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I've crossed the Tropic of Capricorn, and yes, it's totally tropical man!

This is the dawning of the age of ... Capricorn

Ricklivesey
2006-08-31 11:41:34

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I've crossed the Tropic of Capricorn, and yes, it's totally tropical man!

But anyway, I made it to Airlie Beach, bright and early on Monday morning. I'd bumped into my old mates from 1770 - Andy The Manc and Grandpa (Chris) The Sweed - on the bus which was great cause Andy is a little cutey and the old Manc-bonding got us off to a good start, so I followed them into the hostel they'd booked - Airlie Waterfront Hostel, cheap digs, good views although a bit run-down.

The next 3 days were spent out on the piss with various groups: Andy, Grandpa, the Sweedish girls, Jacinta and Gillian the Irish girls, Gemma and Emma from 1770 - I felt truely popular!

Leslie from 'Classic Sailing Experience' had rung me several times to worryingly inform me that the boat I was supposed to be on - The Iola - was in dock for repairs. Now, for a start I'd thought that I was sailing on the 1928 classic - Ron Of Argyle - but obviously not, and was now shunted to Providence V....it didn't feel right and I had a slight inclination that I was being done.

All fears vanished when I walked down the marina to Providence's mooring bay and saw what a beauty she was: 62 foot long and 14 foot wide, she was built in 1988 as a replica of the original Gloucester Schooners. Built of timber, Providence is a two-masted, Gaff-rigged Schooner with a huge 6 sails to capture and master the wind .... and I was spending the next 3 days and 2 nights on her - FANTASTIC!

The other 14 backpackers and I had an amazing time over the next 3 days, sailing from island to island through the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. We all got on really well, chatting, smoking, drinking and munching on the delicious food prepared by the deck-hand, Darren.

Days were spent lazing on the beach, (yes, we made it to the stunning Whitehaven beach!), raising and lowering the ...