After Cape Bowling Green, we went to the marina at Townsville. Our daughter, Emily, spent some time at the university here when she was researching her thesis. We found ourselves tied to the fuel berth, next to a seaplane! We had to be careful not to touch its wings as we berthed. I walked to the local Bilo supermarket for some supplies, while Jeremy filled up with diesel, water and cooking gas. We spoke to the crew on a yacht called "The Road" that was anchored nearby. The last time we saw them was in Panama. That night we anchored in Horseshoe Bay, Magnetic Island. Our next daysail took us to Orpheus Island where we snorkelled over the coral bommies in Little Pioneer Bay. The "stinger" season is meant to be over in May but we were wary anyway and looked out for each other in case there were any crocodiles or sharks.
The next day we arrived at the very beautiful Hinchinbrook Island. This had been the subject for Emily's thesis, for which she received a First. It really is a special place with magnificent mountains fringed by extensive mangrove forests. We passed a 3 mile long bulk sugar loading conveyor wharf as we approached Hinchinbrook Channel. Later we motored along some of the creeks and spent a calm, quiet night in Gayundah Creek, which you can see in the photo. No swimming for us in this crocodile habitat. We didn't see any but we did have to put our insect nets on early to escape the mosquitos and sandflies. We're now anchored off Kent Island in the North Barnard Isles about 70 miles south of Cairns.
3 comments:
Hello!
What a fascinating journey you are having - I stumbled across this thread when I tried to Googling the name 'Sal Darago' to see if there were any pictures of her on the net that I could show my work colleagues. I spent many happy hours at the helm of Sal, although not in such exotic locations as you are visiting! I was gutted when my parents decided to sell her to buy a house in France. Its wonderfull to see that you are putting her to such good use. I am now an avid follower of your thread!
Happy sailing!
regards,
Tim Jones
Hi Tim! Lovely to hear from you. I'm sorry that you were so sad when your parents sold SD but we have been taking good care of her. We had lots of very (wet!) but enjoyable family holidays in Ireland and Scotland before mum and dad took her abroad.
Best wishes, Emily (daughter of the adventurers)
PS. Mum and dad - you are very embarrassing about my dissertation. I was studying Geography - much better to take the opportunity to "research" ecotourism in Oz rather than town planning in Slough...
Now, the big question is: have you won a pitcher of beer for being the first to dance on the table in the Woolpack in Cairns yet?! xx
Hi Tim, Yes SD is a lovely boat and we are having the time of our lives. However, Em, we have not yet found the Woolpack, let alone danced on the tables. As we are still waiting in Cairns, we may just get the chance to embarrass you further.
Jeremy and Kathy.
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