Camp Keppel

We are having such a good time at camp Keppel. Today we met a couple from Silver Lining, Peter & Sandra. Also had Carl & Lyndie they live here, Trish & Lance, and Rod & Jo off of Zulu come around.

We sang songs, ate coconuts, sat by the fire, and had afternoon tea.

GKI again

Well our lovely week on the reef came to an end yesterday. We went from Lady Musgrave to Fitzroy lagoon where we stayed another 2 nights. Then we were issued a strong wind warning for Sunday, and knew it was time to leave. The only problem with reef anchorages is that once there you can't plan to have any night or early departures as you need to see where it is you're going as far as bommies go. Even though you have a gps trail we wouldn't want to go without having a good visual. The earliest we felt we could attempt to exit was around 8 a.m. we decided that we would sail onto GKI as we are comfortable coming into this anchorage at night. Bruce wanted to go to Yellow Patch, but we haven't been there before and there is a bit of a bar to cross to enter, and it was going to be dark by the time we got there, so we'll have to save that for another time. You can't do everything in one trip, and we were so happy to have reef time. That is what we want to explore more of this year.

We finally caught up with Euphoria, and Alana Rose! We've all been facebooking each other, and today we are all in the same anchorage. We went a shore to what Trish calls camp Keppel, a place to gather around a camp fire. Was really good to finally catch up with them all. We might even see more of each other along the way as we all want to go to the same places this year.

We are staying here through this next lot of strong winds then heading on.

Mothers Day 2011

Lady Musgrave Reef
A pod of dolphins a few hours off Lady Musgrave.

We left Awinya Creek around 7 pm on Saturday night, and travelled through the night to arrive in good time to enter Lady Musgrave lagoon. We wanted the sun to be high enough so we could spot the bommies. We arrived at around 11:00 a.m.

On the way we saw a hugh pod of dolphins, and some came to swim on our bow. I took this as mothers days gift from the Universe! I thanked the girls for sending Jolly Man to me. ;o)

I did miss not being able to see or speak to the girls on this day, but doing one of my most favourite things, snorkelling, made up for it!!

All went well on the entrance, but it did takes us a couple of times to get the anchor secure.

Although we were tired after travelling all night (we took shifts 2 hrs on 2 hrs off) we decided to take advantage of the calm waters and sunshine. We put on our gear and got in the dingy, and went to find some reef to snorkel on. It is a good thing we did as yesterday it blew and rained all day, and today the sun is shining, but it's been blowing about 20 kts all day.

Platypus Bay

We had a GREAT sail today! Winds today were from the S/SW to S/ SE from 11 to 19 kts. Sailed with the wind through the straits, and around to Awinya Creek, Fraser Island. Once we tacked towards Fraser we had the wind on our beam and we were flying along. Clocked 9.4 kts at one time with a wind gust to 30.6 kts. From here we will sail to Lady Musgrave.

Wide bay bar crossing

sunrise
even Bruce is rugged up
I have on so many layers brrrr
Ngaragen coming out while we were getting ready to cross
The washing machine between way pt 2 & 3
A beautiful sunset!

It was a very good night last night. We had some really strong thunderstorms come through the Mooloolaba area around 5 to 6 last night. I was glad they moved through while we were in the marina. We weren't planning to leave until 8 because we wanted to be crossing the bar the last hour of the run in tide. The first way pt was 54 nautical miles away, and we worked on an average of 5 kts. The exit out of Mooloolaba went well! We had some calm weather after the storms. Once outside we did get into some swell, but they were long period swells and not very big. We did get some wind during the first part of the night of off Coolum and we were able to sail for a while. That was really nice WSW around 16 kts. under the headsail. Then the winds died off again.

At around 2 a.m. I asked Bruce to have a lie down, so I could have the helm for a while. I had it for 1 1/2 hours while he rested. Right before he woke up I started to see shooting stars. I saw 3 in a row. When he took the helm I had a lie down for about 45 mins. By now it was a little after 4, and I wanted to enjoy the last part of the evening. I made us a cup of tea, and we both were in awe of the sky so lit up by the stars, and so many meteorites. We were like there ones and another oh wow did you see that one? I saw one that I actually saw the smoke trail behind!

Then we were greeted by this sunrise. (above) The bar itself wasn't bad, it was the area between 2 & 3 that was quite animated!

Once inside the harbour we decided to continue n to cross the Sheridan Flats before the tide got too low. We finally anchored at Yankee Jacks around 12. Had an relaxing rest of the day. Then we were blessed by this sunset! Maybe it is a sign that this cruising season is going to be a good one!

we're making ready

Yesterday we took advantage of the sunny day and washed the boat and all the cushions. I finally got our laundry done as its been a while since we had sunshine! We are getting ready to leave Mooloolaba, and the boat is just about finished. A few jobs tomorrow before we leave. Bruce has to replace a batten in the main sail, and I'm out and about doing the shop for fresh produce & grog.

Had a long hot shower tonight as I do before we leave the marina. Tomorrow weather i looking good so far, but the stronger winds that had beeb predicted for Thursday are now coming in late Wednesday. Also now in the forecast is for scattered thunderstorms, which wasn't n the forecast earlier. We are going to be pushing off about 7:30ish to make a morning crossing over the Wide Bay bar.

Jo's Birthday

We went down to Brisbane for Jo's birthday. We also celebrated with Peta as her birthday is coming soon, and we won't be around for it. It was a fun day with Jo, Mitch, Issa, Peta, Samantha & Brendan.