Report Number 18

Trip Report #18

We left you last time with howling winds and a collapsed bimini. Friday was much calmer, so we took the bimini mountings off and found a machine shop who drilled and tapped them to about twice their prevous size, then we refitted them. That was the easy bit, then we had to lift the bimini up to attach the bolts - too much for us! Called the local Volunteer Marine Rescue and they sent two guys to help - one oldish fellow and one giant built like a tank. Tank-man had a look at the situation and asked "What is it catching on when you try to lift it?", "Nothing, its just the weight" "Oh", he said, and lifted it up with one hand! So we popped the bolts in and said our thanks, with, of course, a donation. The parts and machining cost $30, travel, donation, etc cost $100!!

Saturday was again calm in the bay, but pretty unpleasant outside, so we went for a long walk around the foreshores and then relaxed to regain our strength after yesterday's efforts.

Sunday was "Tourist Day" - we caught busses to Runaway Bay and tried, but failed, to reach Sanctuary Cove. Then back home - all of which cost a total of $7.80 - for the two of us! Can recommend the bus system in Southport, so long as you get two timetables - one for each of the services. At night the wind came up again and it was a bit rough, which, combined with ominous banging noises from the bimini region meant disturbed sleep.

Monday, tightened the tension wires on the bimini and stopped the noises. Then, as it was cold and windy and raining, we rested and read. And did the same for the next three days which had started a bit better with a magnificent rainbow on Tuesday, but settled back to rain, wind and cold. On the Wednesday we met Geoff and Brenda from Manly near Brisbane ("Sanuk" - Thai for "fun") who had come over to look at the mounting of our solar panels, otherwise it was just odd jobs and relaxation.

Friday the forecast looked good for travel, so off we set, although it was cold with a light breeze and rain showers. However, we had a good run to Byron Bay with a bit of pitching, but little rolling (which is the unpleasant action). Took us a while to get our sea-legs again after the long wait. Uncomfortable night with the waves coming in against the hull and making Jess rock and roll.

Saturday up early and on way before 6 (am, that is!). Water was relatively calm, but turned a bit choppy by 7. Fine and sunny, but we were followed by a large rain cloud which gradually overtook us with rain showers and then moved on, so the rest of the trip was sunny. Around 11 we saw a whale about 5 miles away, but that was as close as we got, so no photos. Reached Iluka at 3pm and anchored in our favourite spot in one of our favourite places.

Sunday we changed the engine oil (did this at Iluka, because there is a facitity which provides empty drums for the waste oil and a place to tip it and to leave old filters, etc., before leaving the drum for the next person). Again, odd jobs and relaxation.

Monday we caught the ferry to Yamba and had a bit of a look around - bigger than Iluka, but lacks the quiet friendly village atmosphere. Back home to buy fuel and fill with water ready for the big trip to Coffs Harbour tomorrow - about a 10 hour trip.

Tuesday another early start at 5.30. Sunny with no cloud and mild seas, but cold breeze. Drove from up top later as the day warmed up, and had a good run for six hours, again seeing one whale in the distance. Then the seas gradually became choppier and the wind stronger, but both from behind us, so we made good time, surfing into Coffs about 30 minutes ahead of schedule but with by now 25 to 30 knot (50 KPH) winds. Headed straight for the marina, as there is litle anchoring space and the holding is not good in the harbour. Gave the locals some entertainment, because Warwick was determined to back into the pen. Messed around and hit a few posts as the wind pushed Jess around and then decided to drive in forwards to moor. Learned a bit from all that! Relaxed on board and then saw a yacht come in and have similar mooring problems, so went out and gave them a hand and met John and Lisa (Wirraway) who hail from Ourimbah but had aslo come down from Iluka today. Wednesday, they called in for coffee and chat about the boat travelling lifestyle. Met the very lovely neice Carolyne, her son Steven and his close friend Kim for dinner at night. Forecast is for high winds and rough seas for the next few days, so looks as though we will be at Coffs for a while.

Thursday the owner of the boat next to us (big yacht with no name or registration on it) came to confirm that we had hit his anchor while struggling with the wind on Tuesday. Inspected the damage which was very slight, just a couple of slightly bent stainless steel plates on his anchor guides. I think they could have been straightened very simply, but he insisted on having them fixed by a tradesman, so contacted a local who confirmed that it was a very simple job which he would do soon. Meanwhile, the marina maqnager had told us that he needed to move us from our current mooring to make room for a couple of large vessels he was expecting, but the move was put off until tomorrow. Weather turned nasty in afternoon and we started thinking of making a morning run soon to Trial Bay (or South West Rocks) and staying there for a while, while waiting for the tide times at Port Macquarie to suit us better than they do now.

So that's what is happening - just resting while waiting for weather, tide times and damage repairs.

More later, Love Karen and Warwick

Report Number 17

Trip Report #17

Well! What a lot of water has rushed past since #15! Back there we were getting quotes for work on Jess. We were dissapointed to find that Doug could repair the damaged paintwork but wasn't able to repaint her fully as this would require a shed and his shed was occupied. We helped remove some of the old paint, then went into town (Caboolture) and ordered some "boat cards". These are busines card size and have a picture of Jess on one side and Karen and Warwick on the reverse with names and email address. In the past when other boaties have given us their cards we have torn off a scrap of paper and written the details on it. The cards will be more convenient because sometimes we have trouble finding a piece of paper! By now,it is Sunday, 20th August, and we wandered in to the Caboolture Markets, held every Sunday. We sort of expected a few stands with second hand goods and a tent with Devonshire Teas. NO! Huge area on the local showground with everything you could imagine, but mainly plants and fresh veges, etc. Bought 6 nice size avocados for $2, olives of several varieties and a lead-light to use in the rented cabin where the fluoros are barely enough to avoid bumping into doors, let alone read! The guy wanted $5 for the light but we beat him down to $2 because we only needed it for three more nights. After the markets we went for a long tourist drive to the very spectacular Glass House Mountains, through Beerburrum, Beerwah (your sort of territory, Ian and happy birthday for the 9th!), Landsborough, Maleny where we had lunch at a wonderful winery shop which is inside a large half-barrel shaped building. Then on our way again to Montville, a fascinating little village with an olde English theme to all the buildings, pubs, etc., and a visit to the cheese factory at Kenilworth.

Monday was sunny and clear with no wind, so we went to Australia Zoo. We enjoyed ouselves but it is a bit poignant now with the sudden death of the bigger-than-life Steve.

Tuesday was yet another perfect day, so we leapt up early and were on our way into town by 10. Did some shopping and picked up the boat cards which we think look really good.

Wednesday and you know about this from #16, because Karen got the dreaded phone call and rushed back to Sydney. Warwick stayed and on Thursday shifted all our stuff back to Jess and returned the car. Caught the bus back to the shipyard at Toorbul - interesting trip because the bus only runs there on a Thursday. It is a special shopping excursion bus which takes the same people in to town and then back again after their shopping every week, They are mostly elderly, all know each other and chat together in very loud voices all the way home. As with Tin Can Bay, the bus drops them at their houses, in one case two people lived three doors apart, so he made two stops!

Friday Warwick helped Doug on the boat while Karen sat with her mother in Springwood. Saturday was much the same, though at night Warwick was able to get TV reception and watch the Swans win.

Sunday brought the sad news from Karen that her mother had died early in the morning. Karen and her sister Angela set about making all the necessary arrangements, and again we must thank all those who sent messages and flowers, they were very much appreciated. Warwick continued working with Doug.

Monday the painting was finished, leaving the smaller jobs to complete. We got a phone call from the Tin Can Bay Hotel to say we had won their competition and were now the proud owners of a gas powered patio heater! "Please when were we planning to come and collect it?". With the best will in the world, we could see no value to us in owning one of these - the tickets had been given away with sales at the bottle shop - so Warwick sold it to Doug, and he arranged collection and delivery. Shame, it is the very first time we have ever won anything worthwhile! Karen had arranged the funeral for Wednesday, so Warwick booked a flight to Sydney for Tuesday.

On Tuesday, Heather gave Warwick a lift to the airport and Ben picked him up at Sydeny and drove him home. We have met so much kindness and helpfulness on this trip, it has been amazing.

Wednesday was cloudy, cool nad a bit wet. The funeral service at Leura was very well done and the chapel had windows looking outside on to massed camellias in full bloom. We all went to the Bon Ton cafe for a wake and then went our own ways afterwards.

Thursday we sorted our mail and prepared for our return trip. Booked trip to Brisbane for Friday and accommodation for the

night so we could take in the boat show on the way to Jess.

Friday and again Ben to the fore, taking us to the airport for a morning flight. Arrived safely in Brisbane, made a mess of finding the hotel, even though we had the address. Kept asking every person we saw (there weren't many) but still had to ring the hotel and ask our way. Booked in and went to the boat show, which would have been better named as a Fishing Show. The boats were all under 20 feet (slight exaggeration!) and the gear for sale mainly fishing stuff. However, we found references to some nearby chandlery type shops, so it was worthwhile. We really did enjoy the show, even though it wasn't what we expected in a city with a river running through it!

Saturday we went early to Glascraft Marine - a large chandlery in Fortitude Valley and bought stuff for the boat, including a new compass as recommended by Doug, who thought the existing one was not suitable for the new control console. Train back to Caboolture and a cab to the the slipway. Doug fitted the compass, sorted some minor wiring problems and we were on our way on the 4pm high tide. Suddenly, we were on our holiday again! Doug helped us out to the junction with Pumicestone Passage so we avoided going aground and anchored on the upstream side of the low bridge at Bribie Island. This wasn't easy, as the anchor was apparently offended by our parking for two weeks without its help, so thye chain would not run out without a lot of help from us. Settled down to unwind a bit after a somewhat hectic few days. Started the generator in the evening - POOF! FLASH! SMELL! and we decided we could get by without TV tonight, and needed an early night, anyway.

Sunday dawned clear and sunny (we suppose, we didn't actually see it!) and we did odd jobs until low tide at noon. We planned to have Karen take photos and to monitor Jess' passage under the bridge from the dinghy, keeping in touch via mobiles. Upped the anchor, Karen set off in the dinghy and Warwick moved Jess towards the bridge. Then things took a turn for the not-so-good. Warwick overestimated the dinghy capability, and even though Karen had it on full throttle, it was way slower than Jess, so Warwick decided that Karen has changed her mind and will take photos from behind. Then a couple of fast boats came hurtlig past us, causing some severe waves. Anyway, Jess went under the low bridge very happily, Karen lost her mobile phone overboard (please don't dial 0425 350 500 until further notice!!) and got no photos. Meanwhile, Warwick had stopped Jess at the designated spot where we planned to anchor overnight and set about dropping the anchor. To overcome the problem with with chain not running out, he pulled some chain out from before the winch and then launched the anchor. The chain ran out rapidly, so he grabbed it to slow it down and guide it into the winch slots with a thumb and index finger. And he did!-all went into the slots, but the chain didn't scream like Warwick did! And, of course, it has halved his typing speed! Took the rest of Sunday fairly easily though Karen did a load of washing and generally got Jess back into livable form after the influx of paint dust, etc. on the slips.

Monday, up at 7 for 6-hour trip to Peel Island. No wind, but some light rain, water very calm. Had good trip, though it would have been nice to drive from the bridge because it was all straight sailing, with no hazards, however the rain prevented this. Picked a protected spot at Peel Island and anchored there at around 1.15. Well, then the wind and the waves gradually increased, unfortunately from different directions. The result was a pretty uncomfortable night, with Jess tossing and turning all night.

Tuesday we started out before 8 down the inland passage and had a slow trip against both wind and tide, though the journey was smooth and pleasant. At about half way we came upon five or six fit young men in a hire houseboat who had turned the dinghy over then filled it with water while the oars floated away on the current. To the rescue!! We picked up their oars (thanks to some brilliant driving!) and left them to sort the rest out. Continued on and "earned our stripes" by running aground at a spot marked by very confusing navigation markers. This was no excuse, because we had negotiated it successfully on the way up and made a mental note to watch it on the return trip. So much for mental notes! Completed trip to Southport and anchored in Bum's Bay at the back of Seaworld. Warwick had an afternoon nap and then we ordered a new generator to be delivered to the fuel wharf at Mariners Cove tomorrow (Carol, the parts will come in handy later for the new one!). 11 hours sleep.

Wednesday light wind and rain. 9.30 at fuel wharf where we bought fuel, filled with water and took delivery of the new generator. Back to Bum's Bay and then took dinghy ashore and walked/bussed to chandlery and sail maker to get bits for dinghy lifting. Wind freshened overnight building up to 20 - 25 Knots (about 50 Km/hr), but waves and wind from same direction, so not much discomfort - just concern.

Thursday and wind was getting fiercer - up to 30 - 35 knots, while waves were whipped up to white caps across the bay. Many other boats moved to more protected areas, and a couple dragged their anchors and ended up on the beach. We decided to stay on board and not risk getting blown away by the wind in the dinghy. However, our quiet day was rudely interrupted by a loud bang, which turned out to be the bimini collapsing - again! Remember way back there we had a problem? Well this was the same one, but the mounting on the other side of the boat. We are now VERY not pleased with "the best covers maker in the world"!! Tried to limit damage by letting the other side down gradually, but not easy in 30 knot wind, so ended up losing the bolt and fitting before getting things under control and tying it all down with ropes. The front was now tied down, while the back was at the normal level - it looked like a giant slippery slide on top of the boat.

We are looking forward to the rest of our trip back - it promises to be more exciting than the trip up!

Love, Karen and Warwick