Here is Arjuna

In April 2014, while Arjuna sat down at Sheridan Flats in the Great Sandy Straits thinking we were having strong winds, Cyclone Ita sat over Lizard Island for around eleven hours and ripped the place to shreds. However, not having seen the place before, the clear surrounding waters were obvious even from a distance although the island itself looked barren. When the southeaster blows, which it does often, 400-450 days a year on average in fact, Watson's Bay on the northern side is the place to drop your plow. There were about ten boats in the bay when we arrived which we understand is on the empty side. Being a marine park A area we saw the obligatory batfish wander up at our arrival. A few reef sharks also swam over to check the newcomer out. The water was the clearest we had seen since Lady Musgrave Island so the bottom was clearly visible through the depths. In fact, it was the first time on the trip we could swim along the anchor chain and see our trusty hunk of iron embedded in the sand.

This be a  fine island

Clam I Am

We spent another week in Townsville after returning from Nelly Bay. There were, as usual, some details to be attended to including another problem with our solar charging system and the need to get an order in for a new mainsail after shredding it on final departure from the Whitsundays. We had our bow roller straightened and reinforced after being bent sidewise sitting on our anchor in too many strong winds. Eventually, we cast off the mooring ropes for a final time and bid our farewells to Breakwater Marina, hailing a hearty goodbye to the staff over the VHF before knuckling down for another arduous passage to Magnetical Island.

Magnetic Island. Viewed from the general vicinity of the gelato shop at Townsville