Anchor down

This morning our anchor came up with the sun and we pointed the boat north and flew. The winds are perfect right now—it’s like being on a fast-moving conveyer belt carrying us to our next destination, and the next after that. Today we sailed to Cape Upstart (I think!) 50 fast miles. Yesterday it was Glouster Passage. Before that, Airlie Beach.

underway on a light wind day

Traveling this quickly—a new anchorage each night or two, connecting with friends for a few hours, getting to know a place for a day—has its own appeal. It’s like a kaleidoscope of impressions: here we ate fresh oysters off the rocks; here a homesteader gave me more oranges and passion fruit than I could carry and I made marmalade; here we barbequed on the beach with new friends; here I was shown a rock orchid and malecula forest…

not sure if marking a hiking trail with plastic beach debris is clever, or depressing

gorgeous rock orchids

The richness of each day is astounding. Even the simple things like finding a grocery store and the laundry is an adventure. Colours seem brighter and moments seem sharper. Travel does that—it pulls you out of your comfort zone and gives you endless amounts of newness. It makes you pay attention.

following a boat through Glouster Passage

Some of the best moments for me though are the quiet ones that come after the anchor goes down. It’s like shavasana in yoga; it’s a time to breathe deeply and let all those impressions, and the whirlwind of constant noise and movement (we’re on a boat at sea, remember) slow to a stop. It seems like if we didn’t anchor ourselves, all of it; the whales, turtles, blue water and kind friends would slip by without being savoured and tucked safely away in my memories.

We've not lacked for gorgeous sunsets

So our anchor is down. The boat is calm. And rugged hills rise up ahead of us. In many ways this is the start of our day. When we sail, not much except sailing gets done. If it’s calm enough Maia works through school projects, I write a bit and Evan does a few chores. Mostly though we read, eat when we’re hungry and look at the view.

beaching the boat to repair a thru hull

Being anchored lets us catch up on all the things that need doing, head to shore and explore or simply look at the view just a little bit more.