Saturday 7 December 2013

Sailing to Gold Coast, Days 7 & 8, Dec 6th

Friday 6th Dec    8 am the next morning and there was a diver at the dock with one of the Coast Guard officers, ready to go under Solitaire and sort out the rope issue.  After a quick check, and taking a few photos for report purposes (see attached photos that he took), he managed to free the rope, and reported that there was no apparent damage down there – Which was a big relief for Jamie.  Now we needed to find out what the engine problem was, and soon Jamie had lined up a mechanic through his sailing connections. We were able to shower in the Coast Guard offices which were right beside where we were docked, and that shower was BLISS  !!   Our last proper one had been  in Yeppoon  last Monday – 4 days ago !!!   Phew !!

Soon the diesel mechanic arrived and after a detailed inspection could find no major issues with the engine.  He reckons that running the engine when the yacht is keeled over can mean oil pick up problems, which would then cause a loss of oil pressure.  And we had been using the engine almost non stop since we left Yeppoon !  So we then spent the rest of the day running the engine, checking oil, trying all sorts of
things to re-create the issues of last night, but all seemed good !!  We are just on the main street in Mooloolaba, with lots of Fish and Chip shops – So that was what we had for lunch.  As our confidence grew that we might be able to make it to the GC, and the tides and weather look OK, we are now starting to think of seeing if we can get down to the coast tomorrow.  We are going over to Jamie’s brother’s house in Mooloolaba tonight, and then will be ready for an early start tomorrow, and if everything looks OK weather wise, and Solitaire is OK, then we will go for it.

Interesting few days, to say the least !!

Sat 7th Dec.  After a relaxing evening and delicious dinner at Peter and Natalie’s house(Jamie’s brother)  last night, we all slept VERY soundly after all the adventures of the last few days.  We woke up at 5 am and prepared to set off to the Gold Coast.  Before leaving, we checked the latest weather forecasts, and while the winds and seas were all good, there was a report of dangerous surf conditions building down at the Gold Coast. This would make it impossible to get into the Gold Coast seaway, and if we sailed down there and found bad onshore surf waves, we would have no choice but to sail all the way back to Mooloolaba.  So Jamie said we could not leave, and we quickly started on plan B.  Neil needed to get home, while Jamie had to get Solitaire
off the temporary jetty we currently occupied.  So while Jamie went off to try and get a berth at the local marina, Neil and I worked out suitable train times back to the Gold Coast.   At about 9 am we were able to move Solitaire over to the marina, and then Jamie’s brother Peter kindly came over to the marina and picked up myself and Neil to take us to the train station.  It was a shame we couldn’t finish off the journey to the
Gold Coast, but the weather had just been against us all the way, and we finally ran out of time.  So after bidding farewell to Jamie, Neil and I caught the train down through the dramatic Glasshouse Mountains (Volcanic plugs left after surrounding volcano mountains have been eroded away), and once home, Neil picked up his car from our place and drove the 3 hours back to his hime in Grafton, while I flopped in front of the TV and watched the Cricket Test Match and generally took it easy !!

If the weather improves next week, I will catch the train back up to Mooloolaba to join Jamie again, and help him bring the yacht south to complete the journey.  (If he wants me to, of course !!!!!)

It has truly been an amazing journey and I am so glad I did it. But I have to admit that I still feel the same – I am a landlubber through and through, and feel a lot safer with terra firma beneath my feet.  But to Jamie for inviting me to join him, and for putting up with me, a massive thank you.  And to Neil for helping Jamie not only with the sailing part, but also with all the heavy work that I just couldn’t do, thank you also.  I have had a wonderful week, and an experience and an adventure that I will never forget. Muchas gracias. 
Pics : https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/SailingToGoldCoastDays78?authkey=Gv1sRgCJ6Gms2Bwon8Nw#

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