Leaving Gladstone in a few minutes - next update will be from Keppel Bay

Still in Gladstone

With a strong wind warning current until this afternoon we remain in Gladstone Marina.

Current thinking is to leave Wednesday to transit "The Narrows" and then into Keppel Bay.

We will make a decision on where to next once through "The Narrows" - options at this point are three; a) Yellow Patch then Keppel Islands; b) through to Great Keppel; c) up the Fitzroy River to Rockhampton.

A couple of observations on the tropics, namely we are now in danger zone, marine stingers, stonefish, and biggest of all once through "The Narrows" we are definately in "croc country" so keep the toes out of the water until out amongst the islands.

A couple of photos above:

- yachts at anchor Pancake Creek

- view looking north from beach at Pancake Creek

- Tiburon at anchor Pancake Creek (look around third of the way across from the left)

Gladstone

It's Friday and as predicted Tiburon is in Gladstone. We did not get into Baffle Creek and so moved on to 1770 where we spent one night. Then onto Pancake Creek for two nights.

Pancake Creek is such a great spot it was difficult to weigh anchor and move on this morning. The only incentive was getting to Gladstone to pick up my bride tomorrow morning - I am really looking forward to that.

Strong wind warning for tomorrow and the next few days will see us in Gladstone till early next week. That's OK I have some maintenance to do; engine oil change and cooling raw water pump impellor change at least; and there will be plenty of site seeing opportunities.

Photos galore at 1770 and Pancake Creek and so difficult to select just a few to place on the blog, but here goes:

- heads at the town of 1770

- Bustard Head lighthouse (look closely for the light plane - this took off from the beach as we were going by)

- cruising yachts in Pancake Creek

- the neighbours

- Pancake Creek muddy water!!

Take care

Going North Again in the Morning

Moved from Bundaberg to Burnett Heads this arvo and will head off early in the morning. Plan is to move to Baffle Creek tomorrow, then 1770 on Wednesday, Pancake Creek on Thursday and on to Gladstone Friday.

Karen should rejoin Tiburon on Saturday.

The weather outlook is good (except maybe a little insufficient in the wind department) so the key point of uncertainty is whether Tiburon will get in to Baffle Creek.

First photo is of Tiburon at rest in Bundaberg. Note the smoky chimney in the background - that's where Bundy rum comes from.

The second one is my current anchorage at Burnett Heads, some felllow cruisers in the foreground.

Did I mention that both the kids were successful in their semester one studies - well done guys.

I don't expect to be back on-line until Gladstone - take care all.

Now at Bundaberg Town

Travelled up river today from Burnett Heads to Bundaberg town. It was a great trip, seeing the real working river from the ship loader (can't imagine that much sugar, can you) to the cable ferry carrying sugar across the river and that contrasted with relics of days long gone where small vessels must have been loaded at numerous jetties.

On arrival refueled and took on 40 litres of water then anchored. Fuel fill was 37 litres - not bad given we last refuelled at Tin Can Bay last Wednesday week.

Had a good feed and a beer. The rule with alcohol is none until anchored safely - 100% compliance so far. Another rule is only two beers per day - significant compliance so far!

Went ashore last night at the Blue Water Club, Burnett Heads - a very friendly bunch - one beer and then back to Tiburon for dinner. Ashore again this morning to the chandlery to buy a chart to get me to Gladstone.

After a trip ashore this arvo for forementioned fuel and water I've had enough so will hang out at anchor and do what I prefer on a Saturday afternoon - ABC classic, "Strike up the Band" (brass band music) then "Jazz Tracks". What more could you want. Perhaps a red or two then some sax practice!

Photos above are:

- whale in Hervey Bay (look really closely for the dark spot - best I could do)

- Burrum Heads ( was a great stopover; thanks to Peter Hulme's recommendation - I would not have gone in otherwise)

- Bundaberg ship loader (this one especially for Tom Houston so he can reminsce his sugar industry days)

- Cable ferry carrying sugar truck

- no money in sugar!

At Bundy (via Burrum Heads)

Arrived Burnett Heads Boat Harbour this afternoon after spending last night at Burrum Heads. Conditions ended up fine for entry to the Burrum River so I spent last night at anchor there.

On route from Hervey Bay saw around a dozen whales (perhaps more but I'm wary of exageration). No shows put on for me, simply whales at rest and then a tail in the air when they submerged as I approached. They were in relatively shallow water of around 8 metrres and appeared to be stationary facing the tide, perhaps feeding or just resting, and appeared to be calf size. Anyone out there able to explain this behaviour?

I'm at anchor now and may move up river to the town proper in the morning.

Pretty tired now after the trip up to Bundy so I'll sign off and perhaps get some photos up tomorrow.

To Bundy Tomorrow

All going to plan I will be leaving Hervey Bay early in the morning and heading to Bundaberg.

Had planned to call into Burrum Heads but the daytime tides are unfavourable in any but the calmest conditions - I'll have a look as I go past - who knows I may end up there yet.

Rigged a full set of lifelines today as I will be alone and plan to remain clipped on at all times.

For those that have ever contemplated cutting close to a channel marker have a look at the photo above. Taken approaching South White Cliffs (west coast of Fraser Island).

Telstra tell us that NextG covers greater than 90% of the population, NOT 90% of Oz geographically, so no people no coverage. 100% correct! During the last week we have progressed the Great Sandy Straits which is beautiful in part as there are few people, and you guessed it, no digital phone or NextG coverage where we were. However we were never without CDMA phone coverage (though at times patchy) which is the one they are discontinue - go figure!

So except for our two days at Tin Can Bay we were unable to update the blog. So what happened during those two days - well we were busy walking and such.

Anyhow what a week. We spent time at anchor up Kauri Creek (two nights) and Gary's anchorage (three nights) then with a plan to spend last night at Kingfisher Bay. That did not happen as due to very strong sou'westers the anchorage was untennable. We continued on to Hervey Bay and arrived a day earlier than planned. THe conditions were safe (Mark's opinion not Karen's) but very uncomfortable. The crew was revolting and today jumped a plane to Brisbane - hope she comes back.

Karen has returned home for a week, as the house-sitter is off to Fiji for a week with Harriett, and will look after the menagerie.

Mark will do some maintenance and reprovision in Hervey Bay then continue up the coast. Plan for the next stop to be Burrum Heads (somewhat optional depending on favourable weather tides to cross the bar), then on to Bundaberg.

Hope you like the photos;

- Kauri Creek002

- Gary's Anchorage (sunset)34

- Gary's Anchorage (reflections)17

Over Wide Bay Bar

One of the most significant milestones for us was to get across Wide Bay Bar. We did that today following an eleven hour cruise up from Mooloolaba.

Tonight we are anchored inside Inskip Point in the Great Sandy Straits.

The first image above is sunrise over the ocean when we were abreast of Coolum. The second sunset at Inskip Point.