Times flies even faster when we are on holidays!

We waited few days for the weather to forget about the recent cyclone which pumped the seas with energy and increased the winds. Our plan was to leisurely sail down the waterways between Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Our first anchorage was at Peel Island. With 25knt of wind and corals behind us, we had to be sure to be hooked correctly. The next day, we tried the “underwater boat wash rollers”. Perfect to clean the river mud from Merlin’s hulls. It was less fun to motor into the wind but the waterways weren’t a long way away.

To sail (or mostly motor) through the waterways, you have to plan your passage correctly as some corners in the channels can be very shallow. It is where we appreciate our draft of 1.3m. We stopped between Macleay and Karragarra Islands… and we stayed there 2 nights as our friends from Stray Kitty (met in the Tuamoto) arrived!

Drinks on board, game on the beach, kids having fun together and more drinks on boards, especially on New Year Eve!

As we had to check if Victor’s cabana on Moreton Island was still there, we went back to the dunes, our usual spot. We enjoyed clear waters, the turtles, an empty beach but most of all, a great sunset with no mosquitoes. (more photos under "australia")