Cairns Waters.
02 August 2016
Still in Cairns waters
30/7/2016
Well we haven’t moved far. We remain on a mooring up Trinity Inlet/Cairns. When we feel like a change of scenery we motorsail to Fitzroy Island for a bit of R&R, swimming, snorkelling, fishing, walking the rain forest tracks. We have holidayed to Fitzroy on three occasions and have been blessed with a visit from Narissa [from Melbourne] and Scott & Laura [NZ]. It was so lovely to share with them a bit our life on the water, and to play in our back yard.
Our plan to date is to remain here in Cairns until sometime in October, waiting for the wind to change from SE to Northerly [calmer sailing water with the wind behind us]. My nursing agency contacted me and I have 7 weeks work back in Mount Isa. Thought why not make good use of this time waiting. So I’m back there on August 15th. Which just happens to work out really good as Mount Isa Rodeo is on for 3 days, 12th, 13th, & 14th. So I’m looking forward to attending this. Gerd will remain on Kestrel and keep the home fire burning [boat afloat].
It hasn’t all been sweet sailing, have a read of our “shit happens” blog
Our last sail back from Fitzroy to Trinity Inlet was great. With a SE wind we were for once going in the right direction and were able to make good use of the wind. We actually, cut the motor and sailed all the way back to the channel entrance. We were more than happy as we got 50% SOG [speed over ground] from the wind. After having experienced this sail, it reconfirmed our decision was a good one to wait until October for the northerlies to sail south.
We also had our first sighting of mother & calf humpback whale as they migrate north from there Antarctic feeding grounds to breed and give birth in tropical waters. They swam beside us for a short period, which was awesome.
Our new addition to Kestrel is our washing machine, still manual, however works wonders. Check out photos. Next on my wish list is a wringer, yep the old fashion roller system.
Well, that’s about all to update on for now.
Cheers XX