Day 35 to 38 - Abell Point Marina & Airlie Beach

The weather is as bad as predicted and it would not be too much fun hanging off a pick in most of the anchorages with two little girls getting cabin fever. ben and Nikki walked them into town along the excellent boardwalk and they discovered some great playgrounds and the lagoon. On returning to the boat they caught up with a relative and her son. They have lived in Airlie for some time and love it.

That evening we headed off to the local Hog's Breath Cafe. As members of the Shag Islet Cruising Yacht Club (aka 'Shaggers') we get a discount and they are major sponsors of the Club.

How dare they!

It was the first time that we had taken the girls out for a dinner and all in all it went very well. I did get to see many of the local sights carrying one or the other of the girls when they needed 'time out' but hey, that is what granpa's are for!

Happy Campers at Hog's Breath

Unfortunately time ran out for the visitors and it was time to fly back to Sydney. We had initially planned to sail across to Hamo but the conditions were still pretty rough and none of us wanted the girls to end the holiday on a low with sea sickness etc. The decision to take the ferry across was an easy one and proved to be prudent as it was quick and relatively smooth.

Cath and I found the boat rather empty without the joyous laughter and giggling of the girls but there was enough work to be done preparing for the next activity - The Seawind Whitsunday Rally - to keep us fully occupied.

Craft on the boat - Painting a Yacht of course!