Day 219-220 Bum's Bay to Coffs Harbour

After leaving Bum's Bay at about 9am yesterday morning, we had a L-O-O-O-N-G trip to Coffs Harbour. The weather was sunny with light north easterlies, which ended up dropping out during the night. We were helped on this overnight journey by a southerly current, which helped us move further south quicker, although probably contributed to seasickness. Dave and Amy had a rough night, and both were terribly sick, at all hours of the day and the night (yuck.) Jim was good, although struggled a little during the day he tells us. When finally Coffs Harbour was finally in sight this morning, a 20 knot southerly suddenly developed, which meant that the last 20 miles seemed to take forever. However, we are safe and sound now, although we will be definately be heading to bed early tonight - even though there is thunder and lightning everywhere here at the moment! Atleast we aren't out there now - so atleast we will definately be able to get some sleep!

Day 212 Maclay Island to Runaway Bay (Gold Coast)

Today we managed to limp into the Gold Coast to Runaway Bay Marina. We were next to HUGE million dollar power boats (aptly nicknamed ‘Millionaire’s Rowe.’) One of the main reasons for our Marina visit was to fix our main boat batteries, which was a great excuse to stay a couple of days on the Gold Coast. After shopping, seeing the new James Bond movie and restocking the boat, Mum eventually had to go home. She and Mick (who was the Europa Captain) headed home together, and although we miss her so much, we are not far behind her, and will be home soon. While we have been here, we have also met up with Uncle Glen. We went out to a beautiful Vietnamese resteraunt on the Gold Coast, thanks again for a great night out! Jim and Amy eventually went out on the Gold Coast, hello schoolies!

Day 216 Runaway Bay to Bum's Bay (Gold Coast)

Today we decided to move on to Bum's Bay (which is just behind Seaworld on the Gold Coast) even though it was wet and cloudy. The batteries are all fixed, so all systems go for us. Bum's Bay was a little crowded, but nothing that you wouldn't expect on the Gold Coast: from the Jetski cowboys to the power boats, the crusing yachts, the houseboats, the dinghy bandits and of course, the 'weekend warriors.' Bum's Bay is the kind of place where something is always happening, from a freak storm, to the helicopters, sea planes, you name it, its there! It's also only a short distance into Surfers Paradise, so Amy and Jim just had to make another appearance at (even though Amy was considered abit of a 'toolie.') Ended up having some decent weather and actually went to the beach, crowded but just gorgeous all the same!

Day 211 Mooloolaba to Maclay Island

Another long day of sailing, but unfortunately the weather wasn’t as good for us today. It started to rain as we eventually got into Maclay Island, which in one sense was lucky, but it made for a wet night for us! Having trouble with the batteries on-board, lights out at 8.30 pm :) Needless to say, we are looking forward to arriving on the Gold Coast tomorrow.

Day 210 Tin Can Bay to Mooloolaba

Here we were back into the early morning starts, this one being 5am so we could cross Wide Bay Bar with the right tides and winds. Even though it was a little chilly in the morning (probably a sign that we are getting closer to home!) we had a great sail, and of course the day warmed up. We had good winds, and we made great time, making it into Mooloolaba at around 5pm. Here we went and had fish and chips with Mick, Captain of Europa. It was great to catch up with him, and we will see him when we get home of course!

Day 203- 209 Tin Can Bay

The last few days we have been looking around Tin Can Bay and doing a bit of shopping. There were some HUGE storms though, and they were absolutely amazing to watch, and very powerful in terms of thunder and lightning. We even ended up getting hit by a hailstorm, although we were lucky we didn’t get caught in it while we were out sailing. As it was, Jo and Jim had to get out in it to pull the sun awning down before it got ripped apart, and Amy and David had an adventure of their own. Dave had gone ashore to pick Amy up from the Marina with the washing. Seeing the sky darken Dave suggested to stay on shore for a coffee. It started to pour and hail, and they found everyone seeking refuge in a local sailing shop. Five minutes later all was well, yet the freak storm had caused boats to be turned upside down, housing fences to be knocked down (as the winds were up to 50 knots.) Scary stuff!

Day 202 Kingfisher Bay to Tin Can Bay

Today we left Kingfisher Bay to head to Tin Can Bay, as we heard that the weather was about to turn, and we wanted more protection. However, the weather today was absolutely perfect, and we had a great run through the Sandy Straits. We even managed to get the spinnaker up at one point, and were absolutely zooming along! We anchored up just outside Tin Can Bay Yacht Club, where we went in for a drink, and it was such a friendly atmosphere! Compliments to the chef :)