East Coast Cruising

Well we are still here in the Whitsundays, but about to turn around and head home. Vince is doing some work for a few days so we are in the marina and then we will get the boat ready for our return journey. The whole boat could do with a good clean!
We have spent the past four weeks sailing around the Islands up here. We go out for a few days then back to Airlie to restock and then back out again. We spent time on Hook Island and did lots of snorkelling. Laura snorkelled for the first time and took to it really well. Once she got used to it she was going off the boat and swimming a fair distance. She loved seeing all the coral and her breathing escalated when we came across five Maori Wrasse which are large fish about a metre long - thats just about the size of her! Rayner wore his goggles and was pretty game too for short periods. He preferred to get pulled along in the large rubber ring we have and put his face over the edge to see everything. The smart way to do it I reckon! We went to Border Island which is one of the outer islands and had excellent snorkelling there, seeing lots of fish and coral. We are hoping to go to Lady Musgrave on the way down which is an outer reef and Island. Its a lagoon and supposed to be fantastic snorkelling. We spent a beautiful day on Whitehaven beach swimming, walking and playing. There were a lot of boats anchored off and helicopters and light planes. Its a very popular and busy place especially on a nice day but it is so long that you can always get your own patch. One of the highlights for me up here is watching all the turtles. They are so big and pop their heads up quite often. When at achorage my favourite past time is looking out for them. I was lucky enough to swim with one the other day. They are so graceful under the water.
Vince's cousin, Fulvio, has been with us for the past week which has been great and we have taken him all around the islands too. He has had a ball and seen a lot more than he thought he would have. We had a good day snorkelling and also a good day walking up to the highest peak of Whitsunday Island. I thought it would be too much for the kids so just Fulv and I went. Its a 4 hr return walk and is steep arriving at 490 m above sea level. The view from the top is magnificent. You can see over all the islands and its really like being in a plane. It was definitely a highlight. We raved about it sooo much that Vince, Fulv and Laura did it again the next day. Laura walked the whole way up the steep hills and didn't complain once. I obviously under estimated her walking ability! She was also impressed with the view.
We caught up with some other boaties here in Cid Harbour who we have met along the way and have had a few beach gatherings with drinks and nibbles. When there are a few of you its easier to meet on the beach then in each others boats! Its actually been quite sad saying goodbye to people we have travelled up with who are not ready to turn around yet, some are going up further. In fact all the people we have sailed up with are not returning the same time as us so we will leave alone. I am sure we will meet a different crowd going home.
The weather is pretty hot up here and muggy. Its usually about 29 during the day and only gets down to about 22 23 at night so its hard trying to sleep. In fact we bought a fan today! On our way back into Airlie Beach yesterday we had the biggest down pour of rain. We were sailing in it and all standing out in the boat and showering. I also did the washing. Vince had to keep getting in the dinghy and bailing it out! It rained heavily all day and Airlie recorded its usual months rainfall in one day. The airport was closed due to flooding and the lagoon closed due to all the rubbish washed into it. It feels like rainy season here. Both kids have good suntans and Laura's hair has blonde streaks! They are both loving the lifestyle up here and spend about 90% of the day in the water. Rayner is swimming like a fish now with no aids and in deep water. We hear Melbourne has had lots of rain which is good for the drought situation and its also good that we have missed it! A message from Vince - 'Go Collingwood' !