Wind N -NE  5 – 10 knts Sunny  30nm

John checked the motors and found the starboard alternator belt quite loose so we retightened it and cleaned up the dust then pulled anchor. We motored the short distance to the free pontoon as Fiona and Richard wanted to come and visit. It was difficult to tie up due to the current rushing past and the eddies flowing out of a nearby drain. The pontoon was covered in weed and rubbish that was constantly washed up by boats roaring past.

After Fiona and Richard left we pulled the lines in and headed out of the passage.

Moreton Bay was glassy with a half metre swell, turtles, fisherman and dolphins were easy to sight.

There was just enough wind to hoist the main so we motor sailed up close to the eastern shore of Bribie. Halfway up we crossed the main shipping channel for large ships going in and out of the port of Brisbane. A couple of tankers steamed past quite close doing about 18 knots.

The wind was 9 knts from the NE so it was tack or pull down the sail and motor. We did the latter as we wanted to get to Mooloolaba before dark. We arrived at the Mooloolaba bar at 3:30, motored up the river to the marina and tied up on E finger next to another cat.

After checking in to the office we strolled  a short distance to the yacht club where John had a well earned beer and me a mineral water.( too early for a Kaluha). Back to the marina where a band was playing on the lawn, and the yachties were having a BBQ and beers. A very social marina. The band was quite good but we were tired so we retired to O’vive for a Mulligan stew . (venison version of Irish). At the moment our freezer on board is full of venison.