First picture is me messing around while we did a few jobs before picking mum up from the airport. Do you like my new spammer? I think I need a bigger one!

We had two nights and a day in the Marina with mum just to get a few last things sorted and it is also nice for mum to have a few still nights for an introduction.

Amazing book from Jane. It is full of amazing information and great detailed paintings all done by the author.

Day 1, the Whitsundays was on full show today for Jane. We had Humpback Whales breaching with their calves. Bottlenose Dolphins swim in our bow. Green Turtles show their face. Snorkelling with hundreds of fish, Reef Sharks, Blue Spotted Stingrays and a Giant Trevally. We made our way out of the marina through Pioneer Rocks, past North Mole Island and through Hook Passage. From there we headed south to Chalkie’s Beach where we moored for the night and went snorkelling.

Breaching baby whale, taken with my phone so quality is poor

Day 2, It was a bit rolly where we stayed last night, we made our way to Whitehaven Beach. Rowan dropped us off on the beach, there was a dead turtle on the beach. We had a small walk as it was already getting pretty hot. We cooled off in the beautiful clear water. I waved Rowan down when we were ready to come back onto the boat. We had lunch on the boat.

After lunch we stopped by Esk island for a wonder. Lots of beautiful coral and shells. From there we headed to Tongue Bay to find a mooring for the night. The plan is to walk over in the morning to Hill Inlet.

Day 3, mum feels unwell. It was pretty side by side rocking and it made me a bit nutty. I make her a ginger tea, which helps a lot. We don’t go for the walk we decide to prioritise a calm anchorage. We leave Tongue Bay late morning after catching some small garfish for bait. Going back the way we came and end up at The Cairn in Hook Passage for a gentle night. Rowan Snorkeling spear fishing, while I attempt to fish off the dinghy. It’s always smart to stay in pairs, it is always a lot safer especially when it comes to diving. The water is a bit murky so he gives up and tries trolling off the dinghy. No luck, we really want to get some fresh fish!

Day 4, mum enjoyed the calm waters last night and feels much better. We head north east around Hook Island and stop at Caves Cove. Mum and I snorkel off the boat but Rowan stays on board as lookout. We jumped onto a private mooring so we can’t stay long and Rowan stays onboard just in case the owner wants the mooring. We then head onto Stonehaven to have lunch. I realise no one really adheres to the 2 hour rule for the public moorings. You can jump on one anytime but between 9 to 5 there is a 2 hour limit. Rowan says it has definitely changed, people used to automatically move if another boat showed up. Rowan and I snorkel with the dinghy just nearby. The dinghy can’t be anchored near the reef so we just float with it.

Day 5, yucky weather. Well it’s not that bad, just bad compared to the other days. We’ll head to Mantaray Bay for a snorkel. We manage to get one of the moorings, before we know it there are a couple of tour boats here too. However they have a permit to feed the fish so we get the benefit of that. When I pulled up the mooring line there were two cute little crayfish. We put them back, hopefully they live on. After a few hours snorkelling we head back to Stonehaven and pick up a mooring in a better location.

Day 6, a rest day. A little boat repairs while we are out here and it is nice and calm. But most of the day is spent swimming, eating and reading. Jane and I have been taking a nap most days. The boat life sure is tiring. Some Bottlenose Dolphins graced us with their presence too!

Day 7, big day. We leave relatively early to make the most of the low tide. We are heading to Blue Pearl Bay off Hayman Island for a snorkel. We may see Elvis a giant Maori Wrasse. We saw George who is pretty big at Mantaray Bay. Now the actual Manta Rays come around now but we didn’t see any. Maybe next time.

We could hear the Humpback Whales as we were snorkelling around in Blue Pearl Bay which was really incredible. So many fish and it was really good spot to snorkel. I had seen a video of a person getting on a dinghy back to front by having their legs away from the boat and holding on backwards. They then put their head under the dinghy and push their legs up and over onto the dingy and push themselves up. I managed to do it, shit it was funny. I wish we had videotaped the whole thing. Mum had a go and I nearly wet myself. She managed to do it once we grabbed her legs to help her on.

After that we continued around Hayman island heading back to Hook Island. We passed the Pinnacle Rocks and headed to Crayfish Bay. Rowan spent hours snorkelling while mum and I walked along the beach and had a nice swim. I went to pick up Rowan with the dinghy and it took mum and I a while. The problem was mum couldn’t get onto the boat while keeping me and the motor in the deeper water. It was so funny, she fell in the water a couple of times. I am sure the other boats had an entertaining show.

From Crayfish Bay we headed back to Tongue Bay where we stayed our second night. This time we ignored the moorings and went far in to the shallow area and dropped our anchor. This will ensure a restful sleep.

I really need to get our underwater camera sorted so I can give you all an underwater show.

Day 8, sunrise over Hill Inlet. We are recreating day 3 or what should have been day 3. We got up the hill to the lookout nice and early to watch a spectacular show. I had three different devices take these shots.

After the show we walked down to the beach for a swim the crystal clear water. When we got back to the dinghy other people started to arrive. It was definitely worth getting in early to experience it all to ourselves. Rowan wants to come back with our metal detector.

With breakfast in our bellies we headed back through the Hook Passage and swung into Nara Inlet. Rowan doesn’t recommend swimming as it is very murky and Tiger Sharks like to breed here. We put down the anchor and dinghy in to a small beach with stairs. Climb the stairs and you will find some awesome Aboriginal cave art paintings. They are not as old as the ones we have seen in the Kimberley’s however they are still 9,000 years old and the Ngaro people used this cave constantly for at least 2,000 years. Pretty amazing place to visit.

When we got back down we went for a swim right next to the dinghy. It is shallow and clear here so pretty safe. When we get back to the boat Rowan hops off and I take mum for a blast around the inlet. It is really beautiful in here, I can see why it is chosen spot for go when it is rough out there.

We leave Nara and head to False Nara to moor for the night. We started the day with a nature show and we have ended the day with another spectacular view.

Jane and I swear we hear whales in the night through the hull. Turns out you can in the right conditions and more likely with a steel or aluminium hull.

Day 9, back to reality. Rowan finally manages to spear a fish and a crayfish. He just has a small hand spear so it has made it hard to get any fish. The crayfish was quite small but it’s hard to tell when they’re in their caves and there is no legal limit for this species. He is a happy man, we head back to the mainland and it is all go. I get the boat cleaned up and the lovely Léa comes by to pick up the boom bag. I also have Clint arrive to wanting to grab his dinghy. Rowan goes to Uncle Phil’s to grab the truck. I have a quick shower before we go out for a late lunch with Clint at Sorrentos for pizza. It is great to have a chance to get to know the guy who just dropped his tender off on our doorstep. We end up having left over pizza for dinner.

Day 10, surprise we are heading back out! The weather is too good to not. We have a few jobs to do first. A good breakfast at the Rainbow Cafe to set us up for the day. Rowan and I have the breakfast for two. Who knew there was such a thing. It was delicious. We did a quick shop for some more fresh food supplies and we dropped in on Vic and Roz to say hello and see if we could help them. They have family and a baby arriving tomorrow and they’re in a panic to get things ga done. Roz needs help getting a baby seat and a few other last minute items so mum and I help her find the things she is looking for. This is her first grandchild so mum offers her some wisdom. We get back to the boat and head straight out to False Nara.

Day 11, a pretty relaxed morning waiting for the tide to go down. I make some more noise doing some rust work. The tide is favourable and we all hop into the dinghy. Rowan takes it slow as there is a bit to navigate over before we get into the deeper waters on the other side of the coral. We spend a good few hours looking around while Rowan gets us fish. Rowan finds a Nemo home and gets us to come over. I could spend hours looking at it. The smallest one is the size of my pinky nail and the biggest about the size of my hand. It is so mesmerising. I will come back with the camera one day and find it to take photos. Definitely a highlight of the trip. When we were ready to go back to the boat we realised the tidal has gone down further and we are stuck. Rowan said sometimes we get these bigger tides and today must be one of those days. It is amazing. Also when we hoped into the dinghy we realised that we have a puncture on one side. Maybe when I got caught on some coral I did it. I was swimming the whole time with the dinghy tied onto me. Well we gently get ourselves out when the tide starts coming back in. It is a bit of a mission and I say to mum be very careful. It takes us a while but we get out and back onto the boat. We have lots of fresh fish and we will be sure to have a feed tonight.

Day 12, Heading back in today. Mum leaves tomorrow so better head back. Rowan and I race around doing a few jobs and leave mum to wonder through the shops at Airlie. We all meet back up for lunch. It is a very hot day and we are all struggling a little. Later on we go out for dinner, pizza on the waterfront and having a nice wine. Rowan got a late call to do some drilling work for Uncle Phil’s friend. Uncle Phil is sick so Rowan said he was happy to help. He has worked out it has been 15 years since he did any work on an hourly pay. I wonder how long the novelty will last.

We drop Rowan off to work and head into the markets in Airlie. Today they have a cruise ship coming on in so they are set up. I am sure they make more on these days than the general weekly one. Mum and I find a nice top each and some spices. From there we head out for breakfast at the Treetops Cafe. I tried matcha for the first time. I was disappointed that they didn’t make it in house and it was a pre made one. However it was delicious. Off to the op shops then we head out to Proserpine. After we had a wonder around there I wasn’t sure how to kill the next hour and a half so I started driving and had a brain wave about going to the dam. Which they now call the lake, which sounds way more fancy. We put our feet in off the wharf to cool down. It’s not clear water like back home but it’s nice and refreshing. The lake is there to control water in flood season. There were a few boats and a JetSki but not very busy. Most campers looked like they were relaxing in their little areas. I dropped mum off at the airport about an hour before her flight. It was great to have her as our first guest. Thanks for coming Ma! When I caught up with Rowan that night he

I dropped mum off at the airport about an hour before her flight. It was great to have her as our first guest. Thanks for coming Ma!

Asked why on earth I would put my feet in the water and did I check for crocs. I explained I didn’t see signs and he said that didn’t matter. Then I explained boats and jet skis so I thought it would be safe. Then he realised oh yes if there was jet skis it will be safe haha. Made me think, because I did have a vague look for signs but I should have checked more thoroughly first.