Tide up safely in a pen at The Great Sandy Straits Marina we did some chores, cleaning of the boat and some much needed washing. Nice enough Marina although the entry is quite small and a bit intimidating. There are a few restaurants here and a club. We decided to stay for 4 nights here as the weather is a bit shit. Once we had done all our chores, washing, shopping etc etc we left the marina and sailed back to Kingfisher Bay to anchor for the night, not before I put my navigating skills to the test again and kissed the ground half way back there trying to tack to far. All was good and made it to our anchoring spot. After setting the anchor we headed to shore for a couple of cocktails at the bar and then back to boat for dinner. After finishing the dishes we jumped in the dingy and headed over to yacht Screensaver for a game of cards and a few laughs, it was dark so finding Screensaver wasn't easy as it's anchor light is crappy.

Next morning we lifted anchor about 8.30 am and headed to Bunderberg. Morning started out with about 10 knots of breeze so we were motor sailing to Hervey Bay. Once passing Hervey Bay the motor was turned off and the breeze had picked up to about 18 knots so we were sailing at about 8 knots. The water is quite shallow around the Hervey Bay area so it can be a bit testy. The breeze soon turned into wind with a wind warning issued by VMR Hervey Bay. Gusting at 35 knots we were doing 9 - 10 knots for the last 5 hours of the trip. The swell was about 4 meters when arriving at the lead lines for Bundaberg about 5pm . The only way to pull the sail down was to turn around back into the wind which was a challenge in its self. Once the sail was down we got into the shipping channel and struggled to keep the boat straight on the lead lines because of the swell and wind. The closer we got to the harbor the more the swell died so we were getting a bit excited about the boat leveling out. After radioing in to Bundy Marina to get out pen number we were even more excited to know that our good friend who tracks all our movements from Budy Shore Station Ken Pascoe was waiting on the dock ready to grab our ropes as we came in, so that in itself installed a great comfort for us as the wind was still up. Parking safely and a few hugs all round we waited for Yacht Screensaver to come in as they were about 30 mins behind. Once all tide up we headed to the Bar at the marina for a well earned beer and pizza . It was early to bed tonight ( Sunday ) as we were tired little sailors as a big day was had by all.

We are in Bunderberg for about 9 nights as our friend Craig from Sydney is going to join us on Sunday 10th for 2 weeks and sail up the coast with us. Bundy Port Marina is about 20klms from town and in the middle of no where really. Lucky for us Ken lives in Bundy and was there every day with his car and hospitality to ferry us to and from town to do as we please. Tuesday night we all went to Ken's house for dinner . His partner Sherry made us feel at home and prepared a lovely meal. Good music food and company made the night a memorable one.

Yacht Screensaver pulled out of Bundy on Sunday morning about 3am . We hired a car went to do some last minute food shopping before heading to the airport to pick up Craig. Mental note coles and woolworths are not open on a Sunday in Bundy so of to the airport to wait for Craig.

Monday was spent food shopping and a visit to the Bundaberg Rum factory then back to the boat by 1am as the hire car had to be back at the Marina by then. Spent the arvo prepareing the boat to leave early next morning. Had a last arvo lunch at the Marina bar and our friend Ken turned up to wish us goodbye which was great.

Tuesday up at 5am . Weather calm, untied the boat at 5.30am and motored out of Bundaberg harbor up the channel. You need to go about 2 miles out before turning to the north (thats left for land lovers) because it is shallow so once doing that we hoisted the sails and headed for Pancake Creek. One settled and sailing Elaine decide it was time for her to retire to the front cabin for some shut eye as she hasnt been up this early for quite some time. So after she made us a cupa of she went to zzzzzzz.

Arrival at Pancake Creek was estimated at around 1600hrs ( thats 4pm for land lovers ) . The day was great small seas , a bit more wind would have been nice but that was fine. Arrived at the entrance of Pancake around 4 only to find the markers a tad confusing. We could see yachts inside and all looked fine so we proceeded in at a very slow pace. Unfortuately I decided that the chats I had were wrong so I took a different path and low and behold yep you guessed it we ran around. Unlike the other 4 or 5 times I have done so, this time I did a real good job of it so much so we were stuck and it was high tide. So basiacally it was all bad from here, there was no more tide to lift us of so we prepared our selfs for the worst and that was as the picture shows a very long night. Luckily the next high tide which was due at 4am was a higher tide than this one so our chances of getting of were in our favour. So we sat and waited.

A very uncomfortable 10 hours was had by all. With offers of help from locals and Screensaver who was only 2 hours away there was not much anyone could do as we had to just tuff it out. the picture says it all. 2am and the tide was getting there so we decided to give it a go but only moved a meter or so. 3am and another try and away we go finally off and free in the dark. Once clear of Pancake we decided that Gladston was too busy for us to stop in because of all the ships and the darkness so a decision was made to head straight to Great Keppel Island , approx 65 nautical Miles or for us about 11 hrs.

The journey was a long one as we had been up all night but the weather was kind to us and it was smooth sailing all the way. We arrived at Keppel about 2.30 in the afternoon and Anchoured up in about 3.5 meters of water ( Making sure to check the tide this time) just outside the now closed down Resort. Had a couple of drinks in the afternoon sun and then retired early fo a well earned sleep.

Thursday was spent exploring some of the Island and swimming in the ocean where we saw a big turtle. The water here is lovely and clear and the sands on the beach are very white and smooth like powder. I put the dive tank on and went for a scuba under the boat to check for any damage from the other night. All was good.

We will stay here now till Saturday where our plan is to sail to the Percy Islands.