The Franklin Group is beautiful, with interesting walks around Normanby Island, then the very cute little Mabel Island and Russell Island with granite and rainforest at the southern end and a long sandy section of casuarinas, palms and ferns to the north. We were lucky to pick up a mooring at Russell Island as it’s difficult to anchor there in 15 – 20 metres.
The weather window to leave Lizard arrived with forecast of easterlies and north-east winds so a big flotilla left early, some going to Cooktown, some to Hope Island and a few just kept sailing.
Hope Island was very busy with campers and fishing boats and people destroying the vegetation and lighting fires on the beach, so we didn't go ashore.
At first light we sailed to Low Isles, a favourite spot near Port Douglas. We were welcomed by bat fish, remoras and a beautiful black-tipped reef shark, who stayed under our boat.
On the island we met the caretaker who said the 2 osprey chicks had fledged, but one was still on the lighthouse begging for some fish. It didn't bother the Torresian Imperial Pigeons, who were all over the treetops.
The bridled terns were nesting and there were many eggs left along the paths, so we had to tip-toe very carefully.
We were surprised to see how much sand had eroded since our last visit 2 years ago.
In December 2016 our adventures on Heatwave began. This catamaran suited us well with plenty of space inside, a comfy cabin for visitors a...
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