FJ (Foolish Julie) and I leave for a few day's of cruising around Moreton Bay. We go to Peel Island, North Stradbroke (major coastal walk) and then the old penal island of St. Helena. We are not allowed to go to the best part of the ruins without an official guide. Then it rains, Queensland style - 29 millimeters in an hour.

North Stradbroke was interesting. I looked out of the companionway and, lo and behold, a snake is curled up in the solar panel mounting. Using my boathook at its longest extension it goes over board only to climb up the rudder post and back onto deck. Overboard again but it decides this time to try coming over the self steering gear. I won't describe the rest but it involved a 10 inch razor sharp cook's knife firmly lashed to the boathook...

When we get back to the marina FJ tells me to stick my boat where the sun does not shine. Just Wild Fox and me again. Great...