Mooloolaba

Sunday 1^st October 2017

It is a bit overcast this morning and the forecast is for rain over the next few days . Strong wind warnings are also in place for Monday, so the marina will be a good place to be for the next few days till this weather system passes.  We will most likely be here till Wednesday or Thursday , before moving on to Southport.

After breakfast, Pip and Marg, from Moonshadow wandered around and talked about plans for the next few days. Everyone is watching the weather to see what eventuates, with flash flooding a possibility and possible Thunderstorms. The option getting to Southport going outside Moreton Island, or through Morton Bay, and down the Canaipa Channel are still being weighed up.

As we were chatting, the couple in the boat opposite us appeared and joined the discussion. After a while it turned out tat they were from Melbourne and had lots in common with Pip and Marg including sailing the same class of dinghies against each other about 40 years ago. We all agree to have sundowners on Moonshadow and head off to do our own thing for the rest of the day.

Later in the morning we went for a walk into town, and on to Alexandra Headland where we had lunch at the Surf Club. Mooloolaba is very busy, and the beaches are very popular. It is a long weekend here as well and everyone is out enjoying the sunshine whilst it lasts. By mid afternoon, the skies are getting more ominous, but there is no rain yet.

Mooloolaba Beach

Alexandra Headland

It looks like the rain is on the way

Back at Mica, we decide to put our cockpit side covers on before the rain comes. On an old ketch beside us, an Osprey has found the perfect place to have their meals. Periodically it flies off, comes back with a fish, and proceeds to perch on to of the mast where it can use one foot to hold the fish down, whilst it eats it. When seagulls turn up to share in the feast, he just defiantly stands on the fish and looks glaringly at the seagulls.

The remains of many meals cover the foredeck

Sundowners on Moonshadow included a quick farewell to Amanda who was off to catch her plane back to the Sydney, followed a little later by the arrival if Eric, Brians brother who has come up to help him sail Dalwhinnie for the next leg of the trip.

Next priority was to find somewhere to have dinner and watch the rugby league grand final. We settled on the Wharf Tavern and were joined by Brian and Eric.  We were only seated for about 10 minutes when  Peter Hrones, the old owner of Windcraft came over to say hello. He and his family are sailing their Hanse 455, Spectre, home and had just had their dinner. Peter ended up joining us for a glass of red (or two), and the family headed back to their boat.