Home again, home again......

Tuesday, 19 November to Thursday, 28 November 2013

We had 4 nights at Pancake Creek waiting for some more northerlies. We climbed to the lighthouse again and Warren did some serious fishing. We did get a meal but it seemed the fish were just not biting.  

Looking across Jenny Lind Creek to Pancake Creek

On Friday, we had a leisurely 2 sail reach to Bundaberg in a light to moderate ENE wind. On Saturday we had a 0500 start as we wanted to get through the shallows at Sheridan Flats before the tide dropped too low. The day started with a fast 2 sail reach, then the breeze died and we resorted to the motor for 2 hours before we got the spinnaker up just before the Hervey Bay Fairway Beacon. We had a great run from here in company with Waterfront and were anchored in Garrys Anchorage by 1600 after covering 70nm.

Waterfront

With the weather looking good we set off at 0500 on Sunday to cross the Wide Bay Bar just after low tide. We left Garry's in company with Zoo and Waterfront and after an uneventful crossing of the bar (the best kind!) we set spinnakers for the 74nm to Mooloolaba.

The wind gradually built so when our snapshackle on the spinnakler sheet opened during a gybe we decided it was time to sock the spinnaker. We made good progress in the first hard running of the trip. Approaching Mooloolaba, we could see storms building in the west. A couple went safely past before it became clear one was coming our way. Luckily, Warren decided to drop the main before it hit with heavy rain and over 40 knots of wind. It didn't last long and we motored the last couple of miles into Mooloolaba.

We had a great 3 days in Mooloolaba, surfing and long walks every day. The south easterly eventually blew itself out and we decided to complete the trip back to Raby Bay on Thursday before the next SE change came through. We had a early surf before leaving at 0900 and setting the spinnaker for the final leg home. It was great to see Mum at the entrance to our canal to once again welcome us home.