Townsville to Cairns

24th May on to Cooktown Left Cairns at 6.30am. Drizzly rain, no wind so motor sailing once again. Sailed past the front door of Iris’ house which has a beautiful position right on the beach. Gave her a big wave whist she was standing on her front lawn at 7am (might have got her out of bed)! At present we are 17 miles south of Pt Douglas where the dividing range meets the coral coast. The Crew of Spindrift

21st& 23nd May onto Cairns Left Mourilyan at 0500, to make it all the way to Cairns, booked into Cairns Marina for two nights, Phil arranged with Bill’s Marine for a complete check over and maintenance of our two motors here, before we leave civilization. Sylvie got an early start on the washing and re- stocked the boat beer low here must fix this. Last night we went to dinner with Iris Fenn at the Football Club and had supper after at her place, mega cook indeed, we had a selection of four different sweets, we were still full at breakfast time. Whilst at Cairns we had the two motors overhauled. Great service from Bill’s Marine. Also installed some anti splash guards for the motors. Visited night markets and all had a Chinese massage!!!!

20th May Hinchinbrook Island Hinchinbrook Island is rugged to say the least, obviously old volcanic country, almost entirely Igneous rock, we sailed on out of the channel and on to Dunk Island for a midday beer, and became tourist for the day, ordinary hamburgers are $17.50 each here, so we went back to the cat for lunch (spotted mackeral). Overnight at Mourilyan Harbour, this place is so concealed you have to line up the entrance before you can see the way through, good quiet night.

19th May Townville
Pat left the boat here. We booked in overnight at the Marina [i]Phil & Sylvie went off to Jupiters Casino to break the bank, we think the Casino is still solvent. We departed Townville at 0700 and sailed on past Palm Island, surprised to see it very quiet here, we sailed on to Lucinda, passed the amazingly long Molasses Jetty and went into Hinchinbrook Channel, picked down for the night at Hancock Island, great spot for the night, few mozzies.