27th – 28th Sept Nara Inlet to Airlie Beach 16nm

It is never a pleasant feeling leaving the islands to go back to the mainland for provisioning. Today the weather is perfect for the sail back to Able Point Marina. We raised the anchor at 9.30am and headed across Whitsunday Passage. The wind was from the north at about 8 knots and the tide was with us. We motor sailed with the jib and made a very fast passage averaging 7 knots with the help of the tide and the wind. You can save a lot of time if you pick your travel times to coincide with the direction of the water.

We arrived at the marina at 11.15am and got straight into the chores of washing the boat, getting the washing done, driving to the shops and getting the provisions. 

It was an exhausting afternoon and the temperature must have been above 30 in the marina. We stored everything and I cooked the 2 coral trout I caught the day before on the BBQ and we had a very relaxing dinner with just the two of us. Echo Beach came in after 5 o’clock after dropping Brenda off at Hamilton Island. They had a very slow crossing of the passage as the tide and the wind were against them. Leanne and Graham had dinner at a local restaurant and we all had early nights in preparation of the Grand Final tomorrow.

In the morning we were up early to get to the Airlie Beach Markets. We bought some great local produce. You realise after shopping at the markets that the local produce is far better than what you buy in the supermarkets. In most cases a lot cheaper too.

Sat afternoon Graham and I found a bar to watch the footy. We were the only ones watching it as the locals have no interest in AFL. We had a big lounge chair each and it was very comfortable. Sad the Dockers did not beat the Hawks. They had their chances but nerves cost them dearly in the first quarter but they did get in front in the 3rd quarter but the Hawks ran over them at the end of the game.

Leanne and Tamara spent the afternoon doing washing and boat chores while we watched the footy, so we took them out for dinner to a lovely Italian restaurant. On the way back we had the customary stop at the NZ ice cream shop.