Two years ago saw us reaching the shores of Australia after sailing across the South Pacific. We spent one year in Townsville and then 2019 working in Rockhampton earning enough in savings that (fingers crossed) will enable us to sail happily for the next 3 plus years before having to look for work again.
Once back on board it took some time and quite a few more dollars to get REAO in shipshape form again. Considering the amount of time we had been away we were happy with how she looked.
After a good clean, some new rigging, wind generator installed, hull scraped plus other bits and pieces we were ready to leave Townsville.
It was a day hop across to Horseshoe Bay in Maggie Island where we decided to spend Xmas and New Years. Surrounded by a few other boats who we soon made friends with, a brilliant reintroduction to the cruising life. Long hot sunny lazy days followed by watching gorgeous sunsets with one or more friends having sundowners.
We had a friend come on board in Horseshoe and once she was settled we set sail north to explore some of the islands on the Palm group.
We spent the majority of time in a sheltered little bay just off Orpheus Island where we played on and under the water. A couple of new friends from Maggie Island sailed our way as well and we got to celebrate a couple of birthdays.
Once we decided to leave we slowly sailed south, nipping into Townsville one last time to restock and to say a final goodbye to the place that had been home to REAO for over two years.
At this stage we intend to slowly make our way south before finally leaving Aussie most likely from Bundaberg with our sights on New Caledonia.
The next month will see us exploring The Whitsunday Islands something we are very excited to do.
It’s an exciting time ahead. The hard works been done, now it’s time to play 🙂