Wind 15 – 20 knts sunny with 70% chance of rain

The sun shone over the reef this morning giving us a clearer view of everything. We had the anchorage all to ourselves except for the thousands of noisy birds which inhabit the cay. Some even decided Ovive might be a good spot to alight.

Breakfast consisted of what else ? Fish ! The tuna cooked up quite well although a little dry.

We fed our fishy friends again, captivated by the large school of sweetlip hanging around. There must have been at least 40 of them vying for scraps, then hoping for more.

John took Mick and Roz ashore for a swim and a snorkel while I donned my wetsuit and snorkelled over to my favourite spot which was not far from the mooring buoy.

Once again I was delighted to see the variety of fish hanging around the coral. I saw all the large parrot and trigger fish I saw last time as well as schools of sweetlip and smaller reef dwellers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I spied a very large light coloured coral trout under an overhang accompanied by a another large speckled fish that resembled a cod of some variety. Every time I dived down to get a photo he tucked himself further under the ledge, I managed one photo but not good quality especially as the wind and waves were stirring up the sand. My estimate was he measured approx 80 cm in length and quite deep in the body.

 

 

 

 

 

 

John got his James Bond toy out ( well he calls it that) the sea scooter and zoomed ashore just like 007 would, to give to Mick who enjoyed scooting over the coral.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We departed Michaelmass about one and headed towards Cairns with the lures out. Not far from Upulo Cay we hooked a Spanish Mackerel and then it was the usual procedures of Jenny take the helm, Roz get what she is told to ( knife, filleting board, bucket etc) and the boys bring the fish in. He was a lovely Spaniard , John’s favourite. After filleting him we put the rods away as we didn’t need any more fish and concentrated on getting back to Cairns. Cargo ships and tankers were were busy departing the area so we had to make sure they weren’t on a collision course.

We arrived in Cairns at 5:00 and berthed on E finger at Marlin Marina. Fairly expensive for one night at $133. Steve Reynolds formerly of Drill Search was in Cairns at the time and dropped in to see us.

 

After filling the water tanks, washing the boat, washing the clothes and sheets, getting some supplies from Woolies and sending Mick and Roz to their motel we rejoined them for dinner at a Japanese restaurant on the Pier above the marina. The food was excellent made all the more pleasurable as Mick paid for it. We had a fantastic week with Mick and Roz and were glad we could finally get out to the reef with them.

Rain fell quite heavly in the night.