The Boat Trip - at last

Camped at Smalleys Beach at Seaforth and then finally arrived at Dad & Caroliines place Zamia Ridge, Seaforth, Mackay, Qld.

Getting ready to head up to Airlie to begin our week of sailing. So much grog to buy, glad we had the ute empty and ready. Filled it completely with grog and food. Girls shopped for groceries ($1100) and the boys did the boat briefing.aboard Sea Window and Fusion Magic.( More realistically known as seamen on the windows and confusion tragic)   And then we were off with our sailing buddy, Peter. Our first stop was Daydream Island to unload our buddy and then over to Cid Harbour for the night whilst we waited for Sea Window to collect Mooose & Herclouise ( who missed their plane) from Hamilton Island.

Second night spent at Cid harbour- Saw Mill Bay,  but this time we were all together. Party time ! Took a great walk over the hill to dugong beach which was beautiful and scenic with all the hoop pines on the side of the cliff. Next day sailed over to Hook Island but it was very windy and the "bullets" gave us a restless night with all the buffetting.! Nice and sunny next day as we headed over to Blue Pearl Bay on Hayman Island. Great snorkelling with plenty of fish - awesome . A walk to the top of the island and overlooking the deserted Hayman Island Resort . Forgot my shoes, so lovely Deb shared hers with me.  A lot of other boats mooring here but we held our ground (?) and managed to secure a spot for the night. The Solway Lass moored near us (with not a white person onboard- all Jamacan- and no one could speak english) and they were having a ball climbing the rigging and jumping from the top on ropes. Frank and Glen decided to have a go too-talked them into-  it no mean feat in itself -  what a sight, Frank's fluro limbs flying through the air!

Our turn to cook dinner - Atlantic Salmon ( not caught locally, obviously !) and then our washing up party - too much fun!!

Next day we sailed to Butterfly Bay on Hook Island - more snorkelling but not as good. Decided to go back to Stonehaven and lost Brett overboard on the way! Good time to practise our man overboard drill! Got to 9.2 knots sailing speed - pretty good for us amateurs. Back to Cid Harbour via Black Island. This is where Libby, Top Shelf Sondra, Brett and I managed to circumnavigate the whole island. Very good adventure indeed. Next day over to Hamilton Island to drop everyone back at the airport and motor back to Airlie following Sea Window skippered by the Charter Yatchs crew.