back to the tropics

The last couple of days have been spent unpacking, organising uni stuff and catching up with Sabre busibness before heading north. Flew to Cairns this afternoon - few speedbumps along the way - I really don't know why they keep buzzing the seatbelt light - just leave it alone and let the passengers sleep. In the end I really didn't know whether it was going off or going on!

Car pick up went smoothly - so I would recommend the Cairns Airport Parking business - you drop your car to their Lake St frontage and they take you to the airport - then do the reverse when you come back. Car is stored in a yard somewhere. I should have checked speedo to see the distance :-)

Drive up to Kuranda in the mnoring - day at the medical centre and check in to the villa again for the remaining three weeks.

the last leg took ages

What seemed an achievable last leg turned into a marathon - storms around Toowoomba and SE Qld resulted in mudslides, release of water from dams (resulting in flooded roads) and worsened road conditions - especially for inprogress roadworks.

Learnings - if a road is open for trucks, it may not be OK for passenger vehicles; the western access to Brisbane is inadequate for truck transport; from the west it is McDonalds then Hungry Jacks !!

Arrived home about 11pm and went to bed!
Looking out this morning - I think it has been raining a lot here in Brisbane :-)

No mechanical problems on the jouney - I think I clocked 5000km for the round trip - so a good result in that department. Now to unpack and get back into student mode ... must do those things before reviewing the film I have taken the last week or so. I am looking forward to that.

Coonabarabran after a hail storm

Travelling well - heading north towad the humidity and rain. Drove through a hailstorm between Dubbo and Coonabarabran - fun driving - maybe the most ' exciting' part of the whole trip - given the lack of visibility.
No problems with the car/trailer.

a surprise result

With all the results finalised, the presentation held and the drive hme started - there is so much to reflect on.
The real surprise was the 2nd place in Grand Master Division. I had not considered a placing expecting the guys to be ahead of me in that one.
The results are still sinking in. What they mean and the whole experience is so foreign - but also exciting.
Next short term priority is uni work due in the next week and getting back up to Kuranda (fly to Cairns) to conrinue the placement.

back from the coffee pot

... back to the tent - no results posted at club or on website - so no update on my placings - busy day tomorrow - breakfast, pack up the tent - race at 11.55am - presentation - pack boat and sailing gear onto the trailer ....

Race 7 and Race 8

Windier today - SE - off the land - so gusts and shifts.
I did ok starts for me - let myself down on the works.
Good reaching speed.
High 20's and 30's placing - not sure.
Off to the coffee pot for nibbles

Race 4, Race 5 & Race 6

Three races held 31 December - forecast was for 40 degree temperature - the light morning breeze faded about 11am - we all wondered what would happen!! One view was that it would fade and there would be no wind - others spoke of 20k westerley on the other side of the gulf.Race management can be a nightmare.

Fortunately, a SW breeze came theough and held for the afternoon - allowing 3 races to be held. Wind strength was light-medium. Overall - pleasant sailing. Some hiking.

My results still astound me a day later - 11, 11, 12.

Silly me - I did not tighten my battens - so in Race 4, I look up on the square run and wonder why my sail is not right!!! Obviously I have been tightening them TOOOOO tight!! Aftetr Race 4 I returned to shore and tightened the battens - well - a bit anyway - so they weren't loose!! Went back onto the course in taime for Race 5 and then Race 6.

31 December 2010 is the best day I have had in my sailing career.