Redneck and feral

Despite Matey’s best efforts to avoid the sun, she is acquiring a red neck. She hopes this is not percolating beyond skin depth. Also, her freckles are breeding like bacteria. Meanwhile the Captain’s skin rejoices in the sun and he acquires the golden-bronzed look. Sigh. 

TC spent a week parked between Lamb and Macleay islands, and we looked longingly across to Karragarra island, where there was a beach with easier access to shore. With all the moored boats there wasn’t enough room for TC to anchor there. We had lots of fun bobbing up and down every time a ferry went past. Captain and Matey explored Lamb, Macleay, Karragarra and Russell islands, which are all connected to the mainland by ferries (and barges for cars), so needless to say they are quite heavily populated. This has two advantages though: 
1  Russell has a swimming pool so Matey’s favourite form of exercise was possible, along with ‘proper’ showers and hair washing – the dreads are on hold (for now)
2  two of the islands have supermarkets so stocking up was easy enough – the main challenge was loading groceries into the dinghy while dangling from the ferry dock (other options not being available due to rocks) as the ferries surged in or out. 
We then moved to Russell Island for a couple of days. We've met some locals and other yachties we hope to see again.

Eventually though we had northerly winds and the call of the wild was strong so we made our way down the Canaipa Passage to spend a few days off North Stradbroke Island near Koureyabba. This was very pleasant with barely a soul to be seen and happily, no ferries or barges. Fortunately the wind continued to blow or we may have been more viciously assaulted by mosquitos and sandflies.

After a few weeks of hot and humid weather some rain and a cool change last night is very welcome. This morning we had southerly winds and Matey woke at 5 am to the smell of bacon (with hatches having been closed to rain – urgh!) as Captain made a hearty breakfast in anticipation of a big day’s sailing up to Dunwich, further up North Stradbroke Island and the home of laundry facilities. Soon we were heading north to take advantage of the light wind and tide. Not being a fan of the cold, Matey surprises herself, but after the relentless sun and heat the mist and silvery skies are welcome. No need for sunglasses or squinting today either!