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)

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."