25-26 Sept: Goldsmith Island

25th Sept

Left Brampton about 8am to catch the ebbing tide north.  South-easterly winds directly behind us and choppy seas made the sailing a bit hoo hum. When we turned northerly though for our approach to Goldsmith we fairly flew along. We’re snuggled in to Minnie Hall Bay in 2 meters of water at low tide, anchored just far enough away from the coral bommies on both sides of the channel to the beach.
Another very pretty bay – quite wide with 3 sandy beaches spread around it. After our exercise yesterday and sail this morning we didn’t want to do much. However we did go in to the beach. Steve thought it was close enough to row so didn’t put the outboard on the tender – big mistake! The distance was deceiving and he got a good work out.

26th Sept

We slept reasonably well last night. Bullets kept hitting us, but they ensured we stayed pointing into wind and we slept well. Roylen Bay is the next bay north on Goldsmith Island, which sounded very nice with its beautiful white beach. We up-anchored and motored the short distance on to it. It’s a smaller bay with a fringing reef just off the beach. We anchored just outside that, planning to not quite dry out, but be out of the way of the current.

Sand goanna tracks. This was made by a pretty big old girl.

Sand goanna tracks. This was made by a pretty big old girl.

On the Wing‘ arrived midday with Ken and Ingrid who anchored near us. They’d snagged a lovely big mackerel on a lure on the way and asked us if we’d like to share it with them – Yes, please!  BBQ fresh fish on the beach tonight.
Just before low tide we went for a swim and snorkelled over the fringing reef. It’s just a small area but still had some quite lovely hard and soft corals with lovely rich colours – not many fish.

Beach BBQ of freshly caught mackerel, with our friends Ken and Ingrid.

Beach BBQ of freshly caught mackerel, with our friends Ken and Ingrid.

 

Watching the sun set while eating our delicious BBQ fresh mackerel at Roylen Bay, Goldsmith Island.

Watching the sun set while eating our delicious BBQ fresh mackerel at Roylen Bay, Goldsmith Island.