Back to Nara

What a great day today, weather brilliant with a clear blue sky, sunny and warm with a 15 knot SE trade breeze.  Departed the marina mid morning and sailed around North Molle Island out into Whitsunday passage.  Hard on the wind, GD was performing very well, and the sailing exhilarating.   Just when I was thinking ‘it doesn’t get much better than this’, along came HMAS Success and then HMAS Newcastle, the former quite close and changing course to pass across our stern and charging around at 15 knots.   Arrived at the entrance to Nara inlet quickly, and travelled up to the head of the inlet and anchored in the quiet peaceful waters at the end.  15 memorable miles sailed, the anchorage lovely, and dinner of gnocchi parmigiana.  A good day.

Helen at the helm departing the marina, and HMAS Success passing close by

'Rest' Day

We moved a quarter mile only today, into the marina.  Attacked all the chores, and a productive day resulted.  John B has left us and is now winging his way home to Canada, but not before leaving his mark, a Turks Head (fancy decorative knot), tied on the pushpit rail.  Great weather now, so back to the islands tomorrow.

Airlie Beach

Reluctant to leave Whitehaven, but we must, in order to have our Canadian Crew on his way home to Calgary.  A long sail today so anchor raised 0830 and out to battle the opposite current and wind in Solway Pass.  Forward progress through there was slow, but it lasted only 1½ miles before turning the corner and having these behind us and then helping trather than hindering forward progress.  Sailed on through Fitzalan pass, where behind Hamilton island there was little wind but making good speed.  Came shooting out into Whitsunday passage, past South Molle Island, right past Daydream Island, before anchoring out in the bay at Airlie Beach.  We are now down to two on board, but we chilled out during the warm afternoon and had a quiet time; dinner on-board of H’s own Corned beef (cooked on board), with spuds carrots etc  all with mustard sauce. Pleased to have signal again so we can update, and this our view of Airlie Beach this evening.

 

WHitehaven Beach.... Still...

28th May, and we didn’t move from this spot: it doesn’t get much better than this.
Whitehaven Beach is absolutely magic, rated on the top 10 of the world.  That can be debated, but today we stayed here, in a perfect sheltered anchorage, in clear water, 5-10 knts of southerly breeze, a day of clear blue cloudless skies and 26-27°, excellent sand holding for the anchor, only 30-40 M from a snowy white pristine beach.  Played all day, all the usual stuff, and included a walk up to the top which has a great view.  Conservation zone so no fishing, but a dinner of roast chicken with all the veges, and a good desert.  What a day….!  The view from the top... as good as everything else.

Leaving Border Island

27 May:  The winds were up again overnight and Cateran lived up to its reputation for wind bullets.  On waking this morning, there was a solid 20/25knts of S-SSE breeze with gusts, and it was decided to proceed to the southern end  of Whitsunday island.  Cast off early to make a solid bash to windward, only 15 miles but hard-ish  work using reefed sails, arriving a little before midday, and with FISH for dinner..!  Intent was Chalkies Beach but the magnificent Whitehaven beach was calling like the sirens, and we re-directed to the sheltered SE corner of this magnificent  beach, and spent the afternoon swimming, reading, snorkeling, and visiting other yachts staying at this popular spot.  This is a top spot, hard to go past, might have to stay over a bit longer.  These show the skipper on the snowy white beach, and shot of the chartplotter track, recording out long tacks to reach here, although it was well worthwhile.

And on to Border Island

Winds look like moderating a little today 26 May, and current forecasts – for what they are worth – is for more settled weather with winds at 10/15, so the outer islands on the ocean side or eastern side are starting to look favourable.   Anchor up on deck at 0830 and set to sail north, along the NW side of Whitsunday Island, on a quartering run making 5-6 knts and again using only the headsail.  Transited Hook passage without concern, and once away from the lee of the island, a brisk 20+ knt S to SSE wind took us hard on the wind across to Border Island and the very lovely Cateran Bay.  This has changed very little from my last visit in 1992, and the coral and huge variety of colourful fish are as wonderful as ever.  The afternoon was spent exploring it all, with spells to dry off and re-warm on deck in the warm sun; winds abating again later as has seems to be the afternoon pattern.  Another spectacular sunset, followed by Indonesian spicy satay chicken on a bed of orzo.  Pictures today are one of many taken of the coral and fish, and an unusual sight, H steering out of Cid Hbr.