Border Island Walk, Whitsundays

After a rolly tide change at Maureen’s Cove, not our favourite anchorage, we sailed over to Border Island to check out the new walking track.  It is mostly steps up over the saddle to spectacular views over Whitsunday Island and beyond.

Grasstrees (xanthorrea) cover the hillside, interspersed with hibiscus, paper daisies and mulla mullas (ptilotus), which I hadn’t expected to see here, being more familiar with the desert flowers. 

The grasstree flowers were attracting Tiger blue butterflies to drink their nectar, and lots of colourful blue flies.

It was good to take the walk early as the big noisy tourist yachts arrived late morning with all the snorkellers and music blaring.

Cat Impi

It was lovely to meet Brent and Anna from Cat Impi, who have inspired us again to keep exploring far and wide.

Part 2: Measuring the Genoa

This was a bit easier, just involved pulling the measuring tape to the top of the furler to measure the luff, then back to the clew to measure the leech. 

With little wind it was not difficult to unfurl the genoa and measure the foot.

New Sails Part 1: removing the old mainsail.

Charles from Doyle Sails made it look easy to remove the old mainsail.  After untying and removing the battens, then our dodgy lashing that was holding the whole thing together, the sail just needed a bit of persuading to come off the mast.

Luckily, Brian of Cockatoo came along to help with the flaking and rolling.

Loaded into the dinghy using the halyard, it was surprisingly heavy.

Not sure we would have managed all that without some colourful words!

Tiger Blues and Common Crows on Curlew Island

Hundreds of butterflies, mostly Tiger Blues and Common Crows, are flying around the bay each day, and as sunset came, being the only boat in the bay they seemed to be attracted to our anchor lights. 

At first they only hung around the cockpit, but glow from our screens in the lounge brought some inside.  We rounded most up and sent them back outside by closing the doors and hatches.

By morning light the cockpit was twitching with butterflies awakening to set off again and they all flew away to the island.

Marble, Hunter and Curlew Islands

As usual it was lumpy heading out of Island Head Creek, but we soon cruised north again on the genoa, although a few storms threatened, but mostly just wind bullets, no rain.  Marble Island seemed an easy tack and is referred in Noel Patrick’s Curtis Coast book as a good anchorage in SE winds.  We found it too rolly so moved around to Hunter Island, which was blissfully smooth and quiet.  These Duke Islands were all bought by a pastoral company to run cattle and now look overgrazed, so there is little other wildlife and visitors are not encouraged ashore.

At first light, with the lucky gold bomber lure out, we set sail for Curlew Island, but the mackerel were not interested today.  

We know why it’s called Curlew Island, as the Bush Stone-Curlews begin their harmonies just before dawn, and they are loud across the water from their beach roosts. 

So far we have this island to ourselves, no other boats about, just bliss!

By the way, how did these Easter Island figures get to Curlew Island???