We were up at 4am for an early start from the anchorage at Inskip Point near Fraser island for our trip to Mooloolaba. Crossing the unfamiliar bar at night was a little daunting, but uneventful. We had a good run & dropped the pick near Underwater World around 5pm on Thursday. We spent Friday doing odd jobs & relaxing on the boat before heading to the supermarket (so cool to be able to go whenever we want!) to grab some groceries in the afternoon.
Saturday we headed to Scarborough following the shipping channel that leads to Brisbane Port. We took a right hand turn at the south end of Bribie Island & made our way across Moreton Bay to the Scarborough Marina flying the spinnaker all the way. We spent 9 nights here catching up with Ange's Mum and her brother & family. We also got PANNIKIN prepared for photos for Listing For Sale & had the D2 shroud repaired. Ange got all our Christmas shopping done & also a little bit of retail therapy! We had a great Friday night on the boat celebrating the 9th birthday of our niece Sarah and also headed out to the Bay for a family sail on Sunday.
Monday we headed off to Southport on the Gold Coast via the inland water way of The Broadwater. It was a slow but relaxing sail with only one tense moment when we passed under some very low overhead electrical wires! We held our breath keeping an eye on our mast! We anchored near the Southport seaway just on dark & had a few hours sleep before getting up at 10.30pm so we could cross the bar at 11pm on the top of the tide.
We were lucky enough to see Mount Warning through the haze as we passed the Tweed coast just as the early morning dawn appeared. The lighthouse on Cape Byron was stunning! Ange was a bit teary... she had spent so many great times here as a young kid (& not so young!). Camping at Clarks Beach seems so long ago! It was so wonderful to see it all by sea. Steve's brother Tim greeted us as we crossed into Ballina, waving to us as we crossed the bar which was doesn't have the best reputation. Made it safely though... wouldn't want to see it on a cranky day!!!
Tuesday afternoon Ange's mum, grandmother & great uncle came for a visit. Kitty is 94 & was so very keen to check out the boat. Steve lifted her & uncle Noel (85 years) onto the deck & they had a great time exploring! Ange ended up going back to Apsley (the farm) for a couple of days while Steve helped Tim out with his new pontoon at his boat shed near Ballina.
Yesterday we had all Lesley's good friends from Kyogle & Ewingsdale come to check out PANNIKIN. After an hour or so we headed to Ballina RSL for lunch & a good catch up. Thank you everyone for the chocolate cake, pikelets & tomato relish! Nothing like country hospitality!
Today our very good friends, Owen & Sue, drove up from home (Mylestom) to visit. We've had a great afternoon just talking & catching up on bits & pieces, along with a beer or three!
We are excited about arriving into Coffs this next week, but that will be the end of our adventure.....