[password]Roberts56;

[position] 20 32.652s 149 06.046e

[status]

Image: Karla fishing.

Image: exploring the beach.

TURTLE SOUP ANYONE

Friday 21st August

We have a new crew member. Karla flew into Airlie Beach on Tuesday
afternoon. Sue and I went ashore to pick her up. It was an extra low tide
and the sailing club marina was almost high and dry. We had to get out of
the dinghy and wade it though the mud to the no longer floating pontoon. We
were able to wash most of the mud off before heading into town to meet
Karla. The first stop after meeting Karla was the booze shop. Sue and Karla
had lots to talk about as they haven't seen each other for 20 years. That
evening there was a bit of swell coming in the bay which made Karla sea
sick.

Wednesday morning we hauled anchor and sailed south to the southern side of
Shaw Island. We found an unpopulated bay that was nice and sheltered. As
Karla had taken sea sick pills in the morning she had felt good all day and
was eager to partake in sundowners.

Thursday Karla was up early and watched the sunrise. After breakfast we went
ashore and swam. In the afternoon we took the dinghy out and fished for a
couple of hours. Sue caught two small Rock Cod and Karla caught a Damselfish
and a baby Reef Shark. All were returned to the sea. Back on Imagine sun
downers started earlier than usual. Everyone got a good night sleep.

This morning we left Shaw and headed across to Thomas Island and Naked Lady
Bay. But it was too busy for us, so we went around the point to our own
private bay. Eager to catch fish for dinner the rods were deployed . There
was nothing biting then Karla called out my rod has got very heavy. Looking
over the side of the boat, at first it looked like she had caught a fish big
enough to eat. Then the turtle surfaced. It had swam passed the fishing line
and the hook caught its shell. Before we could do anything the line broke
and the turtle swam off. Isn't that called tag and release? Upon winding the
line in we discovered that it had broken close to the hook so the turtle
should survive its ordeal.

With fishing out of the question for a while we had lunch then headed ashore
to explore, a quick swim and sunbathe. Back on Imagine and it wasn't long
before the rods came out again. Even fishing while having sundowners still
resulted in nachos for dinner. One day we will have fish, so Im told.

[END]