Off to Cid Harbour, to sit out the strong winds

Tuesday 11^th July 2017

After a good nights sleep, we plan to leave the marina this morning and head out into the islands. We had a lucky break with the bait situation, as there was a pallet load of bait sitting out side a store, just near the amenities building and the store owner was stocking his fridge. I went back to the boat to get some money and bought a couple of packets of squid. The only bait they had was pilchards and squid, and we have had no luck with pilchards.

Motoring out of the marina at 10.15am, we have a 15-20 knot SE breeze and plan to head North to Cid Harbour, so put up the mainsail in the Dent Channel and were soon off sailing very nicely to our destination. Cody was very keen to have a crack at the helm, and seemed to enjoy it immensely.

We sailed all of the way, turning up the Hunt Channel, eventually running out of breeze as we approached the anchorage. There are already quite a few boats here, and by the end of the day there are more arrivals. Nowhere on the eastern side of any of the islands would be comfortable in these conditions.

Next priority was lunch, and we had purchased some fresh seafood from a wholesaler in Hamilton Island called Fishi. They are developing quite a business, delivering orders to boats n the marina and to Abell Point Marina in Airlie Beach. They are in the process of opening a store in Airlie. They should do well as options are limited at the moment.

The breeze had settled down to around 15 knots and Cid Harbour is a good SE anchorage, so the water is relatively flat. After lunch, the dinghy went in the water and we went ashore to have a look around.

Cody also apponted himself skipper of the dinghy and took us into shore

This afternoon's activity was a walk to Dugong Beach, one of the established walking tracks in the National Park. It is a reasonably easy walk, about 1km each way, with a bit of a climb, but ends up at the very scenic Dugong Beach, which also has a small camping ground that is popular with kayakers.

Dugong Beach

Cody, trying out his snorkle and goggles

There is plenty to see along the trail, and the devastation that Cyclone Debbie caused in this area is obvious. We also had to make way for a very large goanna, who was waddling down the rack in front of us, and his own speed and seemed to have little intention of moving off the track for some time. Eventually he went bush and could continue on at our pace.

Some very large, old trees did not survive Debbies Fury

This large goanna preferred the walking track rather than struggling through the bush

Back at the boat it was fishing time, but first we had a swim off the backof the boat to cool down, as it has been a pretty hot and sticky day.

Cody persisted with the fishing for some time with not a great deal of success other than a giant toadfish. Trolling a lure all of the way from Hamilton Island was also unsuccessful.

Catch of the day

We had a BBQ for dinner and everyone was in bed by 9.30pm.

Tomorrow’s forecast is a bit of a shocker, so we will see what eventuates and plan from there.