TRUDY & Co GREAT KEPPEL ISLAND

Our 4th time visiting Gladstone Marina - Good marina and nice to be back

We were well and truly "victualled" up again as we departed Gladstone marina early morning after a comfortable 2 night stop. Quite a navigational nightmare leaving there and going north with huge freighters, ferries and work boats to contend with, even floating pipes and channel markers every which way. We got into  'The Narrows' behind Curtis Island and made our way at high tide over the cattle crossing and in the afternoon went up Pacific Creek at the end of The Narrows and was surprised to find it full of boats due I suppose to the current 30knt wind warning. Of course,
Bligh being Bligh, decided after 5 hours of being quite safe and comfortable on anchor that he was not happy and a little move was in order. So up anchor in the dark (never nice with a howling wind) and I swear we moved 10m, well maybe 20). At least he slept well all night.

The Cattle Crossing in The Narrows behind Curtis Island

Left Pacific Creek early next morning as Trude and John and the kids were only 6hrs away after enjoying a night with the kangaroos at the Warrumbungles and then another night at Possum Park in Miles.  We had 30knt S/SE, 3m waves across the bay but
finally made it into Roslyn Harbour at Keppel Bay Marina near Yeppoon.  Had a nasty drama on the way when we were trying to bring in the whisker pole. The end of the pole smashed into the front bedroom window and the genoa sheet whipped and cut into
the Bimini windscreen.  We now have some repairs to attend to.

Wonderful to see the boys and little Princess .Great excitement and enough gear and food transported to the boat to last a month. Trude had done well with her pre-cooking and freezing for the road trip and we had lovely, warming home made soup etc and an early night. Left the marina in the morning and had a nasty 25-30knt trip out to Gt Keppel Island. Spent the afternnon exploring the lovely Keppel Island and it was very sad to see the main resort was closed down. The Wappaburra Bar was still up and running for the usual chips, burgers, pizzas. Spent a calm night at Fisherman's Beach off the resort.

Breakfast Chaos at Gt Keppel Island

The following day we moved around to Leekes Beach to do a bit
more exploring and up the creek we went WITH our paddle. Four catamarans were sheltered up inside the creek and we considered going on in but didn't really fancy going high and dry for 4hours of every tide change.  The boys took the stand up paddle board in and out of the mangroves and little side creeks and had a lovely time. We then had a nice afternoon on the beach collecting shells for a necklace to be made for Mia.  Capt. Col went back to the boat and brought in a cold bottle of champagne, 4 glasses and some nibblies and we stayed there till late afternoon.  Moved back around to the sheltered corner at Fisherman's Beach for the night and we
had a lovely dinner finished off with a marathon game of Uno (Mia being the Uno Queen).

Pop sharing some good fishing know-how

Trudy and John

1. Munchkins Movie Night on the boat

Heading now back into Keppel Bay Marina as we have showers most of the day. The morning was spent on the beach and we will cosy down at Keppel Bay Marina again tonight for our last night before we all head off in our different directions.