Gilligans Log Wednesday 21-May-2003 Day 5 - Whitehaven > Hamilton Marina > Gap Beach Night 4 - Gap beach. Waking up in Whitehaven was magnificent. The sun rising over the vast white silica beach. Kirsten did a couple of cartwheels on the beach then Tai Chi. Only problem was, she kept falling over. After a few days of "Sea Legs" walking straight on dry land is nearly impossible, let alone balancing with your eyes closed. Andy, Suz, Shena, Brocky and Alison went for a morning swim from ship-to-shore and a run along the beach. Part of the beach was closed off for filming, but Leonardo Di Caprio was nowhere to be seen. 1st beer today - was actually Champagne - Alan 09:35 Minnow II had a champagne & fried breakfast with bacon, eggs, mushrooms, tomato. Poor Alan looked at the Minnow II breakfast with dismay, as he had to return to Minnow I before she set sail for Hamilton Island marina. Overboard incidents were experienced by both yachts today - both had cushions fly away from the boom net. Minnow II also lost a wine glass overboard. This might not sound serious enough to journal, but when you are drinking at this frenetic pace, you need all the glasses you can get. Minnow I lost a fender while trying to clean maggots of it (it had been stowed with the garbage) Both crews returned to Hamilton Island at 11:00 am to reprovision and fill the 800 litre water tanks for Thomas. Andy poured a Bundy and coke so strong; it knocked Roofi out cold for the entire morning. The charter company, SunSail, expressed surprise that we needed MORE alcohol and seemed quite keen to join our escapades. They have also now referring to us during our twice-daily radio scheduling as "The Cat Team". Our presence in the area is beginning to gain notoriety. We all relished a little time off the yachts, but it soon became apparent that we had our sea legs and a few actually began feeling ill because the deck WASN'T moving. Many of us ate the Hamilton Yacht Club, where the voracious local cockatoo community moved in for chips. These buggers are worse than seagulls and Ben and Roofi made the mistake of feeding a couple and then had to tap them on the beaks to keep them out of the food. Ben had them gnawing on his arm. After leaving the marina around 15:00, we headed for Club Med on Lindeman Island. We didn't make it. The fun began when Minnow II spotted a small cove called Gap Beach, with only one other charter yacht already there. Lindeman Club Med has the reputation of a family resort, so the chance of a big party being slim, we decided we'd moor on the other side of the island and walk over to resort if necessary. We didn't make it (again). Minnow II began anchoring and was soon joined by Minnow I. The dramas started early for Minnow II when they ran over the dingy rope and got it caught in the propeller and rudder. Roofi dived under the boat, kitchen knife in mouth Tarzan style, to remove the rope. The rope was cut way from the prop, but the prop also has a built in circular rope cutter that also works well on fingers - Medical Officer to Roofi in Ward 3 thanks. Some rope was jammed in the rudder, but it was too hard to remove so was left in situ. In the twilight, Minnow II launched some WoMD artillery at Minnow I. Minnow I, now without a WoMD just watched in awe. Sometime later, Minnow I launched their most successful mission yet against Minnow II. Steven Seagal, oops, Alan "Last Action Hero" Earl single handedly ('cause no-one else gave a toss) mounted a commando assault on Minnow II. From the Minnow I, he swam 150m in the (shark infested) open sea with a M16 super soaker over his shoulder to the Minnow II. The crew of Minnow II were completely surprised by a snorkelling Commando on the Starboard stern, picking off victims at his will with the night sight. Minnow II crew motored over to Minnow I later for drinks and to congratulate them on a great mission, then returned to Minnow II for dinner. After dinner, Minnow II planned a return pirate assault mission on Minnow I. Pat, Kirsten and Roofi made sabres out of Corn Flakes packets and tin foil, along with authentic looking eye patches. They made a silent trip over by rowing the dinghy with help from the rest of Minnow II distracting the target with insults and jibes **. The three intrepid pirates had the element of surprise and boarded successfully. There was much yelling of HAAAAARGH and AVAST! YE Lubbers! while brandishing the threatening looking sabres. An attempt to kidnap the Minnow I cook was abandoned when the intruders realised that Minnow I didn't think they were REAL pirates. ** - During this process we were flashed by torch several times from a neighbouring yacht - more on this later. Ben and Chelsea, inspired by alcohol and Alan's victory, but mostly alcohol, decided they could also wreak havoc on Minnow II. Ba, bah - wrong. Minnow II heard them coming and Andy (Dead Eye) scored a perfect broadside by throwing a bucket of water over them, resulting in an instant withdrawal. The intruders made it half way back to base when their motor died, much to the delight of Minnow II. Dinner: Minnow I - Not known Minnow II - Chicken, rice, noodles and mango vegetable sauce. The killer moths were nowhere to be seen tonight, but the killer butterflies were almost as vicious. Shena, Suz and Brocky had a quiet night on Minnow II, listening to Pavarotti, pondering life's little anomalies and finding a solution for the safe disposal of nuclear waste in the Balkans. Meanwhile Andy, Pat, Kirsten and Roofi headed to Minnow I for a 'little' drink. Minnow I had quite a function happening and, for want of a better term, we all got pissed. Andy had D&Ms with all his angels (Chelsea, Tennille) and there was much melancholy talk of love'n'stuff. Ben's contribution was "Roofi!!! I lurv youse moite!!" Ben and Sal insisted on returning to Minnow II for three CDs. This innocuous trip was made interesting by Ben's insistence that we visit the other yacht moored nearby. Eventually Sal and Roofi convinced him this was bad idea. The CDs never got played. The night raged on 'till the early hours, sealed with a kiss, a hug, then Roofi and Alan doing a nudie run around Minnow I. Other activities included: - Tongue length comparison - Belly expansion competition - Galley water fight. - Deck top and pole dancing to live Fat Boy Slim - "Good Evening Brighton Beach" - Ceremonial Cup Burning. Apparently Alan can sleep standing up. In other news, Suz bought a white top. Stop Press: Chemist jellybeans are the best!