A day on Day Dream Island

Knowing that were to have a young family visiting us we decided to check out Day Dream Island for ourselves as a possible venue for them. We were very impressed with everything about the Island - beautiful settings with numerous pools, restaurants/cafes, bakery, lots of activities on offer including things like para sailing, mini golf, tennis, great walks and the very friendly staff. At a minimal cost we can spend 24 hours anchored off the Island and participate in the activities of our choice. As the weather was warm and balmy we decided to go ashore and watch the AFL preliminary final at the open air cinema on the Island. What an amazing setting and the perfect night for it. We will certainly be adding Day Dream Island as one of the top options for our on board visitors. The three beautiful mermaids pictured watch over this lovely Island and add an extra 'magical' feel to this region.

North to Bowen

Memories of our trip north from Airlie to Bowen in 2008 enticed us to head there again. We were able to catch light winds and the tide to make the trip comfortably sailing 95% of the way. We stayed several night in beautiful Bona Bay, shadowed by the high hills of
Glouctester Island. Sadly we did not repeat the spotted mackerel experience of last year but several school sharks did get on our trawling line. They were not received as enthusiastically as the mackerel! On Friday we had another lovely sail to Bowen where we anchored just outside the marina. Peter was delighted to note several boats had ‘beached’ on the front town beach and promptly did the calculations on when we could do the same. On Saturday we dinghed ashore and re-visited the town. We enjoy the history of the place which is cleverly depicted in murals painted on town buildings. The locals are very welcoming and we enjoy the hospitality, shopping and coffees… Saturday afternoon saw us high and dry and Peter was able to change the oil in the sail drive gear box – mission accomplished! On Sunday morning, because the winds were right, we hoisted the sails to head back to the Eco Resort for a late Fathers Day lunch which was yummy and, then anchored overnight at pretty little Breakfast Bay. We caught the tide and wind just right on Monday morning for an exhilerating 5 hour sail which saw us at Gulnere anchorage near Hamilton Island by 1pm. We were able to sail around 8 knots for a good portion of that time which is really good for FA

More photos

A Fantabulous week

That was the description that Russos and Jenny gave to the week they spent on board Family Affair. The week’s weather was outstanding which meant the snorkeling, especially at Blue Pearl Bay was breath taking, oceans of beautiful clear water for swimming and lots of opportunity to relax and soak up the many and varied locations and anchorages. As we had light northerly winds, which are unusual for this time of the year, it was particularly interesting to be able to anchor and visit anchorages on the South side of Whitsunday Island and Haselwood Island. Turtle Bay was glorious and Waite Bay very picturesque. The weather was perfect for sitting in the cockpit area enjoying sundowners sipping chilled wine and listening to gentle music. Russos, an old sea salt from the Fremantle area, soaked up every moment on the water with total abandonment and kept the rest of us highly entertained. A highlight of the week was the ‘photo competition’ with a viewing every night. Consequently we ended up with some outstanding photos..some of the winners from the different categories are attached ..humorous….portrait…and general. We so enjoy sharing this fabulous lifestyle with friends and family, it adds even more to our enjoyment

Birthday celebrations - not all planned!

If Christine had been asked to make a list 10 years earlier on where she would like to spend her 60th birthday, a night sail on a moonless night through the ghostly forms of the Whitsunday mountains would have definitely been at the bottom of the list!! It was not planned that way but there was a hold up at the Mackay boatyard getting FA back into the water. so we were consequently 4 hours behind schedule. This meant missing the full advantage of the tide and as we had planned to meet up with visitors to the boat in Airlie on Friday 21st , we made the decision to keep going into the night. We had the most beautiful sail (spotted a whale on the way) until sunset but then the breeze died away completely and at about 9pm the tide turned. It proved a very long trip, something like a 13 hours, and in retrospect we should have anchored at Burning Point and caught a few hours sleep, waited for the tide and saved a few hours of motoring. Because of the darkness of the night we donned safety jackets, epirbs and had all the nav gear including radar.. We tried listening to the test cricket on the radio, but that proved very uninspiring. Once your eyes adjust to the darkness it is amazing how much light a sky sprayed with thousands of stars can give. It is very beautiful. At midnight Peter wished me a happy 60th but we were too exhausted to celebrate in any real style and a big hug and kiss under that ‘moonless star filled sky’ was it. The anchor finally went down at Funnel Bay at 1.30am. But what a great experience. Thanks to safe reliable Family Affair with my number one skipper. How surprised I am to admit that I don’t think I would have preferred things any other way and the experience would have actually been top of the list!!
The rest of the day was very enjoyable, a trip to the hairdresser, welcoming our visitors on board and then all out to a beautiful meal at the Clipper restaurant, Coral Sea Resort. …..and of course lots of phone calls and SMS’s from family and friends

A week of hard yakka in the boat yard

Joe was with us for a day and a half after the boat was taken out of the water so he gave Peter a hand for that time. We hired a car for the week which enabled the guys to visit the mandatory ‘boy shops’ ie Bunnings and Super Cheap so they were suitably armed for the big job of sanding and painting the exterior of Family Affair. Unfortunately it was time for Joe to head home (maybe fortunately for him!!)so the bulk of the work was left to the skipper. The end result was good with FA looking lovely and fresh, white and clean. Christine took advantage of having the use of a car to catch some retail therapy, pity about the $80 parking fine!! We were very happy to go back into the water after the week as it was grotty and dirty in the boat yard due to all the work being done on other boats around us. It was not all bad though as we met lovely people from ‘Adagio’ (Peter and Julie) and it was great to have a visit from Murray and Bev who had just sold Catillac and were heading home overland to the west. The Mackay marina is a lovely spot so we were able to enjoy meals at a variety of eating places, coffees and a meal at the yacht club during that week.