That promised catch up

When we got EverRest we always had the plan of going up and down the east coast of Australia until we got bored and then come to Europe and do some canal boating.

I wont say we got bored quicker than we thought, more that we figured it was going to be easier to do it sooner rather than later.  Shortening that story a bit we decided in December 2015 that we would put the boat on the market and see what happened.  End result from that was we settled on a sale in mid April 2016 and booked tickets for coming to Europe around the same time.

We flew over to London in early July and spent a week looking around London and Norwich before heading over to Netherlands.  A couple of weeks driving around and then found Ardella, had a survey done, put in an offer and then she was ours.

There was a couple of things that needed to be fixed and of course by then everyone was on their summer holidays. We motored a couple of hours to a decent marina where we could wait a couple of weeks before she came out of the water and had the work done.  From there we stayed mainly in the Friesland province for 7 weeks or so logging 70 engine hours.  A very nice introduction to canal boating in Netherlands and met some lovely (and helpful) people.

At the end of October (really too cold by then) we left the boat in Lemmer and went to Wales to watch the Wallabies play Wales at Cardiff before heading home to work for the summer.

While we've been back in Australia working for the summer we've caught up with family and friends, birthdays, xmas, a funeral, a wedding, a lot of work and we've also had the bathroom on the boat redone.  A crazy toilet that you needed to be a contortionist to use has been fixed completely and a shower added.  The underwater side of things has been sanded back, primed and repainted so it should be good for a couple of years.  Over here instead of leaving the boat in the water all year round we pull it out of the water, it gets a wash down and then goes in to a shed for the winter.

One last job (well, it's a boat, there's never a last job) is to have the gearbox looked at.  We're leaking oil at the rate of about half a litre every 5 hrs of running time.  Means the bilge gets extra oil and we need to pump it out every so often and each day that we're moving I need to get under the floor and top up the oil.  A bit of a pain but manageable.  Worse case is that we will motor to a place around the centre of Holland and have the gearbox removed and overhauled.  The boat wont need to come out of the water and it should only take a week or so.

I think that will probably bring you up to date.

Heading back to Europe

Left Canberra at 11.30 pm last night on a Singapore Air flight and got in early this morning.  We actually flew over Berri about 01.00 am before turning north and heading direct for Singapore.

Got lucky and our room was ready at 8am even though officially check in is at 2pm.
Anyway, had a shower and a bit of a lie down Belinda managed a nap.

Wandered the streets and had a nice local lunch at 1130.  We're now waiting for the afternoon thunderstorm to finish before we head across the road for a beer and dinner.

Sorry, no photos.

Ardella

A lot has happened since we last updated.  More info on that to come but the short story is that we have ended up selling EverRest in Mackay and buying Ardella in Netherlands.  Here she is.

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