The rally started without incident in 15/20 knt winds.  Unfortunately the winds are coming from the wrong direction and we are motor sailing for the first 3hrs until we can change angle and go out Grafton Passage through the Great Barrier Reef.

 

The start was quite spectacular with 27 boats starting at once.  There are 13 catamarans in the fleet so some of the anchorages in the Louisiades will be crowded.

 

The weather forecast looks good for the 4 day passage with favourable winds for the first 2 days and then they are swinging more east so we will need to make as much easterly progress as comfortable in the next 2 days then head more north.

 

This will be the last post with photos until we get back to Australia in late October.  Within the next couple of hours we will offshore beyond the range of our mobile internet access.  From now on all posts to the blog will be via HF radio using plan text emails.