Gypsy Cruising

30 June – 7 July 

Mackay Marina

I’m learning that, rather than the shore-bound rendezvous being a laid back period of doing not much at all, they’re actually quite busy windows for taking care of all the jobs that accumulate while on cruise.  This particular stop is extended to allow a short return to Sydney.  However, first thing after arriving in town was to get the bulk of the laundry done at the marina laundromat and then head into town to pick up my new camera that's been shipped from Sydney to Bundaberg to Mackay.  In the process I got my first look at the town of Mackay and a very good look around the very modern Caneland Central shopping centre.  Drinks on the first night were aboard Galadriel and we moved on to a pizza parlour at the marina for dinner.  I must remember that everyone else has been here for a couple of weeks.

The next couple of days were spent either around the harbour, walking around and taking care of boat housework, or back at the shops provisioning for the next leg of the cruise.  I spent the best part of a day ripping almost everything out from its storage and seriously considering whether it deserved to be on board.  Some gear got put in the garbage, and my return to Sydney gave me the opportunity of taking some other gear with me.  I stripped out towels, shirts, shorts and crockery, all found to be excess to requirements after the experience of the last two weeks.  It got packed into the two largest travel bags I had on board.  Thursday morning saw me wearing the bulk of the warm clothing I had with me, and heading to the airport along with my very full bags of gear.

Gypsy Princess in her berth at Mackay Marina - note the very high piles to allow for the largest tides on the east coast

Mackay Harbour is also a working port

The rendezvous dinner at Mackay, very kindly hosted by the marina staff
The crews of Gypsy Princess, Mix'd Nutz, Kailani and Galadriel