Friday 13th May and t’was the day we left Yorkeys Knob for an appointment in Cairns with the fuel dock, it was also my birthday. 3720 litres @$1.43 cpl it took to fill our tanks for the trip over the top! The young guy at the fuel dock allowed us to stay there […]
Cairns to Cape York Read More »
After dropping the boys 5 nm from our anchorage we continued on and anchored, deployed the flopper stopper, only one was needed as the weather was calm and only necessary as we know from experience that the swell develops later in the evening. The boys arrived back for some fresh bait and a few beers
Cape Upstart to Cairns Read More »
The past 3 weeks have been nothing but rain and strong winds, SE 20-35 knts and higher at times. We stayed in Cid Harbour before moving to Gulnare Inlet, Whitsunday Island. Gulnare is opposite and north of Hamilton Island, only a short few mile. It needs to be entered on a rising tide and once
The dock lines are free and we are back in the Wetsundays again. After 3 1/2 months, 2 cyclones and 2 trips away from Opal Lady we left the marina last Thursday with friend, Graeme aboard. Very fitting that the man who wrote the song A Little Further North , came with us as we
A Little Further North Read More »
Well the week turned out to be nearly exactly as planned. Once out of the water the travel lift guys began the high pressure wash down and when they asked were we happy, Alan asked if he could have a go, and with the gun in hand, gave the keel coolers another go.
Safely back in the water! Read More »
As Monday nears closer we are compiling a variety of items in the lazarette in preparation for our haul out at 7am!! Shock horror! What a ghastly hour of the morning, but we will do it! On the upside, it will be cooler then and as we are doing all the work ourselves, it all
Getting ready for a Bum Clean! Read More »
Within days of T/C Anthony, Tropical Cyclone Yasi hit, devastating one of our favourite towns, Cardwell. Cardwell is our grocery stop whilst we are at Hinchinbrook Island. We further prepared Opal Lady, adding our 20mm thick storm boards to the saloon windows, added more docklines (now 18!!!, can’t have too many, they are pretty useless
Tropical Cyclone Yasi Read More »
We await the first of two cyclones to pass, the first to the north of us, around Bowen expected tomorrow or early Monday morning. The second is forecast to pass to the south, near Gladstone on Wednesday. Other than removing our awning from the bow we are all Ok sitting safely within the high rock
Tropical Cyclone Anthony Read More »
We have landed in Brisbane yesterday amidst the worst floods since 1974, the devastation is widespread. We are staying out of harms way and will be flying back to the boat later in the week. Meanwhile this month Alan has made it into the latest edition of Afloat Magazine thanks to our friend, Royce. http://www.afloat.com.au/afloat-magazine/2011/january-2011/Hooked_on_Me
We have left Opal Lady snug in a northern marina before jumping on a Qantas flight back to Newcastle to enjoy Christmas with the Family. We are now once again looking over beautiful Lake Macquarie from a different perspective . . . from a house perched on the ridge of Fishing Point. The weather here
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Read More »