Pearl Bay- Airlie- Nara Inlet

Pearl Bay was very quiet considering how great the conditions were.  This is a very popular snorkelling spot and usually  a hive of activity with tour boats coming and going.  The conditions were perfect today and my guess is that the tour operators went to Bait and Hart reef 10 nm off Hayman Island.  We would have done the same but we need to get our crew to Airlie for drop off and Jacqui had a tooth ache.
Water crystal clear, with good coral and array of tropical fish including a large Murray Wrasse that took me by surprise as I dived down under the coral shelf.

The welcome committee when anchoring on this occasion, was the large butterfly fish and not Turtles.










Good sail to Airlie in the afternoon and headed for the Rum Bar for sundowners and dinner.

It is amazing how tired you get when you hit land as your body appears to keep rocking or it might have something to do with cocktails at the Rum Bar.

The next day we secured a berth at Abell Point marina which has had some major makeover with a new owner and is very well appointed now with excellent services.  We engaged a shipwright to assist in the continuing water pressure issue.  Whilst it is not completely resolved he did assit Terry understanding of how our waterlines work  which resulted in Terry being able to isolate the leaking hose which  runs to the back deck shower and guest head.  We are back online and no longer leaking our water reserves into the bilge.  The yacht carries 800 litres of water which can last up to 20 days with 2 people on board.

A farewell to our crew Jacqui & David. It was great to have the young ones on-board, good company and the added bonus of David being a chef, happily whipping up some gourmet delights to give me a break from the galley.











Washing and provisions completed we departed Airlie. in expectation of a gentle sail.
  We started passage in a light wind and comfortable sailing. 
We had to sail through a race course which is ok to do so as long as you navigate around the participating yachts and not interfere with the racing.

Without much notice the wind whipped up to 30 knot winds.

Sens de la Vie performed well under these conditions but I got a little worried when Terry was on hard lock at the helm and the water was rushing over the gunnels. We were flying on a full lean.  I am sure our winged keel could be seen from any onlookers.

Capt. Teza assured me all was ok but instructed to haul in the sails which is a big task when the sails and sheet ropes are under this much pressure.  Getting a great work out and putting my back and shoulders into the winches.

"We wont keel over"  says Capt. Teza........................only a few moments past by and we spot a 35ft catamaran overturned in the distance.

We immediately dropped sails started the motor and I radio VMR. 

The boat " Cool Change" was competing in the race by veteran sailors when the big gust of wind picked them up and overturned their boat only 45mins before we arrived on the scene.  VMR confirmed that the boat was no longer in distress and that all crew were rescued and police and salvage vessels were on their way to the floating upturned boat. 

It just reminds us even with  the best prepared yacht and an experienced crew you must always be alert and take heed of changing conditions at sea.

We made a dash to Nara Inlet to enjoy the protection and serenity of  this sheltered inlet.

Lunch,  a bottle of wine and pate we relaxed for the afternoon.