Day 12 Awoke to a grey day with rain pouring down and not a hope in sight of leaving. But things have changed. While the weather forecasts continue to call for days of high winds, I can be optimistic tonight, for I look up into a cloudless sky, stars abound and... I caught the winding dipping to 8 knots! Im going. Tomorrow first light, I will awaken with the hope that as the day ended so it will begin tomorrow....lighter winds, clear sky and... optimism. I will leave the protection of the island with only the jib and hopefully meet a following sea and wind. Up the Whitsunday passage, follow the coast, through the Gloucester passage, to Cape Upstart and then to Cape Bowling Green. Tomorrow will decide if I stop or sail through the night...destination...Cairns-about 300 nautical miles.

Oh oh....the wind is increasing as I write -24 knots- this Australian weather! Sleep well.