All the fun of the Brisbane to Gladstone Race

   Immigrant , Wistari and No Problem made it to Brisbane in their various ways and after, a few minor hiccups, they put the boats back together and set off for the race home.

                                   (Send me your photos and i will add them to the story)

                           Back in Gladstone the Harbour Festival was on and keeping us amused,


                                             Walking over the bridge of an evening to the rides .....

                                
                             the ladies were laughing .........

                                                         the children were playing

                                                      there were girls in bubbles

                                                                          
                                    ................     and plenty of old ducks ..............

                                                                             
                                                       rides to make the head spin.............

                                                                              
                                                            all the fun of the fair..................

                                                            the yacht club glowed by night

                                           and was busy by day ...........

the raft race was crazy..........

 
                                                        the PCSC staff did us proud..........

                                                                         

                                                   
                                               it was watery chaos all around ......

                                                                              

                         from there it was on to the first multi hull arriving at 3.30 am Saturday morning
                                                      and naturally Lex and I  were there.......

for the finish ...

                                                          Gail did her mayor -y -thing

and they all went back to yachties

                                             and then we waited    .... and waited... and waited ...
                                                                    for the rest of the fleet

                              I missed Wild Thing and Black Jack but Lynne saw them and took a couple of great shots

Wild Thing

                                             folowed by Black Jack

                                                                                  

                                                                  I got  Lahana

(beautiful light on the sail )

                                                                                  
                                .... and then we lost interest until the Gladstone boats arrived ..

                                                       it was a beautiful dawn....

                                when Immigrant arrived out of nowhere....( phone the media boys)

then their mates arrived ....

                                                                               
                                                            then No Problem in stately style

                                                                                       

                                                                                                                                      
     
                                           the crew refreshed and well read.....  apparently ...

                                                                               
                                                     the crews mingled and supported the sponsor ..

Brad and Tom shared a few stories

                                                                               
                                                                 as did others ..........

                           
                                                     Gordon had driven a few miles

                                                            Geoff was bright and sparky

Dave was needing a good sleep

Ray started weary and rested on board.......

                                                                                 

and there were always early morning  moments to capture ...going past..

                                                boats were tied up and left for later

because it was going to be a glorious day for a party.........................

                          and don't you all worry we'll add Wistari when she gets here...............

                                           ..enter the old Lady for her 43rd attempt at the Courier Mail Cup

                                                                                    
                                                          and away they went ...............

Arriving home  with everything they had on board ..

to find a puff od breeze

and so she eventually made her way home