Off to Curlew Island

Tuesday 22^nd September 2015

Finally, we depart from Mackay marina at 6 am this morning. There is a light SW breeze that fills to about 10 knots as we get further out to sea. Wilparina is sailing with us and we both have all our sails up and are hopeful the breeze will build as we motor sail for the first hour or so. Wilparina are able to get along with their big genoa flying without the engine for the last half hour before they stopped dead. The wind had dropped out and changed direction.

Wilparina passing through the ships at Hay Point (obviously different pollution standards up here)

After 2 hours of motor sailing , the sails came down and we motored the rest of the way to Curlew Island. The total trip took 7.3 hours with an average speed of 6 knots.

We had a few whale sightings along the way, but always a fair way in the distance.

Once anchored at Curlew we went ashore, as Steve and Kim have not been here before. We had a look around but didn’t stay long as the midges had discovered our presence.

Still one of the best beaches up here

Mica at anchor

Sunset behind Waratah Island

Tomorrows forecast is more into the wind travel with winds up to 20 knots, for part of the day, so we decide we will go to Hunter Island tomorrow, a trip of around 30 nm, which will bypass some of the strong winds. Another Southerly change is forecast for Thursday, so we plan to sit it out at Hunter Island, before heading out again on Friday.

We look forward to an early night and good nights sleep before another early start tomorrow