Shute Harbour / Airlie Beach

The last day saw Bob display his fine teaching skills as we witnessed 15 year old Grace roll for the first time. Tom participated in crazy games like Killer Hacky and General Sherman, both extremely violent games where the amusement comes from another's pain!
We left Dugong Beach on Scamper in pouring rain for Shute Harbour and spending a very wet night at a local caravan park. Even so, there was no dampening of our celebration of our adventure together. A terrific meal at Banjo's restaurant and a chance to share our reflections together was both enlightening and encouraging.
One of the special bi-products of a longer expedition is the way you get to know and appreciate others and yourself. Certainly, this trip was very rich in both senses.
Egged on by Tom, Bob managed to induct Terry into lofty hall of fame heights by hoisting Terry onto his shoulders inciting a rather meek and fearful bleat, "put me down, your hurting me!" However, one should not accept literal cries for mercy without caution, as Terry initiated a sneaky de-daking pinser attack from the rear!
With shame however, we have to confess that we were beaten into submission by the continuing rain. Consequently we all agreed to dump our tents and retreat to the dry comfort of an Airlies Beach unit. Our final days together were punctuated by cafe lounges, souvenir shopping for family and occasional violent but hilarious sessions of Slap Jack.

In total, an epic adventure indeed!

Dugong Beach

We are camping at Dugong. Beach until Tuesday when we will make our way back to Shute Harbour. We have two other kayaking groups and their leaders from La Trobe Uni doing the same thing. Also staying at the same camp spot are another couple and their daughter, We are also having regular visits from over 30 yachts taking refuge in the adjacent bay, All a great bunch of like minded people.
On Thursday, Terry, Bob, Peter, Karoline, Regina, Grace and Johan went paddling in search of Dugongs, within 60m off the beach, they were yelling Dugongs! Tom and l reading in our hammocks were not going to fall for that old trick! Turns out they were not kidding after all!
Friday we all climbed to Whitsunday Peak to take in the incredible view, which allowed us the opportunity to see just how far we had come. Paddled for Dugongs with Bob and Jeannine, none to be found and chatted with a pair of lovely yachties, Ian and Julia on their fabulous old boat "Destiny".
Friday night we entertained the uni kayakers with kayaking stories. Terry on the VSKC and his paddle from Sydney to Cape Conran in Vic and myself, (Robin) on paddling across Bass Strait. Karoline alerted us to the Death Adder on the path to the beach where several of us had just stomped back and forth to wash our dishes in the sand and salt water. Head torches on and looking down now when walking in the dark! We are also having regular visits from Goannas which would not have any problems sorting through the contents of your tent if left open and unattended. Next few days are meant to be wet! Bugger!

Change of Plan

Today was the day when Pete's wife Karoline & 3 friends were to join us at Crayfish Bay, Hook Is. However, the forecast, short & long term, was poor (25-30kn); not suitable for novices ( or us)
Eventually we settled on heading to Cid Harbour, Dugong Beach, on Whitsunday Is. as the place to welcome our guests & for us to have a much needed rest from the daily battle.
Having discussed & then decided our plan, we set off.
We had strong tidal current at Hook Passage (counter-intuitive direction again) & a head wind on what should have been the sheltered side of the island. Coming into Cid Harbour we encountered wind compression at the headland of 25+kn for over a km before arriving in shelter, for once near high tide. What a relief; no long, heavy boat carries.
We established camp, had a rest, & await the arrival of our guests tomorrow, with our 120 litre water drop.
After dinner, Thomas & Janine, shouted the ol' fellas some wonderful pancakes. Lovely.
A nice day.

Whitsunday Island

Chance Bay to Whitehaven Beach 15 to 20 kn tail winds and some fun seas around the headlands and passages.
Went for a swim at the world famous beach and stopped at Hill Inlet to take in the view, before continuing north to our designated camp site.

The sea is in charge!

20/25 knots today, headed off to Hamilton Is to pick up Bobs batteries after recharge. The short trip took hour in to the wind. Then off we went sails up, till we entered Fitzalan passage. 4 plus knots of current & 20 plus knots of headwind, we were going nowhere. ! Then one of us ended upon the rocks resulting in a complicated & dangerous rescue.
We turned tail and waited 4 hours, however in great display of leadership & presidential style Terry arranged for us to stay. At THE TOP resort in Australia - Qualia!
After R & R in luxury at $3000 a night we eventually made camp at Chance bay as the sun set.

Paradoxes of paddling

Today we experienced two extremes of Whitsunday sea kayaking.
Todays mission was to visit Hamilton Island to charge Bob's batteries, stock up on some tucker & camp at nearby Henning Island, for an early morning raid on Hamilton to collect the charged batteries enroute to Whitehaven Beach the next day.
We started today with our usual pre-dawn rise, at Coconut Bay on Lindeman Island.
The weather forecast was 5-10 kt...fantastic for our scenic tour to the spectacular Pentecost Island, the only island up here named by Capt. Cook.
Then to Hamilton Is. Harbour via the east & north side. Robin finally consented to trying 'a wooden stick' (Inuit) paddle .... despite daily ridicule of them. There is now a rumour that Robin wishes to own one !!!
The first impression of Hamilton Is. is of wealth; primarily it's buildings & boats. We enjoyed showers (thanks Terry), put on some washing, raided the bakery, the takeaway & the supermarket.
After dragging ourselves away we landed on Henning Is. for another beautiful sunset. What a day!!

Two old buggas ahead with sticks (again)

It's been a great day in paradise (again) as we paddled 25km from Thomas' Island (at least he thinks it's his) to Coconut Bay on Linderman Is. Beautiful rock formations to explore, and some really interesting firsts, like Terry catching a shark with his bare hands (it was 12 inches long), and a turtle to boot. We enjoyed lunch on a reef at low tide before finally carrying our boats up to set up camp. Tomorrow its on to Hamilton for a feed of chips in civilization (although the locals will be in shock coping with the smell of unwashed thermals). Life is good and we are having a ball.