Cruising Log—15...Island Head Ck to Percy Is

From here to Middle Percy Island we had our best sail yet, 23 perfect miles. Every day now we were seeing whales.

West Bay at Middle Percy is gorgeous, a classical tropical harbour with clear blue water, dazzling white sand and fringing coconut palms. It is also famous for the A-frame Hut, an historic decrepit hut containing vessel name boards and other relics left by cruising yachties over many decades. Anything and everything has been used for recording a yacht’s visit, from oil paintings on polished timber, to pieces of driftwood, toilet seats, liferings, fenders, and even old dinghies.

Our second visit to Pearl Bay allowed us time to regroup. We vowed to try and relax and have more fun. We began by returning to Island Head Creek and taking the great walk out to the ocean beach then westward to the rocky, pine-clad spine of Pinetrees Point. It is a stunning area, with landscapes more reminiscent of Canada than Australia. David and Jan from Moonglade came with us, and were very supportive.

So once again Masala was headed north. The section of the journey from Island Head Creek to Mackay is a long way off shore, and consists of island hopping where the anchorages offer only dubious protection. For this we had eleven perfect days in a row, just what we needed. It allowed us to relax and have fun, and helped restore our faith in cruising.

It is a wonderful 100-mile trip. First we dropped the pick in the sparkling folds of Hexham Island and swam in clear water off the sandy beach. Sunrise lit the jagged rock pinnacles surrounding the spectacular anchorage.