Departing Cooktown - Take Two 19th - 22nd August

Peter on Finches Beach

The alarm on the mobile began it's insane little tune at 5am and we were up and ready to make the 20nm journey to the Hope Isles. After breakfast and a few last minute chores we were on our way by 6.30am. We knew that the wind would be on the nose, but still it was less than 20kts so we thought it was a good opportunity to get a bit further down the coast. The bar presented no problems, but as we entered the narrow channel out, having negotiated the harbour swing basin, the engine alarm went off. It was over heating! Peter raced down, switched off the motor and popped back out ready to deploy the anchor. There was a tiny breeze so I thought we might be able to sail out to the deep water and then Peter could see what was going on. We did this and the wind died. Behind Grassy Hill the fluky wind barely moved us along. Meanwhile a strong tide was making which meant that when there was no breeze we began to be carried by the tide back into the harbour. (Who said this was fun??)

Peter disappeared downstairs and into the motor compartment and I was left to sail Rene out by myself. One second the wind was behind and we would gain a few metres, then the sail was wrapping itself around the mast as it came from in front and we were on the way back in again. Very slowly we made some ground, albeit well outside the marked channel by now, into the deep water. Thankfully the depth was over 4m even as we went to the sandbank side of the channel. Peter could not see anything wrong with the motor, so he started it again and this time it went perfectly. Our diagnosis was that something had sucked onto the raw water intake as no water was coming out of the exhaust. It was now, so we set off again. There were plenty of large leaves in the water of the Endeavour River or it could also have been a plastic bag. Plenty of those floating around!!

The Culprits ??!!

It didn't take long to realise that we had made a mistake. The wind was strong and the seas rough. Also rain was beginning to fall and dark clouds forming to the south. We decided that we didn't want to find our way into the Hope Isles in the rain so we abandoned our plans and sailed beautifully back into the Endeavour River to our comfy anchorage next to the centre sandbank.

We had three more days in Cooktown before we had light enough winds to make a second attempt at sailing south.

The Parade

Meanwhile on Saturday, 20th August, we were able to view a 'Freedom of Entry Parade To the City of Cooktown' by the Royal Australian Airforce 35th Squadron. This privilege is granted to a military organisation that has developed a significant attachment to the City. Apparently 35th Squadron has had a long operational history in North Queensland.
"A military unit accorded this privilege is granted the right of entry to the city with bayonets fixed, colours flying and drums beating." They certainly did the colours flying and the drums beating, but we didn't see any bayonets fixed.

Everyone gathered where, presumably, the parade was to start. Sure enough representatives of 35th Squadron, the police and some war veterans formed up for the ceremony. The parade was ready, a few orders, a tune from the band and then an order to attention. We all watched with interest and then realised that something was going on behind us. Val and I decided to go and have a look. Just then there was a huge KA-BOOM!!!! Most of the people near us, including ourselves, nearly died of fright. No-one mentioned that they were going to fire the huge old cannon right next to us. That was the  most exciting part of the whole parade.

Roast

Ric and Val invited us over to Arkaydes to have a pot roast. Ric's pot roast is to die for. The beef was superb and the vegetables yummy. Thanks Ric and Val that was the best roast I've had for a long time.

We visited the Botanic Garden again and walked to Finches Bay. We visited the IGA and topped up the supplies and purchased more ice for the fridge.

Then on 22nd we finally departed Cooktown for the Low Isles, off Port Douglas. It was about 60nm and due to the 10-15kn SE Trades we ended up sailing 83nm. Occasionally the wind piped up to 20kns just to keep us on our toes. We finally arrived at the Low Isles at 9pm, dropped the anchor behind the other anchored boats and fell into bed. Our twelve delightful days in Cooktown were at an end.

Cape Tribulation