Yesterday (25 June) we heard the 0545 forecast which was still a strong wind advisory, but at 0745 it had been withdrawn so we set off from Point Douglas in 25 Knots of wind, and had a fast but rough sail to Cooktown.

Cooktown didn't impress, a one nag town and very poor anchorage with no room - we spent the night up on anchor-watch, so we're somewhat knackered today. It's the last habitation for 300 miles, so we stocked up on food. We left at 1030 and had another fast but rough sail to Cape Flattery - a beautiful bay full of prawners when we arrived, but they've all now gone off to do their night's work. Despite the wind we're well sheltered, and the hook's securely dug-in. There are dolphins around the boat, fish flashing in the water, and wading egrets having some very
successful fishing. And only Hygeia and Mazy here to witness it. It's fantastic. We leave in the morning for Lizard Island.

This whole area is redolent of Cook: what an amazing man - we've all just read the journal of his first trip which was through just these waters, and many of the local names reflect this - Cape Flattery, Capw Tribulation, Weary Bay, Lookout Point, Endeavour River and Endeavour
Reef - the latter where he went aground and holed Endeavour: he limped in to what is now Cooktown and beached and careened Endeavour on the beach 30 yards from where we were anchor-watching last night.

It was at Lizard Island that Cook and Banks walked to the top of Grassy Hill, and finally identified the way out of the reef that eventually allowed them to escape and get home.

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