The Wetsundays

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Returned from sailing on the British Defender with trenchfoot. It was a little wet to say the least, but the scenery was still spectacular (well, when I could see it through the mist and clouds) and we had a real weatherbeaten skipper (cross between Croc Dundee and Steve Urwin but not as cheerful) who stalked about the 80-foot boat wearing a battered old wax jacket. Did some grinding (not coffee, but that manic twirling thing you see proper sailors do to winch the sail the last 10%). We did a lot of proper tipping over sailing, i.e. mast at 45 degrees with the low side of the boat underwater most of the time, and the 25 of us all hanging on for dear life on the high side. There were times when I thought that it was all about to end! But I soon got used to it, and the crew were hopping about the deck like we were horizontal and on dry land.

Moored up in Naya Inlet on Hook Island on the first night and went swimming under a waterfall in the morning before sailing down to Hamilton Island on the second day. Due to wetness there wasn't much to do except get drunk at the Yacht Club and then gatecrash the only nightclub on the island. One small problem was that they were very strict on not allowing flip flops (or in Oz, thongs, I don't mean the knicker variety). However, flip flops were all we had bought, so there was a comedy of errors of getting 10 people in yet only having 2 proper pairs of shoes between us. We found it hilarious, but perhaps you had to be there. We had such a good group of people and that really made the trip. After landing back at Airlie yesterday I eventually managed to get dry and my wrinkly hands and feet have just about returned to normal. This was good timing as practically everyone from the boat trip met up last night for some reminiscing about salty sailing stories and more dancing on tables until the early hours of this morning.

Am heading down to Rainbow Beach today, catching the 6 p.m. bus and arriving there at 10 a.m. tomorrow morning. Can't wait for this journey. From there will be doing a self-drive 4 wd trip round Fraser Island, so I'll add some pics of the Wetsundays and Fraser when I get back.

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Photos

Professional grinder
Me ready for action at any moment

The Whitsunday Islands
Lush green forests, white sand beaches, turquoise blue sea...um?!

The Whitsunday Islands II
Not many people see the Islands like this - I count myself very lucky!

Comments

[Bennett]

Dingo's
Sounds amazing! Watch out for those pesky dingo's on Fraser Island! Toilet trips in pairs are called for - u should be well practised - just think pre rowing race loo trips in girlie groups!! Wycliffe next weekend - Think we could have your wrinkly hands if we get the normal wet Wycliffe weather!

[emily]

maybe the dingo ate your baby...
Hi Liz, Fraser Island is one of my fave places on earth. Make sure you have at least one swim/day in the cool freshwater lakes and mind the Dingoes, they're fearless! Have you ever seen the film 'Raising Arizona'? Em x