At dawn there was no wind, but by 7:30am there was 8 knots of southerly breeze. Decision made, we can sail up to Sampson Inlet - just 12nm away. We had some fun and games getting the anchor up (as I’d spent sometime untwisting the chain, which had meant the bridle had twisted up a lot!). However, we were soon away under the screecher.

It was a pretty easy downwind drift with some current up to the Sampson Inlet. We made a replacement softshackle for the bridle underway. Rather, Nina made it from the design I use. Into the Inlet and we saw 4 other boats. A fishing trawler which left as we arrived, Arrow - a motorboat we’d seen at Raft Point and Deception Bay and 2 other catamarans we didn’t know.

The two cats left, heading south into a 20knots southerly. Braver than me! Later a cruise ship turned up, Reef Prince, but it didn’t seem like it had any guests onboard.

We went for an explore up the creek, but its very rocky and wasn’t much fun walking. Especially as we hadn’t taken hiking shoes - so we opted to come back to the boat. On our way back, we stopped by Arrow to say hi, and they turned out to be a lovely couple with lots of hints and info. We’ll probably see them again as we’re headed the same way.

Today, Arrow left at dawn to get the tide around through the next shallow section. We can’t guarantee going as fast as them so will leave tomorrow when the tide is a bit later. We need daylight but also a good few hours of push from the ebb tide. We hung around here for the day doing boat jobs and cooking. Nina’s first attempt at paratha (the Indian flat bread) was very successful.

So off at dawn tomorrow morning, heading for Hanover Inlet if we can make the speed, otherwise we’ll stop at Port George IV, or Tengarra bay.The plan is to take the northern route through Brecknock Harbour (the southern route is described in the Australian Pilot as treacherous!).