Final leg to Mackay. The winds were now building to 20-25 knots with a 1m following sea so some hand steering was required to prevent Galadriel swinging around when a larger wave came (the auto pilot is not as good as a human in predicting a larger wave)
From the track it looks like we sailed a straight line from Curlew Island to Mackay, however the reality is that there were more than 20 bulk carriers anchored off the Hay Point terminal and Mackay. As each of these are a quarter of a kilometre long how have to negotiate around them. Luckily none of them were moving.
You can also see from the wind map why we chose to forgo some extra days out on the islands and head for Mackay The yellow is where the wind is blowing more than 20 knots, what it does not show is the 1.5m to 2m seas going along with it. Luckily by this time we were in the marina
By 15:00 we had arrived at Mackay in time to get the boat safely tucked into the marina before the State of Origin Match. The pub at the marina as decorated in maroon (as well as all of the inhabitants) so the sensible decision to watch the match on board was made (along with take away pizza).
