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Our tightest schedule was this section between hervey bay and airlie beach for our sailing trip so we only had a couple of stops. the first was the highly recommended Town of 1770 (go on, guess when it was dicovered) and neighbouring Agnes water. We stayed on a cheap campsite, workmans beach and had fun negotiating the 'path' way down to the beach! It was surprisingly quiet, so when we rocked up at the bar 'Freckles in the North' the barman had to open specially, anmd even gave us a lift back from the campsite so we could drop the car off. Good service!
Our next stop was Yeppoon. This place was full of lovely old people who seemed to thoroughly enjoy chatting to us. One lady even has a daughter on law who's a teacher in nuneaton! We spent some time on the beach (our tent was about 3 metres from it!) before comntinuing onto Airlie beach (which actually doesn't have a beach at all!)
Bad start. We check in at 10.30 for our 3 day sailing trip, only to find out that our boat doesn't leave until 4pm. And, that Pegasus has broken down! So the helpful people on the desk inform us that we are very lucky that they have managed to secure another, the Freight Train, but we won't be getting our free dive anymore. Hmmm, not feeling so 'lucky' right now!
We stock up on the old goon and vodka, then say goodbye to Louise (as she gets too sea sick). We forget about eing ripped off pretty quickly as our group is really lovely, as are the crew. They feed us very well before we anchor for the night. The weathers been ok, but the winds are very high and cause the boat to rock...for the entire night...
So everyones sea sick!! Naomi and I decide to remain lying down below deck as movement makes me feel like I drank the entire 4 litres of wine to myself this morning. Debbie manages to get up, have breakfast, vomit into the wind- and all before 8am! Not good! Luckily it was only a short sail before we got to White haven beach on Whitsunday Island. Everyone felt so much better for being on land. the beach was beautiful and apparently changed with every tide. we had fun chasing the bright blue crabs (that is, until our new french friend Etienne put one on Debbies neck lol!) Unfortunately, it was only a matter of time before the crew would force us back onto that god forsaken vessel dammit.
Withing 45minutes Naomi was hanging over the side revealing the contents of her stomach. this was pretty much how the rest of her day panned out. Debbie and I made a full recovery from the couple of hours on the beach, so we made the valiant effort to help Naomi out, by eating her share of the wonderful food. We got incredibly excited by the turtles that were casually swimming around the boat. Debbie had made a bet with Etienne that she would see the first one, so he owed her a drink back in Airlie already.
The afternoon brought us some snorkelling fun, in stinger suits that looked like they'd been thrown to the shaks many years ago by another crew, then our boat had picked them up as a money saver. Mine had a particularly classy and attraction hole in the crotch, for example(hence not too many pics!). Debbies was enormous on her, so Nora batty eat your heart out! but we all obeyed on wearing them because it did at least reduce the risk of getting stung (depending on how chewed up your suit was)
The snorkelling was good, but the visibility wasn't as good as I'd expected. We were pleased that Naomi managed to come in the water for a bit as well. Afterwards, our host, Amy had tea and biscuits ready for us, amazing. Then it was another couple of hours in a more sheltered area where we would stop for the night. On the way the crew had some raw meat that they let us throw to the sea eagles.
I was surprised at how many people took to their drinks again tonight, after all the sickness. Deb and i joined in, Naomi turned green at the thought. But I was disappointed when only 3 of us (including me) took the goon snorkel bong challenge (pouring your drink down the snorkel). A poor show! We still had another fun evening of drinking and chatting with the group. I could get used to living on a boat! Naomi was still so ill when everyone started to head below deck for bed. So the deck hand, Nygell, lent her his swag bed and she slept up there on her own.
Our last day, Naomi felt a lot better as we'd had a calm night. I decided to pay for the dive, but was the only one, so i got my own private instructor. Amazing! I was a bit nervous as I hadn't done a dive on years, but it was amazing and easy to get used to again. Its made me want to do my Padi course! The others went snorkelling and said it was much better than yesterdays. The it was time to head back. It was really warm so we all just sunbathed on deck and let the crew run around us, so good!
I was sorry to leave, having had an amazing trip in the end. The boats all have a table reserved for the evening they return so it was n't over just yet! On our way back we checked the marina to make sure Pegasus wasn't a luxury yacht or anything (it wasn't) and ended up chatting to one of the crew. He offered me a free trip if i came and helped out by doing the dishes, but I'd have to leave in the next hour. Sp tempted, but when travelling with a group, not really practical. Gutted!
That evening, we got some free food and drinks, and James(skipper and Nygell(deck hand) joined us. I ended up chatting to James' friend Grant who is sailing his boat around the world, for the second time. As you do. Louise had joined us for the night out, and ended up with some unwanted attention from a very hands on man. James decided to step in and I saw the girls visible drool and fan themselves as he yelled at the guy 'This tables for the Freight Train, and i'm the f**king skipper! So by all means, you can talk to the girls, but don't f**king touch them!" Erm... thanks James, but we really weren't in the market for a pimp! A valiant effort though as the pervert left Louise alone! Very fun night.
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