R has returned to blog writing! The sunny weather and light winds continued after Tony and Mark left. Mackay seemed a little more attractive this time with the glorious weather. Still no time to hang about, the usual washing, shopping, and maintenance.
We set off for Curlew Island with little wind so yet more motor sailing/motoring. The pilot area off Hay Point had 32 ships on the AIS, fortunately none manoeuvring and asking for our avoidance! With the wind from the north we had to look for different anchorages so we accepted a small bay on the west side of Curlew as protection from the NE wind, one not recommended by Alan and we know why! Yes one of those rolly nights that you keep tossing up whether to leave as you get no sleep!! Morning doesn't come soon enough.
On to the Duke Islands and the south aspect of Hunter Island in a most beautiful anchorage. We spent 2 nights there enjoying the sun and the calm bay, especially the night. Anne should have been a biologist as she has spent most of the trip fascinated by the flora and fauna. We had great seats for watching an eagle keep its young chick happy in a cliff top nest not far off the stern. That is not when we are exploring the beaches and working out how she would survive shipwrecked on a deserted Island!
On to Island Head Creek back on the mainland. We continued to be blessed with sun and light wind from the north. Another beaut location, a feeling of remoteness. We did notice some campers at the end of the beach who appeared to come in a small motor boat. The area is part of a huge military training area. In the evening they lit a camp fire and then a little later we saw the headland adjacent to their site catch fire. In the morning they disappeared before first light. We explored the location to find the camp fire still alight and the headland still burning! Fortunately there was little breeze and it was separated from the main headland by some beach. Apart from putting out the camp fire there was little we could do.
On to Rosslyn Bay, Yeppoon. It lived up to its labelling as the friendliest marina. The weather finally changed and for the next five days there was 20 knots from the south! The courtesy car was greatfully appreciated for provisioning and visit to the DIY shop! We spent much time with fellow cruisers from Sydney – Robara and Ishta. Anne befriended the fishermen again and lightened them of there catch. We don't seem to be able to repeat Marks effort! I went up the mast 5 times to replace the steaming light bulb. I couldn't work out how to open the fitting and with no instructions available [even on he internet!] didn't want to break it. The view was great and Anne got a work out winching me up and down, up and …!
The weather finally changed or so the forecast said it would! The three of us set off at 5 o'clock in the morning to be met with more wind on the nose. Suffice to say a long day and we arrived at Pancake Creek in the dark at 7pm. The chart plotter was interesting as we appear able to sail over the land. The next day the wind dropped to nothing and we motored out to Lady Musgrave Island some 32 nm off the coast and the end of the Great Barrier Reef.
You pray for weather like this to visit an outer reef lagoon and cay. We found the narrow passage into the lagoon daunting. Low tide meant all the reef was exposed including all the coral below and to the side as one traverses the gap. The swirling ebb tide of 3 knots didn't help. On to the anchorage and bommie avoidance! After that it was a fantastic 2 days, calm seas and great visibility. We left with the wind increasing to 20 knots from the north, great timing!
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