Magical Magnetic Island

After leaving Cape Gloucester we had a short 2 night stay in Bowen. Its recent claim to fame being the filming of the 'epic' Australia. Also for its flying boat base in the war, and the historical murals regularly displayed on the side of buildings in town. A pleasing change to graffiti. The harbour is a little shallow and the marina section also shallow is awaiting development. So with little wind we elected to anchor outside the harbour, safe says Alan Lucas in calm or northerlies. Fortunately we had left the tender inflated on the deck leaving Montes.

With increasing blue skies and heat we left to pass the 3 capes on the way to Magnetic Island. Glorious weather – its been that way for the past week so I won't annoy you by repeating it! Managed to get the right wind and angle to put up the asymmetrical spinnaker, and did we go. Yes I did get excited! We tucked behind Cape Upstart the next night in Shark Bay. Has anyone counted the number of shark bays in Australia? Yes I did have a short swim. Next morning off to Cape Bowling Green, a never ending cape, more like a sand spit. Despite the failing afternoon wind the iron spinnaker prevailed and we pressed on to Cape Cleveland which is just before Townsville.

Our son Jonathan was not due to arrive until Monday so we crossed the bay to the north side of Magnetic Island and Horseshoe bay. Sheltered from the SE wind we have spent a very pleasant 4 days. Glorious weather – whoops – I have just read about the cold snap down south! Explored the Island a bit, today the east end on foot. Lovely beaches. Our botanist, come the next David Attenborough continues to try and educate me about the flora and fauna. Today included the rock wallaby, kaola, and of course the Kookaburras. The latter perched in the tree outside the takeaway off course! Regular excitement with the sound of the deep intake of breath as the turtles pay us a visit. The island appears very dry, they describe us being in the dry tropics, but it still gets twice the rainfall of Melbourne.

We continue to add to the Sunset collection, including a sci fi view of burning fires on the horizon at sunset [see picasa].

Better go for a swim, its too b.. hot!

Roger