New to the board - hello from Miss Lilly

[Miss Lilly]

Hi, all I can say is I'm so glad I found this wondeful cruiser's forum where I am sure I will learn much and hopefully be able to share some of my own experiences.

My husband (John) and I (Liz) own a 281 Beneteau Oceanis sailing vessel which we have lovingly owned for 10 years now but embarassed to say that we haven't done a lot of long-term sailing. One of our dreams was to spend three months living (working a bit) and studying (back to school for me) onboard using the wonderful technology we have at our fingertips.

So here we are. We live in a place called Runaway Bay (Gold Coast) in Queensland Australia and are so lucky to be within easy reach of one of the most beautiful maritime parks in the world....The Great Barrier Reef. We've travelled to many places around the world but have spent very little time soaking up our little gems so nearby. Our boat, "Miss Lilly", is currently out of the water having some new equipment installed and we are hoping to set sail (at a leisurely pace) up the coast heading North to the Whitsundays. No particular plans for once (like many, we've had enough of deadlines and planned events) as long as we have time to stop at all the wonderful little bays and islands along the way we'll be very happy chappy's.

I look forward to reading your posts and learning heaps.

Cheers
Liz and John

[Ex-Calif]

Hi Liz and welcome to the group.

You have a wonderful looking boat and I am so jealous of your cruising grounds!

We'd love to hear about some of your gold coast adventures.

[Pblais]

Hi, all I can say is I'm so glad I found this wondeful cruiser's forum where I am sure I will learn much and hopefully be able to share some of my own experiences.

A lot of people come here and no one ever said so in a better way. We all learn and we all share. The more of each you do the better we all like it.

No particular plans for once

No being in a hurry becomes the occupation we should all have more of and be in a hurry to get to.

[Miss Lilly]

Thanks Dan. We love our little boat but felt we failed it from time to time so this is our chance to make it up to her.

Will post short updates of our trip North for all to share.

Cheers
Liz

[Miss Lilly]

Thanks Pual for your kind words. I know I'll be asking a lot of questions but will make sure to read some of the posts first

Cheers
Liz

[Pblais]

Questions really are harder than answers. A million questions but only just a few that really matter. This process of sorting it out seems to get us all diverted.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha Liz and John,
Welcome aboard! Your post kind of made me think that sometimes I just like to sit on the boat with other boats in view at anchor or at a slip. It truly is relaxing. Dreaming of far off places and just know you could go is a great feeling but there is no need to be in a hurry to go to enjoy being on the water.
Kind regards,
JohnL

[scallywag]

Welcome aboard Liz and John,
Having a boat for 10 years and doing very little sailing is probably represents the majority of the members on this board. I think I do more fixing than sailing. I can not wait to do more sailing than fixing. I think it has to do with too many other toys.
Fair winds and Here's to more sailing,
John

[Miss Lilly]

Hello JohnL and thanks for making me feel 'less guilty' We finally put our boat back in the water (after 5 weeks) and although initially I was fairly impatient I did find myself sitting up there so high out of the water and looking around all the other boats being refitted and it was quite nice under the stars and definitely a good and stable 'anchorage' for a change
Cheers
LIz

[Miss Lilly]

Hello John,

So glad we're not the 'only ones' I thought at first..."great, I get some spare time to see my family and do last minute things"...but didn't really expect to enjoy the experience of sitting there in dry dock amongst other boat owner doing their bit to get their dream moving along. Hopefully 'fair winds and more sailing' soon.

Cheers
Liz

[Wotname]

Welcome Miss Lil' from a (now) ex banana-bender. I am sure you will enjoy your trip north.

[Miss Lilly]

Good to see another Ozzie on the board. What's the sailing like in Western Australia? I would love to pluck the courage and continue the journey to the top, across and back down the West Coast of Australia one day. I am currently studying online through Curtin University there and it would be a fantastic feat to get finally get my degree and to sail there to collect it
Happy Sailing.
Liz

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by Miss Lilly

.... What's the sailing like in Western Australia?

Well its a bit different to the Qld coast to be sure. Much more remote, not many (as in very very few) safe secure anchorages and these can be hundreds of miles apart at times. Off shore reefs are another hazard. The south west corner (Cape Leeuwin) had forecasts of 40 to 50 kts, 3 metre seas and a 5 metre swell last weekend. Half the coast is lee shore most of the time. However in the right time of the year and with an off shore boat, it is a great sailing if you like to get away from it all.

The Kimberly coast is a bit like Cape York but many times bigger and far less people however I have only seen this part from the air although I almost got there by boat from Darwin a few years back .

The Swan river is one of the world's best kept sailing secret. Champagne sailing right in the heart of the city.

Originally Posted by Miss Lilly

I would love to pluck the courage and continue the journey to the top, across and back down the West Coast of Australia one day. I am currently studying online through Curtin University there and it would be a fantastic feat to get finally get my degree and to sail there to collect it
....

And sail home around the bottom - now there's a great goal for you.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Wotname

Welcome Miss Lil' from a (now) ex banana-bender ...

I had to look up “banana bender”:
"Alternate name for a resident of Queensland, Australia, where bananas grow, and people, with nothing better to do, put a bend in them."

:->

[drinky]

Good to see another Gold Coaster here. I am doing much the same as you, fitting new things and preparing to go north. We play in Moreton Bay at weekends and just might see you pair out there someday.
Garry