Cairns

We had a slick trip from Townsville to Cairns with our first leg taking us via Palm and Orphieus Islands, into a very shallow Hinchinbrook Passage for an overnight stay in a mangrove lined inlet. The following day was one out of 'Gorillas in the Mist' being unable to see either shoreline as we passed inside Hinchinbrook and anchored at a very "lumpy" yet clear-skied Dunk Island overnight. Mourilyan Harbour was only a hop up the coast and a great anchorage where we witnessed a huge sugar pulp ship being loaded overnight to leave with us on the high tide the following morning. Our plan was to push north but as we approached the mouth of the Johnson River with a high tide on our side we made, what turned out to be, a great decision to sail inland to Innisfail where we arrived with most of the day to explore where Lana's mum spent some time as a teenager. Leaving early the next day to catch the tide we had one of our fastest passages to Fitzroy Island arriving for a late lunch and then deciding to continue on to Cairns and into Marlin Marina. This Marina is right in the heart of the city within waking distance to all that you need.

Cairns turned the weather on for us with the first break from rain experienced by the locals in almost 6 weeks. With the esplanade, cafes, parks and people aplenty we had a relaxing time walking and exploring with Noah continually being entertained as new life experiences unfolded before him. With many and varied (both in types and talent) street theatre acts the fire twirler had Noah mesmerised and one particular busker turned him off bongo drums forever!!

Rob and Wendy, the crew from "ScallyWag", were in Cairns to welcome us, drink coffee and beer and eat "ribs". We first met Rob and Wendy in Pancake Creek in the early part of the year and after seeing them in Gladstone and the Whitsundays they continued on to Cairns and ALL in their 25 ft Holland mono-hull!!! Noah's Nan and Pop Robbo from Tas came to visit and brought much joy and loads of smiles from Noah and we had a great relaxing time together. Continuing on the social side of things we caught up with some landlubber friends in Lindsay and Margaret Benson, their son and family Benno and Yvonne (Lucy and Ollie), and friends Nadine, Dot and Rhonda, Kaye and Laura with whom we both knew from our work in the Torres Straits. (Photos from this part of the trip will have to be updated when we return to Australia).

A quick trip to Yorkies Knob (Bluewater Marina), we locked up the boat and headed back into town for a couple of nights at the casino before our trip to the USA. It was amazing sleeping in a king sized bed and chilling in the spa after 6 months of a very comfortable yet restricted time on Maripi. Obama, here we come!