It is with regret that we have cast Tregoning’s lines off the dock at Marlin Marina and headed her southward. We were sorry to leave Cairns without having had the chance to explore more of the reefs in this area, and we were sad to say good-bye to our friends on SVs Mischief and Symphony II. However, we managed to cram plenty of activities into our 18-day stay, including several musical evenings and four days of enjoyable inland travel with our friends, getting necessary parts and supplies, revisiting our favorite haunts such as the Botanic Gardens, and even a new Parkrun for me. Photos and more details about our inland expedition will follow when we have better internet.

We have just arrived in Welcome Bay at Fitzroy Island where we will spend a short night before a long day (starting around 3 am) heading south to Dunk Island. The winds are going to be on the nose (reliable northerlies are not expected until October) but we have finally got a window of reduced trade-winds which should allow us to make short jumps under motor. Once we get past Hinchinbrook Island, it will not be far to Townsville. We need to get fuel in there and then we can wait for another weather window to continue southward. The winds should be more cooperative once we are south of Townsville, so we hope that we can slow down again and perhaps snatch a few chances to snorkel off the Whitsundays or back in the Capricorn Group (Lady Musgrave, etc.)

In a few minutes, Anita and Mike are due to come and visit us to say goodbye. They have been here at Fitzroy Island for several days and will probably head north to Port Douglas soon. That is where Mischief and Symphony II are also heading so we wish them all well...with just a twinge of envy. Still, we will see most of them again in Moreton Bay during the summer as none of us are planning to go to New South Wales. That state is now in complete lockdown due to a spiraling wave of the delta variant of Covid-19. So far, so good in Queensland...we will be keeping our fingers crossed and masks handy.