Flex (15736km):
998 days ago Glory Holes, Australind, WA, AU. Knowing Woody and Antman had the pond covered I thought I would try different approach as thought it would be too choppy for me. As per suggested headed for Herron Point. Tried to get Reg to tag along but he had other stuff on...and, oh, by the way, "I seem to be missing my mast...since you are going by that way can you take a look as I think I have left it beside the road". Sure, no prob.
So I headed to Boombas first and no mast to be seen. I figured it must have fallen out on the rough track so started running back the track we had carted Reg's gear back yesterday. Whilst the property at the end seemed abandonded 'according to Reg' there were fresh vehicle tracks the day we retrived so I figured better get the mast before a 4WD drives over it..500m, 1000m...no mast, all in the rain...got to where we picked up Reg's gear and there was the mast...it had fallen out right at the start as we lifted it over a tree..Since Reg was at the rear of the buggy on the lift I struggle to understand how he missed it falling out...then again he did walk 180deg in the wrong direction a few days ago. Don't think I can drink this much beer Reg.
Headed back, when I got back close to the gate there was a vehicle travelling towards me. Turns out it is the owner of the "abandoned" house on the point between Robert and Austin Bay...they are local farmers and this is their fishing/chill pad and they share it with 5 other owners. They were great folks and had another chat..of course all burning into sail time.
Got to Herron point hoping for other sailors but no one other than the caretakers. I assumed they would be glued to the olympics etc and not watching out for me so decided to head further south. The water was looking nice and flat here though, the wind good but I didn't feel confident sailing alone in remote spot with deep water for long duration without a buddy so headed to Australind where at least there is population, shallow etc.
Got there to find 3 other sailors rigged but doing bugger all. It was already noon. Started rigging 6.7 then a brutal squall came through so went 5.7. Then was completely becalmed so again went 6.7. Went out for a couple of short runs and got smashed so came in and rigged 5.7 again. Went out again for a few laps and got smashed again...brutal, wind from south west so cursing not being in the pond as chop was big as.. not a good start to a distance day. It was bloody cold too, seemed to be the coldest day so far. On approaching the shore a huge thunder clap hit and I spied the Busso boys lying down, hiding behind some reeds. I figured the locals knew something I didn't so went to join them.
After lying in the reeds with these guys (sounds weird right?) for about 30 minutes whilst brutal squalls came across, the wind then died to nothing. Then it was up again and we all headed out. Was good for a while and then again some brutal squalls came through and we returned to the snuggle position. Two sailors figured this look wasn't for them and headed off so only BSN101 left. Nice to meet you Dave. This on/off stuff in cold conditions doesn't suit me as I get cold and once cold take forever to warm up was at the point of giving up multiple times.
After the next reedy session the wind came good again, shifted more to the west and got a few more runs in then did the chugga chugga for a few laps and gave up and came in. Just about to derig as Cinderella time had hit but wind picked up and went out again for one more lap, which turned into two. Tide was dropping, water was pretty flat and now the wind started to be more consistent but had to head home. Typical. Certainly was not close to what I imagined the day would be but still a good day out. Pretty sure Anita was spot on the mark calling Herron point as the location today as seemed vastly superior to Australind. 120 Tabou rocket, 5.7 RRD Move, 33TWS
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