26th September
We left Nara and, having been advised that the Hamilton Island Marina was very busy and there would be quite a wait, anchored off Cid Island until we could get in to moor.
We had about a two hour wait and made it in just in time to meet the family. High excitement amongst the children who had come all set to (a) fish (b) swim and (c) drive the dinghy (Frankie). Lorna informed us she was going back in two days as she missed her toys and game boy. Mike and Cath were all set to kick back and relax and so we picked up some more very essential supplies (Nutella, Milo and red wine) before leaving for Stonehaven, where we anchored and headed to the beach for a swim and snorkel and to release some pent up energy.
For the next ten days it was full on. The children only seemed to have two speeds – collapsed or flat out! 
27th September
28th September
After a peaceful night at Nara we set off for Whitehaven Beach and anchoring off the north end took the dinghy up Hill Inlet to the inside of a sand spit. 
29th September
Lyndal’s birthday. Presents and breakfast on the back deck before heading back to Whitehaven for the day – Mike now the skipper and looking decidedly more relaxed. 
Once again we anchored off the north end and took the dinghy further up Hill Inlet to a swimming hole off the beach, where we spent most of the day.
On the way back the kids took turns being towed on the kneeboard, which was a big hit. 
Reluctantly our crew finally agreed to get out of the water and we headed back to Nara for Nina’s birthday cake (courtesy of Cath and the kids) and Nina’s birthday dinner (courtesy of Cath and Edgar) with phone calls from the rest of the family.
30th September
We spent the day in Nara with Mike and Cath taking the kids down the inlet to the walk up to the aboriginal cave whilst Edgar and Lyndal relaxed on board. That afternoon Edgar took the children for a swim off the beach whilst the remaining adults relaxed – altogether a peaceful day.
Mike inspected the sound system and other various jobs that needed doing around the boat and we made plans to go into Abel Point the next day to pick up the necessary gear we needed to complete the jobs and replace the sound system. Mike’s years of working with the switchboards on his hobby of electric train sets has made him a pretty good electrician.
‘Rare Pleasure’ came in in the evening with the other two boats they were travelling with. Graham and Rhonda and Graham’s sister, Claire, came over for a sunset drink after the boat had been transformed from lived in to presentable and ship shape within minutes (Army colonels and Army colonel’s wives very good at this).
1st October
Back to Abel Point and whilst Ed sorted some thing out on the boat Cath, Frankie and Lorna did some washing and Mike, Lyndal and Eleanor went shopping.
Bunning’s first then Super Cheap Auto, Big W and Woolies were on the agenda for new showers, a new sound system, new togs for Lorna and more provisions. Eleanor picked out two new swimsuits for Lorna and found some funky sunglasses for Frankie. Sweet child that she is, she asked for nothing for herself but had been very taken with an R2-D2 key ring (big Star Wars fan) in Super Cheap Auto, which we surreptitiously purchased.
Back to the boat and to work. New showers first – which transformed our showering – then on to replacing the sound system. A project which evolved over the next couple of days as a new radio/bluetooth player was installed and all the speakers were replaced by Mike. In the end we had a beautifully working system albeit with a little crackling due to old wires and soundproofing – this he intends to fix at Christmas. In the mean time he put in a new switch for the waste pump and fixed the navigation lights -– what a handy son.
Takeaway pizza on the back deck and overnight at the marina.
2nd October
Leisurely start and off to Plantation Bay on the south side of Lindeman Island for the night. Arrived early afternoon and after much jumping off the boat headed in to the beach for a walk and swim. Watched a movie and off to bed ready for the much anticipated event of the trip – Eleanor’s birthday.
3rd October
Eleanor’s 10th Birthday. 
A hasty breakfast and then present time. She had already been given a camera as an early birthday present and she now received a much longed for pocket knife – which she promised to use in a very responsible manner! The R2-D2 keyring was received with great delight as was her elephant necklace and her beautiful glass dolphins.
More jumping off the boat and then into the beach at high tide for swimming, walking and kneeboarding. Cath and the kids had a go as did Edgar, who managed to get upright and jump the wake, which impressed his grandchildren no end.
We motored over to Burning Point on Shaw Island for an hour’s oyster collecting then back to Plantation Bay for an oyster entrée – 5 dozen between three. On the way back we spotted a boat looking like the Meander II in the distance, which reminded us to phone George and Loy. Turns out they were in Hamilton Marina so we arranged to meet at Whitehaven the next day.
Eleanor had her cake – chocolate with candles and smarties – and her birthday dinner and it was a very happy girl who went to bed that night.
October 4th
Mike, Cath, Eleanor and Frankie went ashore to climb the hill to the top of Lindeman and have a look at the views whilst Edgar took Lorna into the beach for a swim.
We departed about 10.30 for Whitehaven and anchored in just behind the Meander II on the south end of Whitehaven.
Edgar and Lyndal went over to say hullo to George and Loy and have a drink whilst Mike and Cath got the kids sorted out for a swim. Mike called over to have a look at Meander II and then went back to relieve Cath who also came over for a look. Altogether spent a very pleasant hour with the Roses before everyone headed back to the beach for a swim with the exception of Lyndal who had developed a sore throat and a nasty cough and thought it prudent not to swim.
This lasted until everyone came back and feeling hot and in need of a cooling off – and being a showoff – Lyndal decided to jump in the water off the bowsprit. With great trepidation Frankie was the next closely followed by Eleanor. Lorna had climbed outside the rail but was terrified of jumping. When told she didn’t have to wailed that ‘of course I do – I can’t chicken out’. Finally jumped with Cath (who blamed Lyndal for getting her in this position) and was so pleased with herself she did it several times more, then they jumped off the side of the boat and everywhere they could climb and jump. Lorna now decided she was staying on the boat forever and very put out when she found she was due to go home soon.
We headed back to Stonehaven about 4pm for the night and to get ready for an early start back to Butterfly Bay.
5th October
Lyndal’s bravado of the day before had paid the price and her sore throat and glands had now developed into a chest infection to be followed over the next couple of days with an eye infection and ear infection.
Lyndal now relieved of all duties and has adjourned to her cabin.
Meanwhile the remaining members of the party are taking it in turns to jump off the boat (the kids) and snorkel (the adults) in Butterfly Bay and are having a great time. After a couple of hours we set off again for Nara where the afternoon was spent swimming off the boat and exploring the reef plus some dinghy driving by Frankie, Eleanor and Lorna (bit nervewracking).
6th October
We set off about 7am for Hamilton to get the family on their 11.30 flight.
It had been a great ten days, enjoyed by all and very relaxing for Mike and Cath but the time was up and they were switching back into work mode when they left. Frankie was looking forward to going home, Lorna was mutinous (didn’t want to go) and Eleanor was in tears (didn’t want to leave us) when we farewelled them.
Ed and Lyndal hired a buggy and headed for the doctor who said that in her medical opinion Lyndal was a mess and prescribed antibiotics, steroids and an antibiotic eye treatment. Edgar prescribed lunch and a drink and a drive around the island – both treatments seem to work! 
We checked out a couple of galleries whilst we were waiting for the scripts to be filled and were very taken with a glass lazy susan, which Edgar promptly bought for Lyndal as a birthday present – much to her delight. 
Back to the boat and an afternoon nap for Lyndal whilst Ed went to have a chat with the Roses who were anchored opposite. We were supposed to have dinner with them that night but decided it wouldn’t be wise and instead had a light meal and early to bed.