Ingrid and Joey's visit.

We had a very busy and extremely enjoyable few days away. Half the time was in Newcastle and the other half in Adelaide and Port Lincoln. Port Lincoln was to celebrate the 121st birthdays of our very good friends, Wendy and Jonathan, and it was a great opportunity to catch up with friends from our Yarawonga days from over 30 years ago.  Then back to Airlie Beach, re-provision the boat and, after a couple of days welcome Ingrid and her good friend Joey.  The weather was still a bit wet but the winds had subsided a little. As the week progressed the sun came out and we had the warmest days of winter so far with temperatures in the high 20s. We set off about 1.30 and had a lovely sail across to Cid Harbour which we almost made on one tack and were there in time for Joey and Ingrid to throw in the fishing lines and for us all to enjoy a beer as the sun went down. Next day we sailed down to Shaw Island where, once again Joey tried her luck fishing. She caught something very big which I really thought was going to break the rod. Sadly it eventually got away without us ever sighting it to enable identification. In the morning we sailed on down to Thomas Island for a swim and lunch.  On the way down John spotted a whale tail just disappearing under the water so he took the helm from Ingrid to enable her to have a good look once they reappeared. After some time during which nothing happened, she took the helm back and I said we'll take it back as soon as they come back and immediately they were there again quite close by. Eventually they swam off but we all kept looking over to starboard and I said, while we're all looking this way, they're probably all dancing behind us. As we all turned to look over the stern there they all were putting on a fine display of tail wagging. As we arrived at the island the sun was shining making it very beautiful. We were entertained by a couple of large turtles mating. There was much splashing as the male mounted the female and then they stayed locked together for a considerable length of time. We went back to Shaw for the night. Next day we sailed through the Solway passage and anchored off Whitehaven beach for a swim and lunch. Ingrid and Joey rowed ashore and walked along the beach. We decided against a night in Apostle Bay because of the swell so we sailed on, through the the Hook Passage. As time was getting on we decided to try a night at anchor just round the top and down the western side of Whitsunday Island. There were about three other boats spread out down the side although no anchorage is marked in 100 Magic Miles - the wonderful cruising guide to these islands. We had a flat, peaceful night and named it Frittata Bay after  our dinner that evening. Next day was spent snorkelling at Cateran Bay and then the night at Macona Inlet. When we came to anchor that night the electric anchor winch would not work. We've been having intermittent trouble with it but, in the past, have always got it working. We decided to drop manually. That meant that in the morning it would also have to be retrieved manually. This was hard work for John and the others - I was at the helm! In the old days we always did it manually but then we were in smaller boats with lighter chain and anchor. We sailed round the top o f Hook next day stopping at Luncheon Bay for a snorkel and lunch. Then back into Airlie in time for a celebratory meal ashore thanks to Ingrid and Joey. 

Fishing at sunset in Cid Harbour

The one that got away!

Hauling up the anchor. 

Turtle in Luncheon Bay