Mischief - Up to Mischief : Log 69 Further adventures of S/Y Mischief through the eyes and ears of Chas Baynes

Saturday, 4th August 2018 - Nara Inlet, Hook island

I awoke at 6.15 am to perfect calm and silence you could cut with a knife and went on deck where there was a strong scent of pine trees. It was a very special place.

We rowed over to the small beach where there were steps up to where the aboriginal ancestors had a dwelling that had been discovered and preserved by the National Park. It was a bit touristy, but it was interesting admittedly. The cave had original wall sketches of insects and sea-life, and one looked to me to be a drawing of a hot air balloon more so than a turtle, proving that these people were well ahead of their time or were not so good at drawing with a stick and ochre paint.

When we returned to the dinghy we picked it up and launched it which was when I noticed my foot was bleeding - I must have caught it on a rock or something. Neen rowed back with me dragging my foot in the water expecting a shark to come and have a nibble. Dave and Neen then went snorkeling which was a bit brave seeing as I had lost at least half a leg-full of blood into the water and sharks can sense blood to the dilution of one part per million from a mile off. They somehow survived but the water was a bit cloudy so couldn't see much.

We then had a great sail over the bay to the mainland and Airlie beach marina - the sun was out, there was plenty of wind on the beam and we were creaming along. We passed a couple of former Whitbread Round the World Race boats out, presumably practicing for Race Week that starts on Wednesday, one of which was Alan Bond's old boat, Boomerang.

We arrived mid-afternoon and moored up on a pontoon big enough to house a 150 foot yacht; we were backing along it for ages before we reached the end of the finger. We were right next to another former Whitbread yacht of about 100 foot - it seems there are a few of these beasts here used for charter work and day trips. Our pontoon is clearly for big boats - there are loads of superyachts all along it and we are dwarfed by most. However, they have berthed us right at the shore end, so we are really close to the facilities. This is a Five Gold Anchor marina, there are very few marinas that achieve that standard and the facilities really reflected that status, they were better than most hotels even!

Late afternoon we walked the 15 minutes into Airlie Township where there was a fun run in progress with loud music and an even louder chap with a loudspeaker. So we found a bar with live Aussie Rules footy, rugby league and rugby union, and had a couple of beers listening to a chap playing the guitar singing songs that seemed to have every other word beginning with an "F" or some other profanity in the description of the female anatomy that had Wendy peering over the top of her glasses at him, and for which he later apologized - quite funny songs though.

We set off in search of something to eat and then you realise that every bar has live sport playing on huge screens - they are sports mad here and very often it is the women shouting the loudest! Dave fancied a curry so asked a chap where we may find a curry house. "Down the road right next door to the Irish bar", he said. Our ears immediately latched onto those last words and set off at a cracking pace down the road to find 'Paddy's Shenanigans' shut but opening in five minutes at 7 pm. As soon as the door unlocked we were in and ordering four pints of Guinness and regaling the fact that we had sailed nearly 10,000 nautical miles in search of an Irish bar and this was the first we had found! So, the bar man (from Manchester!) gave us a free shot and an Ireland beaney hat each to celebrate so we were really made up. However, after our curry we tried to go back into the place for a Guinness night cap but the doorman would not let us in! He asked us for I.D. which we didn't have with us so I took off my beaney to reveal silver hair and suggested that I at least may be old enough and was delighted by the fact that he may have thought otherwise. But it seems that everyone has to present I.D. regardless according to the law - it is definitely a case of Big Aussie Brother is watching you wherever you go around here.

So, after a Guinnessless walk back to the boat we retired to bed as after all it was gone 9 pm!

Sunday, 5th August 2018 - Airlie Beach Marina

I was up really early again and went for a run on my own as Neen seemed to be still sound asleep, and ran along the 'board walk' in the opposite direction to the town to Cannonville and found evidence of a Park Run from yesterday with the chalk arrows on the pavement - it's a shame we missed it as that would have been a good 'bag' on my Park Run history! It appears that Captain Cook discovered all this area and the islands around 1770 - he named Whitsunday island after the white costumes the women used to wear for the religious ceremony of Whit Sunday and the next island of Pentecost again after the religious festival that was on the day he discovered it.

We had breakfast ashore and then went for a walk re-tracing my steps from my morning run. When we returned, Wendy pegged out a load of washing which later had the marina manager lady knocking on the boat whilst we were having a nap. She asked if we had read the berthing agreement with its terms and conditions as on page two of the small print half way down it stated that we were not allowed to hang out apparel on public view. There was an array of Wendy and Neen's knickers on display to be fair. We had to bring it all in to conform - Wendy was not happy at all! I suppose having Five Gold Anchor status they have to keep up appearances with all the superyachts about and I must say that never have I seen a superyacht with washing hanging out before so I suppose they have a point, but there again neither do they sail around the world.

Our friends on Emily Morgan came into the marina this afternoon so really good to see them. Tomorrow is Anders' last day aboard after three months and so we all went out for a drink then on to a restaurant to celebrate with a fantastic meal and a really pleasant evening. He even picked up the bill for our party too which was beyond the call of duty and just goes to show what a good chap he is, our own 'King of Denmark'. He will be missed but I understand he will return to Emily Morgan before St Lucia for the final leg. Fair winds Anders.

Tonight, we actually went to bed at gone 11 pm! Tomorrow we are due to leave Airlie early and head off north again to a little place called Bowen which is reported to have lovely beaches again. It will be a shame to leave as it's nice here but we have to keep moving as Darwin is still a long way off.