More photos to cheer you up

More photos to cheer you up

Hi again-just wanted to add some photos.    

This is the view south from Cape Capricorn,and Bodi watching the little cart being winched to the top ,carrying people and supplies-the brake is a stick and a piece of rope!
   We are now at Mackay waiting for 20-30 knot winds to abate.More details about our island tour soon.

Bring on the Tropics ! Southport to Percy Isles

      Apologies for the long pause between posts, but we have been constantly on the move northwards-the problem is-when we have the time, we're rocking and rolling and/or there is no internet access.
       What an exotic-sounding trip we had through the shallow back channels inside Stradbroke Is to Moreton Bay-via Tipplers' Pass, avoiding Tigermullet Channel and Whalleys' Gutter, sighting the feared Jumpinpin Bar,then via Canaipa Passage to Russell Is. There we were "had" by an old local who told us we could reach the civilised end of the island with a "brisk 20 minute walk playing with a dog"-it was 45 minutes later and getting dark when we decided to turn back and no bright lights in sight! Ex-Port Mac friends Bev and Ian Triplett were away in Thailand ,but we managed to wave to Mike Emery driving the speedcat ferry. passing us along the straits to Moreton Bay
     After a night at Coochiemudlo Is. we set off for Mooloolaba arriving in the dark and rain to a safe marina berth.From there we did our first overnighter in brilliant moonlight to reach the dreaded Wide Bay bar at the right tide.However with the early morning sun we had trouble picking up the indistinct 1st lead light,but finally navigated our way to safe waters inside the break.
     We enjoyed a night in Snapper Creek and the village of Tin Can Bay where local artists have decorated walls,watertank and public toilets, then on through the Great Sandy Straits requiring very accurate navigation to Garry's Anchorage.Along the way we anchored at Kingfisher Bay Resort, enjoying pizza nearly as good as Flavours, although the ducky ride "home" after was freezing.
      Next stop was Bundaberg, continuing up the river to the city passing the Bundy Rum factory, and the huge sugar sheds and conveyors.A lovely old country town where they  chatted to you

even at the P.O.
      The Town of 1770 was our next stop,weaving through sandbanks and shallow channels to reach the bay, a pretty little place with only a Captain Cook monument,caravan park,pub/cafe and cruiseboat depot. Bill had a rush trip back from the beach to save Two XS from the rocky end of the bay when it dragged anchor in strong tide and current in the bay.
       Bustard Head with Pancake Creek anchorage was reached next day,a very isolated and beautiful place,where Bodi enjoyed a shampoo bath in a rockpool.
       On to Cape Capricorn and a very steep climb up to the lighthouse,whose caretaker was Greg Alchin from Lake Cathie for 4 months of the year.

Terrific panorama from the top. After a bumpy night in the bay we went on to reach Great Keppel Island,anchoring on the eastern side in Wreck Bay with 6 other cats.
       This became Bodi's favourite spot chasing goats up and down the steep hillsides and galloping around the beach.After two nights here we moved around to Leake's Beach in the north and trekked over the hill to the resort coming back via the beach.
       Back in communication again-we sailed to the mainland, staying the night at Keppel Bay Marina,enjoying the convenience of their courtesy car to provision in Yeppoon,where we were given Seniors' discount on our groceries at Woody's Store.
      The next section of coast was dodgy as the army had declared a no-entry, live ammo exercise zone,covering all the usual anchorages for the coastal area from Cape Manifold to past Shoalwater Bay.We anchored in Freshwater Bay with 4 other boats overnight, but could not go ashore,so we had to make a comfort stop for Bodi in a tiny bay further up the coast,then headed east to Hexham Is, watching jets screaming overhead and huge explosion clouds rising from the shore.Overnight was uncomfortable at Hexham Is. as a strong wind came up and swell, so we set out early Sat. morning for the Percy Is. group, a favourite spot for travellers.
     
       Everything is going well,except for a eutectic problem with the freezer,and we're all having a great time. Hopefully you have read this far-looks like a novel!next post had better be sooner.