SOJOURN IN TOWNSVILLE

16 July 2023

The anchorage behind the marina breakwater is shallow, tight and windy.  Every second day the BOM (Bureau of Metrology) seems to issue a high wind warning and so far they have been remarkably correct, both in timing and strength.  On the first morning my irate neighbour came over in his dinghy to say hello.  No doubt feeling guilty about being such a prick the day before. 

I didn’t go ashore the first day, there was a strong wind warning and being anchored in shallow water on short scope decided to stay on board for safety.  Tomorrow is another day and I feel my arm is starting to heal so another day resting will help, the orange pig can rest on deck for another day.  My hope that the rolling would stop here has been shattered, but it’s only a small lazy roll unless its high water.

There has been a squeaking or chirping noise coming from the engine recently.  I suspected the bearings on the alternator or freshwater pump were wearing.  However, I noticed that if I unloaded the alternator with the engine running the noise disappeared.  I inspected the alternator belt again and found a delamination going on.  Changing the belt has cured the problem (90% sure).  Now I need to get another spare belt, they work hard charging the batteries through the DC/DC converter.  Belts are consumables and this is only the second belt in 7 years I have replaced a belt, must not complain and always have a spare belt on board.

Feeling happy that nothing more serious than a drive belt was wrong with the engine I then pickled the water maker.  I won’t be making water here in the harbour and it will be a few days before I use it again.  Pickling will prevent the growth of nasties inside the membrane and filters.

I then launched the pig over the side.  This basically involves manhandling it over the rail and letting gravity take over.  Sometimes it lands the right side up, which is a bonus.  This time it didn’t so I just flipped it over from the deck.  Getting the outboard off the rail and into the dinghy was a painful exercise.  

I have been ashore a couple of times now and can report that my first hot shower in three weeks was wonderful and long.  I probably smell less offensive now as well.  Today (Sunday) I went ashore in the morning before the forecast strong wind in the afternoon.  The dinghy ride into the marina is usually wet due to the waves splashing into the dinghy.  Today it was wet as it was raining!  No complaints, the rain is washing all the salt off Truce and it didn’t last too long anyway.

The run ashore was to pick up some fresh provisions. The supermarket didn’t open until nine, so I had a coffee in the park and watched the fit people running around.  A colourful bird came and sat down beside me, no doubt looking for crumbs and left disappointed.

Moving on into town I was pleased to see there was a Sunday market and an excellent fresh produce stand.  I picked up Paw Paw, lime, radish and tomatoes, the radishes actually taste like radishes, hot and peppery unlike their supermarket clones.

I bought a few items in Woolworths, not too much as I had to carry the bag back to the dinghy at the marina.  Food here is much cheaper than New Zealand, I did an online comparison of prices and was amazed to find that New Zealand equivalent price was 30% more expensive.  There is something out of kilter here, it is the same supermarket chain and wages are lower in New Zealand than Australia.  It is no wonder so many Kiwis are moving to Australia to work and live.