Day 182 Cape Upstart to Gloucester Passage

Hello waves! Today's from Cape Upstart to Gloucester Passage saw a very early and very bouncy start as the wind was a strong South-Easterly for the first 20 miles. As the wind turned to the North East, conditions definately improved and everyone was feeling a lot less seasick! We arrived at Glocester in time for a beautiful sunset, and had the anchorage almost to ourselves. After commenting on how it never rains at Gloucester, we awoke to a down pour :) We made the most of the weather however, and went in to the ECO Resort for a beautiful seafood lunch :)

Day 181 Magnetic to Cape Upstart

Today was another 5am start, and after pulling out of Nellie Bay (Magnetic Island) we said our goodbyes to Doug and Kirsten, who will now be staying in Townsville for the season. Today was a good sail, beautiful weather, although we had to do a lot of tacking out to sea for this part of our journey, up until (the dreaded) Cape Bowling Green. After Cape Bowling Green we then we had a good run across to Cape Upstart and managed to anchor up before it was dark.

Day 179 Orpheus to Magnetic Island

We had a great sail today and made very good time arriving to Magnetic Island just after lunch. We spent a few days relaxing around the pool at Nelly Bay and catching up with good friends Doug and Kirsten. We originally met at Lizard Island and spent time particularly at Cairns. Great people and great fun!

Day 178 Dunk Island to Orpheus Island

Another 5am start and we headed down the Hinchinbrook Channel on our way to Orpheus Island. A lovely day with minimal wind. Hinchinbrook island has been separated from the mainland by this deep, narrow mangrove fringed Channel for approximately 100,000 years and has remained in relatively uninhabited, pristine condition. It was wonderful and went for 22 miles what an amazing place, we searched for crocodiles and although the area is known for it thankfully there were not any around at all!! We had a very restful sleep at Orpheus. Long day but we are off again early tomorrow!

Day 177 Fitzroy Island to Dunk Island

Us and another 7 boats left today. The winds were still southerly but the swell had dropped. It was a very long day, up and going by 5am and made it about 6.30pm. So we dead tired but glad to be making headway south.
Shame as Dunk Island is such a pretty place.

Day 176 Cairns to Fitzroy Island

Many others had braved the southerlys and so we decided to head off today. The weather forecast was that the winds were decreasing and so too the swell. It was quite bumpy and very uncomfortable but we managed to get to Fitzroy Island which will leave us in a great position tomorrow.

That night we had drinks with many other yachties who were waiting for the weather. We met some people who had participated in the Cairns to Lousiades Rally who shared lots of interesting stories. Could be something we might consider in the future.

Day 162- 175 Cairns

The weather turned and it blew and blew from the SE for many days. The anchorage was not particularly good in the river and we ended up a long way from where we could tie up the dinghy.

We made the most of our time here by participating in water aerobics, free movies Tuesdays at the Casino (first movie Fools Gold was great but the second The Invasion was hopeless), went to the real movies to see Eagle Eye, the Art Gallery and time at the wonderful lagoon at Cairns.

So we swam and walked (the dogs loved the Esplanade) and in the afternoons participated in many happy hours and BBQs on the foreshores.

We spent time with Easy Rider (Terry and Kim) as well as Doug and Kirsten who met at Lizard but more of them at a later time. Here are some happy snaps from some happy hours.

We also watched many large ships entering and leaving the harbour. Here are some shots.

Day 161 Port Douglas - Cairns

The sail today was a short day with the wind still blowing but it seems the weather will increase after today so we are very glad to be anchored. Did I say anchored...we had 4 attempts to set the anchor but it was very muddy and made it hard for the anchor to be set. It looks like we will be here for a while!!

Day 160 Hope Island - Port Douglas

Left early again and it was still strong wind straight on the nose. We decided rather than pushing onto Cairns we wuld make our way into Port Douglas. A very hot place, no wind and lost of bugs and who knows what jumping in the water. We stayed at the Mirage Marina which was very nice. The choise for dinner was huge and we had a great meal and great music to entertain us. Jim was very happy with being able to watch the soccer match (Asian League semi final I was told!)on an enormous screen. It was a great stay (apart from the heat)

Day 159 Lizard Island - Hope Island

The day finally came for us to head south. The winds were still blowing form the south but we took the opportunity of it being 15-20knots SE to give it run. It was a very long day and a little uncomfortable but we were pleased we had made the first leg south safely and with only some discomfort. We left at 5.00am and got there at 6.30pm. It was a great anchorage and we all slept very well.