Last leg to Mackay Marina

11th to 13th Oct 2015

Well there is a break in the weather, only a 3 day window but we'll take it. We left the marina at 11am on the 11th and anchored at Funnel bay, yes I know not that far but it's a start to the journey, it's protected for the weather we are still getting.


Early start this morning, 12th Oct, woke up at 4.45am had anchor up by 5.00am, this photo was taken at 5.42am. By 9am the seas were getting rough so we decide we don't need to do this, so we headed for Shaw Island and anchored near Burning Point by 10am



Had a visitor at lunch time at Shaw Island.

 Early to bed tonight as we have another early start tomorrow, only 40 nautical miles to Mackay should only take us 8 hours.



Entering Mackay Marina at 11.30am, Made good time, only 6 and half hours.



A naked boom, both Head sail and Main sail have been removed and stored.
One of the jobs done.

Abell Point Marina

3rd to 10th Oct 2015

After leaving Stephen and Jodie and Hamilton Island we anchored at Funnel Bay, the next day we decided with the weather report of 20 to 25 knot winds, we would go into the marina until it blows over. The plan was to get to Mackay Marina, do some work on the boat and get her ready for a long stay there and cyclones. Now that we have to stay here we are doing the work now then when there is a break we would head to Mackay then.

The following job list is what we got done at Abell Point:

• Solar Panel cables - Seal
• White goop on the last solar panel to seal it up
• Window Seal - fix port forward window leak
• Engine oil change
• Engines - de-rust and spray
• Polish stainless
• Buy new dock lines and splice one end and whip the other end
• Tighten seat bolt

The following job list is what we still have to do when we get to Mackay:

• Wipe down all cabin walls and ceilings
• Lift all bedding up and open storage lids.
• Lock cabin hatches
• Remove sails and store inside
• Remove all shade cloth, cloths line, cushions, life ring and any loose lines and store inside
• Lock outside forward lockers
• Tie down BBQ lid
• Clean and empty fridge & freezer of any perishable food
• Remove dry food from cupboard & place in a crate and store in a cabin
• Close all blinds inside or put up cloth
• Empty dinghy and check lines
• Check all lines are secure
• Buy a dehumidifier and turn on before we leave for airport.

On top of that Martin had to do paperwork for the job in Canberra we are going home for and I had to catch up on the blog, those 2 are done mostly.

While in Abell Point Marina we did have time to meet up with some friends, some boatie some not.

Visit with Jodie & Stephen

26th Sept to 2nd Oct 2015



First stop Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island, a beautiful place and I also need a new photo of EverRest for the business cards

Cateran Bay on Border Island, 27th Sept, we all hopped into the dinghy to 
look for a good place to snorkel and walk ashore. Ashore we saw a black mass
in the water to realise it was a school of fish, Stephen was the first to brave going,
then we all followed.

Just relaxing, heading into Cateran Bay.
 

Anchored at Cid Harbour, and was silly enough to do the
walk up to Whitsunday Peak. Martin & I took 1hr 10min
to get up, 1hr 20mins to get down. much harder on the knees
down. Stephen did the whole thing in 1hr 30mins



This is a shot of Cid Harbour from the top, EverRest is in the photo, 2nd from the top left hand
side, yes the one with the dinghy on it, Stephen is already back. Jodie did a big walk yesterday and
got a blister for her trouble, lucky girl.

Last night for Stephen and Jodie before we head into Hamilton Island.

 

Cocktails at the pool bar.
 

Cid Harbour

23rd Sept 2015

Met up with Molly and Col for a roast on EverRest. Sundowners and relaxing on the net until it's ready.

Funnel Bay

22nd Sept 2015

Yesterday we anchored at Airlie Beach the get the provisioning for Jodie and Stephen's visit. Then moved to Funnel bay for the night. When we woke up there was a cruise ship visiting the area.

Macona Inlet

18th Sept 2015

Macona Inlet is on the bottom of Hook Island, great place for another Sundowners ashore. Caught up with some old friends and met some new friends.

Butterfly Bay

17th Sept 15 Afternoon

 

Moved to the Hook Island for the night, Butterfly bay is on the North side.

 

The picture doesn't show the colours or size, but this
shell was the size of 2 flippers and a very bright purple.
 

After lunch we dinghy'd to Alcyonaria
Point, jumped into the water to do more
snorkelling, while dragging the dinghy
behind us. The water was a lot clearer.

 



Went ashore for a walk along the creek bed to see the
colony of butterfly with Ric, Zoe, Harry and Ollie,  Dave and
Noel and their friends

Setting up a cricket game on
the beach. Not much sand, mostly
crushed up coral.

On our way to sundowners we saw a baby stingray, had time to take a photo
not always possible with the loud noise of the dinghy motor and they move so fast.



End of another wonderful day





Blue Pearl Bay

17th Sept 15 Morning

West side of Hayman Island


Feeding Bat fish from the back of the boat.

First snorkel for the year, a bit cloudy down there but still pretty.

Stonehaven

16th Sept

Trying to be a bit more creative, taking the sunset though a class of wine.

Airlie Beach

2nd to 15th Sept

Time to relax after Nat & David's visit, plus the weather wasn't the best.

Didn't even finish his drink.

Not the best place to park.

Bona Bay

1st Sept

Last night out with Nat and David before we go to Abell Point Marina so they can catch their plane. They might be family but we like them anyway. I would have them on the boat any time, they are great people and a lot of fun.

Lunch on Shag Islet

Well, we didn't really have lunch as they went through 30kg of snags in an hour and a half and we missed out.  However, we did have drinks / nibbles and enjoyed that and then headed back to the boat.  We're going to have an early dinner.

Here's the view from the top of the island.

Shag Islet Cruising Yacht Club 2015 Rendezvous

27th to 30th August - Gloucester Passage, Whitsundays

The weekend is to raise money for Prostate Cancer and to have fun doing it.




This is our first year & to start it off we raised
our SICYC Burgee.

The first day was a quiet day, more a meet and greet and registration day.

The Kookaburra is eyeing Martin's lunch

Sundowner / Happy Hour with Nat, David,
Martin and a few others.



2nd day was a Sausage Sizzle on Shag Islet with kite flying and live music. We didn't take enough beer with us so David offered to take the dingy back to EverRest to get some more. What David didn't know, was Martin had switched the fuel off on the motor, so the motor died half way there. We watched David trying to get it started again then giving up and just rowing the rest of the way. In the meantime Martin found someone who was happy to take him to help David. By the time the guys got back to the party the sausages had all gone, just as well we had taken some snacks and now we have more beer.


Picked our site

View from above



3rd Day was a busy day, we had the Hands Across the Blue in the morning, 60's theme party starting 3.30, a group beach photo at 3.45 and fire works when it gets dark so the time on the schedule was 7.30-8.15. And through out the day-night fundraising.

Hand Across the Blue is where we assemble in our dingys to the allotted area wearing our SICYC shirts, wait until everyone has arrived listening to live music forming the shape of the Prostate Cancer Logo. Then as the helicopter flies around with the photographer, we listen to some speeches. Well that's not all we did in our dingy, we were stocked up, we had beer, sausages and chicken strips still warm for lunch and some snacks. 

The large boat is where the band and the speeches were.

This is what it looked like from above.

The view from our dinghy.



David and Martin, the umbrella was mainly used to keep shade
on the beer, lunch and snacks.

Back to the 60's theme, it was held at Montes Reef Resort with courtesy boat pick ups which was nice not having to work out who was driving us all back home.

Having a photo with SICYC Mascot

Waiting for the helicopter to do a couple of fly
overs to do the group photo on the beach. 

Molly and Col, they are a couple we meet along
the coast on our way north this year, & have
been meeting with this lovely couple a lot.

Dinner- Reef & Beef
Roast Beef with a lemon fish and Prawn
Very tasty & we were all glad we picked the
early dinner sitting.

4th Day was held at Cape Gloucester Eco Resort with a Pirate Theme Lunch, Roast Buffet with roast beef and pork. And more fundraising.

Lovely Tiana shaved her head
and raised about $17,000.00 for
Prostate Cancer. Very inspirational
lady

The end of a great week end. Everyone on
 EverRest are all planning to came again
next year.

On the 2nd and 3rd day there was Thai Chi on the beach at 8am. Martin and I thought with all the partying this weekend we should make time for some exercise.