We’ve had a fabulous time at Great Keppel – and finding ourselves in such a lovely bay with reef for us all to snorkel over has been an added bonus.

As a treat we took the dinghy round to the island ‘Haven’ to buy ice-creams. Gerhard took the dinghy back and the boys and I walked over the top of the peak and back down to the beach, for a final play on the beach and a swim. A really magical day..

We’re heading for 1770 today (named after the year of Captain Cook’s first landing in Queensland).

Gerhard weighed  anchor shortly after 4.30am after a rolly night at Monkey Beach. He didn’t sleep well due to the wind and rolling boat, and debating with himself whether we should sail today and, if so, how far? We passed Cape Capricorn shortly after 8am in relatively calm seas and little wind. We caught a Spanish Mackerel mid-morning so we’re all set for fish for the next few days: that smoking kit for the BBQ was an excellent purchase.

We are though trying to beat the southerly change and strong winds forecast for later today. We haven’t been into 1770 before; it’s a river anchorage so we need to go in on the high tide and be safely anchored before dark – hopefully whatever strong winds they forecast will come after that. However, at the moment the air is warm, thick and oppressive; there’s a haze across the mainland and the clouds are thick. I feel nauseous with a headache – maybe not from the rolling of the boat but the apprehension that we’re about to have another horrid sail for the second half of this passage. We’ve poled out the headsail to make the most of the wind from behind.

So now we’ve popped back to Great Keppel waiting for the wind to change.

This time we are at the aptly named Monkey Beach – to match our on board monkeys. Wild goats on the headland; clear water at 29 degrees and a mooring at the edge of the remaining bit of reef on the island. Before brunch our school day started with a couple of hours of snorkeling. The coral’s not so great here but the fish are beautiful ( and it all feels a bit less intimidating and reckless for the parents!!). We had great fun swimming through schools of tiny fish, brightly coloured parrot fish, clown fish hiding in amongst the anemones, rays gliding through the water, some gorgeous fish that looked as though they were camouflaged to look like something between a snakeskin or a leopard – all fabulous.. ( think shoes and handbags!!).

After struggling our way through some more home-schooling (the bane of my flipping life!!!!) we took off to the beach again – more snorkeling and fooling around with a ball in the water. As I said to Gerhard (whilst we had drinks on the deck, watching yet another stunning sunset) “thank goodness it’s Friday – another tough week!!”. Night!