2 Mar to 7 Mar 15

Well it happens. First the front toilet didn't work! So after putting down lots of bleach and disinfectant Paul stripped the pump (that was OK), then the selection valve (that was OK) and finally checked the outlet pipe near the anti siphon look (and that was blocked by calcium etc build up). Still a couple of hours, all cleared and the toilet works. Then the aft toilet had a bad smell and wasn't flushing too well. Then part of a tentacle appeared; we had sucked a squid up the salt water inlet! Helen took the lead on this one. Extensive bleach and a piece of stiff wire and lots of flushing cleared the obstruction. The joys of living on a boat in the tropics!

4 and 5. Paul's weekend! So off we went for a sail and overnight. The original plan was to go to Little Sand Hills; however, the forecast was very light winds increasing to a Northerly. This did not really suit Sand Hills, but it did suit Horseshoe Bay, Peel Island. We had been trying for this bay for some time as many people had said it was very pleasant with good swimming. The only problem is that it is quite open to a South Easterly, which seems to be the prevailing wind. So we headed South to Peel Island. The wind out was very light, possibly 5 to 6 knots, but at least it was sunny with a clear blue sky. And we had an outgoing tide, that is against us. The net effect, well 2 knots or less over the ground with the Yankee up! Helen then finally consented to having the larger downwind sail, the Genneker up. It is a large multi-coloured sail that really stands out. And we just about doubled our speed; still slow but we looked good!
We anchored in Horseshoe Bay amongst a few other boats mid afternoon. The tide was right out, but we still had an excursion ashore. The sandy shore sloped gently to a flat bottom-of tide- sand/mud section. There was a bit of sea grass and general sea weed debris, but all in all not too bad. Of course, being low tide in Moreton Bay the soldier crabs were out. Hordes of them making their coordinated patterns as they evaded our feet. Beyond the beach the island is covered with light scrub blending into pine and native woods. It is fairly easy to wander between. There are plenty of birds, seabirds as well as their terrestrial colleagues including the noisy parakeets and crows competing to attention. We also caught sight of a strange brown jumping creature; kangaroo or wallaby. Back on board we considered putting the crab pots out but it was such a lovely late afternoon/evening that he wine and nibbles won out!
The next morning and by 0900 we were in the sea by the beach swimming in the high tide. We had seen some lethargic dolphins close in, but they were not interested in us. Still, the water was balmy, the sun just enough to warm without burning and the island sheltered us from the wind. Close to shore the sandy bottom was clean and the water clear enough to see through. So we had a good swim of a few hundred metres. The only problem was an occasional tiny bite/itch. Even the sea here has something that wants to eat/sting/bite you; Australia! Still a quick freshwater sluice down on the back board seemed to calm things down.
As forecast the wind steadily increased from the North. We raised sail at anchor and had a relatively slow trip out of the sheltered bay. Then we caught the wind and gave Tai Mo Shan her head. Off we went, a reefed main and full Yankee, 7 to 8.3 knots over the ground 45 degrees off the wind; beautifully balanced and very nice! Two hours from raising sail (then lifting the anchor) to securely tied up at the berth and 13 miles travelled.

The picture: having a bath in Horseshoe Bay.