Gypsy Cruising

12 August

Townsville to Palm Island

I met up with James yesterday, and of course our first duty was to head out to do the provisioning for the next two-plus weeks of the cruise.  Dinner last night was at a local tavern for an extremely enjoyable evening.  So on to today.

Another marina berth for the Gypsy - Townsville Breakwater marina is a very friendly place

The rest of the fleet is leaving Magnetic Island today for a 35 mile sail north to Palm Island (strictly speaking, its full name is Great Palm Island, being the largest of the Palm Isles).  We'll meet up with them along the way.  The conditions are really just perfect.  The cool weather and stronger winds we found further south have been replaced here with warmth and light south easterlies.  That doesn't make for fast or exciting sailing (we'll motor sail the whole way) but it's not a bad way to spend winter days.

James at the wheel, with a whole new set of islands beckoning north of Townsville

The first good whale sighting in weeks, just north of Townsville

Another boat's crew took this nice photo of us broad reaching

In all respects today's sail was uneventful.  It will take James a few days to get into a cruising rhythm, made worse by the fact that he's arrived with an extremely bad cold.  This is a part of the cruise I've been looking forward to.  I'm expecting it to be quite different to the previous legs.  We're getting quite a long way north now.  We'll see fewer people and boats and get a more "south seasy" feel to the area.  Hinchinbrook Island looks remarkable from photos I've seen of it and then there's Dunk Island, the northerly most point of this cruise.

Palm Island consists of a significant Aboriginal community.  Historically it was known for its violence but all indications are that it's a friendly and inviting place for visitors.  Unemployment is a serious problem for the community, and dollars spent ashore by visitors are important to the locals. Leon wants to go ashore in the morning, and we discussed the idea around drinks this afternoon.  We've been warned (by the local Police and by Townsville locals I talked to before I left) that, notwithstanding the friendly reception on the island, theft of dinghies and other property left ashore is a very real issue.  That was enough for most to veto the idea.  So, tomorrow morning will see us head straight on to Orpheus Island instead.  I'm in two minds about the idea.  This is probably a wasted opportunity, but I don't mind pushing on.

Gypsy Princess doing its bit to contribute to a sublime sunset shot at Palm Island