Friday 23 July Still in Mackay Marina. Chris is in Sydney getting a grandchild fix and due back tomorrow. We have been doing a few jobs meanwhile. Engines serviced, dunny fixed (what an unpleasant job that was – well I hope it is “was” because if it not I have to do it again and that, I do not want to have to do!!). We are also putting in an extra halyard so we can fly the spinnaker easier. It was all supposed to be finished today, but guess what, parts not available so it is now Monday……at least the chap rang and told us straight away so that is a good thing. From here we will sail north and are two days away from the Whitsundays now. It is howling today so happy to be in the Marina now. It is likely to blow hard for the next few days so happy to wander up the marina to grab a coffee etc. Couple of boats here we know so that’s fun. Shiraz is from SA and we met them in Middle Harbour, the other Eureka I met at Coffs while waiting for the steering cable (yes, Jim spectra would have been a good idea – maybe next time).

Monday 19 July. Well Digby is OK but rolly and windy but is was an OK anchorage for the night. We were up before 0600 and left for Mackay at about 0625 – it is getting lighter! The forecast was 10 to 15 from the NE but is came in 15+ from the SE which was even better for us. We shot to Mackay in great conditions. We are now in the Marina, a lovely dinner ashore and a few jobs to do. Andrew spent the afternoon working on the dunny which is not being a good lad. It was less than fun. We did have a lovely meal tonight at Latitude 21 the restaurant in the hotel where we met Kevin Rudd last year! Chris returns to Sydney tomorrow for a few days to catch up with kids and friends. Andrew is boat bound to finish jobs……then on the Whitsundays…..

Saturday 17 July. We are now at Middle Percy Island in a rolly anchorage but a great place. The famous A frame still has our hat from last year. There is stuff here going back 40 years! But I get ahead of myself. We stopped yesterday at Hexham Island. It was a very pretty spot although the beach was at best 200 m long so we had to walk it a few times to feel like we were exercising. We managed to amuse ourselves there for a while. Jim from Gattina sailed in also so we had dinner with Jim on Phlat Chat. Jim is also a CCC member so it was good to catch up. He is solo sailing back to Moreton Bay, against the prevailing wind! We arrived at Percy at about 1115 after a 0600 wake up and underway at 0645. Chris made some sandwiches and we walked up to the Homestead, where the “caretaker” lives. It was a huge walk about 6 kms but some very pretty spots along the way. Old Andy has died but after much fuss his cousin, Kate now has it. We met Kate, an alternative lifestyler with goats, chickens, ducks, peacocks and two big Labradors. It was an interesting session. Tomorrow we plan to sail to Digby Island and then to Mackay.

Thursday 15 July For those of you interested you can skip Indian Head Creek, it’s a bit of a hole, depths all over the place and muddy water. We arrived here this afternoon having spent last night and this morning in the beautiful Pearl Bay, we should have stayed there but then we’d never have know what a hole Indian Head was so I guess we have learnt something. It is a very safe anchorage and I just caught a nice little shark, make that two sharks and I saw a dugong but still…..We sailed (motored) to Freshwater Bay but that didn’t look too inviting so we kept going to Pearl Bay – good choice ! It is a very pretty place, clean water, nice trees, sandy beaches (one small impediment – see picture!! So no walking). Two other cats were anchored up there one of whom we met last year at Chalkies in the Whitsundays. Fun to catch up with him (on his own at his missus is helping with the arrival of grandchild number TEN). The other couple are new to cats but not cruising. I am sure we will catch up with them again. Pearl was great fun, I’ve never seen so many garfish – they were everywhere and being chased by something a lot bigger. The water surface would boil regularly as they jumped for their lives. There were so many in fact that I caught 4 off the back of the boat with a light and a hand net – good bait I hope. We also caught a flounder which was breakfast today. The walk along the beach was pleasant too with lots of blue and black butterflies flying about, the sun was shining – that’s what we are talking about!