Quick report for our Easter trip, not much fishing, mainly an educational (Batavia) one for 4 of my kids, 8,10,12,14

Some may find it interesting, others not 

Launched early Fri from Port Gregory, with a little assistance from my mate Tim who owns the caravan park there.
No probs, straight off the trailer and away.
Missus took trailer back to Gero as we intended to do a Tiki tour right through the islands.
Lovely run across, but with darkening skies in the distance, was expecting some rain.

Straight to Turtle Bay, there was a spare mooring but I chose to beach moor instead, did a bit of exploring and started reading the kids selected bits from "Islands of Angry Ghosts", the definitive Batavia story.
Toward evening the thunderstorms started, and we saw at least one light plane abort a landing attempt.

The rain and lightening was pretty close and heavy but we were chilling out in the cabin watching a movie.
Only drama was not being able to swag on deck.

Next morning we doddled of to the west of West Wallaby for a look then round to the bottom of West Wallaby intending to try and get to the fort.
Just too overcast to get through the shallows so we went to Long Island instead where most of the mutineers were hanged, walked the full length and speared a trout and baldy for dinner.

Motored round to the Batavia wreck site and found the spot (sand patch) where Ive dived before.
Kids were keen to snorkel but after about 10 minutes watching a couple of swells jacked up so we tonked off to Beacon Island (where most of the murders took place) and picked up a mooring.
Was VERY disapointed to find signs everywhere forbidding landing which was extremely annoying.
We did was most normal people would do then had a lovely feed plus some particularly gruesome passages from the book

Next morning after a big breaky we headed across to Easter group to catch up with Paul G and another mate who was at Leos.
Couldnt find either then discovered both had hightailed home due to a poor weather report.
Had no phone cover and poor VHF but managed to get VMR to call the missus and let her know all was ok.
Of course she shit her pants upon getting a call from Sea Rescue after several days of nothing...

We did a bit of exploring and snorkelling then headed down to Morley to moor on the beach-bugger, tide too low and couldnt get in plus no moorings free.
Went around to Wooded, same problem.

Fast fading overcast light and dropped the pick in 30+ knots, but wasnt happy so as it got dark, fk it, dived over and managed to set the pick in a limestone hole.
Not much fun as, soon as I lifted it we were off.
Then I discovered the most stupid Lowrance feature Ive seen so far.
The anchor alarm appears to have been designed by an imbecile.
The alarm has no feature to increase volume, and is about half the volume of the key beeps

I spent about 2 hours trying to find a way, I was worried it would not wake me so set clock every hour.
No phone cover to download an app so an uncomfortable night, though sheltered from chop.
Set alarm every hour to check.

Next morning woke to hear a few boats on VHF delaying heading in.
Several headed out and returned, but I was thinking best way would be to head to Sthn group then a better course with a later SW.
So off we went, checked in with VMR for the 15 mile crossing into 30 knots and off we went at 12-14 knots with no problem.
One or 2 flyers but kids just eat it up with foolish exuberance.

A few other boats came out after us also.
An hour later and we were at a mates place to wait for the breeze to go S or SW, but alas, the hospitality was too good and we stayed the night.
Pulled some cray pots for a few crays.

Girls got a bucket shower after 4 days of just a freshwater hose off.
Waited til lunchtime for the easterly to drop then headed in.
Covered about 120 nm for about 200 litres used, didnt use any of the extra stash I had aboard

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