# 47 Bundaberg

We spent a few weeks in Bundaberg and had Joule hauled out on Fiday 28th October, 2011. Joule was put up for sale late September and has been sold subject to settlement. Our next adventure will probably be the purchase of a canal boat in Europe. Watch this space ..........

# 46 Whitsunday I. to Bundaberg

On 28th September, 2011, we left Airlie Beach for Shaw Island. That evening we set off on an overnight sail to the Percy Islands arriving around midday. We relaxed for the afternoon and around 1730hrs we set off on another overnighter to Port Clinton. We arrived outside Port Clinton about 0500 and waited outside for daylight to enter.

We spent a five days in Port Clinton. Early morning 5th October, we set off for the 34hr trip to Bundaberg. We had a great sail initially but the wind dropped out at night. We arrived at Port Bundaberg Marina just after lunch 6th October, 2011.

# 45 Guest 3

From 21st to 27th September, 2011, we had our good friends John and Maureen join us onboard. We left Airlie Beach and visited Macona Inlet, Cid Harbour and Nara Inlet.

# 44 Guest 2

12th - 18th September, 2011


We had guest, Gemma & Marlene, onboard. We visited Airlie Beach, Cid Hbr, Nara Inlet etc.

# 43 Guest 1

28th - 5th September, 2011

Glen & Paul onboard. We visited Double Bay, Nara Inlet, Cid Hbr, Airlie Beach.

# 42 Airlie Beach

From the 19th August, 2011, we spent time anchored off Airlie Beach as there were strong SE winds. We reprovisioned the boat and prepared for some friends to join us on 28th Aug. Whilst at anchor we caught a lively young hammerhead shark.

# 41 Macona Inlet

On 8th August we sailed to Macona Inlet, Hook Island. We stayed there for several days. On the way in we saw a manta ray and whilst there saw many dolphins.

# 40 Double Bay East

On 22nd July 2011, we left Airlie Beach for one of our favorite anchorages, Double Bay East. The anchorage is about 10nm north of Airlie Beach and is rarely visited by the hordes of charter boats in the Whitsundays'.

Whilst at anchor in this beautiful back we re varnished the exterior timber work. On 24th, while getting ready to put on the next coat of varnish, I went forward to find a 1.2m Olive Sea Snake sunbathing in the foredeck! Needless to say I made a hasty retreat and by the time I had got the camera it had disappeared. We were not sure if it was still onboard and I gingerly looked in all the likely places (with Nani screaming in the background!).

We left Double Bay East 26th July and spent a night in Woodwark Bay before heading back to Airlie Beach the following morning.

# 39 Airlie / Cid Harbour / Nara Inlet

On 19th July 2011 we left Airlie Beach with my daughter and son-in-law, Jane and Steve. We had an easy trip to Cid Harbour for Jane to tke some sunset shots. Next morning we went to Nara Inlet, Hook Island, and visited the aboriginal caves. Then it was bck to Airlie Beach for Jane and Steve relieve Steve's parents of Amy and Ollie.

# 38 Airlie Beach

9th July, 2011 - We left Shaw Island at 0640 to get the tide northward to Airlie Beach. Our anchor winch had a problem so we needed to get to Airlie Beach to get it fixed. Winds were forecast to be 10 - 15 S - SE but were 15 - 20 S - SE. We had a very fast sail and arrived at Airlie Beach around 1100. We entered the Abel Point Marina just aftr 1200.

# 37 Shaw Island

7th July 2011 - We left Scawfell Island at 0730 for the 42nm trip to Shaw Island. Our old friends, Mike & Pat (ex Sea Fox) were going to be at Shaw Island on a charter catamaran with their family. Again the forecast wind of 10 - 15 S -SW did not eventuate and we motored into the Whitsunday Group of islands in flat calm. We anchored next to or friends on Wild Honey at 1600hrs.

# 36 Scawfell Island

5th - 6th July, 2011 - We raised anchor for the 170nm trip to Scawfell Island at 0815hrs. It was a lovely clear sunny day. A little cold with winds of 10 - 15 SW forecast. We enjoyed almost 3 hours of good 10kn - 12kn westerly winds until they dropped out. For the next few hours we had no wing and then light wind from the NNW, yes, the direction were wanted to go.

Our course had to take us around Cheviot Island to keep clear of a military exercise area. We passed Cheviot Island at about 2230hrs. Our course was now NW and the wind moved to that direction shortly after we cleared Cheviot Is.

From about 0200 - 0400 we motored past the Percy Islands. There was a strong current running and the water was very sloppy.

For the remainder of the trip we had either no wind or wind on the nose. We arrived at Scawfell Island (the southern end of the Whitsundays) just after 1600hrs 6th July.

# 35 Great Keppel Island

4th JULY, 2011 - At 0500 we raised the anchor in Pancake Creek and motored out through the channel. The trip to Great Keppel Island is about 70nm so we had another long day ahead. The wind was very light and we motored the whole way arriving at Keppel Is. at 1745 just as it was getting dark. Again, we were sound asleep by 1930hrs.

# 34 Pancake Creek

3rd JULY, 2001 - At 0400 we let go of our mooring lines at Port Bundaberg Marina for the 65nm trip to Pancake Creek. We motored into the channel and raised our mainsail in the darkness. The wind was light SW. By 0500 we were outside the Burnett river and clear to turn north for Pancake Creek. It was a cold morning. Wind was light and we were unable to keep up sufficient speed to get into Pancake Creek before darkness without turning on the engine. We motorsailed the reminder of the trip to arrive in the very beautiful Pancake Creek at 1620 and drop anchor. Our friends on Ka Mate were in the anchorage. By 1930 we were both sound asleep.

#33 Bundaberg

We arrived at Joule on the hardstand at Port Bundaberg Marina on 14th June. We applied antifoul and completed a number of other maintenance task before having Joule lifted back into the water. We are now at Port Bundaberg Marina. We are steadily completing the many little maintenance task and checks needed before we can confidently head north.

Our batteries had failed when the boat was laid up so we have had to replace all 7 of them! Ouch! We have to get a gas certificate so we can register the boat in Queensland. This turns out to be very costly as our US gas bottles are not certified in OZ, so we have to replace them. Also our regulator and hoses have to be replaced as they do not have Australian Standards printed on them! This work has to be done by a qualified gas fitter. Never mind, Joule is looking great and we'll soon be heading north.

It is great to be back onboard.

#32 Back onboard

After spending summer at our Melbourne home, Nani returned to Jakarta for a month long holiday visiting family and friends. I also made a short visit during that time.

We will be leaving home for the long drive to Bundaberg this weekend and should be back onboard Joule Tuesday 14th June. This year we plan to cruise northward and spend most of our time in the Whitsunday Islands. Several friends will join us for various periods whilst we are there.