CRUISIN NORTH 2009.
Well here we go again!
We left home on the 5/8 had a lovely sail to Iluka harbour in preparation for our journey to the Gold Coast next day. Baz & Lorraine came over to us in their tinnie armed to the hilt with a lovely Coq au Vin & 2 lovely bottles of wine. Now that’s what we call good mates!
So up at sparrow fart next day & had a lovely sail all the way to the Gold Coast arriving in Bums Bay at 1930 hrs. We had about 5 days at Paradise Point and finally got on our way again up the Main Passage to Moreton Bay (only ran aground once at ‘the shoals’). Anchored behind Karragarra Island & met up with Lesley & Derek on ‘Moon Gazer’, lovely friends we’d made last year up north. So Lots of sundowners & Derek’s world famous curry!!
Wednesday 19/8 saw us on our way across Moreton Bay to Deception Bay & anchored just outside Redcliffe harbour. Next day had a great sail to Mooloolaba, Having lovely 10-15 knt S.E winds so very happy. Winds came rattling in 25 knts N.W. so decided to stay put for a couple of days. Lesley & Derek drove up on Monday 24/8 & while the lads (& Simba) minded the boat, Lesley took me up to Montville & Maleny for the day. What a very pretty part Queensland.
Next day up early & off to the Great Sandy Straits. Lovely N.E -S.E 5-12 knts so another great sail & RELIEF!! The dreaded Wide Bay bar was very friendly thank goodness. Motored on up to Gary’s Anchorage. Took Simba ashore for lots of piddles. However next morning about 5.30 we were awakened by the howling of dingoes which got progressively closer. Next thing there was this beautiful dingoe following all Simba’s piddles from the the day before & howling his head off. Really wanted our little fella for breakfast. Finally wandered back into the bush so found another beach for Simba’s very quick walk then on up the Straits to the Mary River coz more strong N.W. winds predicted.
Stayed in Mary River then on the 30/8 went on up to Hervey Bay & into Fishermans Wharf marina for a couple of days to provision, wash etc. Left there on the 1/9 & had a good sail up Fraser Island to Rooney Point hoping to see lots of whales, but only saw about 3. Kev caught us a lovely big mackeral so fish & chips for tea. However next morning at breakfast we had the pleasure of the company of 8 whales, babies & a pod of dolphins. Doesn’t get much better!
Had another lovely motor sail to Bundaberg then next day off to pretty Pancake Creek. Winds arrived in from N.E. so seas got progressively lumpier , but managed to spot this huge whale who was having a ball breaching right out of the water t& tail flapping only about 200 metres from us. Just Awesome Very happy to get into Pancake. Next day was Father’s Day so Simba gave Dad 2 pressies & I cooked him a cake, Very spoilt.
Left Pancake on 6/9 bound for my beloved Great Keppel Island & once again had a perfect sail all the way arriving at Resort Beach just in time to join a group ashore for sundowners. Talk about a small world. Who should be in the group but Pat & Barb Lee who are old mates from the days when we used to race our yachts out of the Port Hacking Ocean Yacht Club. They had palled up with Tom & Nancy Crozier.
So we’re happily in residence at G.K.I. once again for about 5 weeks, just moving from one glorious beach to another as the weather dictates. Have caught up with Rod & Jo ‘(Zulu’) who live here & also Lou & Glen at the Rainbow Hut. We really are locals here now. we were anchored over at Svendsens Beach a couple of days ago & looked out the back of the boat only to witness this mother whale teaching the little how to breach!! What a sight. So cute.
