Beautiful one day, perfect the next

That’s what they tell the tourists, anyway.

Exploration of Round Hill Head and Seventeen Seventy revealed a pretty headland and views. A nature reserve was dedicated to Joseph Banks, who apparently collected 33 plant species here while on the Endeavour voyage. It was tempting to linger but festivities planned to celebrate the anniversary of Capt Cook’s landing might have seen the Captain wearing his pirate hat, and then who knows what could have happened? In anticipation of worse weather, and a more protected anchorage, on Thursday we sailed with Euan from Gallifrey (see previous comment) to Pancake Creek.

Weather beaten

Yesterday we braved the cold wind and rain and walked to the Bustard Head lighthouse — the first in Queensland, we’re told. On the way, as we reached the viewing platform at ‘Aircraft Beach’ an airborne group of campers landed on the beach. Not long after, we arrived at the well-tended lighthouse, and the volunteer caretakers, John and Jenny, emerged for a chat. We were invited in for a cup of tea, and were treated to lunch, a tour and a history of the lighthouse — a pleasant respite from the white-out outside. Later in the afternoon we hastily made our way back to the boats in the rain. The combination of wind on wet bodies made for a chilly evening with an overnight low of 8°C. Today was decreed A Day of Rest.

Round Hill Head

View from 1770

Euan and Captain

Euan and Gallifrey

Mutineer, the home of Chris, a professional seaman. We wish we could download his brain.

 

Aircraft taking off from Aircraft Beach

With Jenny and John, the welcoming party 

Pancake Creek

Thanks for the pic, Euan!