Hello Blog, 2016 Sailing Season

Townsville 11th - 17th May

Rene ready to go back in the water

I was very pleased to arrive in Townsville on Wednesday morning after a quick trip on the 'midnight horror' from Perth via Cairns. It was an event free trip, but with no sleep overnight I was happy to sneak off to bed straight after dinner. Peter has been here for three weeks and has had Rene out at the Ross Haven Boatyard for antifouling and he also re-bushed the pintle. She is now ship shape and ready for our 2016 travels. Re-stocking the larder took several trips to the supermarket as we had used up or thrown out most of our supplies. Those items still on board, such as, flour, unopened tomato sauce, etc I threw out anyway as the heat of summer had not done them any favours.

We have a long time sailing friend, Audrie, sailing with us for the first three weeks. Audrie arrived on Sunday evening and the three of us moved to Rene for our first night on board. It felt good to be back on our boat in the Breakwater Marina. Andrew, Peter's dad, offered to take us for a drive around Townsville to see the tourist sites, such as Castle Hill, Cape Cleveland, The Strand and Port. Audrie has not visited Townsville before. Later in the day we borrowed Andrew's car and did the final fresh food stock up in anticipation of an early morning trip to Horseshoe Bay, Magnetic Island on Tuesday.

Selfie on Castle Hill
Andrew, Peter Liz and Audrie

A stiff south easterly greeted us as we motored out of the Breakwater Marina and bouncy conditions gradually abated as we sailed along the southern coast of the island. By mid morning we had our first glimpse of the quiet water and beautiful backdrop of the anchorage in Horseshoe Bay.

Whilst Audrie is on board we intend to sail north, probably as far a Dunk Island and then slowly make our way back to Townsville in order to deliver her in time for her flight back to Perth. The Palm Islands, Hinchinbrook, Dunk and various smaller islands are on the agenda depending on the conditions.

Audrie and Liz relaxing on arrival in Horseshoe Bay