Paradise Point…

Apartments, Ephraim Is, with their own marina

Thursday 5th October

Back to our nice Paradise Point anchorage where everything is indeed a little paradise – we have an amazing anchorage just metres from the public jetty (almost too close sometimes – once when the wind was blowing I needlessly worried that we would hit it!!) Ashore are numerous restaurants – including two fish & chipperies almost next to each other – we tried both and both passed the Jamie Docker Fish Test for taste!!

A perfect anchorage in Paradise!!

There is a fenced swimming pool area, yes, we did have a swim, with shower and toilets, BBQ and playground – all of which are extremely well used. And, it seems almost everyone on the Gold Coast has a dog and a penchant for exercise whether running, walking or Tai Chi - even as early as 5.30am!!

Derek and Debbie took us on a “tiki tour” one day and very kindly loaned us their car another which made the shopping trip a breeze (well, physically – Jamie never thinks of shopping as a “breeze” unless it is a marine/hardware shop!!).

This is an absolute haven for jetskis and fast motorboats - some of which have kept us well entertained with their antics.

Whilst here we have found crew for the Tasman crossing, although we did not end up with a couple, which was our first intention, we are pleased to have joining us on board, two singles – Philip and Lynette. Phil, from Adelaide, South Australia, has a lovely looking 43ft wooden Gaff rigged cutter which he sails around the gulf area there. Lyn is part-owner of a Lightwave 38ft catamaran which is currently in Malaysia. Both came to SOL one Tuesday evening and we enjoyed a “getting to know you” meal together. They will meet us down in Coffs Harbour a few days before we leave.

As part of our preparation for the Tasman we have purchased a life raft – which we hope never to have to use. Murphy’s Law would say that if we didn’t have one……. So… I hope we have appeased Murphy!! We also got these natty little MOB watches – the crew on watch – two at each time, will wear these which are set up to an alarm on the boat (app on phones and ipad) that if the wearer gets out of a certain range for 8 seconds the alarm sounds like a fire siren, the best vessel to save you in a man overboard situation is the one closest to you – the mothership.

I also made us a Q Flag - this is a flag which you are required to fly upon entering a foreign port to alert Customs and Immigration of your arrival and must be flown until they have cleared you and your boat. The "Q" stands for Quarantine, of course!!

Q Flag to be flown on entry to foreign ports

We took a few days break from Tasman Prep with a visit from Grace and Cal who drove up from Victoria for an extended weekend. They left home about 4am Friday morning and after a mere 19hrs drive we dinghied them to SOL.

South Stradbroke Island, seaward side

Saturday dawned yet another perfect Queensland day and we had been invited to join Ian Cooper and friends at Dux Anchorage on South Stradbroke Island for a pot-luck curry evening hosted by the Southport Yacht Club. Delicious food and lovely people, a great night was had by all. We walked over the island to the seaward side and spotted some whales in the distance putting on their usual show for our benefit.

We have been incredibly persistent with our fishing endeavours, and, incredibly unlucky. Grace managed to hook a catfish and then Cal and I hooked what we described as eels - we have later discovered that these very sharp toothed, long shiny creatures are what is known as Hairtail, and the ones we caught were between 1 and 2 metres long, with the most horrendous teeth. We were very happy to return all to the sea.

Sunday – what has happened to the perfect Queensland weather – it was grey, overcast and moody looking. We decided to take a trip out the Gold Coast Seaway and give Grace and Cal a real taste of this sailing life. It is not always flat calm as they soon discovered!!

Yes, I had to include the "skipper picture"

Cal and Jamie hoisted the reefed mainsail and with just half the jib out we were soon flying along in 20knots. We saw some dolphins and more whales then, luckily, they had put in the third reef by mistake, not the second, as within a very short time we had 30-35knots and turning back to shore we flew through the seaway entrance under sail. Exhilarating!!

By this stage the rain was coming down in bucketloads, nice to wash the salt from the boat but not so pleasant for visitors, but we had a great time indoors playing boardgames before going to a nice restaurant for dinner (thanks children). Monday was still wet, but who cares really, Cal’s mum came down from Brisbane for a quick visit which was great – we hadn’t seen her since Grace and Cal’s wedding two years ago. Then Grace and Cal threw out the fishing lines again - Grace managed to catch a nice crab on her line which we later enjoyed as a snack. And the day ended with MacKenzie, a mate of Cal’s also coming aboard. They left around 5pm to make the journey back to Victoria – a long drive again but with plans to stop en route for the night should be fine – sadly they collided with a kangaroo on the way and although they damaged their car it was still driveable. As always, it is so nice to have the children visit with us and sad they must leave.

We also are leaving this Paradise Point, after a farewell breakfast with Derek and Debbie we will leave tomorrow for Yamba/Iluka, sailing overnight on the next leg of our way south.

BoatWorks works...

Wednesday 20th September

Mooloolaba beach - outside the harbour

We spent about a week at Mooloolaba, just hanging on our anchor in the harbour outside the houses of some of the rich and famous – or the wannabes.

We hid from some nasty weather, visiting the library and using the free Wi-Fi there. Walking the streets and looking in the shop windows.

What do we do if the weather is not good for sailing - new mat for cockpit made!!

When we had a good weather window we decided to brave the exit – huh – this time it was flat calm – what was the worry coming in?? There was no problem leaving – maybe Mooloolaba was pleased for us to go.

Next stop Brisbane.

Tree I liked on Coochiemudlo

We sailed down to Moreton Bay and made our way through the many sandbanks to spend our first night just south of Tangalooma at Koungunai where we spent a peaceful night, before going further south – initially thinking we would anchor for the night at Peel Island which we had been told was a great place to anchor – but – so had about a hundred other boats!!! So we continued around to Coochiemudlo Island, a real gem of an anchorage, with just another twenty boats sharing it with us. We went ashore and walked around this little island just off the coast, serviced by many ferries – who would want to live in the city if they could live here I wondered.

Leaving Coochie (as the locals call it), a few days later, we headed south towards the Gold Coast. Passing Macleay Island and Russell Island we had to pass under some power lines – it is rather daunting to try to judge distance from below – the lines looked so close – like we would hit them with our mast as we passed underneath – but luckily (obviously) we didn’t. We weaved our way down past Tabby Tabby Island and made our way to Paradise Point, anchoring between Sovereign and Ephraim Islands.

A tad disconcerting to pass under these!! - powerlines at Rocky Point

These islands are manmade, gated communities which are joined to the mainland by bridges, with guarded security gates to keep out the riff-raff. These are truly the residences of the rich and famous – Sovereign Island being made up of multimillion dollar houses that are as big as the blocks they sit on whereas Ephraim Island is luxury apartments. We did walk across the bridge to Ephraim Island but obviously not looking either rich or famous enough the gates did not open for us!!!

We have caught up with old friends of mine from my teenage years in New Zealand, Derek and Debbie, who live on their boat here on the Gold Coast, and it has been great to see them. Back in the early 80's they bought a yacht and sailed through the Caribbean, the Panama Canal and across the Pacific - during this time having their first baby!! They are super friends, and although we have not been in constant contact over the last 30 years the friendship is as strong. Derek has just been using an excellent looking product to paint on a part of his deck – KiwiGrip (of course) and so we have decided that we will do the same to re-antislip areas which have worn out on our decks before the Tasman crossing. Consequently the next couple of days are spent preparing then painting and now we are (hopefully) assured we will not be leaving the boat (unless we want to) during the passage to New Zealand.

Next stop – The BoatWorks. And I am in love. Well, in a manner of speaking.

Sea-lift getting ready to lift SOL

Up the Coomera River we went, passing many more incredibly large houses to The BoatWorks. This is a marina and haulout area set up and owned by Tony Longhurst (the ex V8 supercar driver) and boy has he done it well. If we ever haulout again I would like it to be as easy and stress-free as this. The boys are waiting to take your lines on approach and the docksides are padded to prevent damage to your boat. We were lifted, not in a sling, but from underneath, and so very calmly moved to a spot in the yard.

Now you may think that going into a marina berth is akin to going into your local supermarket carpark in your Corolla – HUH – not so…imagine your nice little vehicle is a B-Double truck, and the carpark full – with just one space over in the far corner with a Mercedes one side and a BMW the other. You think I’m joking, don’t you, but remember we are 12 metres long and seven metres wide, and the steering wheel is down the back, on the left so you can’t quite see the front right quarter. So, throw in the effects of wind and tide – now do you know what I mean??

Anyway. Back to the BoatWorks. On Wednesday morning we motored up to their dock which had about a foot width of lovely cushioning all around, where two guys held SOL secure while another moved the “lifting machine” into place. The “lifting machine” is kind of like an enormous forklift, hugely padded, which is moved in under the boat while it is in the water and then, by remote control, they simply take it up and out. None of the nerve-wracking watching as your home swings precariously in a couple of webbing straps high in the air, as it moves to the hard. So easy. Even going back into the water was simple – just before SOL reached the water the boys wheeled up a set of steps and Jamie and I climbed aboard, the machine then moved us back to the water where we simply started the engines and motored away. Too easy.

We were met by Craig Humphries, who was to fix our rudders. We had a bit of a problem for sure – one that necessitated the use of a great deal of force and a sledge hammer!!! to remove the very seized up rudders for repair. The job we expected to take a couple of days, however, was completed in just one, and we were back in the water by lunchtime Thursday. Great job, Craig and Dylan.

The service from everyone we encountered at the BoatWorks was tremendous, the yard is pristine, as are the facilities, with a free laundry (a total bonus), a coffee and muffin voucher, courtesy car, and then on departure – a cap and stubby holder in an extremely useful duffle bag.

Thank you BoatWorks.