Flying fish, Mooloolaba marina

Oh dear, one blog a month so far this year. Is this a taste of things to come? Mooloolaba really has become our home here in Oz and with one day merging into the next, often there's not too much to report. Having said that, we can't complain. We've not had to journey far to appreciate the outdoor Aussie lifestyle. The 'Mooloolaba' album on the laptop confirms just this with separate folders for Boat Parade, Storms, Life Saving Comp, Triathlon, Fancy houses, Erumundi Market, Glass House mountains, fireworks ... not bad going for a town with a population of just 7,500.


Erumundi market street entertainment




Face-painting, Erumundi market

Jackie took a 4 week trip back to the UK mid Feb. Enjoying every precious moment spent with family and friends (when she wasn't shopping for boaty bits!). It was cold and frosty and only a few raindrops fell in the time she was there - unlike the torrential downpours experienced in Oz in her absence. Queenslanders were busy dodging yet another cyclone and as the rivers flooded, so did the properties on the waters edge. Adrian and OD were safely tucked up in the marina developing a serious case of cabin fever. The weather continued to determine shopping trips and visits to neighbouring boats. A new TV aerial had been purchased providing more than just the one channel to ward off a diagnosis of insanity by Jackie's return.




Toxic foam after the storm




The Mary River - you can see how how high the river levels rose during the flooding

Safely back in Oz, Jackie had bought some brighter weather with her for the weekend of the ITU World Cup Triathlon being held in Mooloolaba. There were thousands of competitors but just 20 in the 'Elite' (professional) mens and womens events. Sadly too late to place their entries, the Crew of OD instead cheered on Jodie Stimpson of GBR. Placed second overall following a 1500m open water swim, a 40km cycle ride up and down the esplanade and a 10km run. Others came over the finish line, immediately collapsing into wheelchairs from exhaustion. Hardly surprising considering the 30 degree heat.











The Sail Indonesia Rally which leaves Australia's north coast city of Darwin in July usually has 150+ boats signed-up, we recognise over 15 of the boat names who have paid an interest to date and very much look forward to sharing some salty tales of recent months/years with them. In preparation for the Rally, we have invested in a new generator - a Mase. The one fitted by Admiral Yachts has been extremely temperamental over the last four years and in preparation for our onward journey to Indonesia, life would be far much easier with something that can be relied upon. We're also looking at a replacement helm seat.

April sees a trip to Melbourne for a long weekend. An opportunity to catch up with old friends, possibly see some penguins and tour the cosmopolitan city.

In signing-off, here's another picture of those beautiful flying fish ...