on way to Aerlie Beach

We had the guts watch today. The wind was really cranking at around 25 knots. During my time at the helm I topped out at around 7.5 knots. Again with a team more sea-sickness-stricken than before Jess and I volunteer to climb the foremast to untie the gaskets on the topsail yard with our watch leader Speedy. The sideways swing of the boat is amplified being 3/4 of the way up a 30 metre mast, add to that the cranking winds I mentioned before and your almost grateful its too dark too see the water. On returning to the deck I am proud to say I was the only one to hold onto their food especially being in the company of an experienced seaman.

That morning with broad reaching wind we managed to break the 10 knot barrier. The boat really leans at this speed so sitting on the deck feels like you’re in a stadium.

We had a “rules of the road” lecture before pulling into the awesome backpacker town of Aerlie beach gateway to the Whitsunday’s. Had ice-cream, couple of cups of real strong coffee, checked out the lagoon, played volleyball and a few of the more energetic of us hired jet skis (personally I was rooted). This place left such an impression on us that we are planning a reunion there next year.

That night had 3 way chats with Rinny and Anna. They both have plenty of pets, play loads of sport and have ambitions of working in america in the near futue.

Here is the corroborating captains log