Unfortunately the forecast was looking pretty terrible with rain and strong winds for the next few days. Rather than run the risk of getting hammered when returning to Hamo we decided to sail across to Airlie Beach so that the girls could get ashore and explore the great parks and playgrounds along the Airlie beachfront. Ben and Nikki were also hoping to catch up with some relatives who live locally.
After a lovely quiet night we awoke to strong winds and rising seas. To help make up for this we saw our first (and so far, only) dugong. It was quite close but did not hang around for a photo.
We hoisted a double reefed main and headed off to Airlie via Hook Passage. With the wind behind us we were really honking but the traffic heading the other way wasn't having any where near as much fun! After seeing the keels on a rather large charter cat launch out of a wave we were not too surprised to see him do a 180 degree turn and high tail it back to the passage. I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall during that discussion!
The trip across Whitsunday Passage was moderately rough and vindicated our decision to go early rather than wait for things to really build. Unfortunately the girls were a bit green around the gills and Tamara was not a happy camper for much of the trip. i now know where they get the model for 'Grumpy Cat' - she really fixed me with a laser-like stare and there was no doubt that I was being held personally responsible for her misery!
Needless to say the folks at Abell Point Marina were outstanding and we got a great berth away from the masses but close to the amenities. We finished the day off with a baked lamb dinner.
No comments:
Post a Comment