Peter is doing just fine!

As you can see Peter is getting plenty of attention -seems to be enjoying it too.

And it really was a Family Affair!!

On Saturday 20th August we had a lovely day out
with my family who are based in Queensland. This

included my brother and wife with nieces and family.

As my mother had travelled over with me to spent time

with Ross and family she also joined us for the day.

Ages ranged from 89yrs to my nieces youngest of 18mths.

11 of us set sail for Bribie Island in glorious conditions.

Everything was perfect, great company, good food, glorious

weather and then it happened!! We found a sand bank at

low tide and so spent a few extra hours together waiting

for the tide to turn - good for family bonding! The unexpected

night sail home was rather nice as conditions were beautiful

and we had a red moon. All a good learning curve.

Must say we were delighted with the space and ease

of entertaining that number, although a pack of cards promptly

went on the shopping list in anticipation for the future unexpected...

Newport Marina our home for a time

Newport Marina is well set up with good facilities and very suitable for our needs. We may be here for another week or so - as we have no time agenda and Peter wants to get a few tings sorted on the boat. The boat really is very big and well designed - comfortable and pleasant. It must be as I still have lots of empty cupboard space. The weather has been picture perfect everyday, most days we go out for a sail to get more familiar with the boat and the conditions. The tides are such a big thing here that is important that we time our return to the Marina at the right time. We are berthed at the very end of one of the Jetties as we would take up 2 normal spaces. That makes it easier to berth and very pleasant to live on. Rather like a houseboat. We had a hire car for a week and have been madly flying around setting up (it is like setting up another home) and Peter has been buying up and replacing equipment and licensing the boat etc. New legislation here means that he must get a boat license so he will spend next Sunday at the Marina next door to obtain that. It was great to relax and start taking things easier today - my biggest challenge was remembering what to take me when I did the washing. Firstly I forgot money and then I forgot the pegs!! The exercise was good..

Dreams do come true

It has always been a mystery to me that men on the land often have an attraction for life at sea. Maybe it is an open space issue. Peter, a wheat farmer from the central wheatbelt in Western Australia has dreamed of sailing away on his own cataraman from a young age. At last that dream is coming true. I feel very priviledged to be his first 'mate' and be with him as his dream unfolds

Family Affair

Here she is!