Keppel Bay, nana Pearl's last stop

 After leaving the sheltered waters of the "Narrows" we experienced choppy waters passing through the Tropic of Capricorn, although 6kts was pretty good! Finally having islands within our reach was exhilarating, so avoiding the only possible anchorage in the Fitzroy River (Rockhampton) we tied up at Rosslyn Bay Marina while we considered our options.

                                         our first "island" in Keppel Bay

                                          the entrance to Rosslyn Bay Marina

We spent a few days exploring Rosslyn and Yeppoon and then headed out to explore the nearest island-Great Keppel. Although conditions were very choppy and we spent a very rolly night at Fishermans Beach, it was fantastic to enjoy all that a semi-tropical island has to offer.

                            dinghy landing on our first island, with Rosslyn in the background

 

Deciding that as it was too risky to head further north during cyclone season, our beloved Pearl had entered her final stages of life and jobs were plentiful, we decided to head back into the marina and tie up for a while.

 

We were grateful that Pearl experienced and enjoyed Great Keppel as her condition deteriorated over November. We made the very hard decision to ease her out of this life and the exceptional Yeppoon vet administered the needle under a mango tree. Our feisty girl is buried under the singing ship at Emu Park and we imagine she sings with the ship in high winds.