The beautiful yacht, Pandana.It was great to see Bella and Derek again, to touch base personally for the first time since we bought Calista in early ’07. We were keen to see their new yacht Pandana, a classic 80’s, 42 footer with all of the charm of the Perry design, and a marvellous teak fit out below. No wonder Bella and Derek are thrilled with Pandana. There was much for us to share and Bella kindly invited us on board to dine and compare notes. They were shortly to head north and whilst we started to attend to some boat and onshore tasks, our good friends made for Fraser Island with ourselves to follow in a few days. At least this was the plan!
Lawrie’s Marina at Mooloolaba is a wonderful place to tie up for the raft of marine services available literally as one steps ashore, and for the Kawana Waters shopping centre, just across the road. We needed to re-supply our ship, and to attend to a host of boat-related tasks. Of most importance were our concerns re our struggling anchor winch, and the state of the patched exhaust elbow in the engine bay. In no time we had local expertise assisting us with both of these matters: the prognosis for the elbow was to fashion an entirely new component, and for the winch, it was time for a new gearbox. In an earlier blog we referred to Geoff Gowing’s axiom that in cruising, you “go from port to port fixing your boat”!! For us this theorem was becoming as confirmed as gravity.
Lawrie’s Marina at Mooloolaba is a wonderful place to tie up for the raft of marine services available literally as one steps ashore, and for the Kawana Waters shopping centre, just across the road. We needed to re-supply our ship, and to attend to a host of boat-related tasks. Of most importance were our concerns re our struggling anchor winch, and the state of the patched exhaust elbow in the engine bay. In no time we had local expertise assisting us with both of these matters: the prognosis for the elbow was to fashion an entirely new component, and for the winch, it was time for a new gearbox. In an earlier blog we referred to Geoff Gowing’s axiom that in cruising, you “go from port to port fixing your boat”!! For us this theorem was becoming as confirmed as gravity.
A lovely meal at Andy & Allysons farm, with Steve & Jenny.Our mechanical delays were fortuitous though as long time friends Andy Campbell and partner Allyson, and Steve Scammell and partner Jenny were nearby on the Sunshine Coast, and we took the chance to step ashore for part of our time at Mooloolaba. Andy and Allyson (plus our old friend [Golden Retriever] Bundaberg, or Bundy to his associates) now live in the Coolum hinterland, while Steve and Jenny were enjoying some extended R&R at A&A’s beach house perched atop the cliffs at Cape Arkwright, just south of Coolum.
Andy and Allyson prevailed on us to disembark for some terra firma time, and generously lent us a farm ‘ute so that, by day, we could get on with the shipping duties that needed our attention. Highlights ashore with our wonderful friends were a sumptuous pool-side barbie – prawns, succulent salads, and fine steaks – at the Cape and a beach day at Sunshine Beach, followed by a superb lunch at the Noosa Surf Club, perched above the beach. Lotus land! We thank Andy and Allyson for their warm hospitality, for fine foods, a bed that remained stable, and for the opportunity to experience rural life in deepest Yandina. The green tree frogs in the electricity meter box, the musical Guinea Fowl and Bundy’s ever present smile made our time in the bush a time to remember!
Bundy and the Electricity meter frogs!
As for our primary boat tasks, the exhaust elbow was soon fashioned and fitted, but the anchor winch caused us some chagrin, as after extensive communications with the supplier in Sydney, they sent up the wrong part! Then with the correct part having been sourced and finally sent, we endured the frustration of it being despatched with the local courier at 7.30am, and it not arriving at the workshop until just on closing, too late for the assembly on Calista. Another day’s delay!
Another job...up the mast to fix the masthead light. A new globe and success!
Finally, with the first rays of the first day of June the anchor winch was reassembled, greased, tested, and hopefully restored to reliable service.
Later, with fuel, water, and supplies aplenty, we spent the rest of the day as Mooloolaba tourists before readying ship and crew for a 2330 departure, heading north to Fraser Island. The curious departure time is explained by the 11hrs approximate passage time to the Wide Bay Bar, guarding the southern entrance to the Fraser Island waterways. The Bar needs to be passed just prior to the High Tide, which peaks at 11.30am. Happily, the conditions, for both wind and swell, are excellent for the passage. All that remains is to complete the Blog, and have this recorded for you all to enjoy!
Colin blogging!
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