Norfolk Island break for R&R

Norfolk Island courtesy of Google Earth

Day 7, Wednesday 6th Feb, dawned (well almost) as we carefully approached Norfolk Island's northern shores.

In the fresh SE'ly, the best shelter was to be had in Cascade Bay, an old whaling station which also boasted a small pier where we could land to meet the Customs Officer - and yes, we were going to have to clear back into Australia again...

First, though, we had to feel our way around the west and north of the island in the dark, then into anchoring depth with only limited electronic charts on the laptop to assist. The new NZ Navionics chip in the chart-plotter was not going to play ball. No nav beacons and not a lot of moon, but the kind Customs lady said that they would leave the light on at the un-manned pier. And they did! And it helped!

Cascade Bay pier

By dawn we were anchored about 200 m off the pier in 15 m and, of course, required a couple of celebratory Bundy Cokes to calm the nerves. And as a warmer, after the obligatory refreshing dip off the transom into some rather fresh seawater!

Four hours later, Jim, John and Phil staggered ashore to meet the Customs officer at 0900. She had very kindly driven down to give us a lift into town for CIQ (arrival & departure dealt with at the same time) and collect a hire-car to help with our repairs and provisioning.

Jim took Customs, John the hire-car and Phil the steering chain fix. All was sorted in short order, leaving time for a quick explore of this pretty island, including a drive to the summit of Mount Bates for a stunning all-round view. The seas didn't seem quite so big from way up there!

By midday we were back aboard, to allow the rest of the crew away for some R&R. Despite a service and new brushes in Mooloolaba, the windlass had also packed up again, so that was to be taken ashore too, for another rebuild.

The local advice was to overnight in Anson Bay, so the shore party were due back aboard by 1700 latest, to allow us time to drop anchor round there in daylight. They weren't and we didn't. They rolled up (literally) at 1800, so we swiftly swapped Matt C for John, Tiny & Jan and started the slow process of weighing anchor (and a lot of chain) by hand.


Reaching Anson Bay in the dark, for another very careful approach towards the breakers, it was clear we were going to have to anchor well out, and the remaining shore party of Phil and the two Matts would have to deal with a night ashore. We didn't get any complaints.

Or a lot of sleep, as the enduring S'ly swell played havoc on the beam...