Just Chillin

Still just enjoying Horseshoe Bay. Caught the bus to the other side of the island to fill some prescriptions, narrow and windy, bumpy roads added to the fun of seeing more of the island. Lunch back at the bay was very relaxed after the busy place it is on weekends.

Weather is still great with a good breeze, we will see what's in store later in the week before we go south.
The view from under our palm tree, Sea Eagle is there somewhere.........

Not lost...

Saturday rolls around with us again anchored in Horseshoe Bay, Maggie Island. The trip back to the marina after the electrical hiccups was enough to have the boat checked by a sparkie. This led to a new kickass starting battery but luckily no need to replace the house batteries. He also filled in a few gaps as to what some switches and circuits do. The previous owner who had travelled down from Cairns with us had only given us what she understood. As with any boat theres been changes and rewiring done ad-hoc so it tends to leave a jigsaw puzzle.
 Anyway leaving the marina yesterday with its $60 a night tariff felt good. There has been some cane burning as thats part of how some farmers harvest and most of the town is hazy and covered in a fine ash fallout.

And yes finally we have hoisted some sail, first time since moving aboard in mid may!!!!! There was a stiff sou-easter as we left so we braveley put up the storm jib.

 It only lasted for an hour or so and as we came into Horseshoe it died off somewhat.
So anchoring up we revelled in once again being free. A gorgeous sunset aided no doubt by the seasonal burnoff of sugar cane gave us a colourful end of day image.

So a loose plan is to be here a day or 3 then head south anchoring at Cape Upstart before moving on to somewhere near Bowen or Gloucester Island. Then the Whitsundays beckon !!!!!!!

Back in Townsville

The lovely monday afternoon wander on the beach ended with us finding the refrigeration on board not working (insert expletive). Seems we are using too much power with computers and coffee machines and the like going, so we had to do some thinking. Obviously the solar and wind gen arent keeping up with the drain, so after some discussion otherwise called bitching we figured to return today rather than later in the week. Monday was glorious with barely a breeze as we motored out of Horseshoe Bay, with Isy on the bow cleaning mud off the anchor.

Reading one of the instrument manuals on board we worked out what it was telling us, the 4/200 amp batteries arent holding charge long enough. So were going to get a sparks around to check them out and if needed replace them. As well as look into how we can reduce the power consumption. No nespresso etc...bugger.
 Anyway the trip in was stunning with some Magnetic Island coastline to look at, before a completely calm bay to cross to the marina entrance.

Thats the best I can do trying to get the dolphins on film with my camera. Bree where are you!!!
So were here for 3 days while we attend to a few things and stock up to head south, with possibly a night back at Horseshoe to see some friends we didnt say bye to. The weather is glorious, mid 20's in the day and pleasant at night, sorry all southerners!!!!!

Lazy Monday

Monday finds us still in Horseshoe Bay. Views like this though mean theres no reason to move quickly.

Were taking the 4 legged crew ashore there later to stretch her legs. Plus explore a bit as well.
Sunday we did a rather longer walk to get to the other bays, though after 30 mins or so I decided that I had walked far enough. I am getting fitter all the time, after losing so much while recovering from the heart attack. Still I prefer to err on the side of caution when I feel im pushing too hard. A pic of the crew and Isabell on the climb after I stopped for a breather. Fresh fish and chips at the local cafe did work wonders to make up for it afterwards though.

The generator we had bought as a backup had been stopping after 10 mins or so, a call to the dealer sorted that out realy quick, too much oil which for some reason it dosent like. We have solar plus wind generation on board and now with the genset theres power to burn.
I must get the fishing gear wet as well, we trolled all the way down from Cairns but had no luck, just to get 1 pan size fish would be a great incentive.
Regardless its a lamb stirfry for dinner tonight, probably eaten up top with a view worth millions!!!!

Relaxing on the way to Magnetic Island

                       

Anchored in Horseshoe Bay, there are 30 other boats here as well.

First of many raves or rants as we live aboard our new home

We are anchored in Horseshoe Bay on the north side of Magnetic Island.  Arrived yesterday after nearly 6 weeks in Breakwater Marina Townsville. As this is our first cruise down the coast after buying Sea Eagle in Cairns, we had a list of things to either repair or replace. As well as catch up with friends and see a bit of the area. But paying to be in a marina is only acceptable for so long, anchored somewhere is realy what we want to do.
Windy here but calm enough with a great view of the bay, 30 or so other boats anchored here as well.
As usual some maintenance jobs took up the morning.