Captain’s Log: Brisbane (Manly) to Bobbin Head: Arrived

Hi All,

We arrived safe and sound at Empire Marina in Bobbin Head about 3:15pm!!!!

The big winds never arrived….throughout the day the winds calmed to about 7 kts as we came in Broken Bay…..all from behind. The seas also calmed to <2’…..a very sweet ride!!!

I had a very warm greeting from several Selene owners. As soon as we docked and got all the lines secured and plugged into shorepower (the connector I had worked….did not have to go buy a new one…whoa) Terry and I popped several passage beers. Then we were joined by his wife, Di, and Darryl and Liane, on Sapphire Blu and we toasted our safe arrival with champagne which then moved to red wine and dinner….whoa, I think we are really going to like Australia!!!!

Boat stuff: Well, after our inauspicious beginning, Mystic and I settled down into our routine and…..knocking on wood….the rest of the trip carried on with no issues!!!!

However, we were carrying stowaways!!! Both of us kept hearing bird chirping noises from the flybridge. We never could pin down from where but finally Terry partially climbed the mast and could barely see a birds nest under the solar panels on top of the bimini. So today, I climbed on top of the pilot house and sure enough we had 2 baby shags, similar to a commorant…..very cute and still alive, but boy what a mess they made. Murray and Macala, the local detailers came over to wash Mystic and he said he would be right back with a bird expert. Andy showed up in minutes and between the four of us we coaxed the birds out so Andy could place in a box. He took them to the local National Forest office where they will take care of the little ones!!!

AND the best news of all, Kathy saw the surgeon and she gave Kathy the go ahead to travel to Australia!!! She was very pleased with Kathy’s progress, but warned her she had the same restrictions for up to 6 weeks and only then could she progress to more back strengthening exercises!!! Our friends Jim and Caz who are joining us in Sydney assure us that lifting a champagne glass is well within her restrictions:)))) Oh happy days. Just another week until the Admiral arrives on board!!! I’m sure she will like how I’ve rearranged her galley….yep, livin on the edge!!!!

Final Stats:

Position: 33 40S 151 10E
Traveled: 430 nm total; Arrived 3:15pm
Speed: Speed varied 6-10.5 kts; avg 8.2 kts for passage;

1700 rpm
Boat sightings: lost count, maybe 30, mainly cargo ships
Fishing: yes, but no catching, some great white got a yummy meal, drats!!!
Sail: down
Fuel burn: 1.3 nmpg, not too bad for 1700 rpm and the great Nemo current push!!!!

Hope all is well!

John
Mystic Moon
GO MYSTIC GO

Now this is perfect trawler like conditions!!! Except no whale:)))

We are about 15nm offshore looking towards Coffs Harbor

2 baby shags!! Stowaways…all the way from Brisbane!!

Not too worn out!!

Both safely secured!!