Lochenbar Station to Airlie Beach

Monday 5th September

We had to rise at 5.30 again, breakfast being at 6. I can't believe I forgot to take a picture of the breakfast campfire. Actually, there are two fireplaces, one about hip high is used for the billy cans of tea and coffee and the saucepan of breakfast beans. The other one, slightly higher, is used with a grill on top for making the toast. The mornings have been very cool, so it has not been a trial to be so near the fire, though it has warmed up later. Likewise, it has cooled quickly in the evening when the sun goes down, so we have been glad of the huge campfire in the bar area. Last night, it was burning half of tree trunk about 8 feet long and about two feet in diameter at the root end. The bar area is outdoors, not even roofed, though the eating areas both have a roof.

We set off at 6.30 and drove down from the mountains back towards the coast. About 9 a.m. we stopped in Rockhampton for coffee, and I noticed I had a phone signal so posted two days worth of notes. The pictures will have to wait until we get a wireless Internet signal for the laptop.

It was a long drive of nearly 700 km. We have been surprised by Australian highways. Apart from near the cities, main highways are just one lane in each direction and there is relatively little traffic. We stopped for lunch which we ate outside, and were joined by flocks of sparrows and a very brightly coloured bird, a blue eyed honey bird or some such name.

We finally arrived about 3.30 at Airlie Beach. The Marina was full of rather expensive boats.

We are on a sailing yacht called Southern Cross, which is 68 feet long and used to be a racing yacht. About 30 odd years ago, it was Australia's entry for the Americas cup.

It is quite snug inside, Paul and I are sharing a double bunk in the stern. There are berths for every body, but no cabins. There is also a shower and a loo.

We left the marina running on the engines, then the sail was put up. I've never been on a sailing boat so I found it quite worrying when we started to sail and heeled over quite sharply. We were warned about holding on, with both hands if possible, when moving about the boat. We don't wear life jackets either, so I intend to remain fixed sitting in one place whenever the boat is moving! In about an hour and a half or two hours we sailed to Hook Island where we moored for the first night. I haven't taken many pictures because of being too terrified to move off my seat in the stern!