Award winning moments - June

Sorry about the back log of weeks, do not worry, there are many moments that we want to share with you all !

Luckiest break: With the weather over the last month, this seems to be the most natural of answers, although perhaps ironically, not so much today!

Also, at the Percy Islands, we were all inside having breakfast, and didn't realise that the dinghy had disappeared off the back. Luckily for us, Mick (a friend) happened to be travelling in his dinghy and managed to pick it up and bring it back for us before it travelled out to sea.

Sneaking into Brampton Island (Amy and Jim) and pretending to be guests of the resort! Secret's out!

Most random of items: At the moment we are anchored at Airlie Beach, and just near us is a mono-hull yacht tied to a mooring....yet strangely enough, it has no sails, no mast, and nothing that would be of any use to it should it decide to travel in any direction,

Also, in Bundaberg, the most random sign that we saw in a pub stated: 'No sitting' followed by, in clear letters in the same font 'No shitting.' Strange.

Speaking of Bundaberg, upon walking down the main street, we happened to pass a public phone where a local woman was yelling on the phone. "It's too late now. The cops have probably already found it by now anyway....'

Favourite meal: The Steakhouse at Mackay Marina has to rate a mention in this category, it's always good to grab a meal coming back to land. Amy wants to add at this point that the McDonalds breakfast that she and Luke had at Mackay should also rate a mention (it's been too long between hotcakes as she puts it.) Fish and chips at Mackay was also pretty tasty as well, and really Jo's cooking has been superb as usual (gotta love the sticky date puddings for dessert too!)

Worst meal: A new category, but in Bundaberg we went to a bistro in town for lunch. After ordering FISH with VEGETABLES (need I go on?) the 'fish' came out with an unidentifiable clump of purple mush, which was not only scary looking, but proceeded to turn everything on the plate a nice shade of purple. I think this speaks for itself.

Funniest moments:At Pearl Bay (which is one of the prettiest bays that we have been to so far) we were doing a dinghy transfer late one night from another boat (Nyssa) after too many beers and red wines. While Dave, Amy and Luke were in the dinghy, it was when Jo tried to climb in that the dinghy began to dangerously tip to one side. After some hasty rearranging (that almost sent the dinghy tipping over on the other side) all were safely in the dinghy, wet, but safe. Funny stuff.

The dinghy seems to feature prominently this month, even at the Percy Islands where the sea was basically flat, the shore dumpers were HUGE and lead to many perilous journeys, and many have a story to tell, although its clear that some got wetter than others ! (Isn't that right Hayden?!)

Amy trying to explain to Luke what a Yahtzee was, before he rolled five sixes on the FIRST roll.

In the town of 1770, a man was fishing from the beach. While we were walking along, Maxie sees what would have looked to hear like a pink coloured ball floating on the water. So she swims out, in deep water and massive current to try and fetch it, not realising that it was the float of the man fishing. Basically, Maxie could have been caught like a fish, if the man hadn't seen her swimming out to 'fetch' his fishing equipment. Funny stuff.

Blonde moments: Amy and Jim were discussing Addidas. And Amy goes 'Yeah, Addidas.....just do it.' Once the awkward silence had passed, its clear that Nike should spend more on advertising because some people just don't get it. :)

Amy at the Bundaberg Rum Factory, upon passing a sign that said "Beware, Drop Bears" comes up with this "I know it's a gee-up, but are there REALLY drop bears?

Amy forgetting to tie up the dinghy, and as she and Jim climbed on deck, the dinghy began to float away, and was out of reach, although luckily rescued by a hero in white underpants.....Not Amy but Jim :)

Most painful experience:
Luke stacking it off the wet and slippery deck one night after having a solar shower. After cutting his foot open (BLOOD) and earning a huge bruise on his knee, this fall definitely qualifies him for this category.

Number of hours of TV watched: Surprisingly quite a bit this month - The State of Origin (of which we are definitely in the right state for !) more football and the news. We have even watched Backyard Blitz (although still not really sure why though....) This month, we have also got a portable DVD player on board, and so have been watching DVDs (Golden Compass) as well as TV series' such as The Simpsons (thank god!) The Office and Damages.

Favourite place: Brampton Island - just beautiful, and so many walks to do and beaches to swim at, as well as great weather. Great Keppell Island was pretty, as was Pearl Bay, which is much like it's name - an absolute gem. The Percy Islands also rate a mention in this category, as does the town of 1770.

Least favourite place or activity: Restocking at Marinas: lugging shopping, fuel, water and washing rushing around the Marina....boring.

Skills learnt:

Jo: Has learnt to make bread, no small feat on a boat! Also to drink red wine and woerking very seriously on this!!

Dave: To reef the main without leaving the cockpit (don't worry if that is not understood - boat terminology...) and that a generator has made all the difference!

Amy: That it is possible to name a boat after something from the Simpsons.... Rancho Relaxo. With determination, it is possible to break the Yahtzee record. That despite being many miles away from the mainland, somehow, disturbingly, Triple J always seems to have good reception....trust me, it's as sad as that sounds.

Jim: That with a generator, anything is possible! (Hello......power!) That the Cumberland Islands is another name for the Whitsundays, and that with dollars, it is possible to get into any resort.
Not to leave postcards to the last minute - particularly when some are from places that we were at months ago LOL.

Feel good moments: Luke's speech for Amy's 21st birthday....

After coming around Brampton Island, we saw our first whale! Definitely a feel good moment, and there was both a mother and a calf! Apart from whales, this month we have also seen large turtles (particularly at Brampton and Thomas Islands) which have been great to see.

Lessons learnt : Not to take good weather for granted. That a generator is a great investment for a boat, to be certain of postal addresses before sending postcards (you'd be surprised!)

Plan for the next week: To explore the Whitsundays (Whitehaven, Hamilton Island and South Molle Islands here we come!) And to keep the blog updated!

A Post from Maxie

Hello Everyone I thought I would say hello too!!

Life has certainly changed for me.. no more sitting on the lounge watching Foxtell!! I have been at sea now for the past 11 weeks and there is never boring. I love swimming and rolling in the sand and chasing Coco!! (Well she actually tries to catch me!!) It is always busy and so much to do. We swim, play and sleep.. it is all good fun. The food sometimes could be better but Mum does her best there just doesn't seem to be the left overs there was at home!! The Marinas are good fun as there are often other dogs to harrass ( I love barking at them and showing them who is boss) The weather is getting warmer and we have been trying to find somone to give us a cut.. I think Mum is going to have a go!! The funniest thing I will let you know is when Coco and I were chasing birds in the marina and Coco fell in. She got into big trouble!! (No one knew that I helped push her in.. :-) Anyway lovely to chat. We are all going into Airlie Beach now and maybe we can have McDonalds Yeah!! Bye!!

Whitsundays Here We Come!! A Post from Coco!!

Hello everyone I have been having a great time as each new place has new smells and new adventures for us!! We go to lots of islands and have the beach to ourselves. We can run as far as we want and swim and play in the sun. Then we go into places called marinas and we have to be really good as there are lots of people there. You know be careful who we talk to (bark at!!) and where we leave our little messages (sometimes it is hard to get to the grass) The sailing is OK and really good when there is no swell or little wind. Food is Ok!! But not as good as when we are home!! The other day I had a bone on the back of the boat and it fell in the water!! I was upset for the rest of the day!! (Maxie still had hers!!) We are now at a place called the Whitsundays and we have to stay on the boat a bit as we are not always welcome. It is great when we are as we then get to walk around the island and explore!! Bye For Now