Ray-tastic Straddie
It had been 5 years since the first joint B(risbane)SAC-SSAC trip to Stradbrook Island, so when Andy, the BrisSAC DO, suggested we come up for the Queen’s Birthday weekend Rick, Fe and I jumped at the chance.
When we were leaving cold, wet and windy Sydney the forecast for the weekend was not much better. However, we arrived to a warm evening and great Queensland hospitality – picked up at the airport followed by British fish ‘n chips supper (with curry sauce!), what a great start. BrisSAC go over to Straddie regularly so they are a well oiled machine, everyone meets at the ferry terminal, car pools to minimise the ever increasing ferry prices, communal food and drinks (a full size keg of Maddog Pale Ale!) were packed.
Launching the boat on Saturday it was hard to believe the forecast of a large swell and strong winds. Out at the dive site it was a little easier, with the wind making for a chilly surface interval for wet suit divers and enough swell to turn Rick green and have him sit out the second dive. Alas that was the one which had more rays than you could shake a snorkel at circling the divers for most of the dive. Sunday proved to be very similar, we managed to dodge the showers and Rick managed to dodge the dive with the rays. By Monday morning the bad weather finally arrived and the diving was called off – not such a drama for the SSAC contingent who were flying home that evening so had only planned on playing around on the beach in a 4 wheel drive. BrisSAC drown their sorrows with a breakfast beer (to try and finish off the keg) and gave a rousing toast to the Queen.
God Save the Queen & the Australian Long Weekend!
