Easter on the Gold Coast is madness: lots of boats on the water, crowds everywhere, but we used a couple of practical anchorages to stay out of the big wakes and get what we needed done!
We have been anchored near Paradise Point. Over Easter we were at the northern end of Sovereign Island, then moved to the southern side of the Ephraim Bridge for the northerly conditions, and back to Sovereign Island when unexpected strong SE descended on us. Here are some drone shots we took while all was calm.
Walks on South Stradbroke Island have helped pass the time and get the body moving after weeks of inaction while we were sailing up. There were a few birds: majestic White-bellied Sea Eagles, several waders, in particular the Pied Stilts with their slender beak and very long pink legs. We had not seen stilts for a long time. Which bird photo is your favourite?
The erosion on the beach dunes after cyclone Alfred is bad, with a 5m high sand wall making access on and off the beach difficult.
We have enjoyed beautiful, colourful, calm dawns. Cloudy skies add a layer of drama and moodiness to the photos, as do reflections in the still water.
And then there was the health stuff! Chris had a series of scans for her arthritic spine and for the first-year review post Breast Cancer treatment, all of which were scheduled six months ago. The damage along the spine is getting worse, but all we can do is stay physically active at this stage. Gotta love this getting old business! On the breast cancer side, although we don’t expect any nastiness to be detected, we can’t help but feel a bit jittery as we wait for the results, since they don’t tell you anything during the imaging.
Let’s face it, nothing is as it used to be, physically, emotionally, cognitively. It is however hard to distinguish what is impact from cancer, chronic back pain or plain old aging!
The last of our appointments are early next week. Provided there is no immediate follow up required, we will slowly head off north. There is no rush though, as there are still cyclones threatening in Far-North Queensland and Western Australia.
Sv-Anui 
Life! One cannot complain about the ‘nothing particularly thrilling’ if nought ‘bad’ has turned up! Blessings . . . it will be welcome when the first ‘OK’ on the breast comes through. Good the weather at your latitude has behaved – lovely colours on the photos. The birds – always love the sight of graceful flight and that of all the long legged ones – the five standing at attention make me smile this Anzac Day morning just ere the Sydney parade is turned on. Be well . . .
Quite right, Eha… nothing thrilling, just another round of waiting which will hopefully give us the all clear.
Getting old is tough business and so much to learn and get used to! I groan when I stand up suddenly and get lightheaded. I understand my parents and my mother in law much more now.
Praying your results come in clean! Peace.
Yes your mind says you are ‘youngish’, but your body doesn’t agree! Thanks Esther!
So true!! Take care…
‘Love the stilts but I can’t go past my favourites, the oystercatchers. We came in two days ago but were too tired to be social. As I knew yesterday and today we’re going to be a write off for rain, and we wouldn’t be getting off boat, we headed away from crowds. We will be heading back south in next few days… we will make an effort to cross paths with you. x
All good. More appointments till middle of the week then we’ll move.
As always, you have captured the beauty of the natural world. Stay strong!
Thanks guys… you too!
The eagles were my favourite. So majestic in flight. Those sunrise photos are much harder to capture than a nice Sunset. Well done. There is no turning back the health clock. Just have to make the best of what we have left.
Those pink sunrises at Ephraim Island were taken my Wade! He did very well. And you are right, Graham, they are hard to get with the fast changing light.
Hard to choose my favourite bird photo, all are good. But I think it’s the running Pied Stilt (number 6/10) for me.
Yes, it’s a fun one!
Not possible to have a favourite bird photo, you’ve captured some very engaging feathered friends! Gotta love those stilts and oyster catchers (for some reason one of my favourite birds)
Totally get the ageing and ailment equation, can be tough to know how hard you can go at something 🥴. Fair winds guys!
Oysters catchers are some of our favourites too, they look so striking and always go as a couple.
The ageing thing is a tough one, as is acceptance of increasing limitations!
Beautiful photos as always, especially those sunrises!
Sorry to hear your spine hasn’t improved and fingers crossed for good news from the breast screening.
We’re anchored in Inner Sister Island tonight and will head off across Bass Strait tomorrow with Eden, or maybe Batemans Bay, in our sights. Looking forward to the journey and heading further north to catch up with you!
You two are making great progress. Hope we soon see you. We have so much to catch up on and are not rushing off after the last appointments…
We’ll find you somewhere up the coast ❤️
Beautiful photsos as always
Good luck with results Chris. We have very much enjoyed following your trip south & around Tasie. We plan to sail north in July to Whitsundays & south again in October.
all the best to you & Wade & big pats to Bengie
Lindy & Phil
Hi Lindy & Phil, we will probably bump into you somewhere along the coast as we are not going very far north this year. We will be turning back early, returning for a trip south by the end of the year for a break. Health checks done, first year in cancer remission… wish we could say the same about the back, but we’re on the right side of the ground!
Hi Lindy & Phil, we will probably bump into you somewhere along the coast as we are not going very far north this year. We will be turning back early, returning for a trip south by the end of the year for a break. Health checks done, first year in cancer remission… wish we could say the same about the back, but we’re on the right side of the ground!
Hi Lindy & Phil, we will probably bump into you somewhere along the coast as we are not going very far north this year. We will be turning back early, returning for a trip south by the end of the year for a break. Health checks done, first year in cancer remission… wish we could say the same about the back, but we’re on the right side of the ground!