12 - December 2006

Friday, 1st December 2006  -  Day 637  - Berth H1, Gladstone Port Marina,  Gladstone 4680

First day of summer and a lazy start to the day.  The diesel mechanic came and did a compression test on the engines.  The injector tube is pitted which makes the starboard engine lose compression so we are looking at options at the moment.  Since the injectors have been serviced and repaired the engine won’t start at all now because all of the dirt and oil that was filling up the pits has now gone so they are having to replace the injector sleeve.  Hopefully the sleeve will come out without too much complication and expense.  Geoff’s guess is that this will all cost over $600 and that’s if it comes out easily.  If not the engine has to come out and who knows how much that will cost.  Still, it has to be done and its been worrying us for a while now.  Bob sent an email and he can’t find the cable for the Toshiba laptop that Geoff asked him to look for so we have sent an email with a picture of it.  We are keeping out fingers crossed.  I then cooked Savoury Pinwheels and Rick, Brenda and the woof, Vicky, came round for sundowners.  They came at 17:30 and left at 20:00 so it was a quick tea for us but a good natter with them.  Rick is lending us his car tomorrow, which is nice of him!

Saturday, 2nd December 2006  -  Day 638  -  Gladstone

Up at 06:30, shower, brekkie and head up to the Coastguard (VMR) for 07:45.  After introductions, Geoff is going to stay until 13:00 and do a shift  so I said I was off shopping (why did I get up so early)?  A lady, Pru, who was just going to keep her husband, Bryan, company at the VMR said she would go with me so off I went with my new friend.  During the course of the morning we learnt each others life history, albeit in a small way.  We are both Taureans with me being 1 year and 9 days older than her.  We had a ball and I expect we will probably see  more of them.  We ended up at the Port Curtis Sailing Club and relaxed, drinking our ginger beers and overlooking the VMR building.  Went back and met up with Geoff at 13:00 and we went off in Rick’s little car for a bite to eat and to get some shopping and diesel.  I had already got the gas refilled earlier in the day. I am now back at 2AB and pigging out on cherries, which I adore.  Yum!  Brenda’s son’s step daughter, Britnee, came to visit us. 

We had met her and her mum at Hexham Island last year when they were having a break on ‘Low Profile’.  Later, when I went up to the loos, I saw my first Cane Toad at Gladstone.  Horrid looking things. 

Sunday, 3rd December 2006  -  Day 639  -  Gladstone

Noisy Saturday night with the young bucks who live on their boats here doing their normal Saturday night drink binging.  I was woken up at midnight with them going out and woken up once again at 4am with them coming back.  Still, it only seems to be one night a week it happens.  I expect, as Christmas approaches it will get worse.  Geoff is up at the VMR for another five hour shift and he is on the radio on his own.  The controller won’t be far away though.  I kept myself busy with chores such a as laundry, putting food away, cleaning, transferring all the paperwork to a new file and then I washed off the deck (coal dust heaven here).  All the while I was working I had the radio on to see how Geoff was going.  His first day and he is thrown in at the deep end with an emergency.  A boat couldn’t lower his motor into the water and had to be towed back in.  Geoff did ok.  The controller told him he was one of the best he had on the first day.

Monday, 4th December 2006  -  Day 640  -  Gladstone

Caught the bus to The Valley as it is the first time I have to put in my payment form into Centrelink.  I thought it would take ages but it was quick and painless.  So far I have applied for five jobs with three still in the pipeline.  Two were advertised in the local paper so I have complete control over them but the others are through Job Network providers so I have lost control of them.  It is getting quite warm and humid now which made me very sleepy so a nap was in order.  The canvas paint has arrived so Geoff did some more painting of the edges of the Genoa.

Tuesday, 5th December 2006  -  Day 641  -  Gladstone

Geoff is off on a 3 day course at his Job Network provider, Minnecon and Burke today.  I bet he will enjoy that!  It is getting hotter and hotter, well  it is only around the 30° but it is getting humid.  You do a little job and the perspiration just drips off you.  The diesel mechanic came today and he managed to get the sleeve off the injector after a big effort.  Nice man, as it means we don’t have to pull the engine out.  He worked on it for a couple of hours with me doing his bidding.  Once he had finished working on it he tried to start it and it wouldn’t start.  For a few minutes we were worrying then he noticed the start button had got inadvertently pushed in.  After that it started first go. Then he gave the injector a quick burst of Spray and Wipe to see if there were any leaks.  There weren't but bubbles would have shown if there were….a handy hint which I expect Geoff already knows about.  Geoff came home at 4:30 pm and said the course was tailored to first time job seekers so was in the “sucking eggs’ category.  He said there is one guy there who is 3 months off retiring and they are making him do the course, which he is not at all happy about.

Wednesday, 6th December 2006  -  Day 642  -   Gladstone

Geoff has gone off to his job search course again. 

 I rang Centrelink to change his appointment for 4 pm today.  This meant I had to grab his Centrelink stuff and catch the bus to The Valley.  He wasn’t at Minnecon and Burke but I found him in a café having lunch.  I then decided to walk back to the marina as I wanted to have a look at the shops in the main street.  I got back to the marina an hour later but that was after going in the health food shop, chemist and Katie's.  Geoff got back around 4:45 and was a little peed off.  Apparently he can’t lodge for voluntary work whilst he is involved on the special program.  The Centrelink person said they didn’t know why he had to do the course as he hadn’t signed an activity agreement yet.  He now has to ask Minnecon and Burke to release him from the special program, which they may or may not do.  Here was me saying how painless it had been.

Saturday, 9th December 2006  - Day 645 -  Gladstone 

We had a nice drop of rain last night so it has washed down the boat of coal dust.  The last three days have been life as usual so not so much to report.  Geoff was able to get released from his intensive program with his job network provider and sorted it all with Centrelink.  He has been to see the VMR about his 15 hours a week and they have told him that he is on constant stand by so he will be covered.  I have got a job interview on the 18th.  It is a 3-4 month contract job doing data entry.  A boring job but one I can probably do with my eyes closed.  We will see...it all depends if they want me and what they are offering, pay wise.  I have also submitted my resume to the Water Police who are based at the marina offering to  do voluntary work.  Rang Sal to see how she is and she is still in a lot of pain, poor things.  They are busy preparing fire breaks etc in case the bad fires come their way.  I’ve also been to the chiropractor for an adjustment to try to sort my back out.  It was quite a painful adjustment this time but I fell better for it.  He had a look at my thumbs and said it is definitely arthritis. I have a doctors appointment on Monday so will also see what they say.  It’s a worry as it affects my typing abilities.  I can type without using my thumb but I am very slow and make a lot of errors.  On Friday, Geoff spent most of the day fixing the water leak coming from the hot water system so that’s done now.  The only other thing that we have finalised is our trip to the UK.  We leave 1st May and spend 7 days in Dubai on the way over and come back middle of July or earlier.  We also hope to do a side trip to visit Mara in Russia.  Something nice to look forward to. 

Thursday, 14th December 2006  -  Day 650  -  Gladstone

Where has the time gone?  I have spent the last couple of days incapacitated.  I went to the Kin Kora shopping Centre on Tuesday to get my hair coloured and did it whilst bending to pick something up.  It is the lower side of my back and was so painful I could hardly move.  I have been using our little TMS machine and it definitely helps it plus I have been dosed up but am trying to stop taking the stronger stuff now as it really plays havoc with your body if you use it for a prolonged time.  Geoff is also in the wars with a very swollen foot.  He thought he had gout but I think he has a bite that has got infected.  So I expect he will be off to the doctors in the not too distant future.  I went to the doctors on Monday about my thumbs and I am to have blood tests to just check that it is arthritis and not something else.  I haven’t had them done yet because of my back.  Last night we managed to hobble to the VMR for an info night.  There wasn’t much of the technical stuff we didn’t know but the local content was interesting.  Geoff is on the radios again this Saturday morning so I will cycle up to meet him towards the end of his shift.  Apart from this it has been work on the boat. Geoff changed the oil in the engines and has finished painting the canvas edge of the Genoa.  It needs to go back up but I can’t help him yet with my back being iffy.  We have been following the Bright fires closely on the news and the Buffalo Lodge (Tatra) has been razed to the ground but they saved The Chalet.  The fire got down to the bottom edge of Sally and Martin’s tree line and Lois is just waiting to see if it comes her way. 

Friday, 15th December 2006  -  Day 651  -  Gladstone

Oh what a couple of old crocks we are today.  Geoff was nauseous and dizzy overnight from the new medication for gout and my thumb is the most painful it has ever been.  I have had to pull out my old thumb brace from my PV work days when it first happened.  I had to write up my journal with my left hand so you can imagine how spidery it looks.  I  can still type but have to be careful.  Rang Sally and Martin this morning and they said all hell broke lose yesterday afternoon with the fires.  At one stage they thought they were going to lose ‘The Chalet’ (Tamara's little unit) with the flames at least 20 feet high.  A friend and neighbor, Johnny, arrived with his orchard water spraying truck and they kept playing water on it, which saved it.  The one thing they have lost is their brand new fencing.  This is nothing to what others in Victoria and Tasmania have lost so they are very thankful.  Photos will be on the way shortly, they tell me.  We have the loan of Rick’s car for three days as they are off to an area called ‘The Oaks’ to beach ‘Low Profile’ to clean her hulls.  Our hulls are starting to get bad growth on them from being in the marina so will probably have to do something similar soon.  We went off in the car with me driving and picked up the back deck long cushions which we had got covered and they look so much better.  We have also bought some new ropes for the Genoa which we also managed to put back up, even with my bad thumb.  I also have a job interview for data entry on Monday  and an interview for voluntary work on Tuesday but this, again, will depend on how my thumb is fairing.  I was so painful last night that it actually made me cry so we shall have to see!

Saturday, 16th December  -  Day 652  -  Gladstone

Geoff’s foot is still swollen but he is off to the VMR today 0800 to 1300 hours.  He is feeling a little down so I hope it perks him up.  He’s not the only one feeling down as my thumb is making me feel quite miserable.  After a shower, I went off to the pharmacy at The Valley and bought some anti inflammatory cream and had my blood pressure taken on their machine and waited a while and checked with our little machine and it was really out so we may have to look at buying a better one.  I then popped into VMR to visit Geoff and found he was out on the new rescue boat.  I went back at 12:00 and he still wasn’t back and he eventually got back at 14:00 hours.  He had a great time and is on again tomorrow.

Sunday, 17th December 2006  -  Day 653  -  Gladstone

We are trying to drink more water and swap refined salt for celtic salt as it is supposed to cure all ills.  We shall see.  We lazed about a bit.  It is getting windy now.  After lunch Geoff went off to the VMR and I listened to him on the radio and he has another emergency.  Does he attract them, or what?  I cycled in to visit him with quite a strong head wind and when I got there he had another call out.  A yacht’s engine had gone kaput and he was now aground in The Narrows. 

Geoff finished at 18:00 and we went to the Port Curtis Sailing Club for dinner for the $8.90 buffet.  It was bit ordinary but it WAS only $8.90.  We then cycled back to the marina and when we eventually got there..shock...horror...my purse had fallen out of my pocket.  I started walking back and then Geoff passed me on his bike and found it further along the path.  How lucky can you get?  Phew.  He then stayed up listening to the radio to help out with the rescue boat as he towed the stricken yacht into the marina.  Once it was tied up he helped with the refuelling and air docking.

Monday, 18th December 2006  -  Day 654   -  Gladstone

Up early and borrowed Brenda’s car to go to the pathology to have our blood tests done.  Onto Centrelink to make a claim.  I then called Reliance Petroleum to confirm my interview time and was told they already had someone in mind for the job but I could still go to the interview if I wished.  I said I wouldn’t bother as I was having trouble with my thumbs at present.  The pharmacist suggested I took Paracetamol three times a day and recommended Panadol Extend and only use the Voltaren when I really need to.  I will give it a try anyway.  A touch more shopping and that was it.  Getting lazy in our old age.

Tuesday, 19th December 2006  -  Day 655  -   Gladstone

Didn’t sleep very well and I have a headache which is probably due to caffeine withdrawal as we’re also trying to cut down on our caffeine intake.  Today I had an interview with the Gladstone Volunteer co-ordinator and it looks like I may be doing some admin work for Conservation Volunteers Australia in the new year.  Went back to the pathology to drop a sample off and then went to The Warehouse to get my money back on the cheap blood pressure monitor that is no good and then on to the chemist to buy a decent one that is on special at the moment.  Caught the bus back and had to partake of a real coffee to ease my headache.  I’m feeling very tired and lethargic at the moment due, probably, to my painful right thumb. 

Geoff started the starboard engine and it is still very slow to start so thinks it may need a re-bore, hence more money.  Geoff has also fitted the press studs to the new back deck seat covers and they look so much better. 

Wednesday, 20th December 2006  -  Day 656  -  Gladstone

I had a call from the doctor’s surgery today saying my tests were back and I need to pop in for a little chat about the results but there was no hurry so all must be ok.  Most of the doctors in Qld seem to be from overseas and you really need to get your ears into gear to understand what they are saying sometimes. 

Geoff has just started the starboard engine again and has found an oil leak where the diesel mechanic put in the new injector sleeve so maybe, just maybe, that is why it is even slower to start than it was before.  We have just spent over $850 on the engines and it doesn’t seem any better.  We will be keeping our fingers crossed. 

I have just finished scribbling in Journal No. 6 and have started No. 7.  My friend-cum-boss Flic certainly started something when she gave me the first journal as a farewell gift. 
Low Profile is back in so we helped her dock.  Good to have Rick and Brenda back.

After dinner Geoff headed off to the VMR for a training night so I took the opportunity to head to ‘Low Profile’ to pick up Geoff’s Christmas present as they had been storing it for me.  Now I have got to find somewhat to hide it and it is rather big.  I have bought him a remote controlled speed boat.  Ah boys and their toys. 

Thursday, 21st December 2006  -  Day 657  -  Gladstone

There was a rowdy yachtie’s BBQ last night and a couple of the single lads got really drunk and were yelling and throwing things into the water at 02:30 in the morning at the bottom of the ramp right next to 2AB.  I got up in the end and asked (yelled) for them to quiet down and they staggered off to their respective boats as noisily as ever.

We received an email from Lois today with the DSE and Shire fire updates attached.  Seems the fires are threatening Noonameena Lodge, our business before the Backpacker hostel.  Glad we’re not there now. 

We then caught the bus to the hospital for Geoff to have his x-rays done.  He has to pick them up as they don’t sent them directly to his doctor so he will pick them up after Christmas.  Then we decided to walk to the Central Shopping Centre for a few supplies which was just a short walk away.  Then catch the bus back to 2AB.  The bus is very expensive (I don’t think).  It costs us all of 70 cents to go to either the Valley or the Central and a whole $1 to go to the Kin Kora shopping centre with our seniors or concession cards.  

Geoff then headed off on his bike to buy me another Christmas present (the more the merrier) and I headed off to the doctors to chat about my blood tests.  Apparently he wanted to talk to me about my excessive alcohol intake and I laughed at him.  I had originally told him that one of my liver enzyme readings would be abnormal but  he just wasn’t listening.  He must have thought I was an alcoholic!  I have looked it up on the web and it can also be caused from being overweight and is not a problem.  He wants me to have more blood tests to rule out any auto immune diseases but said there was no hurry.  I will see.  Apart from that everything else was normal, which was good.  I also got a medical certificate from him for Centrelink for my thumbs. 

After the doctors I walked down the road a little to the Conservation Volunteers Australia to have a chat with the woman there, Lynn.  She was on the phone but called me into her office to take a seat and what was the first thing that caught my eye?  There was a notice on her notice board with a very familiar photo on it.  I thought to myself “that’s Mount Buffalo” and on closer inspection it was the Cathedral at Mt Buffalo and was an article from the ‘Clean up Australia Day’ in November 2006.  And on even closer inspection there was also a photo of Darin Lynch, one of the rangers and a colleague who works on Mount Buffalo.  It felt so weird to go into an office so far away from the Victorian Alps and the only notice on the notice board, other than maps, was of the area from my previous life.  I was going to say “area from my home turf” but I’m not sure where home is now.  Wherever the boat is, probably. 

Friday, 21st December 2006  -  Day 658  -  Gladstone to Cape Capricorn

The diesel mechanic came early today to fix the engine leak so we are able to head off today.  After a shower and brekkie we got the boat ready to depart for the off as we have decided to spend Christmas out of the marina.  We have to be back by the 27th as Geoff has an interview for a job at Bunning's.  After washing the boat free of coal dust we headed for a place called ‘The Oaks’ The forecast was for SE/E winds at 15/20 knots but in reality it was NE at 14 knots.  The Oaks was only a couple of hours away and it was really hard to see the entrance as there were no markers, murky water and a strong tidal flow.  We followed the books to ‘the T’ but the tidal flow was stronger than we thought and pushed us sideways and we scraped our hulls over the reef.  Not badly but what a horrible noise.  We checked the bilges and there was no salt water so we will have to check the hulls to see what we have done.  You would think they would put in channel markers as it is such a popular spot and boats are always coming to grief there.  We eventually got in but then didn’t like the anchorage as we weren’t sure the anchor had set and the tidal flow was so strong that if you dragged you would be back on the reef.  We still had plenty of time up our sleeve so decided to push on to Cape Capricorn for the night.  We got to the anchorage by 17:00 and it was a little rolly but fine.  It was then I realised I had the wrong photo flipped over on my flip top photo stand.  I know you will think I am superstitious but, when we are sailing, I always have a photo up of a sailor so they can look over us.  I had forgotten to do it this time so that is why we scraped our hulls over the reef!  This only reinforces my superstition.  The only time I haven’t had a sailor up on passage, something goes wrong.  I only have photos of five sailors/mariners and they are Martin, Sally, Wade, Chris and Mark so you can guess these photos are displayed a lot. 

Saturday, 23rd December 2006  -  Day 659  -  Cape Capricorn to Yellow Patch

Not a bad night, not too rolly. 

We left the anchorage around 09:00 and made our way over to where we thought the entrance to Yellow Patch was.  It was a guesstimate as the books said the entrance shown was from 1990 and the entrance could have changed.  It also said that there were sometimes home made buoys put in by he locals.  At least this entrance only had sand bars and no reefs so we tentatively inched our way in (with Martin looking over us from the photos) and then saw the local’s markers.  We had missed two of them but looking back we weren’t far out.  The markers were 25 ltr white containers bunched together in twos and threes and held to the floor bed by besser blocks.  We didn’t like it where we first anchored but were happy the second time round.  It is a very still and calm anchorage at present.  ’Reef Dancer’ is here and Geoff popped over to visit Juta and Helmut and invited them over for sundowners.  He checked with them whether there were any stingers about and then donned his bathers and snorkel  to check our keels.  Luckily we hadn’t done much damage at all, mostly scratches and a few nicks which can wait till she comes out of the water and we get back from the UK in late July.  He then cleaned all the marina growth off from the waterline and it was time for lunch and relax. 

Later I cooked up some savoury pinwheels and Helmet and Juta came for drinks.  They are originally from Germany and came out in 1970, the same year as us but four months later.   They came out on an old rust bucket on its last journey before being scrapped.  An old rivet job, apparently.  Whereas, ours was the flagship of the Sitmar line, the Fairstar.  (which has been scrapped  too, now)

After they left we put up the mozzie net as there are some really nasty, biting mozzie’s and sandflies here and we didn’t want to get bitten overnight.  The sandflies are the smallest of bites but, boy do they itch!  The B1 certainly dulls the itch but you can still feel them.  Just before dusk and at low tide Geoff decided to go off in the tender to check out and map the entrance on the GPS.  It was very visible at low tide.  As the sun sank below the horizon he had not returned and, as usual, I was getting a little concerned and then  saw a little dot on the horizon so I was able to breathe easily again.  I always get a little concerned when he goes out sight.  What would I do if he didn’t return etc?  We will order a slide on battery pack for our portable VHF radio on our return to Gladstone.  After a light tea it was off to bed.  We had only been in been in bed a few minutes when there was a clonk on the side deck.  Geoff got up to investigate and found it was a squid that had jumped onto the deck.  I didn't know squids could jump that far.  Geoff kept him for bait.

Sunday, 24th December 2006, Christmas Eve -  Day 660  -  Yellow Patch

Nice, quiet night.  A nice breeze came in the hatch early morning.  Geoff says there are about four boats at Cape Capricorn awaiting the tide to come in here (he saw them last night in the tender).  Bacon and eggs of course today. 

At 10:30 we popped over to Reef Dancer for morning tea with Joota and Helmut on ‘Reef Dancer’ which is a 33’ Fastback catamaran.  It was very nice and the space inside was very impressive for a small cat.  They have a lot more inside space than us even though they are a tad narrower than us but have a very small back deck so not much entertaining space outside.  It was also a little more expensive than ours. 

Back to 2AB and then Geoff took off to climb the huge sand blow that gives Yellow Patch its name.  I declined….it looked much to steep for my liking!  I did a bit of fishing and settled down with a good book.  When Geoff came back I decided to check my line and found it was way, way out.  I seemed to reel in forever but whatever was on the end wasn’t fighting much.  I turned out to be the biggest sucker fish I have ever seen so he went back in to live another day.

It is much cooler today with a few spots of rain but the rain cover will keep it all out and allow us to keep our hatches open.  Nice to see a drop of rain now and again.  Queensland certainly needs it.

Monday, 25th December, Christmas Day  -  Day 661  -  Yellow Patch

Up and open our pressies.  I gave Geoff his remote controlled speed boat and he gave me a 1GB USB stick, an electronic Times crossword plus a book on fishes (that was really for both of us, I think).  He had a bit of fun with the speed boat but reckons it won’t last long.  We will see. 

John and Jan from the green ketch ‘Walk Tall’ popped by and invited us to Christmas lunch ashore with Juta and Helmut so it was quickly put the turkey in the oven to cook for 12:30, make a salad etc and head ashore.  They had ham off the bone and we had turkey plus the salads so it worked out very well.  Whilst we were having lunch a large motor cruiser up anchored from where they were and came and anchored right next to us.  Apparently they have a generator going all night so that should be fun. 

We got back about 15:00 and relaxed and then at high tide went for a walk on the drying sand banks.  Back to 2AB for a light tea.  Off to bed and we could hear the motor cruiser’s genny but it wasn’t too bad although there music was very loud.  I suppose so they could hear it over top their genny.  Well, they certainly lived up to the bad reputation that motor cruisers have.  I got up at 02:30 to see if I could get their attention for them to turn the music down.  All I succeeded in doing was treading on one of our ceramic mozzie coil holders and breaking it and cutting the ball of my foot badly.  Geoff then shone our 3,000,000 candle power torch on them which certainly got there attention and “told” them to turn their music down.  At last, some relative quiet apart from their genny.  I must say he also told them they were inconsiderate bastards.

Tuesday, 26th December 2006, Boxing Day  -  Day 662  -  Yellow Patch to Gladstone

After taking a couple of Panadol last night my foot stopped throbbing and I got some sleep.  We got up and took down the Christmas tree and lights, took down the mozzie net, sun cover, side panels and back sun shade had brekkie and waited for the tide.  We left at 10:00 just three hours after low tide and followed the GPS track and markers out.  The forecast was for a strong southerly change in the afternoon/evening but as we passed Cape Capricorn we had a light NE wind blowing.  We passed Rick, Brenda and Britnee on ‘Low Profile’ on route.  They were on their way to Yellow Patch for a few days and we warned them not to anchor near the big motor cruiser.  We thought we might have a hard slog down for a few hours as the tide ran against us but the wind freshened and we were able to have a good sail until about an hour out of the marina.  On route ‘message in a  bottle No. 5’ was launched at S23º 28.98  E151º 14.49.  Once docked we scrubbed the decks down well before we put the covers up.  It was hot and humid and the perspiration was just dripping off us by the time we had finished so it was hobble up to have a shower before cooking dinner.  

Wednesday, 27th December 2006  -  Day 663  -  Gladstone

Nice drop of rain overnight and today it is still raining and quite cold.  Cold enough to have long pants and socks and shoes on.  No sign of the strong winds expected although the cold is from the southerly change.  My foot is not so tender today although it is very hard walking without hurting it as it is right on the ball of my foot.  It’s a good job I’m a quick healer.  Because of my foot I didn't do much today except for a heap of clothes washing.  Geoff headed off at 15:00 for his group job interview for Bunning's.  He said he actually quite enjoyed it.  If he doesn’t hear from them within two weeks he knows he didn’t get a position.  They are putting on another 150 staff as they are opening a new store here in Gladstone.  It rained all day so we weren’t able to do anything much although in between the showers Geoff managed to play with his remote controlled boat a bit.  Oh, by the way, Geoff has been taking his blood pressure three times a day with the new blood pressure machine and keeping up with drinking the water and the cetic salt and his blood pressure has been perfect.  Apparently some people suffer from ‘white coat syndrome’ and their blood pressure is only high when they have their blood pressure taken at the doctors.  They then get put on medication that they don’t need.  We will keep monitoring it closely and if it stays good Geoff will have to go back to the doctors to discuss it. 

Thursday, 28th December 2006  -  Day 664  -  Gladstone

My foot is still quite painful but to be expected due to where it is situated.  Geoff received a call from Bunnings and he has a ‘one on one’ interview next Wednesday.  Geoff told them he was surprised they had contacted him so soon and they said some decisions were easy to make so it sounds promising.  It is still cool and overcast today so ideal weather to work inside the boat so it was time to start a big clean.  I scrubbed the galley, shower and head, one cabin and the saloon.  It doesn’t sound much but everything is so tight and fiddly to do it seems to take ages.  Geoff had a play with his remote controlled boat and it brought another guy out of the woodwork.  He came running down and said “I am so glad there is another nut in the marina with a toy”.  He then went and got his boat and they spent the next few minutes ‘playing’ with their toys with other ‘big kids’ looking on.  It rained on and off all day so it was a R&R afternoon.  It also stopped us going to the yachties BBQ.

Friday, 29th December 2006  -  Day 665  -  Gladstone

My foot feels a little better today.  We had Rick’s car today so we did a large food shop plus got something for lunch as we were having visitors.  My great aunty Evelyn’s nephew lives near by and he came with his daughters and spent a couple of hours with us.  He is not an actual blood relative as aunty Ev was married to my Nan's brother.  After lunch they headed off to the shops for the girls to spend their Christmas vouchers. 

 Saturday, 30th December 2006  -  Day 666  -  Gladstone

As we still had Rick’s car, we decided to go out for the day so I made up some lunch and drinks and popped them in a cool bag and we headed off to the info centre to see what was close by for us to see.  A couple of places we fancied were just a little too far to go in Rick’s car so we headed off to Calliope (Have no idea how you pronounce this) to visit the historic village there.  It is a collection of authentic old buildings of the area that have been relocated and restored with info on their history.  It didn’t look much when we got there but turned out to be very interesting, especially for the price of $3 per head.  Plus there was a Driver Reviver stand outside so we got a cuppa as well for a gold coin donation. 

 

 By the time we had wandered around the village, my foot was starting to complain so it was a rest before heading off to visit Agnes Waters and the Town of 1770.  We had visited the Town of 1770 before in 2AB but we thought we would like to see more as we had the car.  It was actually further than we thought and we were a little disappointed in Agnes Waters when we got there but The Town of 1770 was good.  We took the car as far as we could to the headland, parked and then took the walking track out to the point.  An easy walk and great views and well worth going to. 

 The seas looked a little rough to me but Geoff said good sailing weather.  We stopped at the VMR to say hi on the way down but the station was being operated from someone’s house as it was the holiday period.  We met a couple there who said the seas were 3 metres so maybe not such good sailing weather.  We watched a cat sailing south from Gladstone area and they were bouncing about a lot.  By this time it was getting late so I drove back to the marina and we had a light salad for tea. 

Sunday, 31st December 2006  -  Day 667  -  Gladstone

Up late  -   slacko!  Greg from ‘Tritheum Щ came by and said ‘Low Profile’ was on their way back in so we got ready to help with the trying up.  Silly Rick forgot to take the mast of his remote controlled yacht (Christmas present) with him to Yellow Patch so wasn’t able to have a play with it.  Later Chris from ‘OTYA = “Over the Yard Arm” came with his son Fergus to play with Geoff’s boat.  For a six year old Fergus handled it rather well.  They stayed for ages and Fergus is a real live wire and, I think, quite a handful.  He is a big boy for his age and I think people think he is older than he is and should behave better.  It was New Years Eve and both Geoff and I are not New Year Eve people and this year we didn’t even stay up to see the new year in.  Luckily for us, but not the revellers, it rained so it kept the noise down.   So we actually managed to sleep quite well. We received quite a few text messages with HNY greetings...  thanks for remembering us.

11 - November 2012

Wednesday, 1st November 2006 — Day 608  - Port Clinton to Great Keppel Island

Well, it was like a mass exodus today.  We were up at 06:00 and were still one of the last to head out.  There is a cat following us and about three others still at anchor.  Listening on the radio, as a lot of them log in, most seem to be going to Keppel Bay Marina so the marina is going to be busy today.  One is going overnight to Gladstone and we’re going to check out North Keppel Island and eventually, in a few days time, make our way to Keppel Bay Marina ourselves.  It’s like Burke Street out here with everyone taking advantage of the NE winds, what little there are at present after the strong SE winds we have all been hiding from.  It is so light out here, currently, that even the Spinnaker would be of no help and everyone is motor sailing.  Unfortunately, the northerlies never seem to be strong enough.  By 11:30 they had increased enough for us to sail but we were not breaking any speed records.  We anchored at North Keppel Island at 14:30 and two hours later we had up anchored and were off as it was much too swelly and Great Keppel is only 9 nm miles away and a better anchorage.  We got in to Great Keppel Island around 17:45 and, after tea, had a long natter on the phone to my dad and then Sarah on Baybird to catch up on their news.  Well, Baybird is for sale as Sarah and David are off to Europe next year and hoping to buy a barge and cruise the extensive canal systems over there.  Good luck to them.  Later we added to our fish stocks by catching a Spangled Emperor.

 Thursday, 2nd November 2006  -  Day 609  -  Great Keppel Island

A lovely calm night and had a nice lay in so we’re glad we moved.  We can’t stay in bed too long these days as the sun comes up at 04:30 and starts getting hot (no daylight saving up here).  Premier Peter Beattie reckons more people will get sun cancer if they have daylight saving.  Doesn’t he realize that there are no actual extra hours of daylight.  Heard a hello and it was Lance and Trish from the cat ‘Euphoria’ who we had met at the Percy's last year.  Whilst we were talking to them, Peter and Chris from the cat ‘Family Affair -  a large Simpson cat, came by and we have all arranged to go on the beach for sundowners at 17:00 tonight.  It is a beautiful sunny day today.  I then decided the interior of the boat needed a good clean up so I tackled the galley, saloon, shower and head then vacced.  Geoff did a few chores  and then it was time to go exploring.  We took the bathescope to the reef to check it out to see if it was worth going snorkeling whilst we are here.  Then onto the beach and climb to the lookout and then wander up to the aboriginal midden and look at Long Beach on the other side  Back to 2AB where Geoff scrubbed the outside of the hulls from the tender.  Whilst he was doing this I was preparing some Savoury Pinwheels which I cooked just before we left for sundowners on the beach.  It was a great evening.  Apart from Lance and  Trish we also met Peter off a white sloop, Tony and Dianne off ‘Incantation’, also friends of Kristine and Peter on ‘Pure Magic, Geoff off the blue sloop ‘Sunny Meade’ plus three dogs so that I was able to get my dog fix.  It was a pleasant night and we got back to 2AB at 19:30.  Neither of us were very hungry but I needed a coffee to sober up a bit as I’m a two pot screamer.  It was a beautiful evening and I drank my coffee on the back deck.  The moon was coming up to full so was very bright, there were a myriad of stars shining and the sea was almost dead calm and the sound of the waves lapping against the shore was quite hypnotic.  You can’t get it any better than this.  Magic!  Bed early as worse for wear. 

 Friday, 3rd November 2006  -  Day 610  -  Great Keppel Island

The voltage is low this morning and the freezer knows it.  We had to wait for a reasonable time to put the genny on so we didn’t annoy anyone.  We put it on ultra whisper quiet for an hour before we put it on high for a while.  It’s a bit overcast today but there is still a bite in the sun when it does get through.  Geoff went overboard to clean the inside of the hulls so now she is good again.  Then it was time to start on the external stainless steel fittings  -   a never ending job.  Whilst we were in the middle of this job we had a visit from the Qld Fisheries.  I offered them a polishing cloth to help with the stainless steel cleaning which they politely declined.  They were checking on our safety gear, flares, EPIRBS etc and to check if we knew our “Fishing Zones” and whether we had any fish in the freezer.  Yes to everything but, once they knew the fish was filleted, they did not want to see it.  We offered to show them everything but we must have honest faces.  They checked out  ‘Incantation’ behind us but didn’t bother with any of the others in the bay.  Random selection I guess.  Geoff, in between cleaning, was copying some DVD’s he had borrowed so we now have heaps more to watch.  We both feel we have achieved quite a lot for one day.  Around 17:30 we went over to Tony and Dianne on ‘Incantation’ for sundowners then back to 2AB for beef olives and then watch a light, humorous English comedy DVD that Geoff had copied earlier. 

 Saturday, 4th November 2006  -  Day 611  -  Great Keppel Island

Not a good night!  The wind was strange and we were held on a side swell a lot of the night.  We had a heavy downpour and some wind.  The rain actually filled a 25 litre drum this time. I don’t think I got much sleep, some cat naps but not much more.  At one point I got up at 01:30 to put the side clears down and check the depth of the tide and how much was still under our keel.  The tide was so low that a lot of the reef was exposed, which you could see really well as the moon was full.  The smell coming from the reef and the red tide was overpowering and reminded me of crab sticks.  It was so bad that I almost had to put perfume up my nose.  After a shower, I cooked up some pikelets and at 10:30 Tony and Dianne arrived for morning tea.  Geoff and Tony did the IT thing whilst Dianne and I just nattered and gave out bits of our life histories.  They left three hours later and two hours later we met up with them again to swim over to the reef and do some snorkelling.  The reef itself wasn’t bad although parts of it were covered in a dusty, film like deposit  -  like an underwater cobweb  -  but the fish were plentiful and colourful. We saw some clown fish, not the Nemo coloured ones but dark brown with a bright turquoise band, plus Angel fish, Batt fish, Butterfly fish, Emperors, Sweet lips, Coral Trout,  Parrot fish, Potato Cod plus so many more.  All swimming around unafraid.  Perhaps they know it is a Marine Park “B”.  Back to 2AB for a quick cuppa and then up anchor and head around the headland into Long Bay which is now a better anchorage due to the slight shift in winds.  Four of the other boats came with us.  ‘Double Dip’ of the wind genny hate fame had anchored with us this morning so he probably wonders why we have all left.  As we were motoring out of the bay I knocked the back shower attachment overboard.  Geoff jumped in the tender to try to retrieve it but it had sunk out of sight.  SO….the Bermuda Triangle of the Great Keppel Island has struck again for the third time.  The first time was when the Cobb cooker grill went over, the 2nd time was when Geoff knocked my mug over and now the back shower.  That’s the 3rd time  -  it shouldn’t happen again (hopefully).  Frank on ‘Moonshadow’ is anchored just in front of us having arrived earlier.  There is a cat named ‘Zulu’ next to us that is advertising massages…..tempting!  This is an area ok for fishing but all we caught were sucker fish again.  We then watched the first episode of the Hornblower series which Geoff had copied a few days ago. 

Sunday, 5th November 2006  -  Day 612  -  Great Keppel Island

A good night and it looks like it is going to be a good day.  We were going to head to Keppel Bay Marina today but decided to stay here another day and explore the beach and go for a swim.  We headed ashore and walked the whole length of the beach which was quite a way, chatting to the locals and yachties as we went.  When we got back to the tender we went for a lovely swim and then relaxed under a shady tree with a drink and some nibbles to dry off. 

By this time it was low tide and 2AB was quite close to the shore so I decided that I would swim back.  Unfortunately, the current was just a bit too strong so Geoff came to get me in the tender as I was getting further away from 2AB.  I could have floated forever and was not in any trouble but it just goes to show how easily things could go pear shaped.  Next time I will enter the water further up the beach and go with the current and let it take me to where I want to go.  You live and learn.  We have both caught the sun today so will have to take more care as summer approaches as we don’t want to get sun burnt.  The rest of the afternoon passed in relax mode and Geoff cooked Spangled Emperor for tea and very nice it was too!

Monday, 6th November 2006  -  Day 613  -  Great Keppel Island to Keppel Bay Marina

I was woken at 06:45 by an “Ahoy” and it was Geoff from ‘Sunny Meade’ and Peter.  Geoff had come to say goodbye as he was off to The Narrows and Gladstone and also wanted us to put our names on the back of the photo we had given him of himself, Devil dog and Nano Dog in his tender and also take a photo of me on 2AB. 

Geoff was still in bed so I obliged.  I hope we catch up with him again as he was a nice bloke and came from the Tambo River in Gippsland, Vic and also knew Sarah and David on ‘Baybird’.  ‘Incantation’ has already left for the marina so we will catch up with them there.  We left a couple of hours later and it was a motor job all the way as the wind was so light.  We got into our small berth after the 2nd attempt and settled in, paid our dues and had a nice long shower and shampoo and then had some lunch and came away $33 poorer….lunch isn’t cheap anymore!  Got all the dirty clothes ready and headed up to the laundry.  Whilst this boring job was underway I caught up with Tony and they are off to North West Island tomorrow and hope to catch up with us there.  Tony had just finished two trips to the service station to pick up 150 litres of diesel.  He is lucky enough to have room to keep three diesel containers onboard but we only have the room for the one so will have to do a few trips.  But, it is worth the effort as it is so much cheaper than buying it at a fuel jetty, probably about 30 cents a litre cheaper.  Folded all the washing and back to 2AB where Geoff had just finished making fish cakes for tea…. Good lad.  Relax, watch a bit of TV and bed.

Tuesday, 7th November 2006  -  Day 614  -  Keppel Bay Marina,  Yeppoon

Gee, it gets light early up here!  Still, I persevered and managed to stay in bed until Geoff got up and made the coffee!  Once up it was try to organize a car rental but there is only Budget in Yeppoon and it is at the Rydges Resort, 9 kms the other side of Yeppoon and no bus.  We checked on the cost of a taxi to pick it up and they said $25...get real!  So we decided it was just getting too expensive so we have decided to catch the bus into Rockhampton and pick up a cheap rental for the day, picking John up from the airport and re-provisioning on the way back to the marina.  A bit complicated but it should work.  After brekky I winched Geoff back up the mast so he could wire in the internet connection on a permanent basis.  He had to come down once for a rest as his climbing harness was cutting off his circulation and he needed a rest.  Then it was back up to finish it off.   CRASH  -  and his power drill hit the deck but, luckily, didn’t do any damage to the deck or to me.  Geoff hadn’t tied it off properly.  Whoops!  Normally I wouldn’t stand directly underneath when he is working up the mast but I was waiting for him to feed the internet cable through the mast to the bottom so I could pull it through.  Anyway, he has done it now.  Then it was a mad dash for the shower and pick up the courtesy car at 12:30 and we  were off to Yeppoon.  We bought the heavy supplies and a few bits and pieces and, as usual, started to run out of time to get the car back within the allowed two hours.  We were five minutes late so not too bad and then we had to put it all away.  Geoff then finished off the internet wiring connection in the saloon and tested it.  Great, 5 bars on his phone and only one on mine so it definitely works.  Time to relax.

Wednesday, 8th November 2006  -  Day 615  -  Keppel Bay Marina

Up at 07:00 as it is getting too warm to lay in bed and we have heaps to do.  First it was strip the beds and do all the washing and drying of the linen and towels.  Whilst this was in, I scrubbed the galley, saloon, head, shower, fridge etc.  Made the beds and, once again, a rush to the showers and up to catch the bus into Rockhampton.  The bus driver dropped us at the car hire door, which was nice.  We picked up a sweet little Hyundai Getz for $49 and headed to the shopping centre to swap phone numbers between phones.  Telstra said it couldn’t be done (of course) but, as usual, the little private phone shops did it for us for nothing.  So now the one with the antenna up the mast is on the fixed plan that I can do lots of phone calls with (use 0428 501 244).  Grab a bite to eat and head off for the airport.  Cousin John’s plane arrived on time, basically, and he didn’t look any different from when we last saw him in 2001. 

We all fitted into the little Getz and it was off to re-provision.  Then drive back to 2AB and more putting away and settle John in.  After a bit of catching up on news it was head back to Yeppoon for tea.  Well, if any of you know Yeppoon, you know it is a little “Hicksville-ish” so we had trouble finding somewhere to eat that was within our budget.  We eventually decided on the Railway Hotel (the only place really).  The pasta was average and then the band started to play.  It was supposed to be a country night but it sounded like old time rock and roll to me.  The band was older than us and the locals had turned out in 50’s type gear and were having a great time jiving to the band.  Trouble was, the singer was flat so as soon as we had eaten we decided it was time to leave.  What a fine “first” night for John but you couldn’t help smiling.  Still, the locals enjoyed it!

Thursday, 9th November 2006  -  Day 616  -  Keppel Bay Marina

Up at 08:00 and make the coffee.  John slept well, the first good nights sleep he has had since he arrived in Oz.  Geoff went off with the diesel can and the car and did a couple of trips to the service station to top up on fuel.  I mixed up some ice cream to the first freeze stage with my new mixer and popped it in the freezer.  After brekky and a shower Geoff took the car back into Rockhampton and also gave a lift to a couple from a cat named ‘Duet’.  Whilst Geoff did this, John and I took down the sun shade and washed off the decks.  We then listened to Rocky Met and the weather and found out there is supposed to be a severe thunderstorm warning with squalls for tonight with winds gusting to 40 knots.  When Geoff arrived back we had a discussion on our plans and, due to the weather warning and that Geoff had checked and the winds were from the east and would be right on our nose, we decided it may be prudent to stay in the marina one more night.  After lunch we decided to wander along the marina fingers and have a look at the boats and see if there was anyone we knew.  The rest of the day was spent chatting, Japanese curry for tea and then some TV.  Just before we retired for the night the winds blew in from the south so we re-secured all the ropes to stop 2AB from blowing on the dock as we were now facing north and it was blowing us onto the dock.

Friday, 10th November 2006  -  Day 617  -  Keppel Bay Marina to Great Keppel Island

What a night!  The wind was howling through the rigging  all night and it was really noisy but the boat was secure.  But, it was a bit of a restless night.  John was already up when I got up at 06:45 for a nature call.  Made a cuppa to really wake us up, had a shower, brekky and then headed out for Great Keppel Island.  The seas were short and sharp but not too bad.  Geoff was having a good chat to John so I took the opportunity to have a lovely nap.  John woke me up just as we were coming into Leekes Beach at GKI to help with the anchoring.  Frank from ‘Moonshadow’ is here.  I then made some lunch and then we all succumbed to the tired’s and napped again for an hour.  None of us had got much sleep the night before.  Eventually we all slowly came back to life and Geoff and John went of to troll from the tender and also to take John ashore to show him where his souvenir coconut had come from.  When I heard them coming back I grabbed the camera to take a video clip.  I’m glad I did as John had caught a Spotted Mackerel so we are going to have that for dinner tonight.  Suits me as Geoff does all the fish cooking on this boat! 

Frank popped by to say a quick hello and then it was time for sundowners on the back deck as the sun slowly started it’s descent to below the horizon.  After yummy fish and chips, John and I fished off of the back steps.  I got nibbles and John had a big strike but they got away.

Saturday, 11th November 2006  -  Day 619  -  Great Keppel Island to Hummocky Island

My dad’s birthday today  -  so happy birthday dad!  We listened to the weather forecast and the next four days look ideal for going out to the outer reef.  We left at 08:30 but should probably have left a lot earlier and we will probably have to motor a lot.  An hour out and we have a one knot current against us and the wind is not helping one little bit.  Then another couple of hours later and we are still in the same conditions so Geoff is giving it a little while longer before he decides what to do.  I found my little mixer can run off the inverter so I whipped up the ice cream to double its size and this time it was easy and looks really good.  Let you know how it was after tonight when we have sampled it.

At 12:30 Geoff made up his mind to head for Hummocky Island as the seas, current and wind was conspiring against us and we wouldn’t make North West Island until well after dark.  As we hadn’t been there before we thought this would not be prudent.  Weather permitting, we will head off early to Fitzroy Island tomorrow, if not, we will rethink our strategy.  John then committed Bottle No. 6 to the seas at S23° 20.0  E151° 07.4.  the rest of the trip was a gentle sail and we anchored at 15:15 and, would you believe it, the wind is now coming from the west.  This means we are on a lee shore but as the wind is so light it shouldn’t be a problem.  We then headed ashore for a quick explore and a dip.
 

There were lots of small jelly type things in the water so I didn’t like it as ‘Irikanji”  (tiny, deadly jellyfish) sprang to mind.  There were heaps washed ashore as well.  Twenty minutes later and we are still well so they were not Irikanji.  Back to 2AB and a game of boat darts ensued and John won 301, Geoff won Around the Board and I trailed miserably, as usual.  A bit of fishing, dinner, DVD and bed.  

Sunday, 12th November 2006  -  Day 619  -  Hummocky to Mast Head Island

Up at 05:15 to make a cuppa and grab the weather off the internet.  The four day forecast has changed somewhat from yesterday with stronger winds coming in late Monday or Tuesday.  We had a rethink of our plans and decided to head for Mast Head Island as it closer to the mainland than the others.  We thought Fitzroy Reef was a little exposed if the weather changed earlier than expected.  We headed off at 05:40 and the winds were light to almost non existent so we motored on mill pond seas.  John saw his first dolphins, which was great.  I then cooked bacon, eggs, fried potato and tomato (yes, it’s Sunday again). 

The seas were like glass and the winds stayed almost non existent so we motored, but it was most enjoyable.  At one stage I looked behind me and said “What’s that?”.  There was something quite big floating in the water, so big in fact that Geoff turned back for a look.  At first I thought it was a small upturned boat but as we got closer we realised it was a huge turtle, the largest we had ever seen!  It was a Loggerhead Turtle that was just enjoying the benign conditions and relaxing on the surface and he had no idea that we were creeping up on him.  It was so funny to see his face when he eventually realised we were there …… shock, horror and DIVE, DIVE, DIVE!  We think they must be laying their eggs on all the nearby cays of this area.  In fact, now I can say we are definitely in Loggerhead territory as they are everywhere and all enjoying the conditions to have a laze on the surface.

  Such a nice day but even on a day such as this things can go wrong as we have just been listening to a Pan Pan where a boat has lost all his electrics due to a storm plus they had an injured crew member on board.  At Mast Head Island we anchored in clear, aqua water, had a quick dip to cool off and a drink and then we headed to shore.  We decided to walk around the cay as it didn’t look too big and it was an interesting experience.  We saw heaps of turtle slides and egg depressions plus a turtle that headed off into the water when he saw us approach. 

 There was also a large and diverse range of rays frolicking in the shallows.  John was enthralled by it all.  As with all islands, they are further round than you think and the sand was soft and hard going, especially for me.  I had a big blister on my heel from new shoes so had to carry my sandals and there was a lot of washed up coral that hurt when you stepped on them.  Plus, I had only worn my bathers so my legs chaffed, my ankles swelled and my back hurt so I was very pleased when the tender came back into view.  Back to 2AB for a nice, cool drink and then the boys went off in the tender with the bathescope to see if there was any coral worth snorkelling in.  But, there’s not much here, funnily enough.  But the fishing was another thing all together!  Whilst I cooked dinner the boys fished from the back deck and were just reeling in one variety of reef fish after another.  They  all went back as we had plenty of fish in the freezer and, although of legal size, weren't big enough to make us keep them.  Early to bed as so tired.

Monday, 13th November 2006  -  Day 620  -  Mast Head Island  - Wistari Reef  - Heron Island

Up at 06:50 to catch the weather forecast.  Still ok for today but getting stronger tomorrow with a probable strong wind warning on Wednesday.  We decided we would go to Wistari Reef for lunch and a look and then head on to North West Island if the winds stay in the right direction and then head for the mainland tomorrow.  We were escorted out of the bay by a couple of dolphins. 

We had a good sail to Wistari Reef and anchored in a bit of a side swell.  Unfortunately it was low tide so there was no way of taking the tender over the surrounding reef into the good coral in the lagoon so the boys had a quick look through the bathescope.  After an early lunch we headed of in the direction of North West Island but the wind had turned a bit and instead of being the forecasted E/NE it was N/NW and was right on our nose and very slow going.  This made us change our plans so we set course for Heron Island for the night and we had a reasonable sail there.  After we had anchored we used the seaphone  to phone the resort to find out the rules and where we could go.  We got permission from the general manager to use a certain part of the beach and we headed ashore.  As soon as we beached the tender a staff member came down to see if we knew where we were allowed to go so it was a good job we phoned in.  It is a reasonably exclusive resort with more staff than guests and we boaties are not welcome at the resort itself (not unless you are Dick Smith or Greg Norman one would think).  We actually didn’t think much of the beaches or the coral at Heron.  The beaches are coral sand and painful to walk on in some parts and the coral was sparse and bleached.  Anyway, we donned our snorkel gear and went in and the water was very warm and clear.  We didn’t expect much but got a lot!  There was a smaller Loggerhead Turtle lazily swimming and we swam with him.  He certainly knew we were there as he looked at us but it didn’t faze him one iota.  It’s a marine park and I doubt if these turtles have ever been menaced by humans.  He swam at a very leisurely pace which allowed us to keep up with him.  There was one of us on either side and one just above him.  What a fantastic event.  Unfortunately, due to the poor coral, we hadn’t taken our underwater camera with us so no photos are forthcoming.  We could have swam with him forever but we thought we had better let him go on his merry way.  The other things that were in abundance were rays and sea cucumbers.  Later, Geoff chatted to an English couple out on holiday and they were paying £180 ($450 ish) per person per night all found.  So not that expensive really for an exclusive resort.  He also found that Heron Island is on daylight Saving time and not Queensland time.  I supposed when you are an isolated island on the outer reef you can do whatever you want.

Tuesday, 14th November 2006  -  Day 621  -  Heron Island to Pancake Creek

Not a comfortable night but to be expected.  We were up at 05:00 for coffee and off at 05:30.  The weather is for a NW strong wind warning tomorrow so we should be snug enough in Pancake Creek.  We have SE winds 20/25 knots forecast for Friday so it should be a fast and, probably, uncomfortable passage to Gladstone where we need to get John off to the airport and back to Sydney.  An hour out of Heron Island and there is no land in sight whatsoever.  These island cays are nearly flat so they soon disappear from view.  We probably won’t see any land until around 09:30, Geoff thinks.  And so it was….Land Ahoy...at 09:35.  During this time we all went up on the front deck as we had two large and inquisitive dolphins playing on our bow for about ten minutes.  They kept swimming on their sides to look at us and, for the first time, I heard them squeaking at each other.  John was rapt! 

 Then we caught ourselves a nice mackerel for tea so John was even more chuffed.  We then decided that we would finish trolling for the day as we had enough fish in the freezer but, as we reeled the trolling line in, we caught an even  bigger mackerel.  As we got him to the boat we were debating whether to let him go or put him in the freezer when, at the last minute, he flipped and got away.  Our decision was made for us. 

Onward to Pancake Creek and we anchored around 13:00.  By this time it was getting quite blowy but quite secure.  When the sandbanks exposed at low tide it was even more comfortable.  We dropped the lines in again and, guess what, more “B” puffer fish.  Geoff cooked the mackerel steaks for tea and very nice they were too.  I think I like them in steak form.  A good night for TV and then bed.

Wednesday, 15th November 2006  -  Day 622  -  Pancake Creek

It was a good night and I didn’t get up to make a cuppa until after 08:15.  We all showered off the back deck (me in bathers, of course) as we have a reasonable amount of water left.  Geoff then cooked scrambled eggs on toast for brekky which went down well and then worked on a short movie of John’s trip with us.  It is now quite windy and the boys experimented in trying to fly balloons, to no avail.  So, off they went in the tender to wander the sandbanks as it was low tide. 

They met up with the crew from ‘Escondido’ and ‘Elegant Gypsy’ whilst they were there.  All this time it was blowing hard but whilst they were away it really picked up and was well over 25 knots for about four hours.  Unfortunately, it coincided with the high tide so the waves were really rolling by and really banging sometimes as the went under the hulls.  Around 16:00 I decided that my eyes were getting distinctively heavy so thought I would have a thirty minute nap if the seas allowed me, and two hours later I awoke.  I had slept well despite the conditions and John had napped too.  By this time the wind was only roaring at a constant 18 knots.  I wonder what it is like outside on the open seas.  Geoff cooked Mexican Shepherds Pie...yum, yum.  Then it was time to teach John Cribbage.  Geoff won but only just.

Thursday, 16th November 2006  -  Day 623  -  Pancake Creek

We turned the wind generator off before we went to bed last night as the batteries were full from the strong winds.  During the night the wind dropped completely for a few hours but now, at 08:00, it is back and coming from the SW.  You just don’t know what to do as the wind is only around 12 knots at present but the forecast is for 35 knot winds early afternoon.  Should we make a run for it or wait until tomorrow.  We decided to go tomorrow so the boys decided to walk up to the lighthouse so I made them up some lunch and drinks and they headed off.  I didn’t want to aggravate my blister as it was a long walk and I didn’t want to get half way there and then have to hobble back. 

Whilst they were away Rocky Met came on and the forecast has changed from this morning with winds forecast at 15/20 this morning and not getting to 20/30 until evening, then tomorrow the forecast is for 20/30 knot winds.  What should I do?  I thought of ringing the boys to tell them to come back and we would go but by the time they got back it would probably have been too late.  Then VMR Bundaberg came on with an updated weather forecast which says it is easing to 20 knots in the afternoon tomorrow so all may yet be well!  So whilst they were away I cleaned, did my credit card reconciliation and cleaned all the snorkel gear from the other day and then relaxed.  When they got back they said it had been a hot and hard slog in the midday sun so I am glad I reneged.  They said they had met up with Stuart Buchana, the author of the 'Lighthouse Keepers'. 

By now it was quite windy and getting towards high tide so also a little bouncy but ok.  We decided it was time for a game of boat darts.  Why do I bother?  I got left way behind again.  Later I cooked a roast dinner.  I had bought a Turkey roll which looked quite nice but turned out to be a disaster.  They had used the really “ST” meat and it was very tough.  The stuffing, (it WAS mostly stuffing) tasted fine so we basically had, stuffing, roast potatoes, vegies and gravy.  Still, we didn’t starve.

Friday, 17th November 2006  -  Day 624  -  Pancake Creek to Gladstone Marina

Up at 06:50 to catch the weather report from Rocky Met.  There is still a strong wind warning  current for winds from SE at 25/30 knots but they are saying that it will be mostly offshore with lighter winds inshore.   Ok...so we will poke our nose out later and see what its like and make a decision then.  We had to wait till about 10:00 for the current of the ebbing tide to lose some of its strength and then get the flooding tide to assist us all the way to Gladstone.  Once out of Pancake Creek the seas were not too bad at all and the winds were around 11-17 knots so it was onward.  We put up the main and Genoa (gull winged) as the wind was right up our bum.  We had a 2 knot current against us to start but our speed was still in the 7 knot range.   During the day the wind increased to around 17-22 knots and, needless to say, it was a fast and a little bouncy ride but fine.  For the last hour, John took the helm and manually steered 2AB and I think he found it quite exhilarating, to say the least.  He said he needed total concentration but he did well considering the conditions. 

We thought we would lose our wind as we came abeam Facing Island but, no, it stayed with us right up to the marina entrance.  Geoff stated that Wade, a friend in Melbourne, would have loved these conditions and he could visualise him constantly tweaking the sails.  The fasted speed we recorded was 9.1 but we averaged around the 7 knot mark, which is good for little 2AB.  We got into the marina around 13:00 and docked at berth L26, right on the end.  They will give us a closer berth shortly as we are hoping to spend some time here looking for that “W” word.  After a shower we caught up with Rick on ‘Low Profile’ who we had got to know last year and Tony and Diane on ‘Incantation’.  Later we joined Tony and Carol for sundowners on their back deck before we headed off by taxi to Gladstone where John treated us to dinner at an Indian Restaurant ‘Indian Affair’, and it was reasonably priced and very nice although I couldn’t eat it all. We walked back to the marina and then it was time for bed.

Saturday, 18th November 2006  -  Day 625  -  Gladstone Marina

I was up at 06:30 as I couldn’t sleep and my back was a little painful.  This is John’s last day today.  Boo hoo!  After brekky, Geoff grabbed another yachtie lady and asked her to take a photo of the three of us on the front deck and she did a good job.  This meant that Geoff could work on finishing John’s movie so he could take it with him.  At the moment he is trying to burn it to CD/DVD.  It is still very windy.  The large cat that was berthed in front of us (a delivery job) left at 05:00 to go to Bundaberg to try and beat the wind before it got up.  Maybe he made it to 1770 but he would be more likely to have only made it to Pancake Creek before the strong southerly winds started again.  I expect he will head south for Bundaberg again early tomorrow.  It would be slow going and not too comfy, I would think.  John started the easy task of packing as he hadn’t really used many clothes whilst he was on the boat.  Then it was time for a shower and onto the little marina café for a bite of lunch before we head off.  We have booked a taxi for 15:00 and will go to the airport with him to see him off.

Saturday, 18th November 2006  -  Day 625  -  Gladstone…...CTD

Well, cousin John has gone.  He flew out at 16:30 back to Sydney and I am sure I could see a glistening in everyone’s eyes.  Grab a taxi back to 2AB and the rest if the day was spent just vegging out as we felt a bit of a let down.  Tomorrow I will have to start getting 2AB back to some semblance of order.

Sunday, 19th November 2006  -  Day 626  -  Gladstone

Note: Whilst we are here in Gladstone I will continue with the journal but it may be a condensed version of a few days at a time as it may get a little boring.

The start of a new section of our lives.  We now have to get into a routine of land based activity.  We have a huge list of things to do!  We will, hopefully, still get quite a bit of sailing in yet.  We still have to do Lady Musgrove and Fitzroy Reef which needs benign weather.  Book your tour now.  So, today was spent on mundane chores such as washing linen, cleaning etc.  Boring!!!!!!

P.S.  Would you believe it but ‘Double Dip’ of the wind generator hate fame has just berthed right in front of us!  Can’t get away from this guy.

Monday 20th to Friday 24th November  -  Day 627 to 631  -  Gladstone

So what have we been up to in the last few days.  It has been quite busy, I can tell you.  We both got our wild and woolly locks cut...thanks goodness.  I (Maz) have finalised my Newstart allowance with Centrelink and have already applied for a job via my Job Network provider.  Geoff has to finalise his on Monday but has already had an interview for Dick Smith (he didn’t get it as they were after youngsters who they could pay less).  We still both have the option on doing 30 hours a fortnight in voluntary work and still get the New start allowance.  Its an option if jobs don't eventuate.  We were both dreading what we thought would be the bureaucratic nightmare of Centrelink and being treated as dole bludgers or second class citizens but that was not the case.  The two ladies we saw there couldn’t have been more friendly or accommodating.  The paperwork was still horrific with Geoff sighing all the time AS I DID IT and saying how much work there was.  He has been analysed as a special case as he hasn’t worked for two years and gets more help than me.  Hmmmmm! 

 We have moved to a better berth closer to the facilities.  Socialised, of course, and cleaned and done jobs around the boat. 

Have planned our trip back to the UK stopping off at Dubai to stay with friends for a few days.  Allison is the HR manager at the really spectacular hotel built out on a little island.  Its not the sort of place you would probably visit if you didn’t have friends there.

Looks like we will head off sometime in May and come back late July or early August.  We then prepared the prawns I had bought earlier and headed up to the yachties BBQ which happens every Thursday and got to meet a few more people.  The mozi’s and sand flies are still bad here but the B1 still seems to be working as, although I have bites, the don’t itch too much. 

Saturday, 25th November 2006  -  Day 632  -  Gladstone

Today we had a lazy start but we eventually got motivated and wandered up to the chandlery to see what was available.  I then uploaded all the photos onto yahoo photos at http://au.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/sv2abreast/my photos and arranged them in order.  They are numbered for 2006 so they stay in the correct time frame.  It was then time to get on our treddly peddly’s as we needed some exercise and headed off to Spinnaker Park which was on the other side of the marina.  Spinnaker Park was put in by the coal company here.  When they applied to put a coal                    

terminal in Gladstone some enterprising person in the council said “sure, but you need to dredge and build a marina and a good park”, which they did.  And what a lovely park they built!  It is well set out, picturesque with good quality fittings (stainless steel seats), free gas BBQ’s and great walking/bike paths.  It even has a small swimming beach with stinger net.  It is only a 15 minute ride but, by the time we had stopped and looked at everything, it took us 45 minutes.  Next time we will take a BBQ lunch with us.  

Later that evening I rang Sally and had a long natter. Poor Sally had just had an intricate operation on one of her feet and was suffering a bit with it but bearing up.  She will find it so much better in the long run, as I did.  Her problem is that she now has to look forward to having the other one done!

Sunday, 26th November 2006  -  Day 633  -  Gladstone

A very noisy Saturday night but it died down eventually.  Geoff took the headsail down and half painted the canvas trim with the tautflex paint but run out towards the end.  It needs a 2nd coat anyway so he will have to buy some more.  Later in the morning there was a knock on the hull and it was Ron off of ‘Roma’ who we had first met at Percy Island last year so we made arrangement to have them come for drinks later, which they did.  We showed them the photos we took and burnt them a copy of them all.  Ron showed us more of his art work. 

 He uses the aboriginal style of painting on pieces of driftwood he finds and he is really talented.  He certainly has a way with colours and designs.  I also showed him my efforts and he thought mine were quite good and liked the comic aspect of my work.  I have a long way to go before I am as good as Ron. 

Later we watch a DVD they had lent us of Diva Las Vegas which was Bette Midler at some huge venue in Las Vegas.  It was good but we’re not really into that type of entertainment.

Monday, 27th to Wednesday 29thNovember 2006  -  Day 634 to 635 -  Gladstone

A warm night….a taste of summer perhaps?  So what have we been up to in the last three days?

We have paid our berth fees up front for the next three months as it is quite a lot cheaper and now that we are residents of the marina we only pay half of the GST.   Brenda off of ’Low Profile’ and her woof, Vicky cam for a visit and stayed for about two hours.  While she was here Geoff had a Centrelink appointment.  I then sent off quite a few introductory letters and resumes.  When Geoff  came back he had a laptop to look at.  It was not talking to a new Magellan GPS.  Geoff worked on that most of the afternoon and then we went for sundowners on Roma.    Rang Salpal and she said her leg was giving her a lot of pain.  On Tuesday I went off shopping with Brenda just to get off of the boat.  Geoff worked on the laptop all day.  He thought it was a ME problem and the laptop had a lot of little problems anyway.  Wednesday and Roma left at 04:30 so I wasn’t up to wave goodbye.  Sent out more letters and resumes and have applied for three jobs.

Thursday, 30 November 2006  -  Day 636  -  Gladstone

Geoff is still working on Dick’s laptop and getting frustrated to say the least.  He then went up to the chandlery with Dick to speak to the Magellan rep and he now agrees it doesn’t support the ME operating system.  The chandlery wouldn’t give Dick his money back although they had previously told him it supported ME.  Dick’s laptop was still having problems.  It would not restore, scan disc plus heaps of things that should work that didn’t.  Geoff then completely re formatted the hard disc which took until mid afternoon.  The diesel mechanics then turned up and tried to do a compression test but were unsuccessful so will come back tomorrow.  They said the injectors had some pitting and the rings may need to be done.  All for now...if you feel like you would like to visit us check out the map below.