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Cruising the Oz Coast

Christmas on the Great Barrier with new and old friends recharged our cruising batteries with wonderful memories. After the strong SE  switched north we sailed down Hervey Bay to Fraser Island. Friends from Samoa -Ed, Joyce and Alisha-arrived and together we rented a 4wd to explore the largest sand island in the world.

                              lost in the satinay forest

   Lake Wabby being slowly engulfed

 by Hammerstone Sand Blow

beach driving hazards

  crew of Xhabbo watching dugong

feeding a wild Indo-Pacific dolphin at Tin Can Bay

One of the great things about cruising is re-connecting with old friends. During our first visit to the Land Down Under in 1983, we met Ross and Jenny on their catamaran Gemerogen.Their two daughters were about Emma's age, both keen dinghy sailors.Fast forward 19 years.One daughter is now a chef in Sydney,while the other works for a roofing company when she is not helping her parents manage a motel.  We spent a great weekend with Ross and Jennie exploring Noosa.

Ross and Jennie Capper, hosts extraordinaire

We headed down the Australian coast searching for a small port to spend the rest of the cyclone season. Yamba,NSW, at the mouth of the Clarence River, fit our needs perfectly.

 entrance to Clarence River and closest surf beach to Yamba marina

Unfortunately, just as we were settling in, we got a call that my Mum was losing her 10 year struggle with Alzheimer's. After 48 hours of travel, I joined my sisters and brother at her bedside. Celebrating my mothers life, with laughter as well as tears, reminded me of how important family is.

 Elizabeth "Betts" Margaret Douglas