Pos 12/01/2020 Labrador/Southport, Qld, Australia. We are at anchor sheltering from a southerly blow, which from time to time brings Shonandra a much needed wash. Boats around us seem to be rocking more than us, but they probably say that about Shonandra. We've had up to 30 knots of wind and 4 knots of current sweeping through the anchorage. Quick checks around us are so far are reassuring in that neither us nor our neighbours seem to be moving from our spots, despite the bottom being only sand. We are holding fast! We are resting up and doing small chores. Our crew Johnny, can't bear to be idle so is busy between the rain spots cleaning all the bright work. Trouble is he needs more rain to rinse off the cleaner. Shonandra will not look as if she's cruised in the places she has when we get back to Tas. Johnny has fitted in so well I have threatened to keep him on board forever. He loves to work and is always spying jobs that need doing and then does them. He is a rare find. Alas he will be leaving us here in Gold Coast and returning to Ambon, Indonesia, where he has other work and where he has ambitions to start his own local charter business, instead of wandering all over the globe delivering other people's boats as he does now. We are very grateful for his company and contributions.
The Gold Coast is very busy at the moment, it still being the holiday season. Crazy, speeding boats of all sizes start out to the fishing grounds at about 0500. Except today that is. The wind and conditions are not favourable. It seems that everyone is in a tearing hurry around here, no matter what they are planning on the water. The only people taking it easy seems to be grandparents and grandchildren in boats. Yay, for the grandparents teaching some courtesy and common sense! So far we've done little, but we have wandered goggle eyed through a couple of shopping centres. Australia's prosperity seems over the top. There is an over supply of goods and food, food everywhere. Not just any food, the variety and quality is overwhelming. If only all Aussies knew this!
Enough rambling. I will post a couple of photos to make up for the lack of them previously. John and Ginni & Johnny A.