Alongside Breakwater Marina, Townsville
Wind: SE F3 - gentle breeze
Sea: calm Swell: nil
Weather sunny, warm

It has been another pleasantly busy week. I have enjoyed a couple of family gatherings with Michael, a highlight of which was watching niece Kaylah and her team, the Hermit Park Tigers, win the grand final for the season and, to top it off, Kaylah was awarded best on ground by her coach, so a very well done to Kaylah and the Tigers. Also the Townsville Yacht Club's GaLs (Girls and Ladies) Regatta was on this weekend with one of our boats from the RSAYS, Meandher (Jen and Andrew), entered and a few members from the club flying up to crew. I was fortunate to be able to join the Meandher for the post race events each day which was fun as well as a privilege to share in some of the camaraderie. Then of course there is the never-ending maintenance that a 64 year old steel boat needs to stay in top ocean-going condition to keep me occupied when I have not been socialising.

This morning Ada, a friend from RANSA, has flown up from Sydney to join Sylph's crew for ten days. The plan is to day hop up to Cairns to be there on the 14^th to celebrate the 60^th birthday of another RANSA member, friend and long time cruiser, Erica, who I have not seen for over twenty years, so am looking forward to catching up on a lot of news. After Cairns we will continue up to Cooktown where Ada will disembark and return to Sydney.

Today we have been busy doing some final chores to get Sylph ready for sea, in particular topping up the water tanks and doing some final shopping. This evening we will have one last catch up with Michael and Tonia, then tomorrow we aim to get under way nice and early so as to be able to get to Orpheus Island, 42 miles to the north, before sunset.

All is well.