Tuesday, August 30, 2011

ahhh thats better

We couldn't take it any longer. The boat was so covered in salt from our trip out to Turtle Bay and it was everywhere! It feels SO GOOD to have her all clean again. While Bruce washed her on the outside I worked on the inside. Since spring is just 2 days away I thought I might as well do my spring clean. Washed all the curtains, windows, screens, walls, cabinets, ceilings and floors. Finished our side and the main cabin. Tomorrow I will finish on the other side, clean both fridges,
and wash the cushions in & out. Now that we are in the marina we can partake in some of the festivities of Cairns. We couldn't really enjoy while in the river as we would always be worried about the boat. We had a boat next to us drag anchor the other day after being there for a few days. The tides are very extreme at the moment with the new moon last night. Well thats all for now. We are here for a little over a week. Yay :o) :o) :o)

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Cairns Festival

Well, here we are anchored in the Trinity River, Cairns. We are waiting for a weather window to spend time out at the many reefs in the area. Doesn't look good for this week with strong wind warnings and high seas. On another note it is a good time to be in the Cairns area as the Cairns Festival has kicked off, 50 years in Cairns, from the 19th of August to the 4th of September. With plenty of art exhibits, music, & food. I have looked at the Cairns festival website and written a few interesting things to do if we are a round. A steel Pan workshop, the sounds will carry me back to my days of visiting the Bahamas, Jamaica, and many other islands in the Caribbean. There are some good concerts in the area as well and a few film nights on the lawn near the marina. We'll have to see what we can get up to while here. If you are interested check out this website http://www.cairnsfest.com.au/events

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Back in Cairns

I (Saundra) am just back from the Sunshine Coast where I spent a week with my daughters. Two of them are now back home in Florida. I arrived back on the boat yesterday. Bruce has been very busy, as the boat is So clean and organised, and his maintenance list all ticked! We went out today to do a shop and stocked the boat for the next 4 weeks. A huge job that took most of the afternoon! Now just a few last minute things to purchase, and we will be pushing off away from the marina for a month. We are here until Friday morning as I have a first aid training course to attend on Thursday. The only thing we have left to do is fuel up, which we will have to do once we leave the dock. Which will be early in the morning as we now have a mono haul in the pen with us making it a tight. We want to go before the winds start blowing as it will blow us onto the other boat. We are going to be playing around in this area until I finish a Dru yoga module in Sept.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

botanical gardens






Getting ready to fly south to the Sunshine Coast. I will post more photos soon.

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Back in marina

We are back in the marina today. Have one day left before Jerrica & I head south. Bruce will stay behind and do some maintenance on the boat. Tomorrow we will be going out in the car for a look around the area. Will post again soon.

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Up river

Well we didn't get the weather we wanted to go out to the reef. :o( Instead we left the marina and went up river for some peace and quiet. I do love Cairns, but it can be a busy place there in the port! We haven't had very good weather it has been raining on and off everyday since we left, and windy at times too. We're still enjoying our time together,as it is quickly coming to a close. The girls fly out on the 15th. We head back to the marina tomorrow, which is good as Jer & I have to get ready to fly out. We are returning to the Sunshine Coast for a visit with her sisters and friends, and some private lessons in gymnastics.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

The summer Jerrica ate new things and learned to bake


Pizza 101 with Bruce

Fat free delicious cheese cake made by Jerri

This winter, Jerrica's summer holiday, was one of trying new things. Jerrica has become quite the chef baking pizza, & deserts, all fat free and delicious! Which goes along with our new way of eating on the Dukan diet! Something we(Kendra, Jerrica,Bruce and myself) all started together, and are continuing until we reach our goal weight. I know looking at Jerrica you say what lose weight, but she gained 10lbs while here and 10 lbs is a lot when you are lifting yourself up on bars, vault, beam, at least that is what Jerri says.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Marina bound

Valley views

rainforest
view to Cairns from train
waterfall from train


our train crossing a bridge

on the train

Mimi
Kuranda


skyride
cockatoo from the skyrail
Barron River

Marina bound has its good points if not here I may have never met Mimi. We met in the laundry, and we hit it off right away! Mimi and Jim came down to Tropical Soul and we got to know each other even more. They were planning on doing the tour to Kuranda the following day. We invited them to come along with us. It was such a GOOD time! It is such a small world as they are from Sarasota just over the bridge from where I use to live and the girls still do.

car ride



Kendra flew out on the 28th. Back at the marina cleaning up and restocking. Weather not cooperating as we want to go back out to the reef. Decided to have a sight seeing trip by car. We drove north towards Port Douglas, but stopped just pass the lookout north of Ellis Beach.

break in weather

Sunrise Turtle Bay
Girls snorkelling
Coral in the shape of Oz
Cockatoo on our walk

We had a break in the weather for a few days. Took Kendra & Jerrica out to Turtle nay and Fitzroy Island. Had a snorkel, and a walk on Fitzroy Island. Then back to Turtle Bay before taking Kendra back in to fly out.

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