Just a waiting game now. We are moored outside the marina waiting to be hauled out. We had a visit from Steve off Java and he arrived just prior to us yesterday and he is also waiting to be hauled out. We were then visited by Noggy from Montes and he measured up the boat and informed us that we would be hauled out tomorrow, early. The early the better as we are awake almost every day at sun up. Sun up is 0430. No sleep ins here, just awake and its usualy hot. Now we have a firm date the day was spent trying to find a rental to drive home. Wow isn't this a mine field of hidden costs. Even though they all advertise no hidden costs. One way delivery fees. Early booking fees. Fees for hiring less than 7 days and on and on and on. Finally settled for a car. We have a lot of gear to take home that we did not need on the boat and some of it is heavy. On the pick up day we have to catch a bus to Beechmere then a train to a swap point then another train to the airport, pick up the car and return to the marina to pick up our gear then off to Maclean for an appointment with the tax man and to catch up with the PYE's. Go PYES. Then on to Korumburra. We have been checking the weather reports and we thought we had escaped winter this year, but according to the weather reports we haven't. Its there waiting for us. Unless we take a bit of extra time getting home and we get there in summer and hopefully they get one this year. I think they are due.
Todays photo is of Kaweta sailing up hill to get to Beechmere.

0430 rise and off the anchor and over Deception Bay and up the Caboulture River for our haul out. 14 nautical miles and we were anchored in the river at 0745. Tide was the essence and we could only get in on a full tide and there were many sand banks and shoal waters. An uneventful day and so it is time for some stats. We have sailed or motor sailed for a total of 1818 nautical miles. We have been away for 156 days. We have motored or sailed for a total of 69 days at an average of 26.3 nautical miles per day. Over the 156 days we averaged 11.6 nautical miles per day. Over 156 days we have used 3 x 9kg bottles of gas averaging a bottle every 52 days. We have motored or sailed for a total of 673.33 hours in total, averaging 9.75 hours per day. things broken: the winch to haul Tiny onto the davits filed about 6 weeks ago and will need to be replaced. Ajury winch has been used since. The striker plate by the anchor winch has failed and we have been hauling the anchor by hand for almost the whole trip. We find it easier for me to haul the anchor by hand and Louise to stow the chain as it comes up (known as an Armstrong winch).
We had our anchor chain regalvanised in Bundaberg and we fitted an auto pilot in Mackay. We purchased and I fitted a skippers chair in Gladstone. We need a new stove, but the current one has had seal problems since before we left. We also need a wind speed and direction metre which we intend to fit before heading off next. We have a water maker at home and we intend to bring that and fit it next trip. We would also like a hot water system on board. We now have to organise how to get home. More stats will be posted as we become aware of them.

As usual eyes wide at 4.30am but dozed off again until 5.00. We had a big day install for us to day Mooloolabah to Bongaree, Bribie Island. Usual preparations before we make passage, anchor light taken down - tick, sail cover removed - tick, TV supported tick, all hatches closed tick, mini pump used and put away - oops, engines started - tick, anchor pulled - tick. All done so time to head off down the river towards the entrance, Col made comment that the port engine sounded a little different and I commented on the amout of smoke, oh well we were off. A quick check around to make sure everything was secure and I notice that Col hadn't put away the mini sump pump. He uses this pump to drain any excess water out of the port engine room, and he puts the extention hose over the duck board so that it will drain, mmm when I noticed the pump had not been put away i tried to retrieve the hose, it wouldn't budge which meant that when Col had started the engine it had wrapped around the shaft. Hence the noise and the smoke. Drop the anchor while Col dived into the water to untangle the hose, all good and away we went down the river and out the entrance. We had a great sail down to Bribie Island, top speed 10.1knts we were scorching it was great. We covered the 36 nm 6 hours. We had decided earlier to anchor at Bongaree as we will only have a short distance to cover to morrow to the Caboolture River. I might had here that we have to enter the River on a rising tide, which means a 0400 am start to reach the mouth by 0648 a very uncivilised hour I think. I had been in touch with Kerryn Elliot (Cousins) who used to live in Korumburra but relocated some years ago to Burpengary. Kerryn's parents, Kevin and Meryl moved to Bribie Island a little while ago, Kerryn thought she would be visiting Meryl and Kevin on Sunday and we made a tempory plans to catch up. When we were safely anchored I rang Kerryn, but unfortunately plans had changed and she was unable to come, but said she had told her Mum and Dad we were at Bongaree. Ye har visitors, Kevin and Meryl came for a visit in their boat. They live on the Bongaree Canal not far from where we are anchored so thought they would launch their boat and come for a visit. A great afternoon was spent catching up. Forgoto to mention we said our farewells to Sue and Allan off Lecouthea on our passage. They are headed for Peel Island then onto their home port, we will catch up with them in the next few days, another lasting friendship made. Another Dream Pot sensation Roast Lamb yummo. Off to bed early to night in preparation on ANOTHER PRE DAWN START. Happy Birthday wishes to Karyn look forward to seeing you and glen soon. Hope Steph enjoyed her "free" time in Mackay. I know the grandies would have loved having dad to themselves xxx miss you to the moon and back. To days photo was taken on Kaweta at sunset with Meryl, Kevin and Col. xxxx love to all

Well today was another rest day, but we are still waking up at 0500. Breakfast and a laze around until about 1000, then lower Tiny and meet up with the leucothea crew and off to the Mooloolabah Boat show. No where to park the tinnies so we just snuck between two moored yachts and muscled our way into the jetty and tied off there. We had a look at all the catamarans on display and were impressed with the layouts and finishes but not the prices. Too dear. Probably prefered the Seawind and it was the cheapest of the big cats. We did the circuit of the exhibitions and then sat down for an ice cream break. I noticed the toilets were unlocked for the use of the crowds. I grabbed a towel and went in and had a free shower. Great the things they give away at marine shows. We continued looking at the exhibits until about 1300 then back into the tenders and headed for down town. We pulled the tinnies up onto a beach and strolled to the Jetty restaraunt and entered for lunch. After a while we found a table overlooking the beach. While we waited for lunch we had a few beverages and enjoyed the beach scenery. Scenery was impressive. After lunch we strolled the boardwalk looking for Dick Smiths. We located the empty shop and so with heart breaking disappointment we found a table to recover with cappacinos and ice coffees. We then returned to the tenders and said our goodbyes to the Leucotheas and thanked them for their fellowship and outstanding company and hopefully to catch up later. Back to Kaweta for dinner and bed. Early morning tomorrow with the trip to Bongaree on Bribie Island and then into the Caboulture river the next morning to prepare for haul out. Then organise the road trip south to Vic. Where have the past 6 months gone.
Todays photo is Lunchtime at the Mooloolabah Surf Club.

Yay sleep in, if you call waking up at 0515 a sleep in. Woke to a beautiful morning on the river, surrounded by wall to wall mansions. Leisurely breakfase while admiring all the mansions and thinking to myself we have exactly the same view but without any of the complications eg: no rates, no power bill, don't have to work, don't have to dress up, have hair done make etc. yep we are the lucky ones. As Tiny has a broken winch and Whitworths the biggest boat chandelry possible is only a short tiny ride then a short walk we headed off catalogue under the arm ready to do business. Purchased the new winch and lunch on the board walk and returned to fit the winch. As we will be leaving Kaweta for sometime we have the daunting task of going through the lockers and determining what to take, what to throw and what to put back, after about two hours and the spare bed (sorry Gunna & Karyn) covered with items to take home, we were done. Spoke with Russ from Monty's in the Caboolture River, about the plans for haul out so all good for when we arrive there, we are getting organized. My biggest concern when we get back to Korumburra is what on earth are going to do. After having lived the nomad life for six months I have this fear that I won't know what to do, but I guess other people do it. Now that I am 55 I got a phone call from the NAB re retirement plans, I think he understood in the end that I was happy with my life and PLEASE don't call again chasing my retirement funds. To days photo is the view from our back door. Happy Birthday to my Mum to day 81 well done.

Another big day. Up at 4 am to get to the Wide Bay Bar at low tide to see of it was crossable. Away we went and when we got there we just kept going. We bumped the sand on the way out of Pelican Bay as it was dead low tide. We followed Leucothea out accross Wide Bay Bar although we had our own waypoints. It was like a washing machine going across the bar but apart from uncomfortable it was not daunting. Thats two crossings that have been reasonable. We have had worse trips into the Mackay Marina. After crossing the bar we set a course for Mooloolabah.12.5 hours and 73 nautical miles later we anchored up in the Mooloolah River. We averaged 5.84 knots but motored sailed a lot of the way. Tomorrow we do not have to do anything as we are just around the corner from the Caboolture River where we are hauling the boat out of the water and placing it in dry storage until next year. We may go up the river tomorrow but then we may not. Leucothea crew are coming across for dinner and then when we retire for the night we can sleep in, but I will bet we are awake at 0400. When we haul out that's it for the season. We have to organise our trip home to Victoria and move back into a house. It will be strange, but it is only temporary. Looking forward to unlimited hot water a the spa. Not looking forward to paying for power. Happy Birthday today to Kaweta's Gilligan. I got her the same as she got me, a gift voucher from Davy Jonses. Not a lot of shops out here.
Todays photo is birthday celebrations with Alan and Sue off Leucothea. Cheers