North Stradbroke Island- Gold Coast. Home

Sens De la Vie at lady Musgrave Island

We made good passage to the inside of North Stradbroke and were able to anchor at Blakleys whilst the sun was still up.

We both have been a bit sombre over the last couple days.  Doing long passages and not getting off the boat to explore and have a bit of downtime has taking its toll.  The scenery is beautiful and we are now on the last leg of passage to the Gold Coast.

 
 
 
 
 
 










Much to think about for our next adventure but for the next couple of months will be further work on the boat, purchasing a MPS sail  for light conditions and generally enjoying the waters locally before we make any plans for next years big adventure.


The cocktails at sunset were all memorable with only a couple of days where I missed out due to weather conditions and coming into anchor on dark.

 

Homeward Bound- Fraiser Island and Moolooabah

Woke up in a pond off Frasier island.  another early start but it was a very pleasant cruise down the inside of the island before we got back out to the big blue ocean.

Wide bay bar was easy on this day  as the swell was slight and we were on high tide.  Only a meter under us on the bottom of the swell going over the sand bar.

We had another relaxing lunch and motored most of the day to Mooloolaba. 

Came into harbour in a torrid of  rain with thunder rolling above us. 


I went below and watched via the porthole whilst Terry braved the elements.

The marine radio coverage to ensure we got into harbor in the storm was fantastic.  VMR  do a great job and its a comfort to know someone is waiting for you to dock for the night.

Being wet and soggy is not pleasant so as soon we moored into our berth off to the nice hot showers
Warmed and dry we dined at a local restaurant.  I had these pork and chicken scratching's with salted Bourbon Caramel.  A Must with a Long Island Ice tea.

Homeward Passage - Bundaberg to Fraiser Island

Coming through the seaway at Bundaberg was crazy.
Shipping lanes and waves crashing over the seawall with high high wind.  Always very dramatic and tense when we come into port.



Caught up with some friends in Bundy and had a pleasant night on their farm outside of Bundaberg and wished we were not so stretched for time.




Early start again and we will make way on the inside passage to Frazier Island to get away from the changing wind conditions.

Bought some giant tiger prawns from the trawlers at Bundaberg harbour and had a leisurely lunch on the way.










The Galley is well set up with everything in hands reach but occasionally it is challenging when the boat is rocking.


It is International Whiskey Sour Day  so Sundowners honoured this classic cocktail.

 
 
 


 Getting all reflective now and just wanting to get home.  Its been a chore over the past few days which put a damper on our spirits and good cheer.

Anchored just past King Fisher bay resort in a quiet safe spot for the night to get a good nights sleep before we cross Wide bay bar and back out to sea along the coast

Passage Homeward Yepoon to Pancake Creek

Yeppoon to Pancake Creek Bustard Head Light House

Leaving Yeppoon we made our way to Pancake creek a long day sail and anchoring at night is difficult but we have to make these long passages to get back to the coast by Saturday 29th August.

In hindsight we both agree that we undertook to many nautical miles in such a short space of time not allowing for the wind and conditions that were not in our favour.  Operational breakdowns of the yacht also required any lay days in port to be attended to. 

This area of the coast is beautiful and I hope to explore it at our leisure on our next voyage.  This area is where captain Cook first explored  with small shallow entry coves of Pancake Creek and 1770.

Bustard head light house is so name because the crew of Captain Cooks ship shoot and ate Bustard birds that inhabit these headlands.

Terry Plotting

Back in the shipping lanes of Bundaberg