ARRIVED BRISBANE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi All,
Here is the last progress report from the good ship Discovery.

1/9/2012
Position 14:00 UTC +11 25°27.3934S 157°23.5255E
241nm to go to NW Fairway buoy.
We have run into head winds that are slowing our progress. Ran into a heavy
rain squall about 09:00. Then it cleared but the head wind persisted. The
forecast is for the wind to go SSW – not ideal but may give us a chance to
beat the last day to Brisbane.

2/9/2012
Position 14:00 UTC +11 26 04.742S 155 14.004E A lousy sea and head winds.
Having to run two motors to make headway, so not only was there lots of
banging from the sea, but also I had to put up with the roar of the an
engine in my cabin. Sleep was difficult.
3/9/2012
Position 14:45 UTC +10 Tied up to the Quarantine Jetty at Rivergate Marina.
What bliss to wake up on Monday to a clam sea and little wind. During the
night the wind had dropped and the sea moderated. By 07:40 we were at the NW
Fairway buoy and followed the channel markers all the way to Rivergate
Marina. Ian, acting as agent, had the customs and immigration guys there and
they came on board almost before we had finished tying up. Very pleasant and
very efficient. Then the quarantine guy pitched, again very pleasant and had
not complaints as all we had left were a few tins of Bully Beef. As soon as
we were cleared, Joyce and George were off to get a taxi to the airport to
fly up to their daughter in Cairns. It was a very quick goodbye and they
were gone. Ian, Olga, Anthea, and Judy came on board and we had a drink to
celebrate the our arrival in Brisbane. Then I was taken back to Ian's house.
What bliss to get under a hot shower and just let the water massage you. The
first hot shower since leaving SA. Then to sleep in a proper bed, with clean
sheets. Then a meal that was not curried and no Bully Beef or beans. Joyce
did a grand job of cooking, but she didn't have a lot of choice for variety
- tuna, Bully Beef and beans.
4/9/2012
Position 16:15 UTC +10 27 51 44.5284S 153 20 41.5206E Tied up to the jetty
in front of Ian's house on Hope Island Up early to catch the 06:10 train to
the airport, where we met Rob and Anthea. Then taxi to Rivergate Marina and
set sail for Hope Island. Hope Island is about 47 nm south of Brisbane down
the inland water ways. We had to dodge island and sandbanks. Only managed to
touch the bottom twice. The first time was just a touch and off, but the
second was later on the falling tide. Luckily we were able to reverse off
and get back into deeper water.
That's what happens when you try for a short cut instead of following the
channel markers. The trip took just over eight hours. The weather was great
so it really was just a "cruise down the river on a Sunday afternoon". Once
tied up we had farewell beers with Rob, Anthea and Jeremy (they are staying
with him), who had arrived just as we were tying up to take them back to
Brisbane.

Well we finally made it. It has been a long one and more probably my last
one.

Cheers

Chris

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