South to Cairns

Monday, 14 October to Saturday, 26 October 2013
We had a good trip back from Lizard to Cairns. 35nm to Cape Bedford on Monday and we were lucky to sail the whole way in a light easterly/south east breeze. As it was very overcast when we left we decided to leave our visit to the Cod Hole for our next trip.

Ship loading silica at Cape Flattery

Tuesday we sailed 81nm to windward to Low Isles arriving at 1930. Warren caught 2 good sized school mackeral on the way. We had 3 nights here and enjoyed the snorkelling and sundowners ashore with Wirraway and Nefertiti. Our stay was extended to allow Warren to replace the water pump that stopped working properly. Luckily we carry a spare for all pumps so we replaced it and got a new pressure switch in Cairns to fix the old one.

On Friday we sailed to Cairns where we anchored in Trinity Inlet. Saturday morning we moved into the marina which we had booked for the next week. We had quite a few jobs on the list including trying to fix a flutter in the luff of the mainsail. This turned out to be a snapped bolt rope that we had to replace. Not an easy job as it required loosening batten cars, and pushing the new bolt rope down the luff at about 1.5m at a time, cutting the stitching at each point as we progressed (and resewing by hand). We'll see how it goes tomorrow!

We were lucky to see the start of the Crocodile Trophy mountain bike race. This is a 9 day race over 850km which includes 15000m climbing! Not for the faint hearted especially in the heat we have had this week. 116 starters this year including a lot of internationals. http://www.crocodile-trophy.com

The recently relaunched ex racing catamaran Bagatelle was our neighbour for a few days. Bagatelle was lost on Scott Reef off Cairns in May, 2004. She was salvalaged and sold by the insurance company to Rex and Steve who have spent the last 9 years rebuilding her. Now that is a project!

We have enjoyed being in the heart of Cairns and went to aqua aerobics classes at the lagoon and walks along the esplanade. Lots of boats left during the week when some northerlies appeared.

Our eldest son Ben joined us today and he is sailing south to Townsville with us over the next week.

Lizard Island

Thursday, 3 October 2013 to Sunday, 13 October 2013

We left Marlin Marina in a light north easterly and motored the 18nm to Vlasoff Reef. The mooring was surprisingly comfortable in the easterly swell and we wasted no time going ashore on the small island for a snorkel. Just as we were entering the water a helicopter circled and signalled if it was ok to land.  Apparently they have to get permission if there is anyone on the island. Good coral and fish just off the beach.

Friday morning we checked out Michaelmas Reef before setting the spinnaker for the Low Isles. Michaelmas is a bird rookery so the noise and smell of hundreds of birds spoiled the ambience somewhat!

Warren was keen to get to Lizard Island in time for the footy final on Sunday night so Saturday we covered 70nm to Cape Bedford with a good spinnaker run most of the way. Our AIS blew a fuse today (and the replacement) so can’t be used until we find out what the issue is. Warren caught 2 spanish mackerel that were both returned as one was too big (120cm) and one was too small (65cm). We steer clear of anything over 100cm to reduce the risk of ciguatera poisoning.

Sunday we had a quick sail to Watson’s Bay on Lizard Island in 20-25kn winds where we anchored with 30 other cruisers including Len and Isla on Waterfront. On Monday, with good weather forecast for the next few days, Waterfront and about 14 others left.

We walked to the Research Station on Monday morning for the tour. Our guide Julius was an Italian post grad student with a British accent who studied the sounds of the reef.

He explained that the crackling noise that you can hear when you film under water is actually pistol shrimp firing off water at prey. When I get better internet I’ll upload a video! Apparently you can find these creatures on every coral reef around the world. He also talked about the Crown of Thorns starfish and the current outbreak which is damaging the reef. I was disappointed to see that the reef at nearby Turtle Bay has had significant damage since our last visit 2 years ago.

Warren with Hugh from San Souci

During the week we were on Lizard Island we also climbed to the top of Cook's Look (where Captain Cook found a passage through the Great Barrier reef), snorkelled and kayaked.

On Sunday the Lizard Island Gamefishing tournament started. 29 boats made for a crowded anchorage but the sailpast and race to the fishing grounds was quite spectacular.

Vava II (314ft) dwarfed the big Bertrams and Rivieras. This vessel has it all (including fuel tanks holding 400,000 litres of diesel).

That's a 54ft powerboat tied to the stern of Vava II

Big boys toys

The Slow Route to Cairns

Saturday, 21 September to Wednesday, 2 October 2013
The 2 days sailing to Horseshoe Bay on Magnetic Island were in light east/north-east winds around 10-12 knots. We had a few runs with the spinnaker, some time with the genoa and the rest motoring or motor sailing.

We caught up with the Gypsymariner crew in Horseshoe Bay and had sundowners with them and Rad and Chris (Peer Pressure) and a couple of other yachts.

We had a good sail up to Little Pioneer Bay on Orpheus Island and then tacked up to Zoe Bay in a moderate northerly the next day. We had 3 days here waiting again for the winds to be anything but N or NW. If you are going to be stuck with the weather then this is the place.

The anchorage was surprisingly good in the northerlies and we enjoyed the walk up to the top of the waterfall and a walk on the beach each evening.

Warren did a lot of fishing for not much return unfortunately (a couple of golden trevally) and I read to my heart's content. I highly recommend my current novel - The Distant Hours by Kate Morton.

Eventually on Saturday, 28 September we got a forecast of E/NE and headed for Mourilyan Harbour. 53 nm - motoring all morning until an easterly came in after lunch.

Mourilyan Harbour

The dredge that started up at 0600 helped us get an early start for the 44nm to Fitzroy Island. Motoring all day, we were glad for a swim once the anchor was down in the bay. Warren caught another school mackeral.

Monday we sailed the short distance to Cairns Marlin marina where we have spent 3 days. Over 8 weeks since we left home so haircuts were high on the list of things to do.

Tomorrow we leave for the final legs towards Lizard Island.