1st to 30th November 2005

Tuesday 1st November 2005 - Day 252 - Digby Island

Quite windy this morning but a nice day. The wind generator is keeping the batteries topped p, which is good. The sloop ‘Super Tramp’ has left this morning which makes you wonder what the conditions are like out there. Geoff called them on the radio and they said the wind is definitely from the SE and on the nose. Still we decided we would give it a go as it is only 22 nm to Middle Percy and we have plenty of time and can tack a bit or return if we need to. As we left the anchorage we sailed close to ‘Katherina’ and Hank threw over a bundle of books and mags so I am set for a couple more weeks. So we tacked a bit but mostly motor sailed and got into the anchorage around 1545 hours. Couple of squalls on the way but nothing much to worry about. There are 8 monohulls, three multihulls and a couple of motor cruisers here. There is a big gathering on the beach at the A frame and I noticed quite a few of the yachts have been decorated with various flags so there must be a special get together. Found out later that a lot of the yachts had come especially to Percy Island for a bbq to celebrate the Melbourne Cup. We didn’t go ashore as we just wanted to relax and there is plenty of time to go ashore tomorrow as I doubt we will be going anywhere.  Geoff went off for a nap for a couple of hours and I curled up on the back deck with one of my books. S21° 39.208 E150° 14.585

Thursday 3rd November 2005 - Day 254 - Middle Percy

Up at 0615 to try for Hexam Island but the GPs and laptop don’t seem to want to talk to each other.  It will record our progress and route on the laptop but it won’t send the route from the laptop to the GPS.  It’s a minor inconvenience and Geoff will have a look at it later. We eventually got away at 0725 with an E wind 15/20 knots.  We have noticed a rip in one of the seams in the Genoa.  It’s on the edge so at least it is a double hem but we will have to get it fixed ASAP.  0930 hours and it is very gnarly and uncomfortable and even with the engines flat out we are making, at the most, 2 knots. We have a 2 knot current against us so we have decided t go back to Middle Percy and wait for a more suitable day.  We are sailing back at 7 knots. It’s taken 2.5 hours to get here and 45 minutes to get back.  It’s now 10.45 and we are safely anchored back at Middle Percy. Another sloop turned back as well. Bit of a waste of time but the winds gusted at 25 knots so we were a bit behind the ‘8’ ball really.  I succumbed to a little nap in the afternoon, nice.  Geoff checked the sacrificial anodes and did a slight alteration to the starboard engine to ensure the salt water cooling was working effectively. He also traced the fault with the laptop to the GPS to the fish finder so disconnected some wires and it seems ok now.  It’s looking black outside so we have set up the back water collecting canvas, just in case. Note: since Geoff changed the engine oil we have noticed the diesel smoke staining has disappeared from around the exhausts.  It seems the Castrol oil we were using caused the problem.  We are now using Volvo oil and it doesn’t seem to stain.  Weird.  We still have the rip in the Genoa to fix as it is starting to tear along the seam more. Getting the Genoa down is the hard part as it is a furling Genoa so has to be out to pull it down from the track inside the furler.  This means you need light to no wind which we haven’t got at the moment.  Geoff says we can, at least, use the storm sail but it is not very big.  Looks like the winds are turning tomorrow but I need to find out if there is a sail maker in Yeppoon.

Friday 4th November 2005 - Day 255 - Middle Percy

Geoff got up at 0700 as the wind had eased off and he thought he would get the Genoa down.  But he had probably left it 30 minutes too late as the wind picked up. Just after lunch the wind died down enough for us to get it down. We then glued, stitched and patched it to the best of our ability and all we can do is hope for the best until we can get a sail maker to look at it.  It would be good if it lasted to Paynesville but I don’t think it will.  Now we have to wait for a lull in the wind for us to put it back up and then furled. I also did a bit more work on the back sun shade and Geoff was busy making a wooden bottom step for the swim ladder. The rungs are stainless steel tube hurts your feet too much when you get out after a swim. Late afternoon and we managed to get the Genoa back up and furled.  Geoff cooked Mexican Shepherds Pie, ready for tea later (yum). We went off to shore to socialise and also to put a donation in the Honesty Box for the Thirsty Sound Coast Guard.  My back is bad today. It has been twinging for a while now and I think I have made it worse by sitting on the floor sewing the Genoa.  It’s very painful and I have take a Voltaren and Geoff has rubbed Voltaren Cream on my back but I can hardly move. I might have to dose myself up tonight to be able to sleep.

Saturday 5th November 2005 - Day 256 - Middle Percy to Hexam

A bit of an uncomfortable night and my back is stiff this morning but not so painful. Must be because I dosed myself up last night.  Up anchor and leave anchorage at 0630. Forecast is for E/NE 15/20 knots but it is currently more like ESE 10 knots. It is still early so let’s hope it will come round later. But it didn’t.  It stayed E all the way so it was slow going,  motor sailing and burning up our precious diesel. Still, we are here now and, hopefully, it will be NE tomorrow as we have 81 nm to cover to get the Keppels or Yeppoon. Once again the Shoalwater Bay area is closed by the Defence Force for live firing exercises, using depleted uranium no doubt.  I wonder how true these stories are?  Anyway, ‘Low Profile is here along with ‘Smiley’, ‘Cajora Cruisin’ and Tiata (the 3 Elite cats we met at Percy).  Popped over to see Rick on ‘Low Profile’ and met Lorelle and her daughter Britny, Brenda’s son’s partner.  Rick will sell us 20ltrs of diesel which makes life a little bit more relaxing. Quick walk on the beach but no shells, to speak of, but the stark remains of how things can go wrong at sea. The, or part of, bow section of a fibreglass boat (looks like a cat). Looks like I has been there for quite some time, I would say. It got very rocky just after low tide but it settled down a bit as we got ready for bed. S22° 00.705 E150° 21.807

Sunday 6th November 2005 - Day 257 - Hexam to North Keppel

Awake at 0530 and all the boats have gone. They are probably faster than us and will make Great Keppel before dark. We were going to leave at noon to catch the tide.  After a rethink (it's rocky here) we have decided to catch what's left of the ebbing tide and take advantage of  it to motor out to seaward to get a better angle to sail. We will see if this reasoning is good or not.  As we brought up the anchor we also brought up a ships boarding ladder Geoff will look at it later to see if I is any good.  Nope, one rung was very corroded so we assigned it back to the deep but this time in 43 metres so it can’t be caught by an anchor again. The wind was light and sometimes we only made 2.5 knots and sometimes 4.5 knots but it doesn’t really matter as we will get in sometime between midnight and 5am. I prefer 5am as it is light by then. Cooked Bacon and Eggs, yes you've guessed it, Sunday!  A couple of the eggs had cracked and gone off so out they went.  Got mobile reception for a short while and got messages form Wade, Alli, Bernie on ‘'Eaglehearts'’ and our accountant who asked us to ring. I wonder what he wants?  At 1730 hours we went to start the engines and the starboard engine wouldn't start.  Geoff had a look at it hoping it would be something simple but it looks like the solenoid valve in the starter motor. So it looks like we will be running on one engine for a while. Now we have the extra 20 litres of diesel we can make it to Gladstone where they have plenty of facilities. ‘Carmalita’ called on the radio and soon passed us as they were making for Rosslyn Bay, Yeppoon and were motoring.  Had a good natter. Got to North Keppel Island around midnight and anchored quite a way out in the bay as it was a very dark night as there was no moon and the wind was very light.  S23° 03.428 E150° 52.523

Monday 7th November 2005 - Day 258 - North Keppel to Great Keppel

A reasonable sleep and a nice day.  We then could see how far out we anchored but better safe than sorry.  There are 3 other boats anchored here but we didn’t see their anchor lights last night.  It is strange how many boats don’t have their anchor lights on at night. Some have garden lights but they are not that strong and are often hard to see.  Geoff is going to make up his own anchor light using LED’s as they are brighter and use less power.  Geoff spent the morning looking at the starter motor and seeing whether he could bypass the solenoid.  He cut down an allen key with the angle grinder for something. The genny has been a great buy and is so handy when you need to use power tools. It was a no fix so it was off to Gladstone via Great Keppel for tonight.  It was a good sailing day (of course it would be as we only had 12 nm to go) and we got 5.8 knots with a 1 knot current against us. Rang Michelle and Polly and then heard ‘Rainbow Dreaming’ on the radio.  Called Michael up and got the bad news that Kari had been diagnosed with cancer. Her problems had just started when we met them in Gladstone last May when she thought she had pulled a muscle in her chest.  As Michael says you have to “Grab life while you still have the chance”. I will give her a ring sometime in the near future. Michael has a friend helping him to sail the boat (also a Cloud 9) from the Whitsunday’s to their home to Tin Can Bay. We arrived at Great Keppel at 1630 and Hank and Heather were here from ‘Katherina’ and we went over for a quick drink..  When we got back Geoff went for a nap whilst I cooked tea.

S23° 11.521 E150° 57.142

Tuesday 8th November 2005 - Day 259 - Great Keppel Island to Gladstone

Up at 0330 hours, yawn, to reach the North Passage to Gladstone around high tide as it can be quite shallow in spots. To start here was hardly any wind so we had to motor with the one engine and hoped it behaved itself. Quite a bit of work for one little engine. Eventually we were able to put up the Spinnaker and had a good sail with the engine on low revs. We received a call from Hank who was behind us between Great Keppel and Hummocky Island and then Brad from ‘Carmalita’ called up who was on route from Yeppoon to Mooloolaba and we saw him on the far horizon. Got to the North Entrance just 20 minutes later than estimated which was a good effort. Took the Spinnaker in and hoisted the Genoa.  I had rung Gladstone Port Marian and they organised an easy berth for us.  We safely docked just after 1700 hours and we have a large pen all to ourselves.  Went to pay the marina fees and my credit card was declined.  I asked Geoff for his and he couldn’t find it. When I looked back on my finance records we saw that the last time he had used it was at the chandlery at Able Point Marina.  We thought that he may have left it there and it had been handed in. I rang the ANZ and it had been handed in and then the ANZ cancelled both cards 3 days after we left Airlie Beach. They would not re-activate them, I even pleaded and told them my situation but no go and they said they would have to send new ones.  Bumma!  I would have thought they would have rung us before cancelling them!  The new ones are coming here within 5 working days as we have decided we are going to stay a few days and get a few maintenance things done as there are a lot of facilities here. The only problem is that it means I have to set up my internet banking again which is a real pain in the A.  Luckily I have my Eftpos and Geoff has American Express but it means no frequent flyer points for me. Rang Sammy and she let us use her credit card, bless her, and now we have Marinanet so we have the internet again. Got our emails and sent off a load more. Wrote a huge one to Sally and Martin and then lost it so had to do it all again (in word this time)! My back is still quite bad and I really must find a chiropractor whilst I am here. I made it worse by pulling on the ropes when docking and getting the Genoa down to give to the sail maker to fix.  Dose up and to bed.              S23° 49.898 E151° 14.619

Low Profile passing by

Wednesday , 9th November 2005  -  Day 260 - Gladstone

Had a good sleep but very warm when we awoke. Rang and made an appointment for Geoff  with the specialist in Melbourne for the 26th January then rang and organised the referral letter.  Rang Sue and Arno to get our tax stuff sent to us to finalise. Made an appointment with the chiropractor for myself for tomorrow at 0830 hours. Looking back I think I did the damage when I fell off my bike after running over that snake.  Maybe he has a bad back too, as I’m no light weight!  Rang the auto electricians.  Chris rang for a natter.  Went to dispose of the garbage and ‘Low Profile’ has arrived and Brenda and Vicky have met Rick at the  marina. This is their home port so they will be at the marina for 3 months at least. Tempted to stay myself as it is a nice marina and our 3 monthly fees work out at just over $13 per day. Very cheap.  Rick offered Geoff a lift to the auto electricians which he accepted with alacrity.  Whilst he was there I put a load of washing in. Geoff has decided to take the starter motor off of the port engine to try on the starboard engine to make sure that everything else is ok as there is a diesel mechanic (Volvo) here at the marina. He has also decided to have the port starter motor checked out as well. At the moment he is cutting new carpet for the galley.  We have ordered a pair of Walkie Talkies from the States (The magazine Latitudes and Attitudes calls them Marriage Savers) so that when Geoff is up front with the anchor we can talk to each other rather than screaming to each other and using frantic hand signals.  I thoroughly cleaned the galley, bathroom/head area and fridge and now a rest. We try to do all these things whilst we are in a marina and have unlimited supplies of fresh water.  AND later TV! ! ! We caught up with what’s been happening in the world.  Terrorist busts, piracy near Somalia, riots in France. Why does one bother with the news - it seems to be all doom and gloom.  Sarah from ‘Baybird’ popped round just before we went to bed and asked if we could pick up their mail tomorrow as they are leaving for Bundaberg early in the morning.  David is coming back by bus to pick up the car but the office will be closed by the time he gets here.

Thursday, 10th November 2005  -  Day 261 - Gladstone

Up at 0730 hours to get ready to go to the chiropractor. Left at 0755 on my bike.  There was one  umungous hill before his place where the ”push” in push bike lived up to its name. I got there at 0815 which gave me 15 minutes to cool down. He was nice and seemed to know his job. He said my L4 and L5 vertebrae were out and a lot of my right side was affected. It was my right side I fell on when I ran over that “B” snake!  $60 poorer but feeling better for it. I will go back in a weeks time if we are still in Gladstone.  Popped into Woolies to pick up a few things then rode back to the marina the longer but flatter way as told to me by the chiropractor.   When I got back Geoff went over to the fisheries wharf and bought a kilo of prawns and we had prawn salad for lunch. Rick then took Geoff to pick up the starter motor and drop the port one in for a check up.   Geoff also picked up the gas refill.  When he got back I did all the linen and towels washing whilst Geoff put the starter motor back in. Geoff has decided we will get the salt water engine cooling pumps checked out at the Volvo dealer whilst we are here as preventative maintenance.  We then went, by tender, to the Port Curtis Sailing Club for dinner for the buffet at $7.90 each. I then decided to walk back to 2AB as I hadn’t liked the trip in the tender to the yacht club as it was very choppy and fast flowing.  When I got back Cameron had just arrived with the repaired Genoa.  $60 and cheap at the price. So tomorrow, perhaps, we will put her back up.  Early to bed, I think, as I am very tired.

Friday 11th November 2005  -  Day 262 - Gladstone

Boy did it rain last night plus thunderstorms.  Once again, when you don’t need to collect rain water you get a downpour.  Had a nice lay in and got up at 0845.  Rushed around in the middle of the night getting stuff in and closing hatches and the main door/hatch in the saloon. The rain was coming straight in.   That’s the trouble when you are docked at a marina berth  as you don’t automatically face into wind and you can, sometimes, be wide open to the elements.  Later I went through the freezer and cupboards to see exactly what stock we had and what we needed.  We then caught a bus to the valley where we went into Centrelink and applied for a health care card. I had forgotten to take my bank statements so will have to pop back on Monday and they will complete it whilst we are there. Then did some shopping plus reprovisioning and caught a taxi back and went back to the marina via the auto electricians to pick up the other starter motor. Then the horrid job of finding somewhere to put all the provisions.  Cooked a roast.  After dinner, David arrived to pick up his mail and car. They are now in Bundaberg.

Saturday 12th November 2005  -  Day 263 - Gladstone

A little rain.  Another nice lay in.  Put the clean linen and towels away under my bed. Did some filing (filing never goes away, does it?).  Cleaned my bedroom out and aired my bed and wardrobe (things can get a little musty and mildew can grown if you are not careful).  I spent the rest of my birthday voucher.  I bought four sleeveless tops to replace the ones that had green dye run into them.  So now I definitely have boat only clothes, go ashore socialising clothes and a couple of nicer outfits for going out to dinner ashore.  After lunch we put the Genoa back up and furled it. Good job done.  We were going up to the boaties BBQ tonight but, apparently, there’s a kids birthday party there with bouncy castle etc so we will cook on 2AB.  Watched TV and caught up on ’The Bill’.  Watched TV till very late which is unusual but we are on shore power.   Bed very late. 

Sunday 13th November 2005  -  Day 264 - Gladstone

Another nice day. Geoff is making a divider at the back of the starboard engine bay to hold the oil containers etc. We are trying to lighten the front as it is more important for this model of cat to have the front lighter than the back.   We will move the spare anchor and chain to the back as well, plus the fuel containers if we can find a place for them.  Brenda said she was going to Super Cheap Auto so we went with her to buy a dedicated spare diesel container and a few bits and pieces.  Washed the back of the boat and did general bits and pieces. Not much to report today.

Monday 13th November 2005  -  Day 265 - Gladstone

The credit cards have arrived!  I spent a good 30 minutes on the phone to the ANZ trying to get my internet banking and phone banking changed over.  It was so frustrating as I didn't  have all my documentation with me but it’s now done.  I hate these automated push 1, push 3 etc.  Now all we have to do is go into the bank and get the PINS programmed in.  What a pain!  The salt water cooling pumps are fixed and they needed fixing as whoever had looked at them before hadn’t done them correctly.  We were lucky to find the manual on the internet and download so at least we have some reference material to follow.  Caught the bus into the city ($1.40 each) and got our PIN’s done and banked some ATO cheques and then walked down to the valley to give Centrelink my bank statements.  Our ‘Low Income’ health cards are now all arranged and will be sent to Bright in 2 weeks time.  Geoff went to the solicitor and organised his affidavit stating he is who he is so now he can get his UK bank account reactivated.  Went to Leading Edge and bought a 20 amp-amp meter to measure the output of the power we are using plus a thermometer for the freezer.  Back to 2AB and enter my  finances on my laptop and do a bank reconciliation etc. Answered emails.  Have found out that my journals also get sent on to NZ.  Oh, I had a bad night last night. I think I may have my gall bladder out, if I can, when I return to Vic as I believe my gall stones may be playing up.  I am getting a lot of painful indigestion at present.

Tuesday 15th November 2005  -  Day 266 - Gladstone to Pancake Creek

Up earylish as we have a fair amount to do before we head off today. Geoff caught the bus into the city to pick up his affidavit ($60). I did one last load of washing and paid our marina account.  Back to 2AB and take down the privacy panels, sun shade, bring up the tender etc. Cast off and head for the fuel dock. She took 140 ltrs of fuel and I had estimated we had used 142 ltrs since Cairns so pretty close. So both engines on average speed burns 2 ltrs an hour in total.  Pretty good.  As we pumped the fuel in we stopped every 20 ltrs and marked a measuring stick so we now have a much better idea of how much is left in the tank. It definitely holds more than 180 ltrs, more like 200 ltrs but we have a measure where we try to never go below which we believe is 20 ltrs.  We were told when we bought 2AB that she held 150 ltrs.  We have been sailing for over an hour now and Geoff says she definitely feels lighter and we are sailing better and faster. We spoke to a guy in the marina who also had a Cloud cat who told us to ensure the front was lighter. Seems like he may be right!  We have the tide with us until around 1445 hours, which is good. We are going so fast, in fact, that we have just had a ‘Close Encouter of the Navigational Marker Kind’.  It just shows you what a couple of  minutes (and that was all it was) of inattention can do. Geoff was just showing me the fuel measuring stick when I looked up and said “Wow, that was close”.  We were on autopilot and had just passed a substantial marker by 30 mtrs.  It may not sound close but if we had hit it the damage had the potential to be enormous.  We are in the channels leading to the southern exit of Gladstone Harbour which services large ships so the markers are huge.  Well, this journal is Warts’n All so I put in the bad as well as the good.  We have just seen four dolphins and we have just been passed by the cat Papatea so even with our increased speed we are still Slow.  (Found out later they were motor sailing). We had a good sail today and only had to motor the last hour when the tide was running against us at 2 knots.  We got to the entrance to Pancake Creek around 1630 hours but found it quite difficult finding the passage in.  There were sandbanks on one side and rocks dead ahead and we were showing a depth of 1.8 mtrs.  Hmm!  Stopped and started looking around and saw a port beacon way out that we had missed.  It was a real zig zag route.  We had passed a DPI Fisheries boat and they came over in their tender and guided us through, which was nice (although we were right by then). They then went ahead into the anchorage to start visiting boats.  We dragged the first two times we tried the anchor so moved further in and it held well.  Fisheries came over for a quick natter and to check our safety equipment and were off to the next yacht.  Nice cuppa and cake followed. No TV here.  So it is now dark, dinner is in the oven and we are sitting, relaxing on the back deck under a moonlit sky with a glass of chilled wine in our hands.  So relaxing. The moon is bright and the clouds around it, beautiful.  It’s a ‘Mackerel Sky—it won’t stay dry’ or as my dear Nan used to say ‘Rain is nigh’ which I think I prefer. And rain is forecast

so we shall see. S24º 01.894 E151º 44.540

Wednesday 16th November 2005  -  Day 267 - Pancake Creek

Bouncy at the top of the tide but not too bad.  But, of course, high tide was just when you could have slept in! Never mind.  We have just been looking at our last two fuel bills and have noticed that Cairns Port Authority charges a $4.60 berthing fee when you tie up to get fuel.  Bit cheeky, especially when you have paid to stay in their marina.  I could, perhaps, understand it if you just came in to get fuel and then left again. So there you go!  The tide is against wind at present so we are now not facing into wind.  This means we are getting the wind from the side so it isn’t coming in the saloon door and is coming in the side window so it is a little warm inside.  The wind is still coming from the north as at 1000 hours but is supposed to change to SE 20/25 knots mid morning. We didn’t want to get caught in the change half way to Bundaberg as it would have been hard going (if going/moving at all) and uncomfortable.  Well, the change came through at 1230 hours and was quite strong so it was a good decision to stay here. We were going to go ashore but it is too blowy just at the moment.  I rang Sue and our Walkie Talkies have arrived in Bright so we will get her to send them up to Marlene in Noosa.  We then popped over to visit Peter and Gay on Papatea.  He built his cat from his own design but I think he based it on a Lightwave design. And it’s very nice too! There are quite a few people out there that have really good skills in boat building. Gay has only been on the boat 5 weeks but they are a couple.  They are older and she says she ran away from Tassie and her kids are not impressed.  It was a kind of phone pal relationship to start. He invited her sight unseen.

Thursday 17th November 2005  -  Day 268 - Pancake Creek

Didn’t blow so much overnight. Geoff is thinking of beaching 2AB today and has gone over to Peter on Papatea to get some advice.  It’s a good place to do it and he has checked out a spot and the tides are ok but start falling tomorrow so it is today or nothing.  I’m nervous, of course.  I will keep my eyes closed.  My theory is that if I have my eyes closed nothing will go wrong.  Well, it didn’t work out that way as I was needed to help. We are now in 1.5 mtrs of water waiting for the tide to drop.  Peter came over and helped put out a starboard stern anchor and we are going to put out a port stern anchor at low tide. We may lean over a tad but shouldn’t be too much of a problem apart from rolling out of bed. Three and a half hours to go before low tide. Well, it is now 2140 hours and we have decided to come off tonight rather that in the morning as we were on too much of a lean to get a good nights sleep. In the last few hours we have scrubbed the hulls and taken especial care of the water line. We then polished the gelcoat.   We are sitting, relaxing on the back deck under a moonlit sky with a glass of chilled wine in our hands.  So relaxing. The moon is bright and the clouds around it, beautiful.  It’s a ‘Mackerel Sky—it won’t stay dry’ or as my dear Nan used to say ‘Rain is nigh’ which I think I prefer. And rain is forecast

so we shall see. S24º 01.894 E151º 44.540

Friday 18th November 2005 -  Day 269 - Pancake Creek

Back played up a bit last night but what could I expect after the contortions of cleaning and polishing under the hulls?  Apart from that I had a good night. Peter, Gay and Geoff walked to the lighthouse today but I stayed behind as my back is quite sore.  Whilst Geoff was away I cooked a banana cake and iced it (I had to use up some soggy bananas), cooked Beef Olives for tea and cleaned the soot from around the exhausts.  We had the engines on flat out last night when we were coming off the sandbank so we had a sooty residue. Geoff came back and had a nap and I varnished some of my painting bits and then did a bit more painting.

Peter and Gay came over for tea and stayed for a while.

Saturday 19th November 2005 -  Day 270 - Pancake Creek to 1770

Very quiet night and very calm this morning.  Peter came over and said they were going to 1770 so we decided to go too. Left 30 minutes later. Lots of fish and bird activity so we put out the trolling line and caught a small Spotted Mackerel. He was under size so he lived to fight another day.  We motor sailed all the way as the wind was wrong for sailing alone.  Rang Sammy and she had heard from Sally and Martin 2 days ago and they were having a good run at a constant 5 knots. They would have liked to have been going faster. We have had strong winds for the last 2 days so they may have got on the tail end of them. They are hoping to go straight to Gladstone to do customs clearance if they can. They are not in mobile range yet.  I know as I have been trying constantly.  We got into 1770 at 1230 hours and, once again, anchored twice as we weren’t happy with our depth the first time. We worked out how much we would have under our keel at low tide using the ‘rule of twelfths’ and it is ok the 2nd time. Nice here and a nice sandy bottom anyway. This place is small and pretty and a very nice anchorage.  It is the site of Captain Cook’s first landing in what was to become, one day, Queensland.  Took the tender ashore and had a bite of lunch and then further round to look at the marina (if you could call it a marina).  Geoff bought a sand anchor to replace our spare anchor which is a plough, the same as we already have only smaller.  We will probably keep the three of them on board.  Geoff then tinkered with the anchor winch as he thought it might be slipping a bit.  Peter picked us up at 1730 and we all went ashore for dinner. I had a Lime and Chilli Prawn salad and it was just yum!

Sunday 21st November 2005  -  Day 271 - 1770 to Bundaberg

Up at 0522 hours—Yawn! We have been sailing with the MPS and Genoa (gull winged) with a touch of motor on and off.  We were going off course so the MPS is down and the Main and Genoa are up. We will see how we go with this configuration.  I have just read the chapters from Captain Cook’s Log for the area of 1770. Apparently, Captain Cook’s secretary, Mr Orton, got drunk one night and someone from the crew cut all his clothes off (spelt cloaths) and also cut down his ears. Not nice was it?  They never found out who did it but there must have been a reason behind it, surely?  Maybe he wasn’t a nice man?  Spanish Mackerel for tea!  Dolphins close by.  It is now 1630 hours and we have had a dream run with the Genoa and Main, getting some good speeds.  Probably averaged, overall, 5.5—6 knots but I saw speeds of over 7 knots quite a few times. We are anchored in the Burnett River about 7 nm from downtown Bundaberg just past the Sugar Wharf.  We didn’t think we would make the Midtown Marina tonight so will go there tomorrow.  Rang Hank and Heather and they are on the piles close by so will catch up to them tomorrow. Geoff has gone off for a well earned nap.  As we passed Port Bundaberg Marina the Marinanet came on so I downloaded all our emails and saved them in Word before we went out of range.  One of the emails was from Erica on ‘Ovide’ and the others were from Sally and Martin and Wyn and Ann.  Sammy sent a text saying that Sally and Martin were 200 nm away and were now headed for Townsville.

Monday 22nd November 2005  -  Day 272 - Burnett Heads to Bundaberg

Hank and Heather popped over very quickly as we were getting ready to up anchor. They ae heading to Hervey Bay tomorrow.  We then headed up river to the Midtown Marina and were able to get a berth. Got in about 0930 and paid our dues and had a nice long shower! We went up to the chandlery and it just happened that the GME rep for Garmin in Brisbane was there.  Geoff picked his brain on the fish finder problems and he gave Geoff some hints and will test it when we get to Brisbane to see if it is the head or the transducer.  The chandlery is very good here but the marina is a little ‘Hicksville” but is about to be modernised.  We have a tight berth and now have a large cat behind us with limited space to get out. Hmmm we shall see how we go!  It’s a good price at $21.50 a day and is right in the heart of Bundy so an easy walk to the CBD. Also, if you stay a week you get 7 days for the price of 5. Good value.  I then organised a car from Avis at $60 (they were the cheapest). They picked us up and we did the paperwork and then we headed off for Childers.  I drove for the first time in 9 months. I wanted to see the memorial to the 13 backpackers who died in 2000 when a disgruntled itinerant set fire to the place.  One of the backpackers was Atsushi Toyono, a Japanese  paraglider pilot who stayed at our hostel over the summer and had become a friend. You were not allowed to take photos in there, don’t ask me why, and Geoff thought he would take a sneaky one.  Unfortunately, he didn’t realise the flash was on and got caught. He was told, in

no uncertain terms, to delete it and when he said no we were asked to leave. Geoff told her he had a good reason to want a photo but she escorted us down the stairs and we were out. I suppose she was right and we were wrong but we still have our photo of our friends memorial.  After we left Childers we headed back to Bundaberg for the Rum Distillery but ended up at the Ginger Beer factory in error. Still it was good and the Ginger beer was yum.  Back to 2AB to get some proper shoes and then to the Rum Distillery for the 3 pm tour.  The tour was good but the tasting after was even better. I’m not one for coke (yuk) but

they make a great rum, lime and bitter and one called ’dark and stormy’ which is rum They also have a rum liquor made with coffee and chocolate and is sooooooo yummy.  We bought two bottle. This one is 43% alcohol.  You are only allowed 2 tastings (drink and drive) and Geoff had tried the over proof rum and the liquor so I drove back.  Back at 2AB we decided to defrost the freezer so everything went into double layer of garbage bags and then into a sleeping bag to keep it frozen. By this time it was nearly 8 pm so we headed off to Sizzler for tea and then the movies where we saw Jodie Foster in Flight Plan.  Not brilliant but good.

Tuesday 22nd November 2005  -  Day 273 - Bundaberg

Sally rang at 0700 hours and they are just coming into the Channel at Townsville.  They had a good run except for two nasty days.  Bet they are tired!  We decided to utilise the car whilst we still had it and went to try to locate a humungous screw that had come out of the anchor winch.  Went to a specialist nuts and bolts type store (not for browsing, ladies—boring) who said they had nothing of that size.  Not surprising really as the winch was manufactured in Argentina and is fairly old, if not the original one on the boat.  They did give us the name of a small company who may have been able to build it back up for us. Geoff had completely annihilated the screw head when he had to remove it in the early days down in Moreton Bay. Yep, he could do it for us and would even drop it back to the marina at lunch time for the huge cost of $5.00.  Next stop the supermarket to pick up a few things then return the car. Avis dropped us back at the marina.  General clean up of the galley, shower and head plus one last load of washing.   Rang the people who made our Bug Zapper, which has gone bung again, and we have to send it back this time.  Popped it in my backpack with a letter and wandered up to the post office to buy a box and send it off Reply Paid.  I then wandered around the shops at my own leisure taking my time and having a good window shop.  You need to do this occasionally without hubby hurrying you along.  Geoff was back at the boat tinkering with the anchor winch.  Bought the DVD ‘War of the Worlds’, a pair of shorts and 2 pairs of bather bottoms which were on special.  I had lost a pair of my bather bottoms from one of my 2 piece bathers (found out they’re called Tankinis— I wonder if it is because the people who wear tankinis are often built like tanks?) in Pearl Bay in the way up when they floated off into the sunset.  Back to 2AB and Geoff had finished tinkering with the winch but wasn’t sure if it would be any better. He had also washed 2AB. He had a lay down and I just relaxed for a while.

Wednesday 23rd November 2005  -  Day 274 - Bundaberg to 8 nm down river

We are getting ready to depart the marina today. Geoff popped up to the post office to post off his affidavit to Lloyds Bank, UK and I typed away at my journal to get it ready for sending off.  When Geoff arrived back we filled up the water tanks and cast off. It was a very tight parallel berth we were in and we just had enough room to swing our nose out then the back and reverse out between two rows of boat with about a metre clear on both sides. I was the usual worry wort but I needn’t have worried because Geoff did it with aplomb!  2 hours of gentle motoring down river and we anchored to the side of Port Bundaberg Marina where we could get marinanet.  Sent off the journal and sent a few emails.  Later we set off in the tender to the marina.  The sign said that visiting tenders were to check in at the marina office, which we did.  Found out they normally charge $16 to tie up and use the facilities.  Wow! We said we only wanted to go to the chandlery so she said that as we had done the right thing and checked in she wouldn’t charge us.  Nice! Went to the chandlery and bought a couple of items including an Aussie flag. Got back and winched Geoff up the mast to put a pulley up for the flag. We then filmed the Celebration of hoisting the flag and unfurling it. The celebration being the fact that 2AB was back where Geoff had first laid eyes on her, 2289 kms later. The first 9 months have been fantastic, albeit a huge learning curve with a few nervous times.  I hope it continues to enthral me!  Later Sally rang and both Geoff and I had a good natter and caught up on a lot of their news but heaps more to find out about.  Mich rang later and we also had a good natter.  It was also Sammy’s birthday so we sang “Happy Birthday” on her message bank.  Few Mozi’s here so the Mozi coils are burning and aeroguard sprayed on. The Mozi coil holders go rusty very quickly so we have been looking out for cheap ceramic holders.  Last time I saw them, they were in a disposal store but I wasn’t thinking off buying them then.  We are heading off to Hervey Bay tomorrow.

S24 º 42.160 E152º 24.520

Thursday 24th November 2005  -  Day 275, Burnett Heads to Kingfisher Bay

Up early again! 0515 hours and leave anchorage at 0615 for Kingfisher Bay, Hervey Bay. Motor sailed all the way with the winds hardly making 4 knots, mostly around 2 knots.  For most of the trip the sea was like a millpond which meant lots of dolphin and turtle sightings and a lot of fish activity.  Otherwise a long and uneventful day. A few rain showers but mostly a nice day.  As we came into the anchorage there were another pod of dolphins. We seem to be seeing more of them as we head south.

S25° 23.780 E153° 01.202

Friday 25th November 2005 - Day 276  -  Kingfisher Bay to Double Island Point

Nice sleep in today as we didn’t have to leave till 0930 to reach Wide Bay Bar at high tide at 1500. This is the bar that a cat pitch poled (end over end) 2 days after we had gone through on the way up. (They went through in the dark during a low tide, what did they expect? AND they were experienced sailors!).  The winch is still not working and Geoff had to pull the anchor up manually which isn’t very good for his hands but he wore gloves.  He will have to strip it down again to see if he can see what the problem is.  Probably old age. These boat problems I often mention are part and parcel of the boating scene, apparently. We have only had her 9 months so there had been a few issues to iron out. I expect Baza, the previous owner, had ironed out a few of his own in the months he had owned her. Eventually, we have been told, the issues become less and less (fingers crossed).  Whilst we were motoring down the Great Sandy Straits Channel to The Wide Bay Bar we cleaned all the stainless steel stanchions and safety rails.  One of my cheap slip on shoes I just wear on the boat fell off whilst I was doing this.  Another thing to sail off into the wide blue yonder.  I called VMR Tin Can Bay and got the current waypoints for the bar crossing, confirmed the high tide time and confirmed the conditions over the bar were still good.  Logged on and we were  committed.  They don’t call it the ‘Mad Mile’ for nothing!  Conditions were good but, even so, Geoff had to concentrate on keeping her on track between waypoints.  I filmed a lot of it but it never shows up as bad as it is. 45 minutes later and we are through.  Call the VMR to say we are safely over and log off. We are now headed for Double Island Point with dolphins ahead.  If Double Island Point is too uncomfortable we will keep going,  It is supposed to be a NE wind but it is currently E so the anchorage should be ok.  Rang Kari from ‘Rainbow Dreaming’ to see how she is.  She’s the one that has found out she has cancer.  She says she is responding well to new cancer drugs that have come onto the market, which is good.  She also said that she was glad she retired at 55 years old and has been sailing these past years. I think we have probably made a good decision to do it while we can! The last hour or so it has been raining come drizzling. Anchored at Double Island Point at 1855 hours and it is only a little swelly, so far so good. We are the only boat here. We thought we saw a motor boat closer to the point but can’t see it now.  There are campers on the beach as it is a very popular spot for campers and 4WD vehicles.  Rang Wade to touch base. Had a nice Rum, coffee, chocolate liquor as a night cap.                  S25 ° 56.110 E153° 10.021

Saturday 26th November 2005  -  Day 277—Double Island Point to Noosa

Rang Bernie (Possum) this morning as he lives in Noosa and we are hoping to catch up. We will probably be able to catch up with him tomorrow.  As we left the anchorage there was a large pod of dolphins frolicking nearby.  Another nice day but the winds are supposed to be light so we will probably be motor sailing again.  There is a strong SE wind forecast of 25/30 knots tomorrow night and it will stay a couple of days so we will have to hole up somewhere.  Wow.  Geoff has just spotted a motor cruiser up on the rocks.  It must have been the one we saw in the distance last night that we thought had been anchored close in.  It looks like a newish boat and a very recent wreck.  It looks like it has been stripped of anything valuable and useful. 

 Logged on with Coast Guard Noosa for Mooloolaba but asked for advice to cross the Noosa Bar.  They got one of the skippers to call us back and he said that any time between 1300 and 1700 hours would be ok.  They also asked if we would like them to come out and guide us through.  Are they kidding! A definite yes so we will call them when we get closer.  A donation will be called for, I think.  It always pays you to log on with the coast guard or VMR’s (volunteer marine rescue) as someone knows were you are.  Also, the more people that log on the more grant money the individual groups get from the government. They are mostly self funded.  TRIPLE WOW ! ! ! !   We have just had the biggest pod of dolphins ever playing on the bow for the last 20 minutes but we are slowly leaving them behind now. Perhaps they can’t keep up the pace for ever. I counted well over 20 to start with but yet more arrived. They were all around us and we believe there were over 50 if not much more. They swam right in front of us and next to us turning on their sides to take a look at us and slapping their tails as they breached.  Magnificent, gorgeous creatures.  How can anyone kill them. We felt so privileged that they came to visit and very much in awe of them. They were so close I thought we might hurt them but they are too agile for that. Brilliant! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

It is now 1550 hours and I’m having a ‘Dark and Stormy’ (Bundy rum and ginger beer) to calm my beating heart. (Geoff is having one too but I think his is more celebratory). We were met at the Noosa Bar by the Noosa Coast Guard vessel ‘John Wallens’ who radioed to say “Follow in my Wake”, which we did. We had 1 metre under us as we went over the bar. That was the easy bit. But it was the weekend and like Bourke Street.  We were still following in the Coast Guard’s wake as the channel is very narrow, shallow and confusing to non locals. We were so close to swimmers and badly anchored hire boats (literally anchored right in the middle of this narrow channel). You certainly wouldn’t want to come in without expert help. We are now anchored opposite the Noosa Yacht and Rowing Club and it is a really beautiful spot.  We have arranged to meet up with an old paragliding friend Bernie and his partner, Henry, for dinner.  Rang Sally and Martin and they are on their way to Gladstone now and were just passing Cape Bowling Green.  Met Bernie and Henry at 1900 hours at the Noosa Yacht Club and had a nice dinner and a good natter and catch up on what he’s been up to over the last 10 odd years. They are in the renovating business—as in buying a house/unit and doing it up and selling, hopefully, for a good profit. They both then came back to 2AB for a night cap and have a look at her etc.  Henry was very interested in the life of sailing and asked a lot of relevant questions.  Apparently he is keen on the idea of going sailing and, just maybe, we might have tipped him over the edge.  S26° 23.749 E153° 03.303

Sunday 27th November 2005 -  Day 278 - Noosa River

Lovely lay in. Bacon and eggs this morning.  Took the bikes over in the tender and headed towards the marina area. It’s Market day today. We wandered around the market and I bought a pair of light bottom slip on canvas shoes for around the boat to replace the ones that floated off into the sunset plus a few other cheap things.  I heard my name called and it was Corrine with her son, William (ex Bright).  She said there was an art display in the park and Marlene had a stall there.  We sneaked up and surprised her. 

 Hugs all around. We stayed and nattered for a while and made arrangements to meet that night for dinner. She told us Musetta and her cousin Alan from Hong Kong were also in town. He has never been out of China before.  I wonder what he thinks of Oz. We are going to surprise Musetta at dinner.  We then cycled up to the Coast Guard station where we gave them a small cheque for guiding us in over the bar.  Apparently the bar changes from month to month so if we want to go in again next year we will have to be guided in again.  Had a good chat to the coast guard and he said there was a big storm on the way.  We also found out the story of the motor boat on the rocks at Double Island Point.  Apparently it was a brand new $650,000 boat that was being delivered from Brisbane to Tin Can Bay. The skipper set a course on the GPS from Mooloolaba to Tin Can Bay and then put the autohelm on and went below. What he forgot to take into account was the headland in between.  BANG ! ! ! They were lucky that they weren’t killed and only had red faces to contend with. See, even experienced skippers make silly mistakes!  Headed back to 2AB and its already windy but a sheltered anchorage. Oh: Forgot to say I put my foot through the cabin bilge cover yesterday so more work for poor Geoff.  Worked on the back sunshade a bit more and it is almost there. Didn’t finish it before we left for dinner.  Before we left we put up all the clears as we were in for the storm we had been told about earlier.  Got to shore just as it started to rain.  Marlene, Musetta and Alan were down by the yacht club and Musetta was very surprised to see us. More hugs!  Then a downpour and we ran for the shelter leaving poor Geoff to lock up the tender.  Then run for the car, run to the RSL but we all got soaked.  Tried to dry off a bit in the toilets with the hand dryer. Corrine and William arrived and then it was $13 for soup, main meal and dessert. We all went for roast and very nice it was too.  We arranged to pick Marlene, Musetta and Alan up for lunch on 2AB tomorrow with Corrine and William coming after school. Scrabble and bed!

Monday 28th November 2005  -  Day 279 — Noosa River

Got up early as couldn’t sleep. Geoff is fixing my broken bilge floor cover. I have finished off the back sun shade.  Sunny again.  Cooked scones and cut up the salad, meat, eggs for sandwiches.  Marlene, Musetta and Alan arrived for lunch.  Marlene was very excited to be on 2AB.  Guided tour and lunch.  Corrine and William arrived later and another guided tour. Then all bar Marlene and myself went in for a swim. Alan, Musetta and William then went off for a quick trip in the tender after a quick lesson from Geoff. Marlene was nervous when they went out of sight but they were fine.  We all then went ashore for a BBQ tea and had a great time. All in all, a great day.

Tuesday 29th November 2005 -  Day 280 - Noosa River

Nice day.  Did a few jobs around the boat but mainly relaxed until about 2pm when we went ashore to meet up with Marlene. Went back to her place and picked up the boxes we had left with her in February.  Corrine and William arrived home at 4pm and then, while Marlene cooked dinner, Geoff set up the internet on Corrine’s new PC and then checked our emails.  Left around 9pm and back to 2AB where we ferried the boxes over.  One tool box was very heavy. We now need to sort through everything and get rid of what we don’t need and send some of it back to Bright.  Other than that, not much to report.

Wednesday 30th November 2005  -  Day 281, Noosa River to Mooloolaba

Up at 0630 as we are off today to Mooloolaba and back over the bar.  We left the anchorage at 0730 and followed our inward track reversed.  It was a higher tide and early on a weekday so traffic and swimmers were minimal this time. We crossed the bar at 0755 to 0801 with no problems and were on our way.  Winds were very light to start with so we ended up with the Spinnaker.  Bernie rang on route from the roof of their unit at Coolum Beach. They could see us but we couldn’t actually see them as the motion of the boat made it hard to keep the binoculars steady.  Early afternoon the winds picked up and we had a good run into Mooloolaba. C alled up the Wharf Marina for a berth but they are closed for renovations.  The next one (Lawries) was full but the Mooloolaba Yacht Club had space for a few days. It was a tight berth with another yacht already in there but Geoff docked her well (well we both did). Relax for a while.  Geoff went down to turn the engine stop cocks off and saw we had a large oil spill.  What next!  He had a look at it but can’t find where it is coming from. Up to the office to pay our dues, long, hot shower and have a look in the chandlery etc. Not much there!  We then noticed Carmalita docked at a private jetty across the river from us and later saw Brad and waved.  Dinner and relax.  Mich rang for a long natter and I caught up on what’s happening in her life. Bernie also rang to touch base.

S26° 41.211 E153° 07.791ck