Arkaydes and Rene in Turle Bay Whitsunday Island
Arkaydes was already anchored in Turtle Bay as we approached
then claimed our own spot nearby. It didn’t take long to settle in and drive
Lily ashore to explore the beaches. After having a good look around we met up
with Ric, Val and Tige on the beach. They had the toys out – a paddle board and
kayak. Ric talked Peter into having a go on the paddle board. He managed to
stand up and paddle without losing his balance, despite the helpful advice from
the rest of us on the beach and came back without falling off. Then they
suggested I have a go. After some hesitation I decided not to be a whimp and
clambered on the board. I had just stood up, legs wide as instructed when Tige
decided he was not going to be left out this time. He hopped on, shot through
my legs and took up his position as lookout on the front of the board. That was
almost my undoing. Due to lack of expertise I had no option but to continue on
my wobbly way with Tige on board. We did pretty well actually. At least we
didn’t fall off, although Tige began whimpering as the board wobbled alarmingly
in the 10cm surf near the beach. I want one of those boards! It was fun and I
can see myself happily paddling around these beautiful bays for hours in this
perfect weather.
After lunch we called into Hamilton Island to purchase some
dinghy fuel before motor/sailing to Cid Harbour for a few days. This lovely
anchorage is sheltered from all winds, except perhaps westerlies, and many
boats anchor in this calm bay on the western side of Whitsunday Island. We
found room in the southern end in a little bay known as Cowards Corner, for those who do not want to put up with any sou'wester. We spent
three days here exploring the national park walk tracks that lead out of
Sawmill Bay. One follows the shore 1km to Dugong Bay, a pretty, easy walk through
the rain forest. The other is much more difficult and winds its way up to the
summit of the 437m Whitsunday Peak. It is well worth the effort as the view
from the top is stunning. A short track across the peak affords a view south to
the skyscrapers of Hamilton Island and beyond.
Dugong Bay walk track
We started our walk down there at Sawmill Beach
Shag Island Cruising Yacht Club
We have joined the Shag Island Cruising Yacht Club, so we
are now known as ‘Shaggers’. It seems to have started a few years ago as a bit
of fun and quickly developed into a huge organisation. At present it has almost
3,000 members from all over the world. We met Ken, the founder, yesterday and
received our Vice Commodores burgee. Every member is a Vice Commodore and you
have to nominate a place to be VC of. Peter is VC of Emu Point and I am joining
as soon as we get internet reception as VC of Johnson’s Cove, which is near Emu
Point, Albany. It sounds like fun, but also has a serious side in raising funds
for Prostate Cancer Research. A ‘Rendezvous, 4 days and 3 nights of Riotous Fun
and Frivolity’ is scheduled for 28th to 31st August, at
Montes Resort in Gloucester Passage, so we intend to participate before making
our way to Townsville soon afterwards. Many of the friends we have met along
the way will be going so I’m looking forward to it. The club is so influential
now that members are able to access various deals at Airlie Beach Marina and
Yacht Club and two courtesy cars are now available to hire for 3 hours at a
time for the price of topping up the fuel tank and a donation to the Prostate
Cancer fund.
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