After a comfortable night anchored out in Pioneer Bay, we were able to motor on into the marina at around 10.30 am, and the marina staff remembered that we were travelling with Koonya, so changed our berth allocation so that we would be alongside them. They really have their act together here and nothing is a problem.
Once tied up and everything was set up for a few days of marina life, I texted Bill Castles to find out which berth they were in, and made arrangements to catch up with he and Linda for dinner tonight. We wandered into town to do a bit of shopping and decided to have lunch at the Whitsunday Yacht Club, which served up a pretty decent meal at a reasonable price, and offered a great view out over the water.
The weather is overcast, but stays reasonably dry.
In the berth next to me is a large Choy Lee motor boat called Tokeresa. It looks really familiar and then it finally struck me the he was from Bobbin Head, on the marina where we kept our boat for years.
We ended up having a long chat with the owners Tony and Kerry, and have been invited over for a pre dinner drink on Saturday. Like a lot of people here, they have family visiting and go in and out for day trips.
Another Hanse 445 we have seen around a bit, "Exodus", is also on our marina arm, as are a few other boats we have met along the way, so going on and off the arm is a bit of a social event.
Dinner was at the Sorrento Restaurant at the marina, where we dined with Bill and Linda, and Mark and Janet. A good night was had by all. We invited Bill and Linda to come over and join us for sundowners tomorrow night.
Friday 10th July 2015
Heavy rain overnight and an overcast morning, we are not sure what the weather will bring today, but a bit of more rain is likely.
This morning was spent doing chores. First a trip to the fuel dock with jerry cans to get diesel and unleaded petrol for the generator (which is getting more use now we have started making our own fresh water). Then it was time to give Mica a good soapy wash all over to get rid of some of the salt spray built up over the past week or so.
After a quick salad for lunch on board, it was time to go for a serious grocery shop, as my sister and brother in law arrive tomorrow and we will be heading out for 6 days. I have booked a courtesy car that is owned by the SICYC (Shag Islet Cruising Yacht Club) of which we are members. Burgees are flying on many boats at the marina and at anchorages around the area.
Affectionately known as "Shaggers" all members are Vice Commodores, and the club is basically run as a vehicle to collect funds for charity, their cause being prostate cancer. There are Shaggers everywhere up here, and the annual Shaggers rendezvous will be held at Gloucester Island (where Shag Islet is located), from 27th August 2015 for about 5 days. Apparently a staggering number of boats turn up.
Anyway, back to the courtesy car. We have booked "Shagette", a falcon station wagon with 572,000 km on the clock and a few bits that don't work. The cost is a mere $10 donation to the SICYC and some contribution for fuel $5 seemed fine. You can have the car for 3 hours and go anywhere you like. You have to be a SICYC Vice Commodore to be eligible to get the use of the car.
It is 4pm by the time we get back and load the groceries on board. For dinner we had already agreed we would have a BBQ on board. Since Bill and Linda were coming for pre dinner drinks, we invited them to join us for dinner, just bring some meat to put on the BBQ.
We had a good meal, a good time and lots of very nice red wine.
More red wine!!
ReplyDelete