The Corrigin Crew visit....

What a ball we had.... Hanny & Robin McMiles have always been such fun to have on board and this year was no exception when the enthusiasm and total abandonment of Peta and Ralph Bolton was added to the mix. Right from the start Peta got into the 'swim' of things by stepping fully clothed off the back ladder of the boat straight into the water!! It should be mentioned it was dark and the boys were so busy chatting that they did not point out the pitfalls of marina life. We dined in Airlie, had some great sails, experienced total indulgent for a day at the club Med on Linderman Island (including golf, full buffet lunch and unlimited drinks!), had some picturesque snorkels at Blue Pearl Bay and Border Island, lunched at Whitehaven beach and swam in the crystal clear waters of Hill Inlet. We also enjoyed some beautiful anchorages, sometimes secluded, so we could turn up the volume of the music and party. Robin was the music director and Ralph proved to be the galley-slave extraordinaire. At one stage Hanny's nursing skills were put to use removing a large splinter. Early one morning when the water was like a mirror the lads, Ralph and Robin, rowed the dingy to circumnavigated pretty little Esk Island (see photo). We all know that you have to wear hypo kids out somehow! Lots of photos were taken which have provided some amazing memories.

2010 ~ A very social year

The weather has been quite contrary this year but thankfully all of our visitors were able to enjoy enough good weather to have a great time. We had a wonderful time with our visitors and also enjoyed catching up with our yachting mates most of whom we have met at Laguna Quays Marina over the years. 5 boats in all. We have packed so much into the 3 months that on one hand it feels like time stood still but on the other we wonder where the time has gone. What a fabulous lifestyle we are blessed to experience - Airlie Beach now seems like home away from home

2009 another season in "PARADISE"

"The weather was beautiful one day and perfect the next".........

Without a doubt the best weather we have experienced over the years cruising on Family Affair

Family visitors on Family Affair

The Holland family (Peter’s nephew Mark, Erica and children Justin 14yrs and Emma 11yrs from WA) were on board for 10 exciting days. During their visit we spent a day at Day Dream Island where we took the opportunity to watch an the footie grand final in one of the local character pubs. Nightly anchorages were spent at Nara, Langford Reef, Tongue Bay, Turtle Bay, Gulnere and in front of Airlie Beach. The snorkeling was pristine at Blue Pear Bay, Butterfly Bay and Manta Ray Bay, the views spectacular at Hill Inlet and Hamilton Island and great swimming was had at White Haven beach and the other anchorages we were at. A feed of Oysters taken from the rocks at Gulnere was a bonus as were the delicious scones Emma cooked and the freshly baked bread which was a very popular daily event. The family took a Ferry trip to the outer reef on one day to round their holiday off beautifully. Family Affair copes very well with a ‘full house’

Our Time

It was the right time to head back into Laguna to do more work on the boat (Peter painted the roof) and take the opportunity to catch up with a number of our yachtie friends. We always enjoy the community BBQ’s held on Friday nights at the marina and were pleased to be able to visit Lynton and Barb from “ Ka La Wee” in their holiday home at Midge Point for a yummy roast meal. Chris also had a great Saturday at the markets and then more retail therapy around Airlie with Sue from one of the other boats. After a week in the marina it was time to head out to the Islands for a stint. As the weather was glorious we had some very relaxing lazy days swimming in the crystal clear waters and soaking up the beauty and tranquility of Chance Bay and Gulnere anchorages. As the weather conditions did not suit visits to White Haven Beach we were in close proximity to Sea planes and snorkeling and diving tour boats for one of the days. It all added to the spectacle

dust storm

A Dust Storm

What a difference a dust storm makes! The whole East coast of Australia was engulfed by dust storms due to the extreme weather conditions inland. The dust hung around like a fog reducing visibility to 2 kilometers and stayed with us for about 6 days. During that time the beauty of the area was completely masked. Fortunately it did not affect the water clarity and the snorkeling was still beautiful

A day on Day Dream Island

Knowing that were to have a young family visiting us we decided to check out Day Dream Island for ourselves as a possible venue for them. We were very impressed with everything about the Island - beautiful settings with numerous pools, restaurants/cafes, bakery, lots of activities on offer including things like para sailing, mini golf, tennis, great walks and the very friendly staff. At a minimal cost we can spend 24 hours anchored off the Island and participate in the activities of our choice. As the weather was warm and balmy we decided to go ashore and watch the AFL preliminary final at the open air cinema on the Island. What an amazing setting and the perfect night for it. We will certainly be adding Day Dream Island as one of the top options for our on board visitors. The three beautiful mermaids pictured watch over this lovely Island and add an extra 'magical' feel to this region.

North to Bowen

Memories of our trip north from Airlie to Bowen in 2008 enticed us to head there again. We were able to catch light winds and the tide to make the trip comfortably sailing 95% of the way. We stayed several night in beautiful Bona Bay, shadowed by the high hills of
Glouctester Island. Sadly we did not repeat the spotted mackerel experience of last year but several school sharks did get on our trawling line. They were not received as enthusiastically as the mackerel! On Friday we had another lovely sail to Bowen where we anchored just outside the marina. Peter was delighted to note several boats had ‘beached’ on the front town beach and promptly did the calculations on when we could do the same. On Saturday we dinghed ashore and re-visited the town. We enjoy the history of the place which is cleverly depicted in murals painted on town buildings. The locals are very welcoming and we enjoy the hospitality, shopping and coffees… Saturday afternoon saw us high and dry and Peter was able to change the oil in the sail drive gear box – mission accomplished! On Sunday morning, because the winds were right, we hoisted the sails to head back to the Eco Resort for a late Fathers Day lunch which was yummy and, then anchored overnight at pretty little Breakfast Bay. We caught the tide and wind just right on Monday morning for an exhilerating 5 hour sail which saw us at Gulnere anchorage near Hamilton Island by 1pm. We were able to sail around 8 knots for a good portion of that time which is really good for FA