Australia
November 2010
After our heart-stopping excitement with Brendan, we dropped him at Hamilton Island. (back to work.) We spent the next day reprovisioning Blaze and doing laundry. The day had turned cloudy with wind picking up. Our "true blue" sailing friends Brad and Alison joined us. It’s amazing they have come back! They have survived our toughest trips. In 2007 they were aboard Blaze in the North Sea. Ugly-40 knot winds and breaking waves. Next it was dodge ball with freighters in a night-crossing on the English Channel. Then the Bay of Biscay off west coast of France. Poor souls, they have been aboard Blaze in brutal conditions! Our next expedition found us in Antigua. We left port on a warm sunny afternoon...a snorkel in pristine water....and then we found a prop not working. After days of making the "best" of it we headed home. Once again not a great sailing adventure. 
Brad and Ally have bravely joined us in Australia. As they say, Third Time’s a Charm?? That is exactly what happened. We set out for the Barrier Reef under clear skies and 8-10 knots of wind. Main up with gennaker flying. Bait Reef for the night. A beautiful morning and we are ready to dive. A coral carpet stretched out below our fins. The rainbow of the colors magnified by the sunlight. We floated over reefs teeming with iridescent sea life. As we drifted huge schools of brilliant yellow butterflyfish, odd looking pipefish, bright orange clownfish, moray eels, blue sea stars and jellyfish. The pond-like water gave us an awesome dive.
The next scuba dive found us exploring deep crevices and coral tunnels. Cousteau would have loved to join us. The dive was in another world. Huge lumbering turtles glided by. We had more sightings of sharks than anywhere else. Usually, 1 or 2 at a time moving stealthily through the water. They look sinister and always on the hunt. One afternoon we were finishing a snorkel when Peter spotted a "school" ??? of sharks. These guys don't usually travel in packs. Obviously, there was a "Shark Convention" We swam splashlessly (?) to our dingy and departed for the Mother Ship!!!
The next scuba dive found us exploring deep crevices and coral tunnels. Cousteau would have loved to join us. The dive was in another world. Huge lumbering turtles glided by. We had more sightings of sharks than anywhere else. Usually, 1 or 2 at a time moving stealthily through the water. They look sinister and always on the hunt. One afternoon we were finishing a snorkel when Peter spotted a "school" ??? of sharks. These guys don't usually travel in packs. Obviously, there was a "Shark Convention" We swam splashlessly (?) to our dingy and departed for the Mother Ship!!!
After days of Nirvana, we sailed back to the Whitsundays. Enroute we snagged 3 tuna. The usual Chinese fire drill ensues. ( Pull-in the Main and Genoa.... gaff ready!) Hook that baby! Brad and Peter get quite the workout reeling them in. Lunch and dinner menus are set! We take a quick stop and walk along Langley Beach. They call this long strip of white sand “Bali Hai”. The sand spit looks suspended in the sea. It will soon disappear as the tide rises and consumes the beach. A change in weather is approaching. Time to high tail to Cid Bay... wind quickly bumps ups to 20knots. Rain is pounding on the boat. It is warm but wet. We Drop the anchor, attach the bridle set in for the night. Rain continues. ( nice thing about the rain-it rinses salt off the boat.) After a drenching rain overnight, we find a leak in the aft cabin and leak in the galley ceiling. The joys of boat ownership! Today the forecast is for high winds gusting up to 35mph. The yacht charterers are being told to tuck away for the night. We liked that advice and headed for the marina at Hamilton. The town of Haley is Ann’s home port. And everyone knows Ann.! With Blaze secured to a dock, there is no stress. (A luxury we truly appreciate.) We spend the next few days hiking to Cook Lookout and Passage Peak. A tough uphill climb but spectacular views of the islands. It has been an amazing trip with exceptional diving, serious sailing, beautiful beaches and hiking. We are also thrilled that Brad and Allyson finally got to experience "Sailing in Paradise ".
We have seen boats we met in Croatia, Panama, and Tahiti. The farther we sail the smaller the world seems to be.
We have seen boats we met in Croatia, Panama, and Tahiti. The farther we sail the smaller the world seems to be.
Once again our time has raced by. We have been blessed with our wind, weather and good friends. G'day from Down Under!
Captain Molly
First Mate Peter
