Arlie Beach

After leaving Middle Percy Island we had planned to do a day hop to the next island.
By midday we had covered good ground and the winds were favourable so we
decided to continue on to Arlie Beach, were we could stock up on fresh goods and fill
the water and fuel tanks. It was an over night passage and we arrived in Arlie Beach
in good time to watch the sun rise and see the delights of the area as we approached.
Unfortunately this area had suffered as a result of the category 5 cyclone several
months before and the evidence was still clear with the trees and shrubs all looking
wind swept and as we came closer some of the buildings were still under renovation
too. We anchored to the left of the marina entrance at least forty metres from any
other vessels. Just as we were about to sit and rest our tired souls we heard shouting
from the yacht next to us. 'Your anchoring to close, I have 40 metres of chain over, I
will hit you when I swing'. James replied politely explaining the distance between the
yachts was ample and that we'll be fine. The man seemed to get angrier and shouted
back using abusive language. So we decided to move and get water and fuel from the
marina and then re anchor else where. The man clearly showed signs of having no
sailing knowledge or understanding. People use this technique of putting far too
much chain over when anchoring to keep other vessels away and it is a very selfish
way of using up the anchorage site.

While on the fuel dock a familiar face approached. It was Fletcher, we had cruised in
New Zealand and Fiji together last year. He explained that he was working on a super
yacht at the end of the dock. Later we were invited on board and also managed to get
our dive tanks filled. We anchored on the right side of the marina, outside the
breakwater. We recognised several other yachts anchored in this area from New
Zealand. We let the anchor settle and sorted ourselves out. The children were keen to
venture ashore so we took a dinghy ride into the marina and tied up on the public
wharf. It was a short walk in to Airlie Beach. We could see more of the destruction
from cyclone Debbie as we walked along the Bicentennial walk way. The Lagoon, a
large public swimming pool was closed due to cyclone damage. This was a shame as
swimming in the sea has its risks with this being shark and crocodile territory.
Besides all the devastation from the cyclone, Airlie beach yacht club seemed to be
functioning at 90 percent with our kids dinghy sailing in the harbour and Joshua
entering in one of the races. The meals here our nicely priced and very filling. There
was a little down side to it all when we met some cruisers from the past few islands.
They said that when they saw us for the first time sitting on our dinghy, they said to
themselves that we looked like the most unlikely people to be out sailing! With 70
thousand miles under my belt, probably more miles than they will ever reach and yet
people still presume I have never sailed before! This is not an isolated comment. But
still, we left Airlie beach on 25th June heading for Magnetic island with a brief stop
over at Wood Wark bay.