Making a mile southwards

Fitzroy Island

It's lucky Doug and Denise have visited Cairns before as we have whipped them out of there faster than expected.
They arrived Monday evening and, with a three day weather opportunity presenting itself, on Tuesday morning we untied the ropes and headed out of the marina southward bound.
The somewhat choppy conditions outside the leads (into the Moon River) put a question mark on the journey but we decided to head across to Trinity Inlet for lunch and see if the wind abated a bit as it was forecast to do.
And it did!
Under one motor and the with the sails up, we were across to Fitzroy Island by mid-afternoon, in time for a swim and a walk, then kicking back to enjoy millpond conditions and a beautiful sunset.

Looking towards Queensland's highest mountain - Bartle Frere

Yesterday brought more of the same as we headed off just after 5.30am aiming for Mourilyan Harbour, south of Innisfail.
The weather god was looking favourably upon us again with a light northerly freshening in the afternoon. Alternating between the head sail and Code Zero as the wind moved further north, we were opposite Mourilyan by 1pm and decided to make the most of the conditions to push on to Dunk Island.
The sea was seething with bird and fish life and we were lucky enough to score two big mackerel - enough fish to last a month!
As always, hauling them in was exciting as they have a habit of spitting the lure just as you go to bring them on board.



One happy camper!

Two happy campers

We anchored last night on the south side of Dunk Island and the sea this morning is again glassy with another light northerly forecast for the final leg to Hinchinbrook Island. Before we head off we intend to go to shore for a walk then take a leisurely sail across to the channel.

Royden surprised Denise and I with a gin and tonic on the deck as we got close to Dunk Island. It was lovely on the trampolines in the shade of the Code Zero.