The days in Airlie were spent alternating between boat chores, Mulligan Geo work, repairs and stocking up on supplies.
On the Tuesday when the winds died down the other two boats came and anchored just around the southern end of the marina on the outside. They dinghied into the marina for a late pizza lunch then we joined them for happy hour.
The marina staff moved us to a pen way over on V finger, however it was closer to the amenities. We have exclusive access to the Ocean Club, a two level, 26 metre floating customer lounge with 12 private bathrooms, an expansive sundeck with BBQ facilities overlooking the marina with drink and snack options, free-to-air TV and a pool table. Its definitely the best marina we have stayed in so far with several cafes, restaurants, fuel dock, courtesy cars, chandlery, and an electrical supply shop. I guess as my dad used to say “you get what you pay for”.
Over the following days we managed to:
- Put a new belt on the starboard motor.
- Organise a fellow to fill and waterproof our gouges which he was able to do from the pontoon, nice job he did too. We will have to get it painted on the next haul out. (He couldn’t undertake the works for a couple of days as it was raining and too wet.)
- Purchase a new start battery which we installed and now its easy to start the genset.
- Purchase a crab pot to replace the one John lost in Pancake Creek.
- Purchase a portable fish finder and depth sounder for the dinghy.
- Take on food and grog supplies, eggs have been hard to get (all the supermarkets have none) I managed to track some down at a butchers in Cannonvale, next door to Airlie Beach.
- We caught the bus out to the chandlery at Jubilee Pocket and John purchased some supplies to attach his transducer to the dinghy transom so he can check depths in the dinghy and supposedly find fish.
- Dined at restaurant, restaurant and more restaurants enjoying lunches then dinner with the Nyeki and Eva Louise crew
International flags in the car park
Spotted butterfish in the marina
