18th Oct to 27th October Mooloolaba

10 days in Mooloolaba may sound like a long time to be in a marina however if you have to stay a long time in a marina, Mooloolaba is the place to be. We had a great time eating loads of fresh oysters, prawns and other seafood. We also enjoyed the walks to the restaurants, the walks on the beach, the swimming, the shopping, the weather when it stopped blowing etc. I also caught a regular feed of crabs at the marina which was quite unexpected as I was using the last of the bait in the freezer. Our friends Betty and Kyle also provided the use of their vehicle which made getting around very easy.

The sunsets were also very special in the marina.

 Sunset view from the marina

I also had the need to visit the doctor which was very simple and easy. On the way down the coast about 3 days out from Mooloolaba I developed a pain where one should not have pain. I found a lump where one should not have a lump so I booked an appointment with the doctor a day before our arrival. At the appointment he eased our concerns but sent me for an ultrasound to be on the safe side. The all clear was given and Tamara and I were both relieved.It pays these days to get checked out early!!!

Tamara flew to Sydney to be with grandson Ollie as well as having her post operation tests. They too were all clear and the Surgeon has given her a tick of approval and a clean bill of health.

Robert my crew for the passage to Sydney arrived and helped me take Billabong out to the sunken wreck of the Brisbane to be part of the flotilla for a ceremony for Steve. Before Steve passed away his wishes were to be cremated and have his ashes spread on the Mooloolaba Bay near the wreck of the Brisbane. Maureen made a request to me for Billabong to accompany Boomeroo II to the wreck site and witness the spreading of the ashes. It was a sad day and we took out some close friends of Steve to be part of the occasion. The weather was kind with SE winds to 15 knots although the swell was a bit more than we would have liked but not a bother.

 Maureen spreading Steve's ashes on Boomeroo 11 at the site of the sunken Brisbane

On arrival back at the marina we had a wake for Steve which continued all afternoon and into the evening. This also coincided with the final rendezvous of the Coral Coast Cruise where we had a BBQ on the lawn at the marina. Yachts that attended were Our Island, Echo Beach, Mixed Nuts, Super Tramp, Ngak Ngak and of course Billabong. Everyone had a great night and compared many tales and experiences of our individual cruises. The wake for Steve finished about 1am but I was long gone to bed as we are to be up early to depart Mooloolaba for our continued journey south.