January 2011 – Flood warning for the Brisbane River – so we tie the boats to the tops of the piles while we wait to see how high the water is forecast to rise.
Still raining – and we discuss strategy…
Still raining – and we discuss strategy…
The paddle steamers ‘surfed’ down the river to safe anchorage.
Dockside Hotel (where we are staying) with sandbag.
A pontoon floats down the river – and you can see Sydney Street ferry terminal in the distance…
The currents are swirling and the water is rising. We nearly lost Poco Andante still tied to the dock! Very frightening.
Water reaches the access path to the marina – and the catamaran on the left is still afloat…
Wet feet to get ashore!
Most of the boats got away safely – but some were unable to leave and spent a worrying night….
A boat adrift adds to the hazards on the river.
We helped our neighbour, Mick on Celia Mary get off the marina – poor soul was on his own – and Poco is still tied to the posts.
The Sydney Street ferry terminal starts to go under…
The waters just keep on rising – but at least it has stopped raining!
Tall John tows Ian and Emma (Desire) to the pontoon. They generously offered to help Keith and I get Poco out of the marina.
A floating restaurant broke its mooring and was smashed under a low bridge.
After 2 hours heavy winching by Ian, we are on our way down the river – luckier than this lot…
We are in the midst of re-fitting the interior of Poco which hampered our escape.
We didn’t even have floor boards in some areas which made getting around dangerous!
What a mess – but we hope to start putting the boat back together soon…
We even did the wild ride down the river with the oven in the cockpit!
Back at Dockside, the river is reaching its peak of 4.46m with the 3am high tide.
By dawn the waters cover the gardens …
A pontoon floats down the river – and you can see Sydney Street ferry terminal in the distance…
After 2 hours heavy winching by Ian, we are on our way down the river – luckier than this lot…
… and the Sydney Street ferry terminal has gone.
The remaining boats are still afloat – the water rose to within 8 inches (20cm) of the top of the posts…
The walkway is completely covered.
The owner of the catamaran decided to untie from the pontoon at the height of the flood – and was left high and dry…
But is gradually sinking as the waters drop.
As the waters recede back into the river, the sticky, slippery, smelly mud is left behind…
As the waters recede back into the river, the sticky, slippery, smelly mud is left behind…
The clean up begins…
The lady in clean clothes sitting on the wall is the marina manager…
…the people actually working are all local volunteers!
…the people actually working are all local volunteers!
Kelly from Laze Faire helps clean up, despite being unable to move the boat due to a rope around the prop…
And Keith, of course, in the centre of it all!
February 2011 – Mick of Celia Mary with Kelly and us, ready to set sail for Tasmania.
Sail Brisbane to Eden
At Port Stephens we catch up with Emily & Jon…
And in Sydney we catch up with Pippa and Xavier.
Pippa’s new home in Sydney…
… with its wonderful new deck.
Celia Mary at anchor in Narooma – such a strong current combined with flood waters eventually caused her to drag!
Needing to get back to work, we nearly froze to death waiting for a bus at 2am to get us back to Sydney Airport – getting too old for this lark!
Then it was time to haul Poco Andante out for new bottom paint – such a glamorous life we lead!
But doesn’t she look pretty!
Saloon – looking tidy…
Galley with new counter tops, microwave, oven and taps!
Even the Navigation station and pilot berth were tidy!
And our cabin looks inviting for us to move back on board…
