An extra week in "Paradise"

Whilst recovery from surgery has kept us on the Gold Coast for a week longer than intended, we have continued to make the most of our surroundings - and beautiful weather - to ensure the stay is as enjoyable as possible!
With a few days before the first of several medical appointments, we cruised up to Calypso Bay for lunch at Harrigans Irish Pub, then across to Jumpinpin Bar, at the top of South Stradbroke Island, watching a boat cross the bar and head out to sea, before we continued down to Tipplers Passage, at South Straddie, for two nights on anchor. We enjoyed ocean and lakeside walks, and made new friends with others also cruising north, getting advice on passages to consider and anchorages worth investigating. Tipplers is a lovely location, very busy with many moored and passing boats, particularly on weekends. Fortunately, a 6 knot limit stops the swamping wake from large motor cruisers!!

Where the forest meets the sea

We returned to one of our favourite anchorages at Paradise Point on Sunday night, enjoying a walk and a drink at The Point before returning to the boat for pizza and an early night. The next morning, the Captain moved to anchor just off Bayview Harbour, taking the first mate up the canal by dinghy to her appointment with the "Hand Therapist", then cruising across to Southport Yacht Club Marina. A tram trip to Northcliffe, with a drink at the Surf Club, then a walk along the beach and another drink at O'Malleys, left us feeling like we had "done" Surfers Paradise! We enjoyed dinner at Southport Yacht Club, overlooking the marina, that night.

Surfers Paradise - including meter maids

On Tuesday morning the first mate had a bone density scan, so once again the Captain drove the dinghy across the water and tied up at the jetty for a short walk up the hill. Returning again to Manookatoo, we cruised back along South Straddie, anchoring just off Currigee Campground and taking another walk to the ocean. It is easy, when you look north, to imagine you are in the wilderness, but a glance south reminds you of how close the skyscrapers of Surfers are! After lunch we cruised back across the Broadwater and along the waterfront to Paradise Point for a final night on anchor, choosing dinner from the local butcher/seafood shop and enjoying a farewell drink at The Point.

A favourite place for a tipple

Another morning cruise to anchor just off Bayview Harbour, but this time a freshening wind made us wary of a trip in the dinghy, so we cruised into the berth we had booked at the Marina and borrowed Jenny's car instead! Shopping was the order of the day, with stops at Runaway Bay shopping centre and Dan Murphy's, plus flowers to thank Jenny for her generosity! Laundry was next on the agenda, bringing our washing up to date before our next cruise. A delicious dinner with Jenny capped off the day.

Farewell Surfers Paradise!

Thursday appointments with the Hand Therapist and the Orthopaedic Specialist reassured the First Mate that the surgery and recovery program was on track. With a week before the next appointments it was time to return the car to Jenny, cast off our lines and begin the cruise north, following the Main Channel through mangroves and islands towards Moreton Bay. After 22 nautical miles, we dropped anchor in the lee of Karragarra Island, having finally said goodbye to the Gold Coast and looking forward to new adventures ahead.
Captain's log:
Cruising distance: 129 nautical miles
Duration of stay: 25 days