Mackay, 20/7/2016

After a period of no internet, phone, etc we are now in Mackay Marina till the 2nd of August.
This will be the start of the cruising leg to Darwin.

We spent 4 nights in Kepple Bay Marina, a lot more than planned but we had the most incredible weather phenomenon with heavy winds of over 35 knots and 420 mm of rain in 2 days, thus the extra leaks.There's not a lot to do in Kepple Bay Marina but we took the local bus into Yeppoon and Rockhampton to look around. Two days later Peter rented a buzz box (Hyundai Getz) and we ventured further out into nowhere, and then back again. All in the rain.

We left Kepple Bay early on the morning of the 18th, made our way out through all the shoals. We were on a rising tide of 5 metres so were pretty safe. That night we anchored at Supply Bay at the north end of Townshend Island. It was a secure, but rolly, anchorage. However we all slept well.

Tuesday saw a leisurely start at 8am to get to South Percy Island, about 35 miles away. No problems until Peter spotted a seam parting in the headsail. We took it down and taped it up. However as soon as it went back up the tape gave up. We anchored at a beautiful bay called North West Bay. I'm sure you can work out the origins of that name.

Next morning, today, we took the sail down and stitched it up. However the sail would not slide down all the way so another problem to sort. I have already left messages with a rigger and a sailmaker. Hopefully tomorrow will see both of them call in. Also the furling drum for the headsail has given some problems so I will get the rigger to check that out too.

All these problems are occurring after the contractors in Sandringham Yacht Club either had done repairs or had serviced all the faulty items!

I will put up some pictures later in the week, but we will not be  budging from here for 12 days whilst all the other World ARC participants arrive.