Pos 22 25'S, 150 45'E. Just left Dome Island after stopping there for two hours only for some rest, at least a break from head on seas and the accompanying bounce. It was bouncy in the anchorage as well! Yesterday we left Mackay at about 1330 after refueling, and
provisioning. We only saw the inside of the Marina and then Uber'd to Woolworths, so we really don't know what Mackay looks like. We managed to get in a lovely afternoon sail after leaving, with wind and seas in right direction and then we hit this. We've patiently
bounced all night and all day today. It's quite wearing and the whole boat is covered in a crust of salt from frequent breaking waves.
This coast is littered with rocks and rock islands as well as a few substantial ones. It makes for tricky navigation as what may look like a good pass between islands turns out to have obstacles under the water which may or may not show at low tide. We have always taken
the safe way and had to tack out towards the open sea a number of times to avoid them. The coast here is different to just north. It's much drier and there are less trees on shore. Our family once had a holiday not far from here at Yeppoon, and I recall it being dry and
scrubby. It was here when my eldest son Martin encountered a bush turkey on a walk and it snatched his lolly pop right out of his mouth. He was going to kill that bird, had not the shop lady intervened and given him a new one. He can still remember the incident and he
was 5 yrs at the time, and he is now 46! Crew, Johnny has been fishing in vain. No fish were interested in our lure. We'll ask locals when we stop next re throwing out an appropriate lure. It's time for another fish meal or two.
That's it. It's a challenge to type with everything moving around in the seaway so I'll quit until tomorrow. John has chosen another rest anchorage for tomorrow evening, so we may be able to cook a meal. Bye from crew Shonandra.