Peter, Paul, Mal and Nick

The next few days were spent seeing to a couple of minor problems, the bow thruster (a new solenoid required) and the TV (operator error!) and one major problem with the toilets, one Carr thought he had had fixed in Sydney but it transpired that Peter thought Paul was doing it and Paul thought Peter was doing it and thus, in the end, no-one did it at all and it just became a bigger problem.  We then met our newest and very best friends, Mal and Nick from Resource Boat Management, who attended to it in a most capable and affable manner.  It was a major repair taking three long working days to complete.  New parts were necessary and we were also waiting for a new solenoid for the bow thruster to arrive, (FNQ has not heard of overnight express!) then a weekend in which nothing could be done. Mal went fishing and Carr and I walked a lot.  By Monday afternoon the parts had arrived so Mal returned to his noxious task and Carr and I continued our walks.  Airlie Beach has really expanded since we were last there in 2003 and there are at present a number of new waterside developments under way including a new marina with apartments, shops etc. The original commercial area of Airlie is as grotty as ever but the hordes (noun. a swarm or pack of insects or other animals moving in a mass) of noisy backpackers who inhabit downtown don’t seem to notice.  Their numbers swelled dramatically over our days there as WYDSYD attendees began arriving for their post love-in-with-the-Pope holiday. The locals mainly live at Cannonvale or at Shute Harbour where there are some magnificent mansions overlooking the Coral Sea.  Mal came from Proserpine each day. 

We're off

We then reprovisioned, filled the water and fuel tanks and departed Mackay a week later on Tuesday, 15 July on a cool day with 12 knots of breeze from the SSW and sailed to Brampton Island for what eventuated as an overnight stay only.  A very rolly night in Pelican Bay with winds gusting to 23 kts.  Brampton Resort does not allow visitors into the resort area but the rest of the island is National Park with a number of walking tracks giving superb views over the surrounding islands.  These we had enjoyed five years ago but this time we decided to press on as the weather turned overcast and cold.  Rain began falling as we raised the anchor and a wet passage to Shaw Island ensued with wind SSW at 22 kts but thankfully the swell was only 1.7m.  Rounding Burning Point of Shaw Island was a relief and we anchored in calm waters in the southeast corner of the island.  Too wet and windy to go ashore with bullets of wind gusting to 30 kts so next morning, Thursday 17^th July, we motor sailed under overcast skies and southerly winds of 18 kts and berthed at Abel Point Marina, Airlie Beach, at 1300 hrs.  We were given a berth on the super yacht arm and felt like a sardine amongst these biggies, nearly all with only crew on board.  In that respect, we on Breakaway felt quite superior. 

Departure

Since leaving Sydney for Queensland waters on Tuesday, 8 July, we have experienced a variety of weather but none quite as cold as it was at 6 am on our departure from the airport. Two layers of clothing came off upon exiting the aircraft at Mackay Airport and the balmy weather continued for the next few days. In that time, we caught up with Marius and Joy, Sydney friends who were holidaying in Mackay, and also spent a day on the explorer bus looking at how big and busy Mackay has become because of a minerals boom in the area. There are new developments everywhere, some pleasing to the eye but a few startlingly discordant and, sadly, principally along the foreshore of the Pioneer River.