Woke up this morning to overcast sky and light rain. We have tried unsuccessfully to get the outboard engine to start. Daddy can smell fuel, so it is probably flooded. Although up until now we have used the choke to the start the engine, the choke is clearly flooding the engine, it doesn't need it (lesson learned).
We had wanted to have a quick visit to the beach that is only 150m away, Mummy and Nicholas have not set foot on the island, but we now don't have time. Wind squalls (bullets) are rolling over the island and hitting the boat at over 30knots and the conditions are expected to get worse. Three other boats are in the anchorage and it is clear they have all decided to seek shelter. We can't risk getting caught and have had to abandoned our visit to the island. Perhaps one day in the future we can come back.
We traveled down the Western edge of Goldsmith Island, past Farrier Island and round the Southern point of Goldsmith Island straight into 2.5m seas and over 30knot winds. The Easterly waves from yesterday seem to have died slightly to <1m but the waves from the South East are larger.
We pounded into the wind and seas for 6.5hrs for the 26nm trip to Mackay. It was mostly on the nose (bow) and there wasn't too much rolling, but it was extremely rough, wet and uncomfortable. The wind, as usual when over 30knots, howled through the rigging.
We arrived in Mackay in the early afternoon and entered through 3m seas across the entrance to the Marina. A number of individuals were on the breakwall and probably enjoyed the show, ... they didn't take they eyes off our yacht. Daddy gave them a wave.
After filling the fuel tanks, we tied up on our berth and quickly rushed to the local shop to get a well disserved lunch before they closed. They have the best thickshakes!
We made it! Mummy, Nicholas and Jasmine have now completed their sailing journey, ... what an adventure!
Weather tomorrow is forecast to be 3-4m seas with winds over 30knots. We made it early and will spend tomorrow resting, washing, do some shopping for fresh food for Daddy and perhaps go and see a movie (Guardians of the Galaxy 2).