Onwards....eventually

Friday 14th November

On leaving Great Keppel Island in a flat calm we were in a thunderstorm and squalls within 20 minutes. As we left the anchorage at 9.45 PM the lightning was spectacular being pitch black, as was the tropical rainstorm.

All night these conditions persisted and only eased up as we aproached Gladstone and its 15 mile long approach channel, shades of Cairns but much longer and deeper channel. The same synchronised flashing channel lights apparently.

In Gladstone I had the remote start for the generator checked and the corroded switch and connections replaced. It now starts and stops from the saloon, no more climbing onto the foredeck to start/stop when at anchor.

Due to weather conditions we remained in Gladstone longer than expected and got to see 2 films as a result, one of them was so appallingly bad we all thought it a total waste.

Anyway on the 13th there was a reasonable forecast and the local ship pilots said it would be OK, away we went at 10.30, plans were to depart at 9.00!

It took 3 hours to clear the channel and then, with the wind coming straight at us, we motored along for 8 hours before being able to sail at all. Then we sailed all night for about 60 miles to achieve approx. 30 miles down the coast. On with the engine again for a while and then sailing again to Hervey Bay and the entrance to The Great Sandy Straight and the Marina for the night. Early start tomorrow and down the straight, all 45 miles in the day. We will anchor in Pelican Bay for the night and catch the tide to cross the bar across the southern exit in the morning. Then on to Mooloolooba, what a name! followed by Manly near Brisbane.