The run from Bundaberg to the next anchorage north, Pancake Creek, was a beauty with a consistent following wind and plenty of time to experiment with sail arrangements. Gradually, gradually getting familiar with the boat and learning what works and what doesn't. The day's run was around 60 Nautical Miles and while we left with the sunrise, we were anchored up with plenty of daylight left to enjoy a beer.
We're starting to really appreciate the comfort and passage-making ability of the Big Cat at sea. 
In our previous boat, Endurance, we were much slower, usually had quite a rolly trip for the day, and often arrived pretty wearily into the night's anchorage, which quite often was also quite rolly. 
On El Gato, we cruise with our feet up and wander around to sit in a different vantage point whenever we feel like it. Luxury cruising indeed.

Another early morning, and a big day planned to make the run from "Gary's Anchorage" through the Great Sandy Strait, across Hervey Bay and into Bundaberg by early evening, a 72 mile trip. 
Absolutely windless motoring for a good part of the day, made for a perfect day of whale-watching through Hervey Bay, except for we didn't see any whales. Not a one! But we did see lots of dugongs, lolling around on the surface and lazily rolling out of our way as we passed them.
By mid-afternoon we were sailing along under our big Gennaker headsail, and covering serious distance. Unfortunately, not quite enough distance, as we arrived at the entrance to Bundaberg's river just after dark. And I mean dark. Pitch black dark with not a skerrick of moonlight. 

​I found the entry leads a little confusing but we blundered into our pre-booked marina spot, fortunately assisted by the skipper from the boat next door who was coincidentally up on deck.
In the morning, we discovered that we were right next to the fuel dock, which was handy because I wanted to top up the tanks. 
Bundaberg's Marina is quite nice, with good facilities, (and the BEST co-op fish shop) but quite a way out of town. We knew we  were staying for awhile to wait out a few days of nasty strong wind warnings. So, happy enough to be tied up securely.
We filled the tanks from our Jerry cans as we didn't feel the need to deal with the wind to move to the bowsers, when we could just take a few steps to fill the jerries.
​So we spent a pleasant week or so in Bundy, socialising with various crew from other cruising yachts who were all biding their time waiting for the wind to abate a little.

Sunshine indeed! We had beaut weather, light wind and perfect tides to make a quick run north and through the hurdle of the Wide Bay Bar, which is at the southern tip of Fraser Island. So we pulled out of the expensive marina complex and anchored in the river for a 3.00 am start, which should've had us crossing the notorious bar with low swell, a gentle northerly breeze and an early afternoon arrival. 
​In the dark, we picked our way down the river and through the Mooloolaba Bar, into the disappointment of a stiff Northerly headwind, which would've made our day uncomfortable ...and slow. So, quick decision, even quicker U-turn, back up the river to our anchorage and back to bed. ZZZZ.

The next day, we had a visitor from Torquay, one Robin Plum, who paddled up to the stern of the boat on his SUP for a chat. Robin travels in his trailerable trimaran and had found a quiet little anchorage a little further up the river, so we thought we'd improve on our rather exposed and shallow spot and join him. 
Dropping anchor and satisfying ourselves that we were secure, it was soon kettle on and relax time. Until we realised that we were dragging with the current and about to hit a luxury waterfront home with marina and powerboat! Quick panic, fire up the engines and another U-Turn required.
So, this boat requires a bit more thinking about to anchor....our second "experience" for the trip so far.

With the weather patterns deteriorating, it was nearly a week in Mooloolaba, and after a couple more nights on the anchor we moved back into the Marina and stowed the dinghy. 

After all that time on the Gold Coast, we'd only timidly ventured out to sea once, on a quick whale-watching trip with the grandkids. Who'd promptly got seasick, but did see some whales.
But the icy clutches of Winter were creeping up on us, and it was time to start heading North.
Baby steps indeed, and we puttered off gently up the Coomera River towards Moreton Bay.
Our first moments of terror occurred in sheltered river waters when we had to pass under a drooping overhead power line. The charts and guidebooks all showed the cable as being lower than the height of our mast, and it took a phone call to the previous owner who reassured us that we'd squeeze through at low tide.
We'd been following another yacht up to that point, and were looking forward to him going under the line before us. But the sneaky buggar stopped, did a U-Turn and slid up behind us so we had to go first.
On with the rubber-soled shoes and we slipped through with a metre to spare, but it was tense. From there, out into the bay, and first stop would be Manly Harbour in the suburbs of Brisbane. A comfortable night and the beginning of The Travels Of El Gato.

It was a significant night for us, because, without question, we were intimidated by the sheer size of the boat, especially in comparison to the 38' Endurance Of The South. ​The very process of docking the craft, in strange marinas, using twin engine steering rather than a wheel, was completely new to us. But we coped.

In the morning, the world was new again and we woke to a spectacular sunrise, brought in the lines and headed out into Moreton Bay. The plan was to overnight at Scarborough Marina, as we'd done on our previous trip. But during the day we started to relax in the winter sunshine and realise just how quick and comfortably the big El Gato travels. So we kept on going, out of the bay and along the somewhat shoal coast to Mooloolaba.
​It was a worthwhile exercise, and we cruised over the shallow patches and steep but small swell with ease.