Monday
We loved being back in Horseshoe Bay but the number of boats anchoring in the bay was increasing each day and as a result instead of just being in the south east corner boats were slowly spreading across the bay towards the north and west. The local jet ski operator paid us a visit to ask if we could move further towards the east as the boats were slowly encroaching into the other half of the bay which was used by commercial operators catering for tourists. Legally we were not obliged to move, it was more an unwritten agreement that boats would stay to one side of the bay and commercial operators to the other side. Unfortunately, we were unable to move as we had nowhere to go, and the operator acknowledged this. Given the opportunity we would have moved as our position was not the best with Escapade rolling (although it was a great anchorage as the bottom was sandy mud and the anchor held fast).
Tuesday
Some days you can get cabin fever when you’re unable to get to shore for a walk or when you have been doing various jobs on the boat and need a break. We all decided (Georgie may have needed a little convincing, in the form of an ice cream…) that we would go for a decent walk. The route that we chose was from Horseshoe Bay to Arcadia and return, which was 10km. Georgie loved feeding the wallabies at Arcadia so much that she wanted to go back and pay them a visit. After working out how many daylight hours remained, feeding time with the wallabies, and walking back to Horseshoe Bay, we decided that Mark and Georgie would feed the wallabies and then catch the bus back to Horseshoe Bay while Lucy and I walked back. Always up for a challenge, Lucy and I set off beating Mark and Georgie back to Horseshoe Bay.
Wednesday
At 0800 we pulled up the anchor (washing off the mud as we went) and made the 1 hour voyage around to the other side of Magnetic Island to Nelly Bay Marina. Peter & Sal (SV- Music Maker) had also secured a berth for a week and were on their way across from Townsville.
Surprisingly the marina was very reasonable and was by far the best value for money we have come across to date, the only problem being we were next door to the ferry terminal that operated from 0530-2100 each day and the southerly swell would wrap around the rock groins of the harbour making our berth a little rolly. Nights would often be sleepless as our mooring lines and fenders would squeak with the load of Escapade (25 tonne) surging back and forth.
Georgie loved being in the marina as it gave us access to the Peppers Resort which has 2 swimming pools. The days of Georgie lacking motivation to complete her schoolwork were gone with the incentive of spending the afternoons in the pool, Happy Days! 😊
Thursday
Peter from SV-Music Maker needed to replace the light on the top of his mast, so Mark went around to give him a hand. Once Georgie had completed her schoolwork for the day we headed out for a walk from Nelly Bay over the hill to Arcadia and back to Nelly Bay, followed by an ice-cream.
Friday
Magnetic Island had been waiting on their next delivery of Phizer injections for a couple of weeks. (as you would know, once you have had your 1st injection you have a time frame of 3 weeks to get the 2nd injection). We decided that rather than waiting around for the delivery to arrive we would book in at Airlie Beach.
Saturday
Al, Leanne & Georgie invited us over to Arcadia for sundowners. We met some fellow Victorians who were lovely people and were also leaving within the next few days for the journey back home to Victoria. It was good to find out where in Victoria they were from and get to know them. Everyone agreed that we were all extremely fortunate to have been able to get out of Victoria prior to the lockdowns. Our thoughts and prayers are for all family and friends in Victoria, the COVID nightmare continues.
Sunday
Lucy is loving the long walks on Maggie Island. The days are getting warmer and because of the remoteness of some of the trails we purchased Lucy a collapsible drinking/food bowl which is great for hiking. She gets excited every time she sees us put the bowl in the backpack along with the drink bottles. We have walked from one end of Maggie to the other (there are over 26km of walking trails) loving the hills, valleys, bays and beaches that the island has to offer.
Transport on Magnetic Island is by bus, bike (although some of the roads are a bit narrow), motor bike, scooter or convertible hire cars (so cool, and by far the most popular with the tourists).
Monday
The time had come for us to start making our way slowly south. We knew the return trip would be slow whilst the south east trades were present. The impact of the trade winds is greatest from April through to the end of September, often extending to the end of October. At times you can wait up to 3 weeks before there is a break and the wind eases and swings to the north. We will not escape the trade winds until we are back down the Queensland coast near Bundaberg.
Mark had been keeping an eye on the forecasts and with a 24 hour window appearing tomorrow we decided to schedule our departure for midnight tonight. Leaving at midnight would enable us to make the 14 hour passage back south to Woodwark Bay ready for the return of the 25 knot south easterlies the following day.
Peter & Sal from SV-Music Maker would join us for the passage. We were all hoping that whilst back at the Whitsundays we’d get a weather window to visit the outer reef, time will tell.
We did all the final voyage preparations required before leaving Maggie Island and Al dropped by to have a coffee and say bon voyage. We were going to miss the no fuss lifestyle of Magnetic Island, it truly is a little slice of paradise. The next time we would see Al, Leanne & Georgie would be back in Victoria.
We cast off at 1200 and motored out of the marina. Mark did the first shift from 1200-0300. After tidying up the mooring lines and fenders on deck, I attempted to get some sleep prior to my shift from 0300-0600.
Once we leave the Whitsundays, Mark and I are going to teach Georgie what needs to be done when on watch. It will be a good skill for her to learn, including identifying ship/boat lights at night.
We had to motor during the night as there was no wind. We saw a number of cargo ships out wide in the shipping channel and a few fishing boats, but other than that it was a quiet night. The wind picked up mid-morning so Mark put up the genoa and main resulting in a few extra knots of speed. We were averaging 7.5 knots. Around lunchtime the crew of Music Maker were entertained by two whales breaching within 100 metres.
As the sun was setting we reached Woodwark Bay. Once the anchor was set, it was an early dinner and time to catch up on some sleep.
