A Wet Home Run

A Wet Home Run
2nd May 2014

The rain that had come in the night before had not and was not letting up. Looks like our home run was going to be a wet one. As I recall, seems nearly all our passages have been making runners in the rain.

good to see the sea bird population is thriving

what a treat to be able to see such a magnificent bird up so close

our passage down the channels of the inland waterway between the mainland and the islands of the south east QLD
took us past Jacobs Wells, a very small community and a great maned VMR station.

through this waterway we get to some very interesting thing
like this unusual boat/houseboat on a mooring

or this boat that has sunk, still on its mooring

there are many boats and houseboat on mooring along the waterway

the waterway has plenty of space for man and wild life

the weather is not improving, but the journey is lovely

now we were approaching the big overhead wires that went across from the mainland to Russel Island
WILL WE MAKE IT?

no worries!
overhead lines are always a worry for a sailing boat wit a tall mast

Neriki make it through too

a powerboat roars past leaving us to rock and roll in its wake
not just any powerboat; the Russel Island Ferry

as the rain settles in again it is the ferry barge's turn to rock us

that was quick.................... the ferry is going back already
oh, that's right - the ferry has big motor and can leave us behind very easily

close marker in the narrow channel out of
Russel Island

looks like the rain has settled in again making the waterway look so isloated 

ALANA ROSE  was spat out of the waterway, out into the bottom end of Moreton Bay as the approaching storm was gathering over Brisbane and rapidly making its way down the bay

the shallow waters of Moreton Bay were being churned up

ALANA ROSE was now heading into this crazy sea

two small sailing boats were out having a bit of fun in the wild weather

this little boat came so close as it passed I was sure
we were going to collide

Marine Parks boat was heading back to base in a hurry

ALANA ROSE gets to the entrance channel to the Manly Boat Harbour just as the little boats are being towed in
looks like everyone is heading in

the channel is wide enough for us all

looks like there has been some dredging in the harbour
just another thing not to hit

ALANA ROSE is in, back in the MBTBC Marina;
the same marina that MrJ and I left for our round the block adventure
two years and seven days ago

ONCE AROUND THE BLOCK




THE END..................................

NSW to QLD

NSW to QLD
26th April - 2nd May 2014

leaving the Clarence River at first light and what a brilliant morning it was

another yacht passes us as we both approach Cape Byron

Cape Byron Lighthouse

Standing on a bald rocky headland with a precipitous cliff on the east side, and a sheer drop of approximately 100 metres, Cape Byron Lighthouse is the most easterly light in Australia, and one of the most powerful.

MrJ was busy hauling in a good size Yellow fin Tuna

the sloping hill of the Far North Coast of NSW

with Mount Warning in the background

MrJ and I were having a great sail on calm seas

the sun sets across the hills

we sail on into the night

we approach the Gold Coast Seaway a little after mid-night

and drop anchor in a calm anchorage just inside the Broadwater,
grabbing a couple of hours sleep then watching the sun get up

blue hour across the Broadwater

then my peace is disturbed - welcome to the Gold Coast
time to move on

we are not the only cruisers on the waterway this morning

the other boat steam up the waterway, 

we turn into the anchorage behind Sovereign Island

yep, I really missed this!

the Gold Coast is full of flashy things

and plenty of bright colours

and crowded anchorages

I loved to watch the storm clouds come rolling in

arrrrrr - one of those noisy machines cuts into my peace and quiet

this is Paradise Point, a great little, sheltered family beach

anchored in Paradise did not last forever

a huge squall came through, the winds so strong and swirlie that we had to move to another anchorage
(always anchoring in stormy weather)
later in the day after the storm had  blown through we went back to Paradise Point
to the anchorage on the other side of the bridge

we were soon joined by Neriki

Shelly broke out the bubble, it was time to celebrate being back with great boating friends again!
Hugs Shell.....!!!

the next morning we move further to an anchorage in Tippler's Passage
it was good to see so much bird life 

a flock of pelicans in uniformed flight

at our new anchorage I met some new friend but when I would not feed the
they went to visit the next boat

Tippler's Passage

the golden colours of the afternoon begin to cover the waterway

classic afternoon colours fill the sky and bleed into the water

MrJ gets some quiet time
maybe he is thinking of our future plans

our first night at anchor, and what a glorious evening display

second day at Tippler's and the morning was as good as the night

the tourist's boat still operate
but there is plenty of room for us cruisers to take over the waterway

Barry Brackenborough's boat Sa-Lesi

MrJ and I went ashore, good to see the wildlife is still around

local wallaby owns the beach

and now there are new BBQs and a swimming area for families - great!

two Leopard cats on the prowl, Neriki and ALANA ROSE

another wonderful night on the water

Took advantage of the wonderful weather, to do a bit of exploring on the island, South Stradbroke Island and ended up on the eastern beach side.

Neriki has left leaving AR to a peaceful time

MrJ and I went explore along the sandy pathways. The undergrowth
was thick with lush green fern.

the sandy pathway took us to the eastern shore

out on the beach I could see all the way back to the Gold Coast

a couple of Oyster Catchers were enjoying the nice weather

no shoes need on this beach

only you gotta watch out for the 4X4's

too far to walk, let's fly.....................................!!!

MrJ goes for a paddle

found a few prickly pear plants on the edge of the sand dune

plenty of native Banksia trues through the sandy landscape

a few Maggies strutting their stuff

and the occasional goanna in the undergrowth

the sun set on another wonderful day!

the day fold into night

The next morning I was woken to the sound of rain, lots of rain, heaps of rain!

and then it rained

a complete white out

It was time to be moving on, time to be heading to the marina at Manly, time to end our journey..........