-most
islands of the Great Barrier Reef. Here I found myself once again tucked in behind a barrier reef, the water
crystal clear and calm while the ocean swells made a spectacular show of crashing onto the reef just meters
away - an enticing sampling of what is to come as we explore the barrier reef on the next leg. Next year I will
get a red filter for my underwater camera and hope to improve my underwater pictures.
islands of the Great Barrier Reef. Here I found myself once again tucked in behind a barrier reef, the water
crystal clear and calm while the ocean swells made a spectacular show of crashing onto the reef just meters
away - an enticing sampling of what is to come as we explore the barrier reef on the next leg. Next year I will
get a red filter for my underwater camera and hope to improve my underwater pictures.
Indeed, a huge high pressure system developed over Australia with very strong, contrary winds, so we did stop,
and are we ever glad we did. Not only was the weather near Australia awful, but the three days we spend at
Chesterfield were really special. The reef is really a large atoll about 5 miles across, rimmed with sandy islets
that most probably are awash in storm driven high tides. Nonetheless, it was a huge rookery for several
species of birds, turtles were mating and laying eggs on virtually every islet, and whales came to visit us every
day. It was amazing to be anchored in the middle of the ocean, protected behind the reef from the huge ocean
waves, enjoying nature at its finest. We swam with the whales, walked the beaches, did some fishing,
snorkeling and diving, all while waiting for the storm further south and west to move along.
and are we ever glad we did. Not only was the weather near Australia awful, but the three days we spend at
Chesterfield were really special. The reef is really a large atoll about 5 miles across, rimmed with sandy islets
that most probably are awash in storm driven high tides. Nonetheless, it was a huge rookery for several
species of birds, turtles were mating and laying eggs on virtually every islet, and whales came to visit us every
day. It was amazing to be anchored in the middle of the ocean, protected behind the reef from the huge ocean
waves, enjoying nature at its finest. We swam with the whales, walked the beaches, did some fishing,
snorkeling and diving, all while waiting for the storm further south and west to move along.
Leg 13 - Vanuatu to Australia (September-October, 2006)
The Australia Zoo: During our passage, we had learned of the death of Steve Irwin (the "Crocodile Hunter")
and there was such an outpouring of emotion throughout the country (and in the US) that I decided to pay my
respects at his home base, the Australia Zoo. I visited the zoo the day before the memorial service, and the
flowers, posters and other memorabilia were very touching to observe. He and his family have done a
marvelous job with the Zoo itself, and have been significant contributers to the welfare of animals worldwide
through the purchase of vast acreages of wildlife preserve. Here is one man who made a difference working
for something he believed in!
and there was such an outpouring of emotion throughout the country (and in the US) that I decided to pay my
respects at his home base, the Australia Zoo. I visited the zoo the day before the memorial service, and the
flowers, posters and other memorabilia were very touching to observe. He and his family have done a
marvelous job with the Zoo itself, and have been significant contributers to the welfare of animals worldwide
through the purchase of vast acreages of wildlife preserve. Here is one man who made a difference working
for something he believed in!
Back home in Atlanta: It is always hard to leave DreamWeaver and the many friends that we grow close
to during our sailing adventures...at the same time, it is exciting to return to grandchildren and the entire
family, and Georgia and I are blessed to have our children and so many of our other family members so
close to home. We will enjoy the holidays together, and much of next year before returning to Australia for
the next leg of our journey which is likely to take us across the Indian Ocean to South Africa. As always,
thanks for coming along.
to during our sailing adventures...at the same time, it is exciting to return to grandchildren and the entire
family, and Georgia and I are blessed to have our children and so many of our other family members so
close to home. We will enjoy the holidays together, and much of next year before returning to Australia for
the next leg of our journey which is likely to take us across the Indian Ocean to South Africa. As always,
thanks for coming along.
Brisbane and Australia's Gold Coast : I hauled DreamWeaver out of the water at Bundaberg and stored
her for another season. With the week I had between hauling the boat and departing for home, I did some
touring along Australia's Gold Coast, enjoyed some of the mountain vineyards of south Queensland and took in
some of the sites and sounds of the highly developed Brisbane/Gold Coast area.
her for another season. With the week I had between hauling the boat and departing for home, I did some
touring along Australia's Gold Coast, enjoyed some of the mountain vineyards of south Queensland and took in
some of the sites and sounds of the highly developed Brisbane/Gold Coast area.
| As always, just click on any picture for full size impression |
Coast of Australia