Sail to Lindeman Island

Saturday 2^nd September 2017

Today we turn left when we leave Airlie and start our long trip home. We are in no hurry, but the time seems right. Conditions are light and over the next few days the winds are more from the North, but are very light.

First we had to go to the Saturday markets to get our fresh fruit and vegetables for our trip. On the walk into town, the  beginnings of the weekend competition culminating in the Triathlon are underway, with swimming events being held at Airlie Beach (whilst the tide is high). The main event is apparently on tomorrow. Colourbond are the major sponsor and they were active handing out information and giveaways as we passed. Carole scored this very impressive Selfie Stick, something she has always wanted, I am sure.

There is also yet another cruise ship visiting, another P&O ship, so navigating out of the marina is complicated by not only the unpredictable departures of charterboats, backpacker cruises etc, but also by the arrivals of large ferries full of cruise boat passengers.

We left the marina at 10am, heading for the Lindeman Group of Islands. The wind is 5-10 knots on the nose and the current against us for most of the way, so we motored the full distance with the mainsail up until we reached Dent Island, and we had several attempts to roll out the headsail and sail, but the winds were too light and variable.

Passing the Southern end of Dent Island with Pentecost Island in the background

We saw a large whale quite close to our boat as we were adjacent Pentecost Island, but by the time I got the camera, all a I caught was a flipper waving goodbye. The whales also appear to be heading south now.

Our destination was only decided as we were approaching the Lindeman Group, and based on the latest forecast, we opted for Plantation Bay on the Southern side of Lindeman Island. It is a very pretty anchorage and we intend to stay a day or two.

As we passed through the gap between Lindeman and Seaforth Island, we noticed a cruising yacht that probably needs a bit of revision of their tide calculations (or anchoring technique).

By 5pm it was back afloat and mysteriously disappeared.

We motored past the abandoned resort, around to Plantation Bay, where there are already 2 yachts at anchor. There is a bit of a SE Breeze, but it is very comfortable and we look forward to going ashore tomorrow for a bit of exploration.