Stuck in MacKay 23/11/2016

What was supposed to be a one night stay in MacKay Marina resulted in 10 nights due to the low weather system on the east coast causing rough seas with S/SE winds. We decided some things are worth paying for. It cost us 50.00 per night to stay here. This ate a little hole in our travel funds. However after walking on the shore line and watching the rough seas, we were very pleased to be in this sheltered Marina. MacKay doesn’t offer much in the way of anchorages. While in MacKay I was able to catch up with Joy, a friend I met while working in Mount Isa. Was great to catch up.

On two occasions we caught the bus to Caneland shopping centre for provisions & booze. We pickled the water maker while in the Marina as we didn’t want to use while berthed. Gerd made another batch of beer. We did a few small jobs on-board. The sewing machine came out and I had a morning mending and making a rag & bag bag to store these items.

Our early xmas present arrived, an inflatable kayak. Yay, there has been many anchorages that I have often commented to Gerd, “if only we had Kayak” “, “kayaking is such good exercise” “ are you sure we don’t have room for one”, ………………………
Hmmmm is guess he must have been listening to me after all. The kayak has had good use while we have been in the marina as paddling around the marina would be about 1 km. Doing two laps , with the tide & wind against you, is a good workout. I have also taken advantage of being onshore and got back into my walking and it has been nice to do my yoga on still ground beneath me.

We plugged into shore power while here. Allowing us to run the freezer at -18 instead of -11 degrees, which we normally do when running off the battery. The TV has also had a run, allowing us to catch up on all the rubbish viewed. We have taken total advantage of running hot showers and the laundromat. Not to mention a couple of feeds of hot chips.

Today, Wednesday 23 Nov, is spent preparing for departure tomorrow morning.
My list goes as follows:

Write Blog and post it.
Deflate kayak and stow.
Last load of washing, cost $6.00 per load and $1.00 per 5 minute to dry. Not a cheap exercise.
Prepare easy travel meals and snacks, as we think we may do 2 overnights, with the plan on reaching Frazer Island Saturday. Cooking list; green chicken curry, bolognaise, yoghurt, bread, boil eggs, prepare easy reach snacks.
Secure all deck items/prepare inside for cruising.
Remove and clean Hull speed reader.
Check weather report again and hope it hasn’t changed for the worst.
Then, have a long hot shower.