North to the Whitsundays

Thursday, 15 August 2013 - Middle Percy to Digby Is
A light southwester with more breeze expected the next few days so we sailed across to Digby Island. Lots of whales around and we saw a mother with newborn calf just off the anchorage. We stopped and watched as she pushed the newborn to encourage it to breathe. It took a long time but eventually we saw a tiny blow from the baby. That night as we were going to bed we heard loud whale song and when we came on deck we found a whale breaching inside the anchorage. It was so close we could smell its very fishy breath!! Luckily it seemed to know where the 3 yachts were anchored.

Queenfish caught on the troll at Digby Is

Friday, 16 August 2013 - Digby to Brampton Is
A spinnaker run all day in good sailing conditions. We sailed in company with Carpe Vita and Shimmi all morning until they headed for Scawfell while we decided to carry on to Brampton as the breeze was going more to the east.

Watching the dolphins riding the bow wave

Saturday, 17 August 2013 - Brampton Is to Cid Harbour
We joined a stream of boats reaching towards the Whitsundays in the 10-15 knot northeasterly. The weather since Yeppoon has been very unusual for this time of year. Our powerboat friends had left us behind in what they considered perfect weather while the sailers had to wait for more favourable winds.

It did mean we went to places we haven't visited before and we could hardly complain about another day of blue skis and light breezes. Lucky we didn't have a schedule and did not have to motor too much.

On Sunday, Bernard and Di invited us to watch the start of the first race of Hamilton Island Race Week on board their beautiful powerboat Bombola.

Warren and Bernie

The start was delayed due to lack of wind but they eventually got the yachts away after moving the start line.

Wild Thing powers by

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