Monday - Departed Cairns at 0645 h in calm conditions. A light SW breeze and the tide wafted me toward Fitzroy Island before veering to the WNW and increasing to 7-10 knots. Speed increased and so did the humidity and temperature as my speed cancelled out any breeze over the boat. By the time I was abeam of Mourilyan Harbour, the sky blackened and a front rolled by just to my west. I missed the worst of it and had 20 knots from the W-SW. This continued for many hours with the wind backing to the S then SE. The swell was beam on from the west so it was still comfortable but not much good for sleeping.
My original intent was to transit to the east of Magnetic Island as the weather reports indicated the front was not due to pass by until late Monday or Tues morning. That all changed as I approached Hinchinbrook Island where the sea had now caught up with the wind direction and was also on the nose. I altered course to the SW so I could run in the lee of Orpheus Island and the Palm Island Group. Great decision that provided 5 hours of relief from the SSE winds and 'hobby-horse' ride. By the time I popped out from behind the last island, conditions had abated slightly and Townsville was in sight. I arrived at the new Townsville Yacht Club marina Tues morning at 1100 h.
Glenn dropped by between jobs to say g'day and check out Rogue Wave. He is like me.......never bloody stops working!! My daughter Stephanie had the day off and greeted me with a big hug. She took me to the Barbers for a haircut as I was looking a little tardy! After 3 micro sleeps in the Barber's chair the job was done and we headed for the 'chicks pad' where I had a lovely time catching up on her life.