Well folks, it's official! We are on our way to Indonesia. Sunday was the beginning of our journey sailing north from Mackay through the Whitsunday Islands then onward to Cairns, Cooktown and finally Thursday Island. From there we will be joining a rally to Indonesia. It's getting very real now.
What a start we had on Sunday. In typical Sharon fashion I stubbed my toe, tripped over a rope and hurt my wrist then sliced my finger on a barnacle. All before casting off from our berth. We cast off, reversed out the wrong way then the sky opened and poured rain on us. Auspicious start, wouldn't you say? All was well though. The rain cleared, the winds were 10-15 knots from the right direction, and we had Brampton Island all to ourselves. By 2pm we had anchored up and hubby had caught a fish. He's getting pretty good at this fishing caper. Dinner was sorted, the sunset was beautiful and the wine was chilled. All bodes well for our sailing adventures.
The next morning it was an early start to explore Brampton Island. What was once a picturesque holiday resort sits abandoned and derelict for more than a decade now. The airfield is overgrown, along with what must have been lovely gardens throughout the resort itself. The beaches remain beautiful of course, and all ours. There are train tracks, of all things, running from the resort, along the beachfront and disappearing into bush. The train used to trolley visitors from the jetty to the resort. The jetty has since been dismantled.
The rest of the island is national park, though not very well maintained. We found the barely discernible path that leads up to a promised lookout. After much trudging, tramping, ducking under spider webs, huffing, puffing and a little bit of whingeing on my part, we reached the summit and had a spectacular view of the neighbouring islands, the azure blue water and the white sandy beaches. Our reward for the effort.
About 10 kms and several hours of exploration later, it was time for coffee and fruitcake back on the boat. And maybe a siesta. Only my hubby's favourite thing of an afternoon. Me? I'll wait for sunset and indulge in one of my favourite things, a gin and tonic. Or two.
Watusi Woman - lover of life, out. 🍸
[//]:# (!pinmapple -20.799529 lat 149.270898 long Brampton Island d3scr)