We have six days to make our way north to Blue Water Marina in time for the Cairns Tropical Writers Festival – I do hope the weather behaves! Check out all the details of the full programme at: CTWF Programme. The Literary Dinner, starring Madga Szubanski in conversation with Helen Chryssides, is sold out, but there’s Continue reading
Tag: Northern Heat
Exploring Orpheus Island
Our day started with a leisurely kayak ashore as the tide reached its high for the morning. In the shallows a black-tipped reef shark did its best to pretend we weren’t there. The walking track to the ridge line starts from the picnic table. It’s loosely marked with varying colours of tape and string but easy Continue reading
Under the waves
What a day! We’re both exhausted from exploring, kayaking and snorkelling. If you get the chance to visit Orpheus Island then take it. The fringing coral reef is spectacular and my photos don’t do it justice. Even more special is the clam garden which is full of giant clams. They were bred here in the Continue reading
Orpheus Island
We had a delightful sail from Horseshoe Bay to Orpheus Island – although I lost count of the sail changes as the wind was up and down. When it reached 17 knots in a rush, and we still had our beautiful pink spinnaker up, I think we were both a little concerned we were headed Continue reading
Maggie Island
I love North Queensland! We hopped on the bus to go to Nellie Bay and the driver was busy checking up on the health of one of his elderly regulars who’d been taken ill yesterday. Same driver on the way back announced to the bus via the PA that ‘the couple that wanted to buy Continue reading
South Molle Island – a quiet haven
After our speedy run to Airlie Beach to re-provision, where I clocked up 18,000 + steps on my fitbit, we decided to head out to the islands again. The closest anchorage we hadn’t visited before was Bauer Bay on South Molle Island. We had a lovely run across with the sails up and dropped anchor Continue reading
Great Keppel Island lived up to its name!
We’re heading north again this morning, planning on an overnight to push us further along so we reach the Whitsundays before strong winds next Thursday. We’ll be out of internet range for a day or two so we’ll see you out the other side! The last week has been magical on Great Keppel Island, catching Continue reading
What Price Safety?
I’ve always been fascinated by lighthouses and the women and men who’ve kept lights shining across darkened oceans. Now we’re afloat I have an even greater obsession – there’s nothing so welcome as the sweep of a light as you’re closing on a headland in the dark. We’re moored in Pancake Creek (and yes there Continue reading
West past the Thomson to Winton
They say that once you cross the Thomson River you’ll keep coming back. I think they may be right. Last week I flew from Bundaberg to Brisbane to Barcaldine to Longreach then drove to Winton for the Outback Writers Festival. I watched the landscape change from blue and vivid green to tan and rich ochre. Continue reading
Time flies when you’re having fun :)
Apart from the fact we’ve been in a Telstra blackspot we’ve also been a little busy! However I still can’t believe it’s been 15 days since I posted a blog… Meanwhile we’ve seen out two wet weather events with wild winds, caught up with old friends, made new friends and see some amazing displays from Continue reading