A short outing of just 3 days and 2 nights. A late start to the day found us launching from Mackay harbour at around 1pm and running the 38km down to Cape Hillsborough, setting up camp at coasy Smally's Beach.....  The wind was a fresh and from the SE blowing 15-20knts, lucky we were going north so it was a very fast easy run averaging 5-6knts all the way, we covered the 38km in around 3.5hrs, with many a long run surfing down the 1-1.5 meter swells.  We took a single reef due to the wind gusting above 20knts, taking a second reef would have probably been a good idea as my brother is not overly experienced in handling a navigator, and on two occasions he took his eye off the ball and was quickly spun through 180 degrees, this really freaked him out as the gunnel went under during the rapid turn - he though he was going over lol.  With camp set at Smally's there was nothing to do but rustle up a few steaks and wash away the salt with some well chilled beer on the beach.

The second day saw the sails raised around 9am, the fresh winds of the previous day had completely abated.  With 0-1knts of wind we pretty much drifted with the current and tossed lures.  Three hook-ups, a Golden Trevally, Spanish Mackral and some type of reddy purple fish - perhaps a Remora?  The wind picked up to not more than 5knts from the NE and in 4hrs we slowly covered the 15km to a lovely protected anchorage at Newry Island. Yet another particularly good spot for camping with 5km of tramping tracks taking in the entire small island.  With camp set by 1.30pm there was plenty of time to become re-aquainted with the small island, as well as take in a few chapters of the latest novel.  The wind picked up later in the afternoon but our tramping took longer than expected and when we returned to the camp site the boats were high and dry, on the up side this provided a good opportunity to ensure the anchors were property set.
 
The weather set in during the night and the morning sky was covered with dark forboading clouds, the rain was light and the wind was  howling 20-25knts  from the SW, exactly the direction we needed to go in order to get home.  After a short discussion it seems we just weren't keen enough to try and cover 50km directly into a 20-25knts SE in order to get home.  So we sailed across to Outer Newry Island (where there is a finger-nail of mobile phone coverage) and placed a call home requesting the trailer be driven down to Seaforth so we could take the dry road home.  The day was not without adventure as we had plenty of time to circumnavigate Newry Island, then make the 5km S crossing to the boat ramp at Victor Harbour.  By the time the trailer arrived we were fully de-rigged and ready to go.  A few hours later and we were home enjoying a late lunch.  All in all, quiet a nice outting.