Shaggers get together and the beginning of the Reef Festival

Friday 31st July 2015

Finally the wind is abating and it looks like we are in four a nicer day. We still have the rental car until 10.45 am, so decide to go for a drive after breakfast to see what is happening at Shute Harbour. It is a short drive, around 12 km, but getting through Airlie is a bit busier as their is a lot if preparations in the main street for the launch of the Reef Festival later today. It is a 10 day event staring off today with fireworks tonight and music in the streets, as well as a carnival atmosphere along the beach front with show rides and markets.

Shute Harbour has not come a long way and s now the home for a couple of charter companies, a small fishing fleet, a few tourist industries (including Ocean Kayaking) and is still a ferry base, but that appears to be moving to the Port of Airlie, just South of Abell Point.

On the way back to Airlie we dropped in to the marina near the port of Airlie and saw a good collection of deep keel yachts there including a Hanse called "Lunacy" from Melbourne.

We returned the car and walked back to the marina, and because the tide was still reasonably high, I got the trolley out and dragged the jerry cans around to the fuel wharf to get our backup fuel supplies, before the angle on the marina ramps got too steep.

After a tasty salad on board for lunch I went for a walk into town to stretch my legs and on the way back ended up talking to the owner of the big Hanse 575 "Jo De 7" which is on an adjoining marina arm.

Tonight there is a function at the Whitsunday Sailing Club to welcome the "Shaggers" with raffles etc to raise funds for prostate cancer awareness and research (the shaggers chosen charity).

It was a good night and all shaggers were made honorary members of the club so we could enjoy members discounts on all food and drinks. The Whitsunday Sailing Club are one of the official sponsors for the coming rendezvous.

We met up with some more nice people and a few old friends and it was a good night, and an ideal venue to see the fireworks from.

The Strong wind continues and golf at Bowen

Wednesday 29th July 2015

The wind intensified this morning and stayed gusty for the rest of the day. Once again it was stronger out in the islands with Airlie relatively well protected.

Steve Smith has booked the marina courtesy car for 1.5 hours from 12.30pm, so we head off to the shopping centre in Cannonvale for a big shop. We need to stock up for our trip to Magnetic Island and Wilparina is also getting low on a few things, so having a Hilux ute to pack everything into is just what we need.

After we have completed our food shopping, we made a quick trip to the Home Hardware store a bit further down the road to look at their stock of Metabo power tools. Based on Steve's success in using a Metabo cordless drill and a fitting to fit his winches, to substitute for an electric winch, I am keen to do the same. I have already ordered and received the fitting to drive the winch from the USA, and leave the store with a Metabo cordless tool package including a drill, power wrench and angle grinder . It was expensive, but it was on sale and very good value for money.

New "electric winch"

This afternoon we have beed invited to join Bill and Linda Castles on About Time for sundowners, so together with the Smith's we turn up at 5 pm, had our pre dinner drinks, nibbles, and a tour of the Seawind 1160. We all then went out to dinner at a newer restaurant in town, Mr Bones,  that had been given a good report by a few of our friends. It was a pizzeria that also served tapas. The food was very good.

Thursday 30th July 2015

The wind is still very strong, and it is a bit overcast, but no significant rain results.

It is time to venture away from the marina, but the conditions out on the water have not improved a lot, so we decide we are overdue for a game of golf. Options on the Whitsunday Coast are limited, it is either Proserpine or Bowen. We have played the Proserpine course before and weren't that impressed that we wanted to rush back and play it again, so decided we would give Bowen a go. It is 80 km away, but at least we will get to see a bit of the countryside.

After a bit of a hunt around we find a rental car available for the day, and eventually pick it up at 10.45 am and set out for Bowen about half an hour later. The drive is not particularly scenic, and the countryside very dry. Bowen looks pretty tired and is not really a tourist destination. The golf course is a nine hole course by the seaside, with 2 sets of tees making it an interesting enough 18 hole course. It is remarkably green compared to the surrounding countryside.

The Clubhouse is impressive

At 12.30pm the fourth round of the Mica Cup was under way. Mike is not off to a good start having lost balls on the first two holes allowing Carole to go to a commanding lead (after the first 5 holes she is 7 up.

After a bit of a recovery from there on Mike managed to pare Carole's lead back to 3, which now leaves the score at all square for the series to date.

It was a bit of a slow round, as on a few occasions we found ourselves behind groups of 7 people playing together, on one hole 11 people. Not sure we will hurry back here.

Back at the marina at 5.30 pm, we have a quick shower , and are off to dinner on Ruby (a Dufour 410), owned by Geoff and Jenny Fogarty. Joined by the Smiths, we have a most enjoyable BBQ, and fortunately Ruby is on the same marina arm as us only about 4 boats away.

Back into the marina routine

Tuesday 28th July 2015

The wind came in as forecast at around 6am, hitting 35 knots at Hamilton Island and a bit over 25 knots here at Airlie. The marina is well protected from due South where the wind is coming from today.

For us, activity revolves around shopping and a bit of boat maintenance. Late morning we walked into Cannonvale to do a small shop at Woolies and the local butcher, who has very good meat. I made up a new anchor chain snubber bridle and polished a scratch out of one of the acrylic windows. Otherwise it was a pretty relaxing day.

The wind eases and strengthens all day and is quite gusty, but not as wild as we expected it to be. At several times during the day, the conditions out on the water look quite good, but the observation data from Hamilton Island showed that out in the islands, the winds were strong 25 to 30 knots for much of the day.

After lunch we went for another walk to stretch our legs, wandering into Airlie. It is a bit quieter around the marina precinct ( maybe the wind has led to a few cancellations of day trips etc), but the number of boats in here has increased significantly, and they claim to be almost fully booked from now until after Hamilton Island race week finishes on 22nd August.

It is a bit quiet, even the Shaggers Vice Commodores table at the kiosk is vacant

Our daughter Nicole is coming to spend a week with us in early September, so we have already made the necessary marina bookings to pick her up and drop her off.

We had dinner on board Mica with Steve and Kim Smith.

Return to Airlie to sit out the next Strong Southerly

Monday 27^th July 2015

We had a great nights sleep at Palm Bay, dead calm, and after the sun went down the temperature dropped to a cool and comfortable sleeping temperature.

Whilst there was a lot of  condensation in the morning, a light breeze seemed to keep the fog off the water, but there was a heavy haze over the hilltops. It was a bit like sitting in the glacial sounds in the South Island of NZ.  Not surprisingly, the waterway we are moored in is called Long Island Sound.

After a patient wait for the wind to arrive, we finally decide to head out at around 10.30am for a very slow sail back to Airlie, in around 5 knots of breeze behind us, plus about a knot of favourable current. We are in no hurry, as it is low tide at around 1.30 pm, and there will be not enough water in the berths at Airlie to go in until 3 pm or later.

Wilparina leaving Palm Bay

There was plenty of tactical work going on on both boats to try to get the most out of the low and variable breeze. Smithy ended up poling out his headwall whilst we gybed our way home.

Wilparina with poled out headsail 

Mica 

When we eventually got to the Pioneer point we could see a cruise ship had anchored off Airlie Beach, and we had our first whale sighting of the trip, with two (maybe 3) whales performing off the NW side of North Molle Island.

Finally we saw some whales

Cruise ship came into view as we neared the point

I dragged a fishing lure all the way from Long Island with no luck. Nor did fishing with bait in Palm Bay yield anything.

It was too early to go into the marina, so we sailed out around the cruise ship, which turned out to be the Pacific Dawn, and then eventually had a good sail back into Abell Point on a 10 knot breeze and a beam reach.

The Pacific Dawn anchored off Airlie Beach

After complaining about the shallowness of our previous berth on X arm, we have been allocated a berth on E arm for this stay.  The low depth alarm fired up pretty quickly as we entered the berth with 0.4 m under the keel, after about 1.5 hours of incoming tide. The berth is very squeezy, and our neighbour (a Bavaria 42 Cruiser), and ourselves fill it with very little space to spare.

Dinner tonight is a BBQ on Wilparina. More lamb chops very well cooked , with Smithy's secret marinade !

Palm Bay, Long Island

Sunday 26^th July 2015

As forecast, it is a sunny morning with only a very light breeze at the marina. We have changed our marina bookings to maximize the next 2 days out before the strong winds arrive early Tuesday morning. Steve and Kim Smith are also planning to head out today, also planning to get back to the marina by Monday evening, so we agree to sail to Long Island and see what the options are there.

Wilparina enjoying the conditions

It is perfect sailing conditions, around 10 knots of breeze from the SE and flat water. Whilst it is an upwind sail down to Long Island, we have a great sail, and along the way hear that the moorings at Happy Bay have had their ropes removed, as the resort is undergoing renovation and it is getting a bit deep to anchor, given the strong tidal current.

Luckily, Palm Bay resort has 2 moorings available, a bit offshore, but in good depths. After a bit of discussion with the resort we agree to hire the moorings for the night (the biggest problem was getting them to answer the phone). The resort appears to run with very few staff and is remarkably well kept, however it was not busy. It is the only resort currently open on Long Island, and with all of the others in the area that have closed for renovations (or just closed), I thought there would be more people here. We were the only day visitors.

Wilparina on one of the 2 moorings

Palm Bay Resort

Nevertheless, it is a pretty place and had a small number of guests enjoying the tranquility, and the privilege of cooking their own meals. It is now a self catering resort with a large communal kitchen.

Whilst we were ashore having a walk, a small helicopter arrived at their helipad and we later saw the passengers at the bar, being the only other people there having a drink.

A few guests arrive by helicopter 

Looking out from the shore to our boats on the moorings

Kim, Carole and Steve having a quiet drink at the "resort"

Back on board we ran the water maker for an hour to top up, and invited Steve and Kim to join us for a BBQ dinner on Mica. It was a very calm night and by 9pm, condensation was already forming over everything. It was good to catch up with the Smithy’s for dinner. It was an early night and we are all hopeful to have a great sail back to Airlie tomorrow.

Back at Airlie

Saturday 25^th July 2015

Tiger Air arrived 10 mins ahead of time at Proserpine at 10.45 am. It was a good flight despite having to get on the airport shuttle bus in Bayview at 5.45 am.

What a contrast when we got to the marina ! The temperature was mid 20’s, reasonably humid and bright skies. Although the last few days in Sydney were more like a normal Sydney Winter day, the first few days we were there were freezing.

We arrived at the marina at just after noon, and Mica was just as we left her, with exception of a fair contribution from the bird life on the decks and canvas.

As soon as we got our gear on board, we headed off to the Saturday market, which has the best fresh vegetables, but shuts down at 1 pm. We made it by only a few minutes, and some items had been sold out, but we did get most of what we wanted. On the way, we ran into Bill and Linda Castles who were on their way back from the market and are currently anchored out in Pioneer Bay, planning to return to the marina on Monday.

Smithy is nowhere to be seen, but appeared back in his berth late Saturday afternoon, having been out from a few days with some old friends on board.

We went into town for dinner at a Thai restaurant, a bit on the expensive side, but serves were generous and the food was good.

The weather forecast for the coming week is not good, 30 knot winds from Tuesday through till the end of the week. We plan to go out tomorrow and probably come back in on Monday afternoon, as the wind is forecast to come in in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Sydney

18 - 25th July 2015

In Sydney attending to a few things that need to be done and can't be handled remotely. Back to Airlie on 25th.

Back to Airlie

Friday 17th July 2015

The Southerly came in strong, as forecast, at around 3 am, but Cid Harbour is a good anchorage and we didn't lose any sleep.

The wind was gusting in the 20 to 25 knot range and had whipped up some wind waves out in the channel as the tide is still coming in and won't reach high till 11 am. The ebb tide runs North so after then we should have smoother water with the wind and tide running in the same direction.

Both Koonya and ourselves had our anchors up just after 11 am, and we decided to put a reef in the main for the reach across the top of North Molle Island and then on the wind a bit more to reach Airlie. We both had a great sail with Mica peaking at 9.6 knots and Koonya probably more. It was a bit bumpy in spots, but generally an enjoyable sail.

As we approached Airlie we were sailing in a lighter breeze but still getting along at 6+ knots.

Koonya approaching Airlie Beach

Shelley and Denis are flying home tomorrow and we have decided to come back to Sydney for a week to tidy up a few affairs, like car registration etc. It will be hard to head back to the cold climate Sydney is experiencing at the moment, given the terrific weather we have had here over the past week or so.

We had a late lunch, trying to clean up any leftovers still in the fridge, before spending the rest of the afternoon cleaning the boat, filling gas bottles and diesel tanks, catching up on washing and getting rid of a pile of garbage etc.

Mark and Janet joined us for dinner at Sorrento Restaurant at the marina, and we headed back to the boat early to pack for tomorrows trip to Sydney.

Hill Inlet, then Whitehaven Beach

Thursday 16^th July 2015

Unbelievably, it is another perfect day. Bright sunny skies and warm enough to have a swim. The bay has filled up a bit more overnight, and a number of backpacker tour boats have arrived this morning and are busily ferrying people ashore in dinghies. We decide to have breakfast first and then go ashore and do the walk to Hill Inlet lookout.

The view today is stunning, with such bright sunlight and a high tide, you can see all of the different shades of blue highlighting the channels an shallow shoals in the inlet. A couple of catamarans have gone in on the high tide and anchored in one of the deeper sections. As much of the area around them dries at low tide, they will need another high to get back out.

There are lots of backpackers down on the beach, we think having a wash as they normally go out for around 3 days and I couldn’t imagine what the shower facilities are like on board for the number of people they pack on the boats.

Back on board Mica, we pack up, pull up the anchor and head for Whitehaven Beach , motoring of course as there is around 2-3 knots of breeze.

As we get nearer to Whitehaven, Koonya came up on our AIS, so we anchored near them, and they came across for a while for a beer. We had lunch and then went ashore to look around, do the walk to the Chance Bay lookout and have a swim when we get back to the beach.

Whitehaven Beach (you can see from the footprints just how busy it has been today)

Denis and Carole swimming at Whitehaven

Shelley 

A strong southerly change is expected to come through early Friday morning, so we are not going to stay at Whitehaven overnight. The plan is to go back to Cid Harbour, which is well protected from a southerly , and we should have a good sail back to Airlie on Friday.

To complete the tour for Shelley and Denis, we decide to complete the circumnavigation of Whitsunday Island and head down through Solway Passage at just after 3pm, go around past Hamilton Island, and back through Fitzalan Passage to Cid Harbour, arriving at just after 5pm. Once again Koonya was there, so we anchored nearby.

Mark and Janet came over and joined us for a BBQ dinner .

The usual Cid Harbour Sunset