15 August 2010
We have sailed all night and now the wind is a lovely steady force four and another lovely day. At 9 o'clock we tuned in to 4 Bravo. Wolfgang has done a great job keeping our small group of yachts in touch with each other. We know the whereabouts of only of six other WARC boats so it will quite exciting to see who turns up at the rendezvous on Thursday Island in three days time.....
Destiny, along with Lady Ev 1V, have just left Margaret Bay and are now on their way to the Escape River which will be our next destination after today. Our ETA for Margaret Bay is one o'clock this afternoon with Thor 1V and Eowyn due to arrive later on. As we cross Temple Bay, the long low panorama of Cape Grenville with its distinctive blinding white silica sand hills comes into view. This is one of the great aspects of sailing up the east coast, the landscape changes on a daily basis and is never dull. The shallow waters render the seas, many lovely shades of green, all the while changing as the wispy clouds pass overhead. The depths are anything between ten and thirty metres at the most. It takes a bit of getting used to after all our ocean crossings. But the advantage is that is makes for reasonably flat seas.
We entered the Paluma Pass between Cape Grenville and the Home Islands, looking as pretty as a picture. It is hard not to be able to stop and explore but we must press on. Coming in to Margaret Bay it was all but deserted. It had been a base for the prawn fishing fleet when we last came here but they have now moved that down the coast to Portland Roads. The offer of a drink's party came from Eowyn, along with Thor1V, Graham launching his tender and providing a water taxi service. It was our first get together with other WARC boats since Cairns and great fun. The day ended with a traditional Sunday dinner. Roast rib of beef, roast potatoes, cabbage with bacon bits followed by fresh pineapple in a ginger syrup. All that was missing were the Yorkshire puddings!
Susan Mackay