Back in Airlie Again

We are getting ready to fly to Brisbane next week in preparation for Bianca & Shannon's wedding. A big occaision and everyone is getting excited.

In our original plan we were going to sail the boat back by the middle of Sept but decided against risking any delays.

Silver Gull will stay in Abel Point Marina while we fly back for 3 weeks. Then we will begin the journey back to the Gold Coast mid Oct.

It has been over 4 months but it has gone so quickly. We are already planning for next year, especially when we say good bye to friends who have already started for home.

As this was our last time out at the Islands we got in as much snorkeling as we could. Yesterday was Langford and Black Islands. Capt M. thought that was the last of it until I woke up early and said "One more time?" (snorkeling that is..)

We had overnighted at Stonehaven in calm clear weather and it was still great in the morning.

I was in the water at Luncheon Bay by 9am. Absolutely perfect. Saved the best for last. The most fish I have seen in one area. Heaps of different varieties and coral too.

Definitely getting an uderwater digital for next year.

Ahhh.....

To be continued on 6th October.

Koala Adventure Resort

This title sounds funny and it is, as it's an over 18's resort but I think that means an under 30's resort. Do we fit the picture? Of course because there is hardly anyone here to notice. All the staff have an accent of some kind which makes me think they are all backpakers themselves.

Must find out when we return for dinner tonight, in the bar because the restaurant is closed.

It's very run down but there are excellent walking trails. We did 2 today and had great views when the rain showers cleared.

The pool looks nice and there is a well maintained 9hole golf course, heaps of accomadation. Too much if you ask me as some is practically falling down. A lot of history here.

Have included a sample turtle photo as there were many at Chalkies Beach on Haslewood Island. We were here last Sunday and it was one of the best snorkel days with brillaint sunshine going straight onto white sand in very shallow water. Swimming through schools of tropical fish wondering why they were moving so fast.

Return to Cid Harbour

We went to Stonehaven and then onto Butterfly Bay, the Western wing this time. I had a great snorkel here, straight off the boat on the boogy board. Lots of beautiful fish and coral. It was also nice to just see the coral sand going onto the beach underwater, a new sight for me.

There seems to be a lot more boats around now all wanting to get a mooring. This was even more obvious the next day as we tried to get into Langford, Black Island, Blue Pearl Bay and even over to Cateran Bay on Border Island. Lots of boats and no empty moorings.

After a big sail around up in the top region, we came down to Tongue Bay for the night.

We did the walk to the Hill Inlet lookout and then motored around into the next bay Apostle Bay. After being surrounded by boats for the past week, it was strange to be all alone in this eerie setting. The weather changed and it became very still, humid and misty. By dusk we could barely see 100metres from the boat. Then strangely at around 8pm it cleared to millions of stars and lots of strange stuff in the water. Tiny crabs, small blue fish and even a small flying fish.

We are both having a wonderful time. Have I mentioned that yet?

When Capt M woke after a short afternoon nap and then tried to get back to sleep, he complained he couldn't. I said you shouldn't be tired you had a quick power nap. He replied "But I want a big power nap."