Nara Inlet

Saturday 4^th July 2015

Another windy morning greets us, this one a bit more angry than the last couple of days, nevertheless, we want to move on, so wait till 1pm when things were supposed to settle down.

It is Nicole’s birthday today, so somehow we manage to get Telstra to co-operate with basic communications from this part of the World and get to wish her a happy birthday.

The wind did not abate, Smithy headed back to Airlie, as they are flying back to Sydney for a few weeks, and Koonya and ourselves plan to go to Tongue Bay on the other side of Whitsunday Island.

Janet decided that one climb up Whitsunday Peak wasn’t enough, and headed up there again on her own this morning, Mark decided to work on more important things, like trying to get Telstra to get him some internet service up here.

Janet and Mark on the way back to Koonya, after her walk

I took the extra time available in the morning to run the desalinator for the first time since we left and made 100 litres of fresh water.

The first part of todays plan, which was to sail to Hook Passage on a headsail didn’t go well, as the furler jammed again.  So we motored on, and we could see some nasty rain activity on the other side of the island, so opted for Nara Inlet instead. It is a good anchorage in most conditions, including todays. It also gave me some time to try to work out why the headsail is immovable. The problem seems to be at the top of the furler, with the swivel not rotating. If only we had a period of low breeze that was not pitch black, I would pull the head sail down and the problem should be clearer, it could be a number of things.

Koonya, behind us, and a nasty bit of weather behind them 

Anyway, we are anchored in protected waters, should have a good nights sleep, and can have a better look in the morning. We still hope to go to Tongue bay tomorrow.

Koonya dropping anchor in Nara Inlet, after a very bumpy ride from Cid Harbour

We had sundowners on Koonya and talked about our plans for the next few days. We are heading to Hamilton Island where we have booked a berth for Monday and Tuesday, so we can play golf at the course on Dent Island on Tuesday, a bit of an indulgence, but we probably won’t get a better chance, according to the weather forecast.  Mark and Janet are going to wing it and may get to Hammo or may enjoy the couple of days anchored out.

Dinner tonight is very special. Carole has cooked Thai Fish “burgers” using some of the mackerel I caught, and it is terrific.