We continue South

Thursday, 6 October 2011 - Cairns to Fitzroy Island

After morning tea with Pam and John from Allikat who were staying in Cairns, our departure from Half Moon Bay marina was delayed after we saw a bird walking on the water in front of our marina berth. Warren got in the dinghy and found there was only 0.4m in front! We eventually got away about 1500 and arrived at Fitzroy Island around sunset. Truest Passion had saved us a spot in a much less rolly anchorage then we had experienced last time we were here.

Truest Passion headed off early but we decided to spend Friday here and went for an early walk to the summit and the old lighthouse. Most of the walk was on the road that was built in the 50s to service the lighthouse. The track to the 268m summit included 500 steps (counting took my mind off how unfit I felt).

We also snorkeled off the beach and realized we have been spoiled with the sights on the outer reef. Lots of fish and nice coral but visibility was poor.



Saturday, 8 October 2011 - Fitzroy Is to Mourilyan Harbour

An early start in light winds before a short spinnaker run to Russell Island (19 nm south of Fitzroy). We picked up a mooring and went ashore for a look around. We were contemplating staying the night however a building northerly convinced us to continue on to Mourilyan Harbour.

The wind had risen to 25 kn by the time we entered the harbour and with a fierce tide running, anchoring was a challenge. Good holding though and we awoke to a light fog.





Sunday, 9 October 2011 - Mourilyan Hbr to Hinchinbrook Is

Motorsailing all morning in light breezes gave Warren an opportunity to watch Bathurst on TV. Note the person on watch also didn't miss out.

We also discovered that today the range of the AIS was much greater than usual. The shot at right shows large ships we were picking up 400nm away in the Coral Sea as well as a yacht we knew nearly 200nm away. Not bad given the range yacht to yacht is usually limited to about 20nm.

Here is a tip if you have a Raymarine AIS. If you have tagged a yacht as a buddy, you can set it to display their name on screen automatically. Lets you know who is out and about. That's how we identified Blue Heeler 200 nm away.

Around lunchtime a 15 - 20 kn NE breeze came in and we set the spinnaker. We anchored in Gayundah Creek in time to watch the second half of the Wallabies win over South Africa.

On Monday we motored down to Bluff Creek to try and get a few crabs. So far all we have caught are a LOT of March flies. Phase2 is all closed up with screens in the 32 degree heat as I write this. See, it's not all perfect out here.

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