We left Port of Airlie on a lovely sunny day and motored through Whitsunday Passage to Burning Point on Shaw Island. Wind picked up from the North and forecast was for it to strengthen with a SW change around 3am. Decided to move to Lindeman anchorage and enjoy a relaxing evening with a lot of chain to prepare for wind change. Lindeman Island was burning and looked spectacular at night. Forecast was right and SW hit at 2am so anchor watch until we leave at 7 am. Headed for Scawfell but sea state was horrible with 3 or 4 metre sea/swell and hard to hold a course. Decided to head back to Nara and spend a few nights - a bit rolly at times but mostly sunny. Yesterday we headed to Sawmill Bay and hit by a rain squall - joy! Cleared before we anchored and sun for a while before rain set in. Time to read below. Lovely sunset and calm night before heading to Hammo. But of a rough passage as big seas around Whitsunday Island and gusts to 26knots. Doesn't sound like much but the sea builds up here. Now in a berth at Hammo and loving the serenity - when the jets are landing. Will stay till we get a window for Mackay.

All good things must come to an end! We left Maggie on Saturday morning and with a light breeze and sunshine motor sailed to Upstart Bay for the night. We saw lots of whales in the distance - they were breaching and waving find. Our first sighting on this trip. Very calm anchorage with a lovely sunset. An early start on Sunday which gave us a spectacular sunrise and flat seas, blue skies and more whales. Overnight at Woodwark Bay just north of Airlie. On Monday we crossed Whitsunday Passage and picked up a mooring for the night. A boisterous motor back to Port of Airlie Marina this morning with gusts over 20 knots and around 2 meter swell. Nice to get tied up at our berth and we will be here for a week while some windy weather goes through. Weather is sunny and warm so a relaxing week ahead. All well on board.

After a few weeks on Magnetic Island we headed into Townsville to restock the fridge - a case of beer, two cases of wine and a loaf of bread! That should do it. We will enjoy the home of the Cowboys for a few days and then head back to the Whitsundays for a catch up with John, Robbie and Sammy. Ted is very excited to have company. All good on board - we are perfecting our berthing skills and now almost 10/10!

Getting hard to leave such a lovely island with great weather so we have booked for another week. Will catch the ferry to Townsville to catch up with friends tomorrow but enjoying a break on Maggie.

We left Eco Resort with a few dark clouds threatening rain. It has been so long since we needed wet weather gear that it took some time to locate this - just in case! Anyway we only got some light passing showers and then the sun reappeared. Just what we are used to. Our next stop was to anchor in Upstart Bay in the Lee of Cape Upstart - very shallow big bay but as wind had dropped a quiet night with a bit of wind/tide rolling. Off to an early start for Magnetic Island Marina. Very swish and attached to Peppers Resort so sharing their facilities - ie pool, spa - usual Marina stuff (not) - we may move in as permanent liveaboards. Ted and Winch are well and enjoying the trip. They are making notes so the can give advice on the way back. Pete is getting used to wearing shorts and I am now heading for the pool (or maybe the spa). Decisions!!!

Pleasant night in Woodwark Bay - quite still but a bit of mud on the chain. Deck wash now on the list. We had a late start so motor sailed round the top of Gloucester Island instead of through the passage at low tide. Now on a mooring at the resort with 1.5 mt under the keel at low tide. Here for a few days as a strong SE is forecast.

Finally leaving Airlie Beach after a week enjoying land based activities. Weather fine and sunny but looking for warmer water so heading to Townsville. We are currently anchored in Woodwark Bay and off to Monte's Resort via the Gloucester Passage tomorrow. An early start as we need high tide to navigate through.

After a week at Abell Point waiting for weather to improve we left this morning. Still blowing SSE 18-23knots so reached up to Stonehaven. We are now on a mooring watching a lovely sunset. Quite protected and breeze is forecast to drop.

After leaving Mackay we spent our first night at Brampton Island. A bit rolly so left early for our next two nights at Shaw Island. We were the only yacht anchored on the first night and weather was fine and sunny with a very quiet anchorage so we spent another night with around 6 yachts for company. As the forecast is now for a week of 20-30 knots we are tucked up snugly at Abel Point Marina. Time for more retail therapy and lunches ashore. All good on board