Headed North ... Farewell the Whitsunday Islands

Southern Belle in her berth in Abel Point Marina, Airlie Beach.  It was the biggest berth we had ever seen!  30 metres!  No worries getting in and out of this one.  Wish they were all this roomy.

I love marinas!  (With the exception of getting into them and then out again.)  They represent a sanctuary from so much....weather (wind, rain, etc.); food shortage; dirty laundry; and a need to walk on stable ground.  But a few days after any marina stay - no matter how pleasant - its always good to break away and start the journey again.

While in Airlie Beach we had a great time.  Our "boat partners" from the last few weeks - 'Bogart', 'Whimaway' and 'Nirvana's Kitchen' were there and we've grown so fond of them we love being around them.  Also new boats and crew joined in time for the rendezvous on Sunday night.  The bustling township of Airlie Beach - a backpacker heaven on earth - wasn't too far from the marina so we walked into town for dinners and the weekend markets.

Rendezvous dinner at the sailing club .. a good night all round with terrific people!

This morning we were still waiting on the battery charger that Captain G had ordered - originally promised to be delivered by Friday or Monday at the latest - and still not there by Wednesday morning.  I woke up anxious to get moving for 2 reasons .. the first - everyone we knew had already left; and secondly - the forecast for wind and sun were excellent and I did not want to stick around too long and end up in the fierce (30+ knot) SE winds again.  After 5 or more calls to the seller and to the local freight company it arrived - at 11:45 - which meant we could collect it quickly and then cast off for Gloucester Passage some 20 or so nautical miles away.

The sail was what any yachtie would call "great"!  15 - 20 knots (gusting up to 25 knots) blowing from the SE which meant we were averaging 6.5 knots the whole way.  Leaving Airlie Beach meant we were saying farewell to the resplendent islands and surrounds of the Whitsunday Islands.  The area is quite something with wildlife, national parks, and fabulous waterways.  It deserves to be well loved and protected for generations to come!

Rounding the headland called George Point to line up for the Gloucester Passage we passed Saddleback Island which had a rock formation on the top that looked remarkably like one of the carvings on Easter Island.  I took a photo but the boat was rolling too much.... here it is, see what you think.

The boat lifeline is in the photo .. and at this angle it looks a bit like a monkey head!

Now we're on a mooring outside the Gloucester Eco Resort.  Just a word about the moorings here - most barely exist.  The mooring buoys are there but the mooring lines from the buoy to the boat aren't!  After a bit of yelling at each other in the fresh winds we found one that had all it's bits.  Good trip.  Tomorrow its lunch at the resort and a day walking on the beach. 

The Eco Resort bay.  Beautiful area with big mountains.