Yesterday we took the first tiny step on our northern journey. We sailed up to Scarborough Marina in the northern end of Moreton Bay, where we will have to wait until the weather is right for moving up the Queensland coast. In some ways it felt like the start of our cruising life – as well as being a return to our home base (we have a berth up here, and First Romance has spent a number of years in this marina).

The marina here caters for live aboard folk – and it seems a lot of the boats are occupied. Some permanently live here – and already we’ve spotted some we know. Apart from the ‘permanents’ there is also a strong cruising community – people waiting for the right season to cruise northern Queensland waters or further afield. In less than 24 hours I’ve met someone heading for Indonesia and Asian waters with her partner – coincidentally they are members of Wynnum Manly Yacht Club (where we have just left) and recognised First Romance from articles written for the club magazine.

Getting into the “cruising community” was one of the reasons we chose to come back here. We expect there will be lots to learn from those that are already doing it.

Before we left Wynnum Manly, we finalised the last major job (until the next one!) readying First Romance – we fitted a wind generator to aid the solar panels. So far its all great with oodles of power (but it might take months to heal Ken’s power anxiety….. there must be a special word for it I’m sure). So First Romance now looks more like a proper cruisers boat, wind generator, Fleming wind vane for steering, bar well stocked with rum etc.

NOW we just have to do more journey type preparation. Check and/or upgrade safety gear, practice safety drills (we never have got around to practising man overboard recoveries – although Ken has twice had to them for real when I’ve fallen overboard through being overly casual), work out where everything should best live, stock up on spares of everything, and chocolate – all the essentials. But today we are being lazy… manyana.