Monday 28th June 2010

Now it is back to reality after our Whitsunday Golf Cruise experience.

Friday 25th June 2010 we sailed through the Whitsunday islands as it was too rough to get to Willis Island which was the original plan. That night we sailed from the Whitsundays back to Brisbane which was a nice relaxing time in calmer seas. The sun was warm enough for sun baking so we spent the day on some comfortable lounges at the back of the boat. We saw a pod of whales go by at one stage but I missed a photo opportunity as they moved too quickly for me to get a photo.
That evening we met at 5.00pm to get a group photo of the "Go Golfing" group and then went to a special farewell dinner organised by "Go Golfing". We finished up the night with after dinner drinks at the Piano Bar & then some dancing at the Bengal Bar.

Saturday 26th June 2010 we disembarked the ship without any problems by 8 o'clock after getting up for an early breakfast. We had to wait another hour for our golf clubs to arrive at the port as they had been road transported from Pt Douglas because we could not get them back to the ship. Peters travel golf bag was broken but mine was okay.

We caught a taxi to our Brisbane accommodation which I had booked previously on the internet. We stayed at the Medina Executive suites which was right at the city side approach to the Story Bridge. It was a good choice as we could walk to the waterfront restaurants and to the city as well as having an easy access to the bridge walk. Our apartment was very comfortable & had all the comforts of home including a full kitchen, washing machine & dryer which was a real bonus as we could take home all our clothes clean.

The added bonus was that our room was ready at 9.00am in the morning which impressed us. We were able to do the washing & have a rest before taking a walk to the waterfront for lunch which was a very pleasant walk along the river. We caught a Hop-on Hop-off bus for an hour and a half which took us all around the city highlights including the lookout and Mt Coot-tha. That night we had dinner at our hotel restaurant which was convenient. There was a pool & spa which overlooked the river and the Story Bridge which was another bonus.

Sunday 27th June 2010 we had early breakfast & caught a taxi to the airport by 9.00am for a 10 o'clock flight home. Our flight was uneventful and had us in Sydney by 11.30 am & we timed a train home to Gosford with minimum delays. Overall a very smooth ride back home. We had time to unpack before going over to the Golf Club for Presentation & dinner to catch up with everything that had happened while we were away. By the time I had caught up with the backlog of results for the Golfer's Blog it was 11.30pm - quite a big day.

Monday 28th June 2010 we were up at 7.00am for an F-Troop day at the club & caught up with the back log of jobs in the gardens over there. This afternoon I had a much needed rest to rejuvenate.

When I have time I will update my travel blog with all of the holiday photos and a review of the trip.

Thursday 24th June 2010

Tuesday 15th June 2010 was the most beautiful day for golf - all sunshine & blue skies and a bit of brisk breeze. The course was a little damp in places but overall in great condition and survived the big wet quite well. My playing partners were Georgina Lamb and Ronda Jordon & we had a nice day. Although we did not finish with great scores we had some good three pointers & our highlight of the day was Georgina having a gobbler into the hole at the 18th to score 6/3.

The gardens at the club are looking great for their drenching and the bromeliads are starting to flower & the orchids are out as well as all the strongly flowering camellias so there is plenty of colour around. When I got home from golf I cleaned all my golf gear & packed it into my golf travel bag that we will be taking on holidays. The golf travel bags are a great idea as they are virtually a golf bag on wheels & are much easier to manipulate around airports etc & can go straight to the golf course when required.

Wednesday 16th June 2010 I spent a couple of hours at the club planting in some more Agapanthus in the 17th garden which should give us a good show of colour at Christmas time & I gave the new camellias in the wedding garden a good water to settle them in. About lunch time Shane's mother-in-law Marilyn called in to collect our trailer which they are borrowing for a week. We had a good chat over coffee for an hour or so & caught up with each other as it has been quite some time since we had an opportunity to chat. After that I spent the afternoon catching up with ironing and have started to sort out what I need to take to the Whitsundays as we have golf as well as cruising.

Thursday 17th June 2010 the weather turned cold and grey again which did not bother me too much as I had indoor chores to do & lots to catch up on around the house. We ended up at Erina Fair for a few hours as there were bits & pieces to be put together for our forthcoming holiday including another smaller suitcase as we are flying with golf clubs which gives us restricted luggage weight. That is always a bit of a pain but at least it prevents me from taking unnecessary clothing which I am apt to do. Having said that, I could not resist taking advantage of a Jag Jeans special that I am sure that I need.

Friday 18th June 2010 the fine weather was back again which gave me a chance to get all the washing dry & getting everything ready to pack. This afternoon we went over to meet Rod, Anne & Joel at the Elanora Hotel so we could get a "Joel" hit before we leave. Joel had his laptop computer there that he loves to play with.

Saturday 19th June 2010 we travelled to the airport by train to Central to find that trackwork had closed the track to the airport so we had to bus it to the airport, It was a very hairy ride with a very bad driver at the wheel. The plane was half an hour late but all else went to plan & we were at the Brisbane docks in plenty of time.

Getting on the shi[p was another hassle with thousnads trying to get on the ship at once. We had lunch at Dockside while we were waiting to get on. Our cabin was a nice surprise having plenty of room & a nice sunny window &comfortable king size bed. We met up with the rest of our group for dinner & also met the rest of the Go Golfing group and were given our matching shirts.

Sunday 20th June 2010 we had an easy day on the ship. It was a lovely sunny day & we just relxed and soaked it all up. We met at dinner with our group and generally had a nice day.

Monday 21st June 2010 we met at 7.30 am ready to get off the ship to play golf at Hamilton Island Golf Course. It was a bit of a swelling seas day & the catamarans had a difficult time getting close to the ship to load us. We had to carry our clubs from the ship and onto the catamarn & then onto a smaller barge to get us to Dent Island where the Hamilton Island Golf Course is. It was a major hassle & we were late starting. We only got in 12 holes of golf before we had to make it back to the ship as it was sailing at 6 oçlock. That was dissapointing but we did enjoy the course. It was very ddifficult to play but the scenery was fantastic.

Tuesday 22nd June 2010 We played golf at Cairns - once again carrying our clubs onto the charter boats. We did get in 18 holes of golf which was great. The course was very challenging and lots of places to get into trouble. We were very tired when we finished golf but were happy to have got in our 18 holes.

Wedbesdat 23rd June 2010 We were moored off of Pt Douglas but the weather had turned very dirty & we could not get the charter boats to the ship to get us off. That was very dissapointing but there was nothing that could be done. We spent the day on the ship just relaxing. It was Joyce's birthday so we had dinner at one of the good restaurants. By that time the ship had sailed out to the Barrier Reef where it was very rocky and eveyone started to get seasick. Out of 12 of us only 4 survived to finish dinner.

Thursday 24th June 2010 we had notice from the Captain that he had changed course from the Barrier Reef as the seas were too rough. Instead we would return to Brisbane via the Whitsundays which will be calmer seas & more comfortable for the passengers. It is a lovely sunny day so we are out on the deckchairs for a relaxing day.

I am sorry this blog has been so late in the making. I have been keeping the golfer''s blog updated & ran out of time to do this one.

More photos to come & eventiually I will update the travel blog with all the other photos and more details & a summary of the tour

We have been told that our golf clubs are going to be transferred from Pt Douglas (where they were taken ready for us to play golf on Wednesday) to Brisbane by road & we hope that they will be waiting for us in brisbane.