Day 42 - 20 May 2017 - New phone and resupplied

We were able to borrow the curtesy car today from the Marina and managed to get to the local shopping centre and purchase a new phone for Daddy and do some grocery shopping. Not much else to do but relax.

Nicholas and Jasmine played with Cooper and Eddie next door and Jasmine continued to play with their dog.

We enjoyed our meal and then headed over for a friendly drink. The kids played on their games, Jasmine patted the dog and we had a chance to swap stories over a wine.

We have booked in for a diesel refuel tomorrow afternoon.

Day 41 - 19 May 2017 Friday - Good news with the electrics, the boat is fixed!

Like all boats, they are a hole in the water you throw money into; our experience is no different from the old saying but at least we have had some great adventures and memories that can't be bought.

We were fortunate today to have an electrician available in the morning. They quickly diagnosed that the problem was with the alternator. This is a small motor with a heavy copper wire that spins off a belt attached to a flywheel attached to the motor. The problem therefore was not with the battery charger but rather no charge was going through.

Fortunately for us the electrician returned less than an hour later with a replacement part, last and only one they had, and with Daddy's help, they had it fitted inside 1.5hrs and working beautifully. We have power!!!

We booked the curtesy car from the Marina for use the next morning to do some grocery shopping and to attempt to get a new phone for Daddy.

We have decided to use the opportunity to let the kids spend a few days ashore playing with our neighbours, allowing more time for Jasmine's foot to heal and the weather to improve. As a result we booked up to and including Sunday night at the marina and will leave on Monday. The new plan is now to cruise the islands with what time we have remaining (just over a week) and then head down to Mackay. At Mackay Mummy, Nicholas and Jasmine will catch a bus back to Proserpine for a flight back to Sydney. Daddy will then take the yacht back to Bundaberg, meet with his brother James for a passage to Yamba where James will switch with Daddy's other brother Mark for the trip to Sydney.

After dinner, we again enjoyed a movie and an episode of "The Flash" which the family has really enjoyed.

Day 40 - 18 May 2017 - High winds and failing power

We awoke to further howling winds and heavy rain. There had been rain falling all night and it continued. The wind was over 30knots steady now and there were now waves entering Macona Inlet making it a bit uncomfortable for an extended stay. All the other bareboat sailing cats had left early leaving us alone. We had breakfast and upped anchor. Daddy was totally soaked from the wind and rain. We motored into the wind out of Macona Inlet and took a detour to avoid the shallow area just north of Cid Harbour. The rain was heavy and the wind strength was growing.

Foam and spray was being blown off the water and the small waves. Protection from Whitsunday Island kept the waves down to wind waves only, but these were over 1m. The wind was howling and visability was heavily reduced. Wind was climbing and despite the protection afforded by Whitsunday Island Cid Harbour in the distance, it remained over 30knots and an occasional gust into the 40's. Wind hit 44.9 knots in one gust when we were half way to Cid Harbour and even with bare poles (no sail up) the yacht heeled by 10 degrees (according to our angle measure at the helm). Wow! We continued and the wind was now in the high 30's and often in the 40's. Then a massive guest came across the sea. The yacht heeled 15 degrees and the wind speed indicator hit 50.1 knots. A huge record. The rigging was screaming and the spray on the face stung. The spray jackets didn't have much effect, Mummy and Daddy were soaked through.

As we approached Cid Harbour the wind gusts reduced in frequency and we watched the wind drop back to 20's then into the 10's. Just before we anchored, Daddy went below and checked the battery charge. We had been running the engine hard, so we should have a good charge; we didn't. In fact no charge was going into the batteries (house and starter battery). Charge had dropped from 78% when we woke up (which is unusually low) to now only 50%. There were no lights on the battery charger, so either the battery charger had failed or the alternator or something worse.

Without electrical charge, we risk not being able to start the engine, lift the anchor (except by hand - aaahhhh) or use any lights or equipment. Daddy and Mummy made a decision, after anchoring less than 5min earlier for the day (and it was intended to be for the night) to head back to Airlie Beach for repairs while there was hope someone would be working (it was Thursday). If they needed a part, hopefully it could be ordered and arrive early the following week at the latest. If we waited anylonger we risked being unable to bring up the anchor, start the engine or get a part for a week.

Back out into the storm we headed with visability as little at 20m at times as a result of the rain and spray. The seas in the passage between North Mole Island, Dunk, Whitsunday and Hook is slightly less protected, and measured 1-1.5m. No doubt they would be far higher where there was no protection from the islands. The wind remained in the high 20's and low 30's until we pulled in closer to Airlie Beach.

We radioed in and were lucky enough to get the same berth for the night. As old hands at tying up now, we had no trouble and were quickly tied up, connected to shore power and water tanks topped off. The shore power board is separate from the one off the engine and the good news was power was now going into the batteries. A call to the marina office and we were able to get some numbers for electricians, and with luck, managed to arrange for them to visit on Friday.

The rest away from the water will help Jasmine's foot heal and the weather is still terrible, with strong winds and rain predicted for Friday, easing on Saturday and fine for Sunday and early the following week.

Jasmine and Nicholas were particularly excited to catch up with our lovely neighbours. Jasmine has become quite attached to their dog; the first time she has every shown any interest in a dog before. Nicholas has also found to boys who are interested in playing similar games as him.

All in all, provided an electrician can come tomorrow and the problem can be fixed, perhaps it isn't all bad.

Day 39 - 17 May 2017 - Whitehaven beach, Macona Inlet and Daddy's phone swims

Jasmine's cut is still clean and healing but she won't be able to get it wet.

After breakfast we upped our anchor. We have decided to head off today to Whitehaven beach. It should be a trip of approx. 2 hours. The wind is a bit stronger today, approx. 20knots and climbing. There is a shallow spot north of Cid Harbour, so we have to make a detour around this to Hook Passage between Whitsunday Island and Hook Island.

As we were approaching Hook Passage, Daddy's phone went into the water, sank and was lost. Unfortunately this means we can't answer messages for the time being from that phone, lost all the photos from the climb up the mountain and have no contact details. All the backups with contact details of friends, family and work colleagues from the phone are on the home computer which is inaccessible. Therefore even if we got a new phone, we can't update these contacts until we get home.

We arrived off beautiful Whitehaven beach and anchored in 6m of water surrounded by 12 other vessels, 8 of which were large tourist vessels, and one sea plane up next to the beach at the southern end. There was a small steady swell, which means we will probably head back around to a more sheltered anchorage for tonight. We had lunch and then launched our tender, put Jasmine's foot into a waterproof bag, and headed for the beach for a play and swim.

It was absolutely wonderful!

Daddy and Nicholas swam, played catch with a Nerf dart ball in he water and Mummy came later and joined in the fun. Jasmine made sand castles on the beach, unfortunately she couldn't swim as we needed to keep the cut clean and dry. We all helped Jasmine make a good castle.

Tourist vessels, sea planes their passengers and crew came and went during the day. Best estimate is there were about 50-150 people at different times at the end of the beach and on boats. A very popular beach. We were about 100m to the north of most of them and they were no trouble.

At 3.30pm we decided we needed to leave. Most of the tourist vessels were also packing to head back, most likely to Airlie Beach or to Hamilton Island. The wind was picking up and once away from the comparative shelter of the beach where waves were now approaching half a metre, the waves were about 1.5m. The wind continued to pick-up and dark clouds came over with a storm.

We passed through Hook Passage in the dusk and then into Macona Inlet for the night. We were able to get a reasonably good anchorage point in 4m of water under the keel and only 50m from the end of the rock drop off where it shallowed into sand and mud flats. There was only a few small waves entering the inlet but as we approached the wind picked up further. Although the anchorage was sheltered from waves, as we approached the anchorage and while anchored, the wind blew over the surrounding hills and was over 25knots with gusts over 30knots. Once again we were faced with very strong winds. There were 5 other bareboat sailing cats anchored around us.

We all showered, had dinner and settled down for the night to watch "The Flash" tv series with the wind howling outside.

Tomorrow we will try for Cid Harbour again which should be more protected from the South East winds and we can swim off the stern and at the beach.

Day 38 - 16 May 2017 - Climbing the mountain on Whitsunday Island

Jasmine's cut looks good and clean, which is great news. Jasmine and Mummy will relax on the boat today and Nicholas and Daddy will attempt to climb the mountain and take in the views.

With sunscreen, hats, water, a couple of bannanas, phone and radio Daddy and Nicholas were off in the tender. Leaving the tender 1m off the beach with two anchors on a rising tide, for safety Daddy and Nicholas were off.

We passed through thick jungle on a sippery narrow, wet, muddy with loose stones and  trail which was sometimes hard to find. It was beautiful but tough going. We found near the bottom of the trail (about 500m from the beach) a beautiful fresh water waterfall. This went down the valley and exited at the end of the beach we had just left. There was also the remains of a very small concrete dam wall (about 20m wide and 10m high). The dam behind it was now filled with debris and mud so it didn't hold much water anymore, but it would have been once a beautiful small swimming hole before filling over time with debris and dirt. It was now only about 30cm deep and overgrown with jungle.

We continued up the steep airless trail surrounded by the jungle. Daddy and Nicholas were saturated from the moisture from the dripping jungle and sweat.

This climb went on for about 2.5hours and near the end we had a several stops for cool water. Daddy admitted his legs were really hurting, the best comparison was walking up stairs for just under 3 hours. Nicholas was fitter and struggling far less. Sitting in on office all day is not the best training for this type of exercise.

Looking up through the trees, we kept thinking the end was close but each small plateau showed another hill further ahead.

The effort was worth it, the views from the top of the mountain were stunning. We were above all the hills on all the surrounding islands and could see to Hamilton Island, Whitehaven beach and all the way in the distance to the mainland and Airlie Beach. The boats and our beach were far far below anchored in the shelter of Cid Harbour. Whitsunday Island is far larger than we had imagined.

The trip down was far quicker, we had to be very careful not to slip over or fall off the trail down the almost cliff like drop into the surrounding jungle. Passing the waterfall, we took a detour through 20m of jungle and were able to lean over and place our hands into the falling cool water. Awesome!

We arrived back on the beach about 4hours after leaving. The tide had risen 2m and we waded out to the tender and then motored back to yacht. Once we were on the yacht, Daddy and Nicholas didn't bother changing, they jumped off the stern of the yacht fully clothed into the water for a nice cool swim.

We enjoyed a relaxing afternoon swimming and relaxing on the yacht in beautiful Cid Harbour.

Tomorrow we will try for Whitehaven Beach on the eastern side of Whitsunday Island.

Day 37 - 15 May 2017 - Exploring the beach and Jasmine hurts her foot

We awoke to a beautiful day once again. Daddy was enjoying a swim of the back to the yacht yesterday so he jumped in again for a swim this morning to keep up the tradition.

After breakfast we all piled into the tender and with Nicholas driving we headed to the nearby beach for an explore. It was reasonably coarse sand with quite a few small shells. We identified the start of the bush walk and public toilets. The bush track goes to the very top of Whitsunday island past a waterfall and through the jungle. We all agreed to give it a go tomorrow. We spoke to another couple who arrived on the beach having finished the walk and they said it was possible to do in about 2 hours, something we later discovered the following day was highly ambitious. Daddy had a swim, it was refreshing although there was not much to see under the water. About 15m off the beach on the bottom of the water was a strip of debris on the bottom in 2m of water with broken branches, logs and leaves. These must have all been placed there as a result of the massive cyclone.

When you look carefully across Whitsunday Island, you can see the occasional tree knocked over and all have lost much of their leaves.

The day was getting late so we decided to head back to the yacht (which was about 150m away). Nicholas took over the steering of the tender. Jasmine decided to sit on the front of the tender and then swung her legs out of the tender to drag them in the water and promptly fell into the water. Daddy put the engine into neutral and we pulled a very surprised / shocked Jasmine onboard.

Unfortunately we saw Jasmine had a reasonably cut on her right foot, about 2-3cm long. We think her foot must have bumped the propeller. Mummy covered the wound while Daddy motored as quickly as possible to the Yacht.

When we were on the yacht Daddy washed out the cut and used butterfly strips to close the wound. Daddy and Mummy decided it was ok and didn't need a couple of stitches, but it was borderline. The butterfly strips worked perfectly and the cut was clean. We were very lucky. Lesson, keep your feet in the tender!

We all rested and enjoyed a quiet dinner.

With Mummy having a sore knee and Jasmine a cut that needed to be kept dry and clean to properly heal, it looks like only Daddy and Nicholas will be attempting the mountain tomorrow.

Day 37 - 15 May 2017 - Off to explore Cid Harbour

After breakfast and topping off our water tanks we called the Marina office to get a booking for diesel. This is the only place so far on the trip where you have to book in for fuel. We were told the earliest we could get some was 1pm which was too late so we decided to head off with a half tank (although if we needed any more, we still had the three 20L jerry cans and the 120L in the soft pack, so we would have sufficient, only accessing these is far more inconvenient).

Daddy and Nicholas checked the oil in the engine and identified that the oil level was far too low. We were not able to easily find the spare oil and decided instead to get another batch. Daddy walked to the end of the Marina to a Diesel Mechanic and was able to purchase 5L of Yanmar Diesel oil; Perfect! Nicholas and Daddy then put approx. 2L of additional oil into the engine bringing the oil back within the minimum and maximum safe levels. The engine has been running quite a bit on the trip so far and we must have burt a small amount of oil. Something to keep an eye on for the trip back to Sydney.

It was a beautiful day, about 10-15knots of wind, the seas were very flat (waves less than half a metre) and we headed off to Cid Harbour on the back (Western side) of Whitsunday Island. It was a lovely trip of about 2 hours, and we were able to see several resorts on the horizon. A number of cruising yachts (mostly sailing catamarans) were about, we spotted about 14 on the trip over heading in various directions around the Whitsundays. It is clear that the perfect boat for around this area would probably be a catamaran as it is not only large, comfortable, shallow draft, but very stable in small swells/waves. This is the preferred vessel for most of the bare boat charter companies. The marina has many of them tied up and for hire. Daddy can't help eyeing them off.

We decided to anchor in a slightly different place, closer to a beach which has a couple of walks which we can explore tomorrow.

Day 36 - 14 May - Mothers Day - Mummy and Nicholas arrive

Mummy and Nicholas caught a cab to the airport in Sydney early, poor Nicholas fell asleep in the cab. They flew up to Proserpine Airport and then caught a bus to Able Point Marina (Airlie Beach) to meet up with Daddy and Jasmine at lunch time. While they were coming, Daddy and Jasmine were able to finish some washing and update their diaries (and Daddy this blog).

Nicholas thinks he did well in his Naplan exams which were for 3 days from Tuesday to Thursday. At school on Friday he used the opportunity to present to his class, using a USB stick with photos and a few short videos, all about his trip.

Everyone was very excited to be reunited. Both Nicholas and Jasmine had been constantly asking for Mummy and Daddy's phones to call and text while away.

We gave Mummy a mother's day card and then used the Marina curtesy car to travel into Airlie Beach town centre to do some grocery shopping. There is still damage in the town, some of the shops are closed and the public lagoon pool next to the beach was empty until it could be repaired. We enjoyed a lunch at a local café for Mother's Day and finished our shopping at Woolworths. and back to the boat swapping stories of our respective adventures.

We met some lovely neighbors on the other side of our boat with two similar age children, (Eddie, Cooper, Cass and Kerry (spelling)). They have Karratha, Western Australia and have travelled over here on their way to the Tweed (northern NSW). Nicholas and Jasmine had a great time playing with their children and we enjoyed their company.

Tomorrow we aim to refill our diesel tanks and head back exploring.

Day 35 - 13 May 2017 - Airlie Beach

After breakfast we raised the anchor with our usual problem, it hooks the bottom so well! A few raises and lowers and we had it aboard with Jasmine's help. After a little rain, the sun came out and we had a beautiful day. The water is so blue here.

The trip to Airlie Beach Marina is quite short. Once we were out of the shadow of the islands, we received phone signal and gave Mummy and Nicholas a call and booked into the Marina.

The trip across the passage from Whitsunday Island was pleasant and uneventful. We watched a couple of airplanes doing acrobatics over Airlie Beach as we came into the marina following a large yacht full of guests who had obviously been out on a morning cruise.

With help from a friendly Marina staff member, we were able to tie up easily, bow in, at berth P22 safe and sound. After tying up ... we ran out of water on the stern tank. Perfect timing. We plugged in shore power and filled the water tank, checked in at the Marina office followed by lunch at the other end of the marina (which gave us a chance to explore the Marina).

Airlie Beach Marina is all relatively new but was hit hard by the cyclone. We walked past a large number of yachts and boats on the marina with varying degrees of damage. The hills, a bit like Whitsunday island, have some trees where the branches have been broken. The slipway at the marina we walked past, had about 15 boats up with some serious damage. Some must have sunk as they had large holes in their sides, some the size of a fridge that must have come from rocks.

Despite the damage, it was not really that visible unless you went looking for it and was aware there had been a cyclone.

We went back to the yacht and enjoyed time to relax. Daddy played a computer game and read a book, Jasmine played on her iPad and read comics. We enjoyed a shower, no water restrictions (Yay!!!! very special when you are stuck on a yacht), dinner and a movie.

Tomorrow we will explore Airlie Beach.

Day 34 - 12 May 2017 - Cid Harbour - Beautiful

We arose to beautiful weather and a lovely 15 knots of wind. As we were sheltered close to the shore, we could see this blowing across the water at the back of Cid Harbour. After breakfast we cleaned the fridge, something had leaked, probably from the rough trip. Loading the tender we headed around Cid Harbour in the tender. The anchorage with all the other yachts and cruisers was protected and there were a few small sandy beaches. It was clear the damage from the cyclone. Most of the trees had some sort of damage and many had lost many of their leaves. The hills, which are normally covered in trees in this area, were largely covered by tall sticks with the occasional branch with some new leaves.

On the far northern side of Cid Harbour we could see there was some sort of vessel washed ashore, also no doubt as a result of the cyclone. We headed around the bay and approached the boat. It was some kind of steel fishing boat crossed with a cruiser, quite large, probably at least 80 foot long and high up on the rocks on Daniel Point. It would be hard, if not impossible, to get the boat of those rocks. Might be a wreck for future generations, a shame it wasn't in 10m or so of water as it would have made a great scuba diving wreck and it would be a great home for fish and corals. Through the windows of the boat we could still see the personnel effects, books, tins of food etc. A sad end to "MV Banks" from Ulladulla.

We headed back to the yacht across Cid Harbour, unfortunately we were crossing the open bay now and there were a few small waves and wind which soaked both Daddy and Jasmine. All part of the adventure and worth the effort. The engine of the tender ran without a hitch, probably the longest trip so far (1.5hrs). We boarded our yacht and grabbed our goggles and headed into the beach less than 50m away for a swim and explore. The beach was less than 100m long, so the exploring didn't take long.

This beach had sand but there were also pebbles and old shells. Jasmine dug in the sand and Daddy looked at the bottom for interesting shells. Just off the beach in the water was a strip of largely broken shells (future sand) that were the size of sultanas and beyond them in slightly deeper water was small rocks, most the size of an orange and the occasional one the size of a watermelon. Daddy saw a few small fish, but no coral.

Jasmine returned to the tender which was anchored 2m off the beach (tide was going out) and she saw a large wasp (she is calling it a big fly with a stingy thing!). If that makes her feel better :)

We headed back to the yacht for lunch and then relaxed on the yacht. Jasmine worked on her school assignment on "Coral" with Daddy's help.

Tomorrow we will head into Airlie Beach for a few days to relax before reuniting with Mummy and Nicholas on Mother's Day 14 May when they fly back from Sydney to Proserpine.

Day 33 - 11 May 2017 - Cid Harbour, Whitsunday Island here we come!

After breakfast we made a decision to head towards Shaw Island and Cid Harbour. Shaw Island is on the same path, so we can easily alter course and continue on if we wish.

Same challenge getting the anchor up. We had to raise and lower it several times, this helps to work it loose and usually works. Once again there was a lump of clay on the end. We tied it up and headed off.

Once we left the shelter of Goldsmith Island we were buffeted by strong winds that were over 30 knots. Seas seemed lower (at least so we thought). We decided to make the dash for Shaw. Wind and rain squalls continued. As we approached Shaw Island Daddy asked Jasmine if she wanted to stay there or go on. Seas at that stage were again rough and the wind was again blowing foam across the seas.

Jasmine said she wanted to go on, so we continued on to Cid Harbour. As we passed Shaw Island at about 3nm we could see in the distance the masts of several boats anchored in the shelter of Shaw Island. We could also see Lindeman Island and the resort in the distance and we continued past Shaw Island and Lindeman Island. The wind got stronger, and stayed in the 30knots with some occasional gust just touching 40 knots. Spray and foam blew across the tops of the waves. This is NOT the typical weather for the Whitsundays at all, normally, 90%+ of the time the wind is below 15knots and seas under 1m. Here we were with wind hitting 40 knots and seas over 2m.

We were again surfing the waves and this increased our speed. As we approached the passage on the Western side of  Dent Island (which is an island to the West of Hamilton Island) the wind stayed in the high thirties and regularly hit 40+ knots. With the tidal currents flowing through the passage, the seas were particularly choppy. The sky was dark with rain squalls and at one stage Daddy considered turning on the navigation lights it was so dark.

For the first time it really felt like we had arrived in the Whitsundays as we could see some of the building (the tops of some of the high rise towers) on Hamilton Island and the golf course on Dent Island. In the close distance was Whitsunday Island.

As we passed Dent Island and approached the bottom, south Western end of Whitsunday Island we saw about 8 hire sailing catamarans and a large motor cruiser heading out of the protection of Cid Harbour. The motor cruiser, about 60 foot long and triple decked, was heading much too fast as it entered the heavy seas from Cid Harbour and as soon as it hit the waves it sent massive spray sheets off the bow higher than the cruiser. They very quickly slowed down. The cats were making a slow going of it as they all headed for short trip and the shelter of Hamilton Island.

We now, less than 1 nm away from the entrance to Cid Harbour, picked up a small period of phone signal. Daddy downloaded the 3 day weather report, which predicted (for the 10 May, wind 30+ knots and seas 2.5-3m). Yep, it sure was :)

We entered Cid Harbour and found a three masted massive yacht anchored at the bottom of Cid Harbour just north of Hunt Channel. The yacht was over 100 foot, a cruiser, not a racing maxi. It had a large inflatable tender and speed boat as tenders. They were rolling in the swells that were wrapping around the end of Loriard Point into Hunt Channel, so we continued further up the channel into Cid Harbour. The ideal mooring location with maximum protection in Cid Harbour is Sawmill Bay, however as we approached we could see it was packed with anchored hire yachts which extended right out into the bay quite a long way from the shore. We decided therefore to anchor in 7m water off Hughes Point, close to the shore and our own small private sandy beach. The shore shallows quickly, and was less than 30m away, so we had to be careful the anchor was holding but this afforded good protection from the wind and the waves. It was funny to watch less than an hour later the large 3 masted cruiser up their anchor and move over next to us for the night. We were out of phone signal again, most likely as a result of the island to the West of us, Cid Island, which helps to provide protection to this Western side of Whitsunday Island and which gives the bay it's name. Whitsunday Island has on its Eastern side the famous Whitehaven Beach.

We will explore the beach and Cid Harbour tomorrow.

Shower, dinner and a movie.

Day 32 - 10 May - The tender engine broke

Today was the day to explore Goldsmith Island. After breakfast we tried to up our anchor. It was stuck fast. It took a number of attempts or rasing, lowering, raising and lowering but it eventually came up with... a huge lump of clay. We moved back into the shallower water and anchored, in mid tide on a falling tide, in 6m of water. Estimate is that we should have 4m under the bottom of the keel at low water. Anchor appears to be holding firm.

Wind squalls continue with occasional rain squalls as well.

With a small opening in the rain after lunch, we took the opportunity to attempt to explore the beach.

Jasmine helped daddy lower the tender off the davits and then lower the engine onto the tender. We started the engine and started to head off but... something was wrong! It was as though the engine had no power ... there were currents and the wind was still squalling, making it a challenge to row back if the engine failed! Ahhh, quick get back to the yacht. We turned around and made it back with the engine coughing and Jasmine tied up the tender with a couple of half hitches. Phew!

Now what could have caused that, just what we don't want, a broken motor just as we arrive in the Whitsundays, gee great!

We took the engine back off the tender and put it on the more stable bracket on the transom of the yacht and opened the hood. There is was, obvious to see, the choke switch was stuck in the 'on' position and the plastic choke switch lever had simply disconnected from metal rod. We simply popped it back together. Engine back on the tender, and started like a charm. Lesson learned.

We headed back to the beach and given the falling tide and some small waves, we threw both anchors out 3m from the shore and waded in.

The beach was wonderful and the water lovely. Daddy had a small swim with goggles on along the southern end looking for fish and coral.

Walking along the beach we found the tiny camp site, probably room for only a couple of tents in and the bush toilet. Jasmine pointed out that although there were back and sides, the front had no door and thought that strange. We got a photo in front of the signs put up by the National Parks Authority with the name of the island.

There was no-one else around and you could still see the damage from the cyclone with many of the trees having minimal leaves, scattered debris at the high water mark with tree branches and some heavy erosion in a couple of places where 0.5m deep troughs had been cut by rain into the high embankments behind the beach. Many of the trees had broken branches and a few were knocked over.

Walking to the end of the beach we found a large shell, about 15cm long, which Jasmine was extremely excited about. It was bleached white but was intact and ... yes it had the sounds of the sea inside.  :)

When we looked back, the tender was now on the edge of the beach and the small waves were washing against the side, so we headed back and recast the anchors again, 3m off the beach.

Daddy had a quick swim to explore on the rocky ledge looking for coral but the rain was approaching and the wind was making things cold. We headed back to the yacht for a shower, dinner and a movie.

Tommorrow we will headto either Shaw Island (2hrs away at 6 knots) or Cid Harbour just above Hamilton Island and on the Western side of Whitsunday Island (4 hrs away at 6 knots) and closer to Airlie Beach. As we don't have any phone signal it is difficult to get weather reports. We can see Shaw Island in the distance, so if the weather outside the shelter of Goldsmith is not good, we can either head back to Goldsmith or persevere on to Shaw Island where there should be some shelter from the South East wind and Seas.

Day 31 - 9 May 2017 - Depart Mackay for Goldsmith Island

Mummy and Nicholas caught a cab early this morning for Mackay town central to catch a bus up to Proserpine for their flight to Sydney.

Jasmine and Daddy prepared the boat together for the trip, locked hatches, topped off the water and threw the lines (Jasmine did a wonderful job) and with lifejackets on, we headed out of the port into 25knot winds and 2m seas/swell on our way to Goldsmith Island (30nm away). At an average speed of 6knots, that should take us approx. 5 hours.

It was a lovely sunny day. The wind and waves were mostly on our starboard quarter creating the unpleasant rolling and corkscrewing motion we have had over most of the trip, especially given the first hour of travel is over quite shallow waters (4-8m under the keel). This made the seas quite rough, choppy and the waves closer together. We didn't see any other boats, except all the many cargo coal ships anchored off the port on the horizon to the East and South. There is a tiny island off the North East entrance to Mackay (probably only 50m long), with high tide, we took the inner path over the shallow water (with 3m under the keel).

The seas didn't get any smaller, but they did get slightly further apart as we approached Goldsmith island. The waves also grew in size and now appeared to be slightly over 2m and very rough with cross waves, rolling steady "swell" from the south at 2m and "seas" (wind waves) of 2m from the South East. Daddy is able to measure the height using the yacht stern. The solar panels in the arch are approx. 2.5m above the waterline. Looking at the tops of the waves as we head into a trough, we can therefore make a rough estimate of the waves. For those reading who have not been offshore, the yacht drops into the troughs and for the larger ones, they are large enough, typically once they reach 2.5m high, where you cannot see land and the whole hull of the yacht, even when standing in the cockpit, is lower then the tops of the waves. The first time this happens is especially disconcerting, as you think the waves will roll over the yacht, but no... as the wave approaches, the yacht simply rises with the wave, rocks and rolls... and then drops into the next trough.

With the following sea (waves behind us pushing us along) our speed had picked up and was over 7 knots. We were catching the waves (effectively surfing them) on our way to Goldsmith island. The trip from Mackay to Goldsmith was 4 hours. If that sort of wind and waves occur on a regular basis, it will slow the trip back to Sydney.

As we approached Goldsmith Island the wind and waves picked up further. Seas (wind waves from the South East) near Goldsmith topped 2.5 with the occasional set of 3m and the wind was now constantly above 30 knots and screaming through the rigging. We furled our already 'reefed' jib. The waves had whitecaps and the foam had streaks with spray flying across the ocean and covering the yacht and wetting Daddy. Jasmine went below and played on her iPad on Mummy and Daddy's bunk. Another yacht was spotted 1 nm ahead as we approached Goldsmith Island, it was also making a sprint to the North Western side of the island in an attempt to seek shelter. It must have come from one of the other smaller islands next to Goldsmith (Linne Island or Tinsmith Island). We rounded the South Western head of Goldsmith Island just as an especially strong gust hit us and Daddy watched the wind indicator (a critical measure for bragging rights) hit 44.7 knots, luckily we had dropped our sails as that would have given us a real good lean.

We rounded the south West corner of Goldsmith Island through the passage between Farrier Island (which is a small island next to Goldsmith Island) and into relative shelter, primarily from the waves.

We headed up the Western edge to the more northerly bay and anchored as close to the beach and cliffs as possible for shelter. The wind howled up over the hill and into the bay, and despite being in the protection of the waves, the wind came over the island in bullets (gusts) that were 25-30knots. Once second there would be no wind, then bang, a gust would hit, the rigging would scream and the boat would even heel (simply from the wind on the sails and the sail bag), then it would be calm again. Repeat, repeat. Amazing!

The anchor dragged slightly, about 20-30m before holding fast, but this left us a little further off the island than ideal with the strong currents from the tides that travel north south along the edge of the island rocking the yacht during the tide changes. Being in closer to the shore and inside the headlands gives a bit more protection from this current. Daddy decided to leave it and fix it, move back inshore and attempting to reset the anchor, the following day.

Looking over at Farrier Island, which is a small island with a beach and grassy flat at the Eastern and Southern sides (protected from the Southeast winds and waves by Goldsmith Island, and the Northern end, no more than 300m from tip to tip, rising up a hill with trees and shrubs to a rocky cliff of about 20m high. On that island is a small number of very basic buildings. They all looked quite abandoned, although that may be because we could see a couple of trees knocked over and tree and other debris scattered over the grass and beach from Cyclone Debbie 5-6 weeks or so earlier.

Goldsmith Island, despite the strong winds and boiling ocean we could see ripping around the point, was beautiful! Goldsmith Island is also far larger, about 20+ times the size of Farrier Island in area. It is approx. 4km long and about 1.5km wide at its widest point. The Island is not exactly north south, but probably more 20-30 degrees off with a more NNE to SSW lie.  It is an island with two bays on the Western side (we were anchored in the more northerly one and we saw two yachts, including the one we followed earlier, anchored in the more southerly one opposite Farrier Island). There are also 2 bays on the Eastern side of the island, although they are shallow and not currently offering any protection from the South East wind and the waves. Each bay has its own sandy beach, we were anchored approximately 100m (now that the anchor had dragged slightly) from the beach. It was a wonderful location. The island has a camping area and a bush toilet but otherwise is unoccupied. We had the whole northern area to ourselves.

As it was now getting dark, we didn't immediately go ashore but put on our mooring light. We put the items of gear back away that had fallen out of bunks during the trip, had showers and Daddy cooked dinner which we enjoyed watching a movie. Tomorrow we might try and move the yacht back closer to the shore (again) and see if the anchor will set and explore the beach. Being closer to the beach and the cliffs at the end of the beach might give slightly more protection from the bullets of wind.

Days 27, 28, 29 and 30. 5-8th May Strong winds, waiting in Mackay

We have had really strong winds (>30Knots) and large seas offshore every day now since our arrival in Mackay and have spent the time doing schooling, reading, washing etc. We also went to see a movie on 7th May at a local cinema (travel by bus and taxi home). Jasmine and Daddy saw "Boss Baby", and Mummy and Nicholas saw the "Lego Batman Movie" which we all enjoyed.

Mackay has had a major impact following the large drop in coal prices (which more recently have bounced back slightly). Apparently many of the homes and units are vacant. According to people we have spoken to, the town had close to 160,000 people in the boom, yet 30,000 have now left. One cab driver said he was taking people to the airport who had simply got up and left everything, cars, houses, boats, and simply taken a bag on a plane. Many over extended. Property prices have dropped considerably since the peak, some said 30%. Living in Sydney, it is difficult to understand the impacts of the resource boom and downturn given the size of Sydney, but the impacts on Mackay have been significant. Hopefully, for Mackay and the residents, things improve as it was a lovely city (large town?) to visit.

We have decided to wait it out until the conditions improve. Weather is expected to be better tomorrow Monday 8th May (at least relatively). Weather forecast is for seas and swell of 2m and wind up to 25knots. That is not ideal but we can't keep waiting, things should be better in the Whitsunday Islands where there is more protection, and at least we can enjoy a swim in the sheltered bays if the conditions are not ideal. In any case, we don't really need to keep travelling once we are there.

As Nicholas' Naplan school tests (3 days worth) start on Tuesday 9th May, Mummy and Nicholas will jump on a bus for Proserpine tomorrow morning the 8th May and fly out from there to Sydney. Nicholas will stay in school those four days and play soccer with his club on Saturday. Jasmine and Daddy will leave for the Whitsunday Islands on Monday and meet them on Mother's Day 14th May at Airlie Beach.