Year 2 – 18th April 2025 – Gladstone Marina – Hummocky Island – Nick back at the Helm
I landed into Gladstone at 9.45am, having travelled from London.
I had gone back to the UK as my middle brother Andrew was very ill with pancreatic cancer and did not have long to live. It was good to see him over a couple of days and it was very hard to say goodbye to him. We have known each other all our lives and have had so many laugh’s and experiences over the years. I was so glad I came back as unfortunately he passed away on the 15 April 2025 peacefully in his sleep and at home with his wife and my younger brother Jeremy being present. He had told me, which gave me great comfort, that he was ready to go and that he was not afraid of death. May he rest in peace. Andrew Charles Hine b 25/05/1966- 15/04/2025. Life can be so cruel sometimes. He leaves his wife and three children.
I got to Stormbird just after 10.00am and met David and Paul who had looked after Stormbird in my absence. We needed to go to Mackay by the afternoon of the 21st April as David was getting off on the morning of the 22nd. This was about 235nm. The weather was lovely, sunny and virtually cloudless. However, the wind was light. I sensed that the guys were anxious to move and I noted that the tide was good to go through the North Channel. I therefore settled up and by 11.20am we left the marina and headed over to the North Channel. There were dolphins around as if to welcome me back.
We passed through the North Channel and passed Facing Island where Stormbird had anchored twice. We then headed North up the coast toward Hummocky Island. There was a very small swell and it was lovely and warm which after the UK was welcome. The wind was very light and we would not have made much progress if we had tried to sail. It was good to be back on the water and back at the helm again as it was a distraction from the grief of recent days.
David had been speaking to locals and had got some more fishing gear and some plates which help the hook sink. He put out a fishing rod and our 300lb line on a hand spool. We motored for some time but the wind began to nudge 7-8 kts. I had calculated that we were unlikely to get to North Keppel Island before dark so we would settle for Hummocky Island. I therefore thought we could sail so up went the sails and we sailed about 4-5.5 kts close hauled as the wind was from the Northeast. It was lovely coasting along under sail without the engine and it is great to look out over the sea which has a sort of meditational effect.
After about 3 hours of sailing we approached the Island and had seen one other sailing vessel and a few small fishing boats. We motored round to the North of the Island and came round to the bay where we had anchored before. I was still awake just and we anchored easily in the bay. We had a cool beer as the sun went down over the east coast hills and then Paul cooked bangers and mash (sweet potato) with broccoli.
It was good to be back on board and quicky into sea life again and it is what Andrew wanted me to do. I went to bed early and to be ready for an early start tomorrow up the coast.
The Picture of the day is of me back at the helm on Stormbird.
Need/Opportunity Year Two
I am in need of more crew from late June to Mid-July. In addition, there is one space from Cairns to Indonesia from mid-July - so if of interest do email me at hine.nick9@gmail.com
In year two I will be going from New Zealand to Sydney and hen up the Eastern Australian Coast, Indonesia and then through Bali, Singapore and on to Thailand to end year two about the end of November 2025.
The blog will continue as we continue the journey. If you have any comments or suggestions about the blog then do email me on hine.nick9@gmail.com