Curlew Island

We got off to an early start to head for Curlew Island. A beautiful day but unfortunately not the right wind for sailing south. Had to motor most of the 47 n.miles.

Our trio of catamarans is still together and we were treated to fresh mackeral on board "Plat Chat" after drinks, walk and swim on the beach. "Bluglass" also caught mackeral on the way.

Capt M. has officially given up fishing?

We will keep heading south tomorrow while the weather lasts, despite the wrong wind direction.

Goldsmith and Scawfell Islands

After a walk and a swim on Shaw Island (lots of stingrays on the edge of the beach)we all set off for Goldsmith. It was a spectacular day and the photos don't show just how blue the water was. It took longer than anticipated to reach Goldsmith, but well worth it. I joined the other ladies for another swim in the afternoon, before sundowners aboard 'Bluglass".

The weather is much warmer than on the way up and the water is so inviting, we just need to watch out for stingrays.

Set off the next morning for Scawfell which was only a couple of hours sail. This is one of the most perfect days, clear, warm, aqua coloured water on a deserted beach. Walking and talking with friends looking at beautiful shells after coffee and freshly baked cake!

A siesta before sundowners aboard our boat tonight.

Shaw Island

After making our start last Tuesday, we have only traveled 15 miles further south!

The weather closed in and we waited at Long Island until Saturday. After being joined by friends from the cat "Phlat Chat" we headed off early to our next destination through rough seas with water crashing over us.

I put on our next audio book to take my mind off it, only to find that Chris had baked muffins and started spag bol on the way. Any wonder she felt sick by the time we got here and had to have a sleep in the afternoon.

By coincidence the boat "Bluglass" came in 5 mins after we anchored. We had met these guys at Hoggies sundowners in Airlie last Sunday. So now we are three cats traveling south together and celebrated with sundowners on board "Silver Gull" last night.

It is a beautiful day today and Capt M is ready with the weather report. He will have to see what the others are planning before we make our next move.

Silver Gull Sails South

It was with a tinge of sadness that we finally departed Airlie marina. New friends Shan and David from the motor boat "Dream On" came over to push us off. (1st & 2nd left in photo)

I was staring to fit into the lifestyle there, going to gym and yoga, catching the bus to the shops, using shopperdockets to dine out, attending shagger sundowners at Hogsbreath on Sundays and even making the 3 hour round trip to the cinema.

We were just filling in time before the winds changed, but knew we had to make a start any way. We do hope to be back for Christmas. Not so sure judging by today's effort, it took us 5 hours just to get to Long Island which is only 13 miles!
Capt M. must be feeling more experienced as we have anchored in Happy Bay rather than take a mooring.

The Wedding

It was an amazing experience to see my first born married and officially make her way in the world. They are a very hard working couple and I wish them every happiness.

Of course it was a rainy day but it makes you realise that special events like this over ride the weather. The venue was Peppers Casurina Lodge. A rainforest resort which lived up to it's name.

As I sit here the thermometer is reading 31.3 and they have chosen to honeymoon in Tasmania where it probably didn't get much warmer than 20.

This trip gave us a chance to catch up with lots of my family and Capt M got to spend time with his. We had excellent weather in Noosa when we stayed with John and Pauline and even enjoyed a swim in their newly renovated pool. (Photo above)