7th October
We started the day with a drive around the island to see what damage had been done and what was undamaged or restored.
Some of the residents of Airlie Beach may be critical of the Oatleys for ‘pinching all the tradespeople’ but you have to admire what they have done since the cyclone. Most of the island is functioning as normal and the amount of restoration is incredible from infrastructure to landscaping. 
Happily moored in the Marina we entertained the Roses for morning tea and an inspection of Suzanne before heading to Plantation Bay on Lindeman Island for a couple of days of relaxation. We had a swim off the back of the boat and Lyndal, well dosed, retired to bed whilst Edgar caught up on his reading and paperwork.
8th October
A good night’s sleep, breakfast on the deck followed by a walk on the beach and a swim left us feeling relaxed and ready to face the onerous day ahead.
The wind had shifted slightly so we decided to move across to central Shaw Island and anchor off one of the beaches there. We were followed by the “Ngak Ngak’ , a very attractive 17m sailing boat which had anchored behind us at Plantation Bay. The yacht’s name Ngak Ngak comes from the sound of the white-breasted sea eagle and is an indigenous name for that bird. Artist Ginger Reilly Munduwalawala painted the distinctive logo on her side. The original painting hangs in the boat.
We headed in to the beach for another swim and then did some reading and relaxing before motoring down to Burning Point for some oyster gathering. Another feast was enjoyed by the two of us.
9th October
Woke to a beautiful still morning with scarcely a puff of wind and, after breakfast, headed to the beach for some shell searching and a swim. Too lazy to do anything else so just read and rested for remainder of the day. 
Started preparing the evening meal before an ominous silence indicated that the generator had switched off and, despite our efforts, would not switch on again. Fortunately the meal was far enough along to be edible.
Nothing to do but head for bed and plan an early start for Abel Point.
10th October
Off to Abel Point via Burning Point for Lyndal to collect some particularly fine shell grit (much to Edgar’s disgust). On the way tried to contact the local Marine engineers and electricians to see if we could get anyone to look at the generator – a lot of weaving and dodging but no one would commit in the near future. 
Arrived in Abel Point about 12 noon and given an excellent berth only a hundred yards from the Ocean Club. 
Spent the rest of the day trying to work out how we were going to get home with no generator. Replacement generator moving up the bucket list – flopper stoppers looking dodgy.
Decided to console ourselves by walking in to Airlie Beach for dinner. After several restorative cocktails, drinks and dinner caught a taxi back. 
11th October
Another frustrating day trying to sort out the generator. No one able to help
12th October
A breakthrough in the morning when Edgar got the generator to start by holding the fuel shut off solenoid open but it would stop as soon as released. At least we now knew it was either the temperature or safety switches that were at fault.
First one to eliminate was the overheat sensor so Ed got some of Mike’s wire and connectors that he had purchased for the radio and bridged the current from the safety switch. Then it was hold your breath and switch the start and …… away it went!
Off shopping to stock up for trip back then to Hemingway’s to dinner to celebrate! We were only going to have oysters but couldn’t resist the crab linguine and a restorative (!) fillet of beef!
13th October
Decided to refuel for the trip back and so were on the fuel dock at 6am. Finally refuelled we left the marina at about 8.30am and headed for Hamilton Island arriving at about 11am.
We had drinks with George and Loy whilst we waited for Jon’s plane to arrive. He headed for the bottle shop and stocked up with some of his favourite wines to share with us, including a very delicious Leeuwin Estate Art Series Pinot Gris and a couple of lovely rosès.
Back to Plantation Bay for a swim off the beach and a walk then back to the boat for sunset drinks on the deck. We were the only boat in the Bay so very peaceful.
14th October
We started the morning with a swim off the duckboard and then, as the wind had changed a bit, headed for Burning Point at Shaw Island. Again we were the only boat there.
Went oystering (now have a special oystering kit consisting of two buckets, two screwdrivers, two hammers and a grapefruit knife!). Again very successful and we went back to the boat for an oyster lunch with one of the lovely rosès. 
The afternoon we headed into the beach for a walk and a swim and a last farewell to Shaw Island for this year. 