We are now in Northern Queensland within the Great Barrier Reef natural reserve. Today we anchored off the small town of Airlie Beach. This is the centre for exploring the Whit Sunday Islands a group of seventy or so offshore islands. Our method of exploration was an old wooden schooner called the Derwent Hunter. This was the last working sailing boat built in Australia, in Hobart Tasmania in 1945. Captain Pete recalled its varied career since then, which included working for the Australian secret service. It was an exhilarating trip because much of the time it was under sail, and with the strong wind we fairly whipped along. Did I mention that once again we have brought cloudy overcast weather to Australia, the consolation was that it was really warm.
We anchored in a sheltered bay to snorkel amongst the reef. I am afraid that I was not very successful with snorkeing as without my glasses I could not see very much. Also every time I took a breath I seemed to get a mouthful of seawater. However it was possible to look at the coral through a sort of reverse periscope while on the zodiac. Even this limited view enabled me to gain a perspective on a unique and lovely environment. The colours of the fish were amazing. After a picnic lunch we had an exhilarating sail back to the port
Today was of course our wedding anniversary so we had booked the speciality Thomas Keillor restaurant on board. Prior to that we had pre-dinner champagne accompanied by caviar, a real treat. In the restaurant we had a lovely meal, both choosing lobster thermidor for our main course. We were then presented with cake for our anniversary and a white rose for Marion.
We have had a great anniversary and one that will live long in our memory.
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