The Horizon is Calling

The end of cyclone season is fast approaching. A break from ocean sailing has done us good. We are feeling good. Florence is looking it. Our blog is however looking a little neglected. How on earth do you fill four months of your life without a job?

Very easily it seems.

The last four months have translated into over 1000 miles sailed, around 60 anchorages visited, countless boat jobs and repairs completed, many more added to the list, many wonderful unexpected people met and many wonderful people we expected to meet with missed.

To cover it all would mean thousands of words. Thousands of words we do not wish to sit and write. Thousands of words we’re sure you do not wish to sit and read. If one picture equates to a thousand words, a story through pictures we shall tell.

Pittwater and the Cowan Creek

Upon leaving Sydney, a few weeks were spent just North of Sydney, up Cowan Creek, a nature reserve full of sheltered anchorages and free public moorings.

Reflections in Cowan Creek

The all round protection gave a welcome break from worrying about the frequently changeable weather.

Many anchorages had no access to shore so getting off the boat meant dinghy trips into the mangroves and tree climbing.

We made the most of the trails in the bays that had access to shore.

Boat baked banana bread and coffee, or a good book in the hammock offered a welcome break from sanding and varnishing.

Back in Pittwater, a couple of lovely local sailors took us for a view of the famous ‘Home and Away’ beach.

Florence at anchor in Resolute Beach, Pittwater. We only seem to take photos on the calmest and sunniest of days. Be aware the story painted by this picture could be misleading. It certainly wasn’t like this every day and the weather only allowed for one night in this idyllic anchorage.

Views over Pittwater the same day.

Port Stephens

Mackerel skies in Port Stephens

It was a brief stop in Port Stephens before catching the next weather window north. By this point we were growing concerned about getting to Brisbane in time for Amy’s Mum and Step-dad visiting.

Coffs Harbour

A short stop in Coffs Harbour allowed us to re-provision, solve some issues with the alternator (thanks to Damon on Ocelot), engine and auto pilot. Thankfully all very simple fixes once diagnosed.

Yamba and Iluka (The Clarence River)

Playing with the reflections in the rock pools near Iluka.

A thunderstorm had us running to a more sheltered anchorage on the Clarence River.

The Southport Seaway (Gold Coast)

The sail up from Coff’s Harbour to the Clarence River was a beautiful downwind run in the company of new friends on Ocelot.

The Southport Seaway brought the opportunity to catch up with some very hospitable locals who follow our videos and spoiled us rotten.

A cycle inland also allowed us to finally find some koala’s in the wild.

Plus many kangaroos.

Moreton Bay

Despite the weather trying it’s best to stop us, we managed to arrive in Brisbane/Moreton Bay in time for two very important visits.

The first visit was from Amy D, a very good friend I first met at university many years ago. She now lives in New Zealand and her company was a major highlight of our time spent there.

Next to arrive into Brisbane were my (Amy,s) Mum, Helen and Stepdad, Robert. It had been nearly 3 years since we had last seen them, just before we left England back in 2016. With 3 weeks together on board we were able to explore further up the coast. First we enjoyed the beaches, walks, wildlife and seafood of North Stradbrook Island.

Then the sand hills and wreck snorkeling of Moreton Island.

Time out with family

Timeout with family

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A hairy surf in over the Wide Bay Bar of which there are no photos, only exciting memories, brought us to the Sandy Straights and Fraser Island.

Sunset sailing up the Great Sandy Straights

Wild, rare Australian Humpback dolphins visit Tin Can Bay Harbour daily.

Fraser Island, the largest Sand Island in the world, gave us some beautiful forest hikes, including a hike to the Stunning Lake McKenzie, a fresh water lake in the middle of the island.

A fresh water dip in Lake McKenzie

Another overnight sail brought us to Bundaberg where Mum and Robert could catch the train back to Brisbane for their flight back to the UK.

So that brings us to the present, bobbing at anchor and waiting for the weather to head further north. We have come full circle, back to Bundaburg, our Port of entry into Australia. Every mile North of here will be virgin territory for us, an exciting prospect. The last 3 years have been spent moving forwards. New ground, new seas, new people, new experiences. Returning to familiar ports and retracing our steps, although much less daunting, lacks the excitement and change we have grown accustomed to. The horizon is calling.

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