Montes

The weather did hot up for the tropical theme party and it was a great night. We all had a dance and we didn't have a hangover, a big plus especially when on a boat.

Capt M. did not win a prize, but there is always next year.

Next day we were off to Dingo Beach by car for a seafood lunch. We were driven by Murray from Tagalong Tours which sounds like a cool add on to next years trip? 4wheel driving along the Birdsville Track.

SICYC Rendevouz at Shag Islet

The weather turned very cold and rainy as we headed up to the Gloucester Passage for the annual Shag Islet Cruising Yachy Club Party. Lucky this didn't put us off as we are in the middle of a 4 day party with lots of like minded people on boats.

Yesterday they actually set up a bar on the little islet and hundreds of people gathered there for lunch.

We have met some very intersting people including a couple who sing and play piano beautifully. Fancy having a piano out here in the middle of nowhere. Some songs from last night: "I left My Heart in San Fransisco", "More", "Memory" , "Spanish Eyes" and "I Did It My Way". So much fun everyone gathering around. Even the performer from lunch "Macca" joined in and was very impressed.

Tonight is the Tropical Theme night of course and Capt M hopes to win a prize in the raffles.

Trip to Sydney

Had an excellent time in Syney on the weekend. Caught the ferry over to Hamilton Island where it was buzzing with the beginning of race week. Arrived in Sydney 3 hours later to a message that Heidi had missed her flight from the GC. Bianca arrived on time and we caught a cab to the Vibe in Goulburn St. My niece Emma was there behind the desk to check us in. She got a great deal for us we were very impressed.

Had room service while we waited for Heidi, who eventually arrived 3 hours later with a bag full of clothes to share.

It turned out we didn't need them as Fiona provided fun dress ups for the Party.

Saturday morning Emma took us to Bondi for breakfast, thanks Steven. After showing us all her haunts in the exclusive Eastern suburbs she got us back in time to be picked up for lunch.

Another niece Natalie drove in from the Sutherland Shire and took us to lunch at La Perouse. Here we met her baby Scott(a perfect baby ) for the first time and her husband Ian and mum Liz. A beautiful Greek lunch overlooking the bay, then off on a mission to vote intersatate. Had to go to Eastlakes for this, then all the way back to the Vibe. Well done Natalie and the GPS.

Spent the afternoon preparing outfits for the party. All good fun and a lot of dancing at the Occidental. Many photos can be seen on facebook.

Sunday morning and Heidi wants to shop? After visiting St Mary's Cathedral it was time for David Jones. We aquired outfits for Bianca' wedding! Very productive and back to the Vibe in time for the girls to catch a cab to the airport and home.

The rest of us walked to Darling Harbour for another wonderful lunch with Aunty Betty and Margie. Thanks cousin Margie for driving into the city. It was a busy funfilled weekend thanks to my Family...

Return to Airlie

We are now in Able Point marina again as I am off to Sydney for My sister, Fiona's 50th. It's pretty lively as it is race week and of course the winds have died now. It is currently 32.5 degrees. I wonder what it will be in Sydney? I know it will be fun to see all the family get together.

Here is the photo of the fish that jumped onto the boat.

Peppers Palm Bay

This is Capt M's favourite so far. A beautiful Balinese style resort with no one under 14! Definitely a wonderful way to experience luxury without the cost. A minimal mooring fee allows you full use of the facilities (free washing and drying) and the chance for gourmet dining if you want.

We are staying 2 nights before heading back to Airlie.

Great Weather

Some photos of our time in Whitehaven. Perfect weather, perfect place!

Return to Whitehaven

It's not that I'm too lazy to blog, but am finding it difficult to get the internet. Not sure if it's the computer as well as out of the way places.

After leaving Long Island Resort, we headed to Airlie to attend the "Shag Islet Cruising Yacht Club" barby and join up. We are now flying the Burgee of this social club and have already been recognised by others flying the blue and yellow.
Ironically I have actually kyaked onto this islet when up at Gloucester passage without knowing about it. Good for one who doesn't even own a kyak yet.

The next day the weather started to turn so we made a quick getaway without dumping the rubbish or buying one single item at the shops! Now we are really emptying out the cupboards.
We followed "Phlat Chat" over to Marcona Inlet. They introduced us to "Shiraz" from South Australia.

We did have a strange stroke of luck while at Marcona Inlet. A small mackeral jumped up onto the trampoline and we ate it. As well friends on Lady Diane treated us to freshly caught mud crab. Very nice.

We made new friends and learned to play "Sequence" a fun card game. Even Capt M enjoyed it.

After leaving here we went to Tongue Bay and spent the night there. In the morning we went for the walk to the lookout to gain magnificent views over Hill Inlet towards Whitehaven. One of the best beaches in the world and plenty of international visitors there to enjoy it.
Lucky I got this update in as it doesn't want to upload any photos. Maybe next time.

Wildlife on Long Island

There a about 10 culews that just wander about the resort staring you out and pretending to be statues. Unfortunately I think they are begging for food. They make strange mournful noises.

Of course they have lorrikeet feeding time like on the Gold Coast.

The pademelons come out on dusk. They're a big hit with the tourists.

Saw lots of brush turkeys in the bush where they should be.

Happy Bay

I love this name "Happy Bay" and after hearing in over the radio many times, we are moored here for the night. We had a rough sail from Butterfly Bay in the north down to Long Island to meet up with fellow Lightwave friends on "Phlat Chat".
Started the day with a snorkel in the warm waters of Butterfly Bay and seeing whales for the first time up here. Finished at this nice resort with a buffet dinner catching up with friends.
Saw some big fish in Butterfly Bay and heard lots of fish jumping out of the water during the windy night. Lots of "bullets" here.

Winds are up again!

Went for some beautiful dives to see the colourful reefs and fish under the water here in Stonehaven. The weather was good and we enjoyed a fun lunch with new friends on "Riannon" a Leopard 46.

As the afternoon wore on the wind built up to between 20 and 25 knots and kept on all night.

No television reception so we distracted ourselves with an old DVD. Have become a Richard Widmark fan!

Wind still up and we are holding on to a mooring. Still OK for cooking as "Riannon" will be coming over for lunch. Spag Bol and will try to cook a loaf of crusty white. (That's what the label says.)