Coastal Cruising!

Safely tucked into the sheltering arms of Port Clinton, an abandoned attempt at loading ships and now part of the military training grounds, we can relax temporarily after three long days and rolly nights on the way North from Bundaberg!  The bay is tucked around a headland so free from the constant swell coming off the Tasman Sea.  Dolphins feed and play around us as we enjoy a 'sundowner' in the cockpit.  One other boat across the bay is our only company.  The forecast is for rain and Northerly winds, not our friend, so we plan to sit here for a day and catch up on some chores.  It has been a good three days plodding our way up the Australian East coast.  Everything from 30 knot tail winds to motoring in calms, so far stopping every night to get what rest we can.  We seem to have overcome the 'sailing blues', maybe the land travel break was beneficial, and though there are always challenges, we are enjoying the sailing once again!  We do not know what tomorrow brings but you must have a plan so our plan today is to make for Cairns, enjoying the Whitsundays and other stops along the way, then hopefully over 'the top' to Darwin and see what lies in store.  We loved Thailand so if we can get Toketie up there we would love to see more of the area.  Most boats join a rally in Darwin and sail through Indonesia.  We have chosen a path less travelled and plan to head straight West into the Indian Ocean to Cocos Keeling Island and then turn North to the top of Sumatra and direct to Thailand.  However, it is a long way and anything can happen so we etch our plans firmly in the sand and they glisten like a Sand Mandala (Tibetan: དཀྱིལ་འཁོར།; kilkhor) leading us on.....

...the pic is Fred and Lesley who made us feel welcome in Bundaberg and introduced us to so many fine people.....