Wednesday 3rd October

Back on air again at South Molle, so time to let you know we are still in the land of the living and just about to spend out last night in here before heading to Airlie to reprovision and embark on our arduous journey south. After the girls flew out we went around to Cid Harbour and met up with Irish friends from Melbourne and had a very funny and long day, night, starting at 2pm for drinks and ending about 11pm. Most precarious trying to scramble in and out of dingys in the dark after a few too many sherberts. One could do a Natalie Wood and slip away very quietly….no fuss

Have had a great time the last week and sailed and motored to Blue Pearl Bay in convoy with Destiny 3. Donned all the snorkeling gear and jumped in.While swimming around enjoying the coral and different varieties of fish, I nearly choked when this huge shape loomed up to me I thought it was a shark, and then Nick tapped me on the shoulder and I rose up and walked across water. The shape was a Maori Wrass and after overcoming my initial shock was quite happy to follow it around for a while.
Same day we heard that Jen was doing a diving course in Thailand and diving to 35 meters….perish the thought, but we were on tenterhooks until we realized that the last day had come and gone and no dire phone call. AND just when you think its safe to come out she rings us and says she’s booked in for an advanced 3 day course. End of second day they lost one of the girls in one of the other groups and so Jen didn’t do the last day as they still hadn’t found her and she was presumed drowned…shades of the Lonigans!!
She is now safely home so one can relax a little now.

Dumbell Island was by far the best fish and coral we saw and enjoyed going back for a second snorkel. We stopped at lots of little beaches with coral fringing reefs and spent evenings sitting on beaches with a chardonnay as the sun set.

Fishing Notes. Lost two more lures to monstesr, so have to go to Airlie to reprovision lines. Dingy caught three garfish the other night so at least something is winning against the fish. Still waiting for the taste of Barbecued Mackerel. Believe there is a great fish and chip shop at Airlie just behind the yacht club ……so that’s where we’re heading tonight

…………..and from me not much to add except I worked out a rough schedule for the return journey and it has us back in Sydney in the first half of December. All weather dependent and influenced by such vagaries as discovering the Shoalwater Bay area is off limits from 11-21 October due to military exercises. Don’t fancy ending our trip with a torpedo up our transom so will stay well clear.
No return of water in the engine oil. So that’s a plus.
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