Just when I thought I was out… they pull me back in!!
(SouthPort - Manly Marina) After leaving Southport our next home was round the back of Stradbroke island. A great spot, albeit a blowy one. Our onshore neighbours for the week were a troop of youngsters - small wooden sail boats, and neatly rowed tents. We never found out, but best guess would be: a school trip, a Christian group, or most likely Sea Scouts. Anyway, despite the less than ideal conditions, they seemed to make the most of it and enjoy themselves on shore. Same couldn’t really be said for us: boatbound, wind howling in the rigging and waves ‘ass slapping’ the transom. After 8 long torturous days, we were able to get away - an exit necessitated by a dead starter battery that needs replacing. This entailed: anchoring some way away from the mangrove entrance to Redlands City Marina (yes… the one I said I wouldn’t choose to go back to), a tender drive in, a hot walk into town, a visit to Supercheap Auto, and then an Uber back to the tender with what must surely be the heaviest...