August 20 - Yeppoon

We reluctantly handed got off the yacht yesterday and headed south to Clairview and today we drove to Yeppoon. We haven't had internet range for the past week or so so here's a run down.

The nine days and nights on Moon Shadow were awesome! We saw so many whales (four at once on one occasion), we hand fed bat fish the size of dinner plates off the back of our boat, snorkelled with a turtle, and swam at some beautiful beaches - one located in the middle of the sea.

Most nights on the boat were spent playing charades, dancing, card games and head bandz - lots of fun - good family bonding!

Tomorrow we head to Seventeen Seventy and then Noosa region for a bit of a breather! Until next time.....

The beach in the middle of the water

Whales

The kids at Hill Inlet

Coming back from Whitehaven on our last day - I couldn't believe how calm the water was - like a mill pond!

Hill Inlet

Feeding bat fish off the back of the boat

Below - hand feeding fish at Hook Island

Hook Island with Moon Shadow in background

Charades!

Jack catches another one!

Whitehaven Beach lookout to Chance Bay

Jane and Emmy just had a snorkel at Chalkies Beach (see Whitehaven in background)

August 12 - Whitsunday cruising - oh well someone's got to do it - go pies!!

We left Nara Inlet this morning after a lovely night with a bit of a concert from Emmy and Bridge (see pics below). Today we headed to Butterfly Bay for snorkelling, swimming and a bit of beach - just after snorkelling Phil spotted a reef shark right where the kids had been snorkelling - lucky - I believe they are harmless!

Tonight we are at Stonehaven - just opposite Hayman Island Resort and watched the most amazing sunset - we are once again having a bit of a dance fest - lots of fun - had spaggy bog and marinara for dinner (Bridge doesn't do seafood).

See latest pics below:

A bit of a dance off

Go Em, show us your stuff Chicky Babe!

A bit of Miley Cyrus - Hodown Throwdown!!



The gorgeous Kiddy Chaddies

Doing it hard on the beach at Butterfly Bay

Jack can't sit still - always active!

Girls getting dinner ready while grooving along to a favourite tune!

Bridge on Butterfly Bay beach with ship in distance

August 10 - Aboard Moon Shadow

Last night was our last in Airlie for awhile and the last with Granny and Poppy and probably the last time we'll see Laurent and Adrian - see pics of our last night at Airlie Beach Sailing Club below.

Today we boarded Moon Shadow - Bridge, Gran and I did the big shop while Phil did boat hand over. We boarded about 10.30am - Gran and Pop got to come out with us for a km or so and then headed back in the dinghy with the trainer. We are at Macona Inlet - Phil and the kids went for a snorkle (too cold for me) - then we all went onto a beach for a chat with some people from a neighbouring yacht. We are all finally settled in - Em played musical beds for awhile but I've threatened her that next bed is the dinghy! The weather is perfect and water beautiful and calm. Got the music going now - just waiting for the concert to begin! Until next time - Jx

The girls

Adri and Jack - good buddies!

The fellas

Bridgie is growing up!

The happiest Chaddies

Snorkelling at Macona Inlet

Moon Shadow

August 9 - Airlie Beach

Granny and Poppy arrived on Sunday - everyone was very excited - hence I haven't updated blog in a few days! Since their arrival we have been doing a lot of sitting, eating and drinking, swimming and shopping (Bridge loves a shop)!

Today we are getting ready to board 'Moonshadow' tomorrow morning - can't wait! Danielle and Steve left yesterday aboard 'Discovery' so we may bump into them out on the water during the next few days (Danielle wants a battle if we see them, ie: nurf guns, water pistols, but I am thinking flour bombs - look out Rowlers)!

We are heading off shortly to check out 'Moonshadow' and load it up with the necessary beverages for the next nine days. Then Poppy and Granny are shouting us out for dinner to Yacht Club. Will endeavour to keep blog updated whilst aboard Moonshadow assuming we have internet coverage.
Ciao for now!

My gorgeous boy!

Well hello there Granny and Poppy!

Camping is such a hard life!

Dinner out in Airlie

Poppy giving PJ a butt massage (apparently)!

The lovely girls!

August 5 - Mission Beach - we love it here!

The weather has been a bit ordinary but it has been a very relaxing few days anyway. Phil and the kids went blo surfing this morning on the beach (in the rain) - thought I'd give it a miss! This morning we had the pleasure of a cassorary - quite a rare sighting these days - I thought I was seeing things - very big bird! We had another fun night with the Rowlers last night - see our latest pics below! Until next time - ciao x

Blo surfing - PJ and Emmy

The big kids chasing PJ and Emmy in the Blo Surfer!

All the kids

Steve, Daz me and PJ after a few!

A rare sight - a cassorary - I thought they were a myth!

August 4 - Mission Beach

We met some people in the camp kitchen on our first night here - got talking and it turns out Danielle is Sean O'Sullivan's sister - small world! We've had some fun with them - although this mornings training session not one of the highlights - but swimming, sitting around the pool and the camp kitchen banter has all been fun. Steve and Danielle have 2 boys, ages 9 and 11 so Jack and Em are pretty thick with them. Bridget made a friend, Kelsey from W.A. (finally met someone her age) - but they were only here for 2 days and have left this morning. Steve and Danielle are also heading to Airlie Beach in a few days to get on a yacht - I'm sure we'll bump into them sailing around the Whitsundays somewhere! Yesterday we went into Mission Beach and Bridget got a spunky new bikini and Emmy some neck to knee rashie and boardies (one extreme to the other)!

Weather a bit crappy today - we had to put our awning up for the first time in weeks as it is a bit wet. Thought we'd go for a drive into Innisfail and hopefully purchase some new, much needed camp chairs! Until next time - cheerio!

Having fun on the waterslide (yesterday)!

August 2 - Mission Beach

Hi all,
It's been a while since I updated the blog as we have spent the last 5 or so days travelling from NT to QLD and it certainly has been a bit taxing - we've been doing between 400kms-700kms each day and we finally arrived in Townsville yesterday all set for a few relaxing days. We ended up at the hole of all holes caravan parks - felt like we were camping on the Hume Highway but add trains into the equation as well - absolutely terrible - we originally booked for 2 nights but bailed this morning and headed to Mission Beach a day early. The Townsville highlight was we caught up with our old friends Foxy and Althea which was really good. They relocated from Melbourne to Townsville 3 years ago and love it - they live on their yacht in the marina and both have jobs with the Great Barrier Reef Authority.

After a restock this morning we headed up the road (2 hours) to Mission Beach. Great spot - was hoping to have a cocktail or two on Dunk Island but it is closed due to cyclone Yasi. The town has copped a bit of a battering - lots of trees down. The caravan park is great - our site is right opposite the resort style pool and we are just across from the beach. The kids have just got out of the pool and are now in the games room having a great time. We are here until Saturday so lots of relaxing to be had. Then we head to Airlie Beach to meet Mum and Poppy on Sunday - looking forward to that - it will be great to catch up!

Yesterday on the drive from Hughenden to Townsville we stop to get some fruit on the side of the road and spot this trailer with three pups - free to good home - well you can imagine our three - we couldn't get them out of the trailer and then Emily basically cried all the way to Townsville - of course they all wanted to bring them home!

The pool at our caravan park - Mission Beach

The Beach - it's absolutely beautiful!