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.
                                                       
 

Sunny Qld -not !! Yamba- Southport

Sunny Queensland- not !!
     Here we are in Southport and it's freezing-but at least we missed the terrible weather down south-we knew when to leave Port Mac.!
    Since the last news we have had a much more relaxed time-getting used to being retirees.The job in Yamba took longer than expected because freight bypasses the town so it took an extra couple of days for the additional prep products needed to properly treat the condition of one mini keel which had a surface problem before applying the antifoul. Now Two XS has a very clean bottom and adds more speed to our trips.It was pretty weird living 20 feet up a ladder for 6 days especially when it poured for the last 24 hours,making paint-drying a nightmare.
    While we were in the area waiting for suitable sailing conditions we became well acquainted with Iluka across the river and were lucky to find Tony at Crystal Solutions,an amazingly well-stocked electrical,electronics,computer store,who not only sorted out our Gps-laptop link,but improved our tv reception by personally installing a set top box etc-on boat service!He took heaps of his own time but insisted he just wanted to see us properly set up to head off again.
    Decided to see a bit of the Big River so we headed up to Harwood,and were at the right place at the right time to meet up with a group of Yamba Yacht clubbers,who welcomed us by inviting us to join them at their evening BBQ.What a great group and a fun night. Next day we accompanied them as they had booked the Harwood Bridge opening for their annual upriver sail to Lawrence.   We continued on as far as Ulmarra, a heritage village,which had a great wharf but a pub with no food-they had served 120 lunches and were out of supplies.
     Next morning we set off back downriver calling in at Maclean where we had been marooned in the pub during a flood in the 60's on our way back from the Gold Coast.The town hasn't changed much.The shops were right next to the wharf so we were able to stock up very conveniently without having to carry stuff for miles and then load it into the ducky and back to the boat.We caught up with the Yamba group back waiting for the bridge re-opening and sat and enjoyed the perfect weather that we had had all weekend while the storms were raging down south.
    The next few days were not as good and we stayed at Iluka in the bay waiting for good winds.We finally sailed out of Yamba on Sat, arriving in Ballina and mooring conveniently on the town jetty. just on low tide so had to wait around for about 1.5 hrs-but the whales turned on a great show for us,leaping and diving quite close.The bar crossing was very tense as waves roll in sets from both angles towards the river opening so you have to time and count, then gun both motors,but we made it with no trouble.Next morning going out we got through ok but turned north too soon ,and caught a bit of a breaker tilting the boat up-a few minor breakages in the galley and Bodi's eyes grew a bit wide.
     We had estimated 12 hours to Southport but had such a great wind we were flying at up to 12.5 knots,averaging 6.7, that we did it in 9hrs and it was still daylight as we arrived.We have made Bums' Bay our anchorage-along with about 6 other big cats and yachts-close to Nara and Seaworld.Yesterday we took ourselves across the Broadwater and anchored amongst boats on Southport Yacht Club buoys-not appreciated!       Well it was very convenient to Australia Fair and the P.O. to collect our mail , but we did not approve of them moving Two XS away from their moorings! Today we spent time onshore buying a trolley to carry back gear because our arms are stretching too much.We've caught up with a few people here and are planning to set off again through the back channels towards Moreton Bay probably on Friday 22nd weather permitting of course.The trouble is,we're becoming so relaxed we sometimes don't even know what day it is-poor old retirees!

Setting sail at last!! Sunday,May 27 2007

Setting sail at last !! Sunday , May 27, 2007

      We finally head out through the Port Macquarie bar after much farewelling and even an escort or two-thanks to Jeremy and Brenda, Lou and Denise our neighbours from North Harbour.Thank you to all those who came and gave us such a great send-off-we'll be thinking of you when we're cruising the Whitsundays in a few short weeks time.
    There's only 3 of us now,as "the girls" couldn't come-We lost our beloved Winnie in a tragic river accident in April,and Tigger with her seasickness problem and fearfulness had to be sent into retirement at Beechwood-thanks to Elaine for her kindness.Maybe all for the best-after all they were 16 years old!
Our first landing was at SouthWest Rocks-actually the Macleay River-crossing the bar by moonlight was a thrill.Found a good mooring upriver outside the Riverside Tavern and became their only Sunday dinner customers-great food and superb service.Next morning we went for a walk and were caught in a sudden shower.
     Later while heading out through the bar we were caught by a sneaky greenie and ended up with 3 inches of water through the cockpit,all drenched including Bodi-we'll duck faster next time-even the sailbag was full of water-but Two XS handled it well.
Coffs Harbour was next-staying longer than we planned because of rugged noreasterlies.Bodi suffered separation anxiety when we went to the showers the first evening and fell in trying to jump ship and ended up swimming 200metres then climbing up rocks,standing there howling until we turned up to rescue him.
   On Thursday 31 we reached Yamba with the aid of reasonable winds making good time,moored in the bay next to town for the night then into the marina as planned for our big liftout at 8 Fri morning.We're 20 feet up now and in a great position, our back deck overlooking the river.Bill has been working flatout-so much for retirement-and the antifoul job should be finished by Mon night and back in the water by Tuesday-
    Bodi is not thrilled at having to stay down below but is being taken for lots of walks to make up. Yamba is such a lovely little place.

 

North Harbour-our new home in Port Macquarie

   We have a new mooring at North Harbour.,
      
On a private canal estate jetty, by arrangement with a friend.