Hi one and all Can you believe it, yes it is that time of year again, when wishes of good will and cheer are the order of the day.
As our desk top computer screen has decided that it has an allergy to salt water, I am not 100% sure where I left off last time, so if I repeat myself you can always blame old age as a contributing factor.
As I recall we were enjoying the hospitality of Australia’s town of Bundaberg, so by the time we left there we had to plan on sailing directly to Sydney (missing out Brisbane and a few other interesting stop- over’s which we will rectify next year on our return trip back up north). Anyway that was the plan, but once again Mr.Murphy and his minions decided otherwise, and during one of the all too familiar periods of 40 knot gales, and with us surfing down wind and current at 12 Kts plus, the knuckle joint (a relatively new one) fastened to the end of the hydraulic steering ram disintegrated. Due to the force of the wind and the prevailing 4 knot current, the rudder immediately swung and jammed itself full to port under the hull, rendering the emergency steering impotent.
So there we were broad side on to the wind and current, heading south at six knots under bear poles with the next stop Antarctica. Needless to say Shirley did not appreciate the pure adrenalin pumping excitement of the situation, or if she did she had a peculiar way of expressing it, but once she was given the responsibility of contacting the local version of the coast guard for assistance, she went below without completing the promised castration of the skipper, and eventually after one of the longest hours on record she succeeded in contacting the relevant organisation, and arranged they send someone after us post haste.
The name of our saviours was the VMR (Volunteer Marine Rescue) who left their base in Port Macquarie at 03-00hrs, and eventually caught up with us at about 06-00hrs that morning. Thankfully after a 5 hour tow back to Port Macquarie, they had us safely tied up to a mooring buoy, with the local press and T.V. outside broadcasting units there to greet us, and yes once again Shirley was prominent on the local T.V. news that evening She will want to start signing autographs soon. Once settled, we were able to not only procure and fit the necessary replacement part, but to spend a week enjoying the ambiance of this delightful town and its residents before setting off once more for Sydney.
So here we are, anchored safely, with the prospects of Xmas, the arrival of our daughter Kim hopefully in time for the spectacle of new years eve in Sydney harbour, meeting up with various friends who intend being here for the festive season, and of course watching the 5th ashes cricket test between Australia and the South African second side.
Well that’s about that for that, here’s wishing you all you wish yourselves for the festive season and the coming new year.
All on “The Road”
