Saturday, 12 August to Thursday, 24 August 2017
We spent 3 nights at Pancake Creek – Warren caught some nice
sized whiting and I had another walk up to the lighthouse.
On Sunday, we headed
off for Great Keppel Island in a light breeze and anchored at Long Beach just
on dark after 65nm. Lots more whales and dolphins to keep us entertained (and watchful).
The numbers increase every year, and the whales seem to get closer to the
yachts. We saw a number off Cape Capricorn and were surprised by a mother and
calf that surfaced beside the boat, Mum gave a slap of the tail as if to warn
us to keep clear, and then they were off.
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| Busy at Long Beach, GKI |
We spent 2 nights at Great Keppel Island anchored in the crystal-clear
water. We walked across the island one day to Resort beach - no decision on
what is happening to the old resort but day trippers help to bring some money
into the island economy.
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| Echidna near the track |
On Tuesday, we headed across to Keppel Bay Marina and
dinner with our group at the Capricornia Cruising Yacht Club. We then went back
to Long beach waiting for a more favourable breeze to head further north.
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| Funkytime at Resort Beach |
We eventually left on Friday in light winds and
motored/motorsailed to Island Head Creek. The US Navy are still in the area and
this, with more close whale sightings, kept us awake.
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| Not just whales you have to watch for! |
Saturday we stayed put
after a strong southerly change moved through. More reading and fishing! From
here it was 3 days to the Whitsundays via North East Island in the Percy Isles
and Scawfell Island. Only one good sailing day out of 3 unfortunately.
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| Scawfell Island |
Tuesday night was spent in Cid Harbour after 600nm from
Cleveland.
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| Hamilton Island race boats (and whale at right) |
On Wednesday, we went to Airlie Beach for fuel, water and some fresh
fruit and vegies. Still no wind so a quiet sail to Grassy Island then on to Gloucester Passage for the
Shaggers Rendezvous.
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