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| View from Mooring B & B |
Staying overnight at B & B (The Moorings) and boarding Blue Spirit tomorrow.
Arrived at 1.30pm
Drinks and dinner on the boat with Leigh & Hugh, Bruce & Debra, Pam & Paul, Lesley and Bob
12/8/11 Friday
Beautiful day in Airlie Beach with expected top of 25 degrees
Michael, Bruce, Hugh and Leigh all sailed today in the first race of Airlie Race week although not able to officially compete.
They had an invigorating, exhilarating and challenging sail in 25 knot winds but clearly very much enjoyed themselves in that they pushed the boat to the limit achieving a speed of 16 knots with the spinnaker in full flight. Photos taken on the day from a helicopter very much proved that. As later stated by the photographer - " I couldn't believe that a boat with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms could go that fast - you were SMOKIN' mate"
Debra and I watched all the activity through the binoculars from Shingley beach apartments as well as while we enjoyed a leisurely lunch at the Clipper restaurant overlooking the water.
Great first day to start our holiday
13/8/11 Saturday
We all sailed today and observed and sort of participated in the race, again proving to ourselves that our boat was better than every other boat that was officially competing in the race!!!!
Sat off the first mark and watched the boats go round including the spectacular trimiran Vodaphone which spent the majority of the time on one hull and finishing long before anything else
14/8/11 Sunday
Airlie Race Week
15/8/11 Monday
Airlie Race Week
16/8/11 Tuesday
Airlie Race Week
17/8/11 Wednesday
Lay day
18/8/11 Thursday
Dinner at Shipwrecked in AB
19/8/11 Friday
Debra and Bruce returned to WA today
Rigger AM. Water maker swapped over as well an
20/8/11 Saturday
Walked along the boardwalk to Cannonvale and enjoyed a 5 hour degustation dinner at 'Alains' a French restaurant in Cannonvale with Leigh and Hugh. A sensational meal but really stretched our capacity to cope with what was to be a very late night for us - 12 midnight!!! But as Hugh phrased it 'it was a night to remember
21/8/11 Sunday
Family arrived today from Melbourne. Jeremy, Jeannie, Mia and Lucy and Jessica, Simon, Madeleine and Sam. The grandchildren explored the boat with great excitement - one huge big cubby house for them.
The kids stayed ashore at the Peninsula apartments on Shingley beach overlooking Abel Point Marina and Blue Spirit
Dinner on board
22/8/11 Monday
Set sail for Woodwark Bay for the day but turned out to be a motor sail in difficult weather conditions with winds gusting up to 30 knots and a moderate swell.
Various degrees of sea sickness experienced by most.
Kids enjoyed their time on the beach but unfortunately the trip back was worse than the trip over. Not a good experience for the first time outing.
Dinner on board
23/8/11 Tuesday
Lay day as weather unsuitable for sailing - very windy 25 to 30 knot winds
Lunch at Mangrove Jacks and spent the afternoon at the Airlie Beach swimming pool and the grandies had a great time with the bucket and spade set that Jeannie bought
24/8/11 Wednesday
Stayed in the marina due to high winds so the kids gave the kayak a work out and despite the less than ideal weather conditions everyone was kept amused.
25/8/11 Thursday
Winds had abated to 15- 20 knots and forecast to drop out even more in the afternoon so we set sail for CID harbour with one reef in the main and the jib up. Later in the day we put the screecher up and had a great sail across and back with everyone thoroughly enjoying the experience.
The kids spent some time on the beach
26/8/11 Friday
Family returned to Melbourne today. Jeremy and Simon helped Michael clean the outside of the boat - looked magnificent.
Generally attended to domestic duties for the rest of the day
Early dinner at The Sorrento at Abel Point Marina which on this occasion was very nice.
But what was unbelievable about this night was the coincidence of Michael's cousin Hilary and partner Bill and friends sitting down to dinner next to us. Even more uncanny was that the friend Griffo is also a very good friend of Geoff Simpson and Barry Jeffersen There was no shortage in conversation I can tell you.
27/8/11 Saturday
Drizzly rain pretty much all day today.
Michael and I reprovisioned the boat etc
Christine and Bevan arrived from Sydney
Leisurely afternoon had by all
Veal scallopini for dinner and an early night
28/8/11 Sunday
Bill and Georgie arrived at Airlie Beach and boarded the good ship Blue Spirit at about 3pm and we sailed across to Stonehaven and picked up a mooring for the night.
Had an enjoyable evening sitting up on the trampoline partaking of a glass or two of wine. A beautiful spot.
29/8/11 Monday
What a day this turned out to be- hallelujah!
We woke up this morning to what could only be described as wonderful (but could not be adequately captured on camera - one of life's amazing experiences. Absolutely magical spectacle
Unbelievable exhibition by about 6 whales - fin flapping, air blowing, breaching in close proximity to the boat.
On completion of our entertainment and breakfast we set sail bound for Bait reef in very overcast conditions
and with winds of 15-20 knots so one reef in the main and the jib. Due to the overcast and coolish conditions it was agreed by all that we should abandon our plans for Bait reef and instead head for George Bay for the night. So off we went but unfortunately our adventure was somewhat marred by Michael's accident at around midday. He was closing the zipper to the God Pod and slipped (no shoes) and lacerated the toes on his right foot on the jammers. Ugh!!!
Very painful, very bloody and traumatic. Michael was very stoic I must say and probably coped better with the situation than the rest of us.
My attempts to stem the bleeding was thwarted by my inability to locate any crepe bandages in the medical kit so hence it looked like a MASH unit with stuff strewn everywhere. Wrapped a towel and applied pressure. Located an Elastoplast bandage and wrapped it up as well as I could. On further assessment of the situation (although it was not life threatening he certainly required medical attention and suturing of his foot.
The nearest location to seek assistance was Bowen but too far away.
The plan then was to head off early from George Point to Bowen early in the morning.
Played 6 handed 500 and the boys were beating the girls when we abandoned play to have dinner.
Michael went to bed and left us to it.
30/8/11 Monday
Up at the crack of dawn and motored across to Bowen arriving at 9am. Harbour Master allowed us to tie up at the pier and Michael and I set off for the local hospital where the service proved to be excellent. We emerged a couple of hours later following X-ray, 6 sutures, tetanus injection, prescription for antibiotics and bandages etc. Daily dressings required
Returned to the boat later in the afternoon and due to the weather conditions we decided to stay overnight in blowin' Bowen. (The Harbour Master was very accommodating)
Pub style late lunch and dinner at the local yacht club.
31/8/11 Tuesday
Set off at 7am bound for Cape Upstart in 15-20 knot winds and with the jib only supported by the motor to recharge the battery which had been depleted somewhat the day before. Pleasant trip across arriving at 1pm after which we enjoyed an alfresco lunch on board. Good spot but with the occasional wind gusts to spoil the party.
Walk along the beach and back to the boat for drinks and some light music.
1/9/11 Wednesday
Reasonable mooring overnight.
Lay day spent at Cape Upstart starting with a cooked breakfast on a sunny but windy day. Winds 20-25 knots
Reading, swimming, kayaking, playing cards etc
Lazy day all round really but thoroughly enjoyed by all.
2/9/11 Thursday
Early start - 6am leaving Cape Upstart for Magnetic island and a rollicking sail in 20 knot winds with a 1-2 metre swell. We travelled 70 nautical miles and arrived at Horseshoe Bay on Magnetic Island at 6pm. A very big day with no breakfast or lunch due to the difficult conditions mostly but also with some feeling a little queasy.
Horseshoe Bay was a welcome relief can I say.
During this epic 12 hour sail Georgie spotted a whale a few hundred meters in front of us and the next thing you know it was right in front of us crossing our path and no more than 30 metres requiring Michael to take evasive action big time. Too close for comfort!! Amazing experience seeing such a large beast so close up.
3/9/11 Friday
Horseshoe Bay
Overcast and windy but not cold by any means
Lunch at the local pub following a walk along the beach except for Michael who is still nursing his injuries and causing him some grief.
Enjoyed the late afternoon and evening playing cards
4/9/11 Saturday
Horseshoe Bay
Very lazy day today just sitting back relaxing reading etc. Again the weather was overcast and windy
5/9/11 Sunday
Horseshoe Bay. Overcast and windy
Sue (my sister) arrived at 3.30pm having driven down from Cairns. She caught the ferry across from Townsville to Magnetic Island
An enjoyable evening was had by all at the gallery restaurant with live music provided by a talented quartet of musicians. Can't remember their name but nonetheless very good.
Good food and wine and relatively inexpensive. I think they failed to charge us for a couple of bottles of wine
6/9/11 Monday
Sailed from Horseshoe Bay to Townsville in the sunniest weather we have had in a while.
Beautiful sail with just the screecher up. The girls sat up the front on the trampoline and soaked up the sun whilst all the boats in the Magnetic Island race week surrounded us - great spectacle
We have now been involved with all three race meets - Airlie, Hamilton and Magnetic
Safely berthed at Breakwater Marina.
Sue returned to Cairns
Walk and cards
7/9/11 Tuesday
Domestic duties
Fantastic meal at Michel's a French restaurant in Townsville making it a fitting finish to our somewhat eventful holiday. Nonetheless a holiday enjoyed by all
8/9/11 Wednesday
Return home
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