Back in our happy place

Anchors up at Point Anderson with a plan to motor slowly down the inside of the reef the six or so nautical miles to Sandy Point, Waroorra. The inside has a few hazards, namely bommies, shallow spots and the odd unbroken waves where a gap in the outer reef allows passage of swell.

Our main worry was the area opposite Turtle Rock, which is open to the ocean swell, however by the time we arrived the tide was sufficiently up to ensure that any swells weren’t breaking. So, after that we passed close to the shore at 14 mile, a well known camping spot at Waroorra right on the ocean front.

Eden peeled off to visit their neighbours, who were camp hosts at 14 mile, and we continued on across the entry channel and into Sandy Point, a familiar place to us and a spot we love. After anchoring in our spot and getting the boat set up for an extended stay, which meant puling out surfboards, rods, dive gear and the foil, we were ready to slip into ‘Waroorra’ time.

Of course, a visit to Waroorra wouldn’t be complete without Riley Walker turning up and, true to form, as we were motoring in, he pulls up alongside on his jetski with a couple of his mates. When asked how long he’s been here, he casually replies “oh yeah… been here for three weeks!” Just after four weeks in Europe of course…ah the life of Riley!!

We were also looking forward to catching up with another Waroorra mate, Seamus, who was supposed to be Camp Host during this period. We soon learnt that Seamus was not in camp and that he had broken his neck body surfing at Leighton. We were soon on the phone and relieved to hear that he was all bolted together in a halo and was on the road to recovery, albeit a long one with no surfing for a while. Scary story, considering all the reef surfing we had done together, to come undone in a two foot shore break!

The weather gods really dictate our lives and can either make a place shine or make it one that you don’t want to return to. We were blessed with the former and scored five or six sunny, glassy days in a row. Unbelievable for this location at this time of year. Everyone in camp couldn’t believe their luck. Simply magic days in the surf and then amazing windless afternoons….can’t be beaten!

Our standard routine once more,,, focus on the surf and so surfing most mornings, followed by some free diving and exploring. The swell all but disappeared and so we took the opportunity to explore some new areas and headed south with the Eden crew to Pelican Point and up to Maggies. Some beautiful diving and deserted, white sandy beaches along this strip; perfect for taking advantage of the clear skies, clear water and no wind.

Beau, Casey and Hux on Eden were keen to head south and so we had them over to Singularity for dinner at our place; pizza. We have been hanging with these guys for the last three months, so it was bittersweet to say goodbye for now, but they had big things on the horizon with a new family member due in a few months. We also had some more waves to catch!

The weather continued to turn on and the run of glassy, windless days continued. We were lapping it up with surf, free diving and some squid chasing expeditions. Things were pretty quiet around camp so the surf was generally uncrowded and we had a few sessions to ourselves, as well as sharing with a few Exy locals who were down camping.

A couple of notable mentions…. Chynna, who we ran into in the surf is now a whale shark skipper, but grew up in Broome. She then moved to Cocos with her parents, Greg and Narelle, who we knew from our Broome days; they are still living the dream in Cocos. Also worth a mention is Macca, who was camping with his family. We had met last season and he generously threw us the keys to his car so we could drive into Coral Bay and do a re-stock. Legend! Super nice crew and a pleasure to share Sandy Point with.

We also had a random visit from Drew, who had a few days off and made a little detour to Sandy Point on his way to his camping spot further south. Time for a cuppa, some lunch, and a quick catch up before he was on his way. Short, but sweet!

We continued to have some fun on the water. You would think that, by now, Nicky would have learnt how to bring a squid on board without getting covered from head to toe in squid ink… I will let the pictures tell the story, but needless to say Pete brought one in a little later without a single drop of ink being shed!!!

We were exploring some new dive territory and had an entertaining encounter with a feisty cuttlefish who took offence to Nicky coming in too close to get some Go-pro footage. After chasing her for about 20 metres and peppering her on three different occasions, Pete gave him a little love tap with the cray loop and sent him packing. After all the squealing had ceased, Nic was able to nab a nice cray that was minding his own business under a coral bommie nearby. Dinner sorted!

Syd, on catamaran ‘Forty Two’ arrived in the anchorage with our Montes buddy, Katie. Also on board was Katie’s mum, Jennie, who had travelled up to Exmouth and was enjoying a few weeks of mother/daughter bonding, cruising down the Ningaloo coast. They popped over for a chat and a game of Scrabble and, after they left, Pete was wracking his brains trying to work out whether or not he had met Jennie before. Her face seemed very familiar. When they returned the next day for a couple of drinks and a chance at beating the current champ, Nicky, at Scrabble, the mystery was solved. We realised that Jen was in Hedland when we were and played water polo for the Hedland team that travelled to Perth for County Week! Based on the fun and shenanigans of those few days in Perth, it wasn’t at all surprising our memories were a little clouded. Small world, much to Katies amusement, as she had come to believe that we knew simply everyone around the place as we would rattle of yachts and names of people that she had come across. WA really is such a small place, especially when you have lived and travelled to so many places; north and south.

We had one eye on the weather, as it was getting close to the start of September and we had planned a rendezvous at Drew and Gosia’s place in Carnarvon. There was a nice northerly coming, but we wanted to get down the coast a bit to take full advantage and get us all the way to Carnarvon. So, the day before, with a slightly dubious forecast, we left for Red Bluff.

An early departure, on a low tide with a medium swell, meant a few sketchy moments as we were departing the channel, and a lumpy ride until we got to Cape Farquhar. From there, it was pleasant sailing to Red Bluff. We scooted past the line up at Gnaraloo, the swell having almost all but gone by now. We kept an eye out for Micko, who had been in camp, but he had also headed south after the big swell had passed.

A quiet night at the Bluff with no swell, so no surf again! We departed about 7am the next morning hoping for the arrival of the forecast northerly. It was a beautiful morning, so there were a few of the Bluff locals scratching around for some waves before the forecast wind kicked in. It took a few hours, but then the northerly arrived with a bang and we were surfing our way south towards Carnarvon – a downwinder going south – our favourite!!

The sun was just starting to set when we hit the entrance to the channel, and we were soon motoring our way down the commercial harbour. Work has finally begun on another attempt to dredge the Fascine but they are still a long way off before boats could come safely inside – maybe next season!

We had a different pen this time, on the very northern side. It involved a back in, but, with some good teamwork, Singularity was soon secure in the pen and we had the luxury of being able to just step off the back transom onto the jetty – no climbing up and down. Bloody luxury!

Ian and Jenny Taylor (aka Nic’s Mum and Dad) had driven up for the family rendezvous, so before long we were picked up by Jen and Gosia and back to their place for some precious family time and some homemade pizza.