Percy Islands lat.21 degrees 39' S long. 150 degrees 20' E

Well, after a not so good forecast we decided to vacate the anchorage at Hexham which was rolly and continue on to the Percy Islands - 20 miles further north. The forecast was for up to 35 knots from the south and although we didn't get that, it came close to 30. It was a very uncomfortablr trip with the wind more or less dead astern and the old girl rolled her guts out - scuppers under! We had a reefed main on starboard tack and motorsailed to make water and power - the usual story!!
We left Hexham at 7 and arrived off South Percy around 10 but the anchorage didn't look too inviting so we carried on to NE Percy which the cruising guide says has the best anchorage. It's also very rolly and is definitely the best of a bad bunch. Still, we'll be secure here. We're not sure when we'll be leaving given the weather forecast - apparently there's a low pressure system off the coast which is heading this way and in the process squeezing the isobars together - hence the wind. We also don't want any more straight downwind legs like today but the next projected stop (Digby) is off on an angle which would be better provided Murphy doesn't alter the wind direction!! It's by no means easy sailing this coast and we'll be glad to get some R&R at Airlie Beach.
We probably wont get to see the famous A frame hut where sailors leave there boat names on Middle Percy because the anchorage there would be untenable at the moment and it means quite a dogleg to get there now.
The islands are very picturesque and remind us of NZ a lot but there are no really secure comfortable anchorages. They are very much a pig in a poke and one just has to make do. As I write this Dennis is having a siesta and we are pitching and rolling! Hope it improves later so we get a good night's sleep!
Cheers................
www.tiaretaporo3.blogspot.com

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