16000 MILES TO WINDWARD IN AN A380. 24th APRIL

The journey resumes. Departing Perth late on a Tuesday evening, North West to Dubai, a mere 9000 miles, seems so easy in an Emirates A380. All over in just 11 hours. No wait! There's still 7000 miles to go. North by North West to Amsterdam. Second leg just a mere 7 hours. 

But wait there's more.....waiting I mean...... yes the que at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam is lengthening by the minute. We are among thousands trying to get through Immigration. Over 2 hours stumbling along up close and personal with thousands of grumpy travelers. Not many had any reason to be grumpy, having arrived on relatively short flights. We could have done without the extra 3 hours it took us on top of 23 hours of flying and plane changes.

The antique Fordson Tractor was put through its paces.

Our lost bag magically reappeared on the belt. We assume someone accidentally took it and returned it.

All said and done we were dry, fed and unscathed in comparison to some past ocean crossings. Andrew and Christine were still waiting patiently for us. once reunited and coffee'd we headed south for 4 hours and back to Taipan.

Solar water system.

Winding up jobs on the farm took longer than anticipated. We had extended our stay by a month but that month zipped by so quickly it looked doubtful we'd get  everything completed. Re roofing the shed, interior renovations in the house, extensive garden renovation and pond pump out. A new clothes drying area and numerous small jobs just consumed every waking moment.


The fencing and water system for stock was major work and consumed most of the previous month. The new shed and solar installation was working a treat when we left

The water supply for the solar installation.

Cows arrived and there were brief but welcome distractions over coffee, watching the young calves frolicking in the green grass. What a summer. So much rain, it remained 
green throughout.

We delighted in time spent with various grand children and their parents and other of our siblings, all too brief and infrequent though they were.



I should also mention that we had considerable assistance by way of the loan of tools and machinery and personal help from various family and friends for which we are extremely grateful. 

Savannahs 2 Day Event.

Photos from the Farm click here.

Now we are back aboard Taipan and preparing to haul-out, anti-foul and then continue our journey.

GETTING GROUNDED 14th February 2017

Wintering in the Netherlands aboard Taipan was not a particularly inviting prospect so we decided to return to W.A. Australia, and our old home town, Albany.

Before flying out on the 23rd of November we spent a couple of days in Amsterdam. Blessed with perfect weather we were able to stroll the streets enjoying the history and architecture and managed a couple of landmark Museums. Still so much to see there.

We have a farm near Albany in need of TLC since the harvesting of the Eucalyptus forests early in 2016. The resultant destruction is heart breaking. Not a single fence line standing, and dams and water infrastructure are all destroyed. As a financial exercise is was also miserable. The paddocks which were painstaking cleared 70 or 80 years ago are now wall to wall tree stumps and rocks. The process of rehabilitating the property will be slow and frustrating as we wait for the stumps to rot enough to justify the cost of munching machines to mulch them. Meanwhile the cows will just have to walk round them.

First job on the list has been to commence house renovations and some improvements whilst assessing the process for re-fencing and providing all new water infrastructure for stock. We have been flat out building, tiling, painting and gardening. A far cry from the live-aboard life. Well especially the gardening and lawn mowing .

A very large bulldozer has been round the 5km boundary and cleaned up the regrowth and scrub. Strainer posts have been rammed, so we are ready to start fencing.

The next major undertaking will be the purchase and installation of a solar pump and panels at the river, in conjunction with the installation of storage tanks and several kilometers of underground pipe. Really not unlike boat stuff, just the scale is different!

Earlier in the season we had a couple of unwelcome visitors. Firstly a Crow insisted on waking us with his window banging antics at 5 am and then a couple of tiger snakes visited on separate occasions. Far too close to the house for comfort or safety, David made short work of them with a good wack with a piece of poly pipe. Effective snake dispatcher.

The summer weather has been lovely. Not too hot in this part of Australia. Rarely over 30 degrees. We have had some pretty cool days and even some steady rains to revitalize the pastures. Catching up with family and friends is the best part and we hope to do a lot more of that before we head back to Taipan.

Time is flying and we still have lots to do here but at the moment we think we are on track for our return to Holland on March 23rd.

TIME OUT. TIME IN. BACK FROM OZ 19th July

Flying over northern Russia.

Taipan has been tied up at the River City Brewing company on the St Johns River in central Jacksonville. We left her and flew to Australia on the 11th of April. Before our departure we had to completely strip the exterior. All the clears, covers, sails, and loose items had to be cleaned and packed below. The interior is stuffed to capacity. We sent the Main Sail off to North Sails to get the slugs replaced as the kept breaking on the trip here. We have also ordered a new track system and new cars for the battens on the Main. Some of the Clears also needed re stitching as the Thailand thread is failing in many places. so these were also sent out to a canvas repair shop to be returned to us when we arrived back in Jacksonville. Our flight out was via Chicago  a long wait, then over the Arctic, down through Kamchatka  northern Russia and China into Hong Kong. A short wait then Perth. Total about 32 hours. Just manageable!

Proud Great Grand Father Colin

Home is in the country 20 km from Albany on the south west coast, 400km south of Perth. The homestead  is rented so we spent most of our visit staying with Colin, Kris's Dad, in Albany. It was great to spend time together. Since March, Edna, Kris's Mum, has been a permanent resident at Clarence Estate, a nice Aged Care facility in Albany.  She has become too frail for Colin to manage at home. We were able to visit her every day. When we arrived it was fair weather with mostly fine days but gradually the winter kicked in and we made the move to winter cloths. A much milder cold than Cape Town, South Africa, last year.  

Farmer David and his trusty tractor.

The major work on the farm involved removing some overgrown trees from around the homestead. The Swamp Mahogany's had become enormous with their far reaching root systems threatening the house. What a job. Chester a very good friend, and David, with the assistance of Sony, our tenant and as it happens, an accomplished tree lopper, dealt with the biggest trees over two days. We took out 18 large trees. The mess was huge and the clean up took over a week.

There was other work involving drains, yukky… and moving a water tank. The guttering on both the sheds and the house was in deplorable condition as a result of the debris from the trees and the long term accumulation which the agents failed to deal with. 

Before

After

The mess after harvest of Blue Gums

The harvest of the dreaded Blue Gums has been completed on half the property. Still a couple of years till the next half. The mess is terrible. Acres of stumps and stones and mounds to clean up. The returns from blue gums are at rock bottom but I guess some plantations are just being abandoned unharvested so some return was better than none. It will all be needed, and more, to restore the fencing, water and repair the damage to what was previously beautiful grazing country.

We were scheduled to return to Taipan in Jacksonville on the 8th of June but an incident involving a chainsaw and a small wayward pine tree saw David admitted to hospital emergency with a suspected broken jaw. Not wanting to return to USA with a pre-existing medical condition we elected to delay our flights by a month. It took 3 X-rays and scans to determine that it was not in fact broken, he only has deep nerve grooves! I did have my doubts as there seemed to be no deterrent affect to his ability to eat and drink

Beautiful baby Connor.

It was an easy decision to make, to stay the extra month, with a new grandchild due any time. 

On the 16th of June Jason and Ferne presented us with  a grandson!. Connor Beau, weighing in at a healthy 8 1/2 pounds. He has a great mop of hair and is bonnie in every way.

Lily 15  and Savannah 7 have been fighting for turns! Connor wasn't too impressed when his first bath turned into 2 first baths and both his sisters need to have a go!

Now a month on, he is well and truly settled in and is a very happy and healthy baby. He already has the full compliment of Tonka's for the sand pit!

Our return flight took 48 hours from the time we arrived at Perth International Airport until we arrived in Jacksonville. What a shocker!  

The first leg was 7 hours to Hong Kong. A two hour wait then 16 hours to JFK New York. We were scheduled to have an 8 hour wait here but it turned into 12. Finally we boarded for Jacksonville. About half an hour out of Jacksonville we were advised that the flight couldn't land because of weather so we were diverted to Orlando, further south. It was now 3am. We waited another 2 hours for buses then were transported by bus to Jacksonville. Another 2 and a half hours! Its taken about 4 days to fully recover!

Now what?

SPIRALING PERTH RICHARDS BAY PERTH Janurary 2013

Back to Taipan on the 26th of January after two and a half months in Australia, and settled back into boat life. That cycle of fitting new parts from Australia and repairing the odd pump etc. we were just making plans to head out to Durban when we got the word that David's Mum, our trusty crew member, has passed peacefully away at the farm, surrounded by family. At 89 years she has lived a full, happy and adventurous life and we are returning again to Perth to bid her farewell.

We fly into Perth on Friday 8th of February for a fortnight.

ON THE HOME RUN 11th December 2011

The final phase of Davids treatment commences tomorrow and will take about 3 days. He is really well and positive. We are looking forward to getting back to Taipan on the 21st in time for a relaxing Xmas with friends in Thailand. Work aboard is progressing well in our absence.

Michelle and I

We have been fettered and nurtured by all our wonderful friends and family here in WA for the past 3 months. It has been great catching up with everyone. 

Riding with Jean and Margie

Joan, Davids mum, is safely into her new home in Albany which was a huge undertaking for everyone concerned but  we feel sure she will enjoy the new home and the rediscovery of her old home friends.

Spending time with children and grandchildren has been a rare pleasure we have enjoyed more of, on this return trip.

I hope every one has a wonderful Xmas and New Year and that maybe some of you will get the opportunity to join us so we can repay some of the hospitality  we have enjoyed here.

I had a couple of riding opportunities and missed a couple but is was good to get back in the saddle. The season has been long and lush and the view from horseback is always special

I didn't get to ride with my treasured daughter in law, Ferne and the grand daughters but will have to get that happening next year!

GREY NOMADS ON THE ROAD October 2011

We have been in OZ for over a month now and its been pretty hectic. Firstly there was the round with the medicos and programming for Davids treatment. All the treatment so far seems to be working as planned and the outlook remains good

Our first priority after initial round with doctors was to buy a car of some description. After several days of searching and haggling we bagged a Holden Commodore waggon. Its been great so far. Lots of km but not really old. 7 years. 

Savannaha's first Pony Club Rally on Jane.

We went down to Albany to stay with Kris mum and dad for a couple of weeks and managed to catch up with lots of friends and family. Edna and Colin, Kris's mum and dad, headed off to Bali for a break so we went and  stayed with Kris's son. 

Jason and Ferne, his wife, and two daughters. Helped with the new veranda for a couple of days. Savannah,  4 years, participated in her first Pony Club Rally with her pony Jane. Lily, 12 years, went off to a Gymkhana in Albany with Freckles and swept the field, arriving home with the high point trophy and a bag of loot. Ferne is as busy as ever with horses to be worked or broken-in for number of clients. Jason is getting ready for harvest and a busy hot season ahead, with big crops forecast.

The team. Jason Kerry and David finished laying the retaining blocks for the veranda

Before we returned to Perth we headed off in Edna and Colin's caravan for a grey nomad trial run. I have to say it was a little alarming when we stopped at the Stirling Range Retreat to hear the noises coming from one of the wheels. Not keen on that, David investigated but without a wheel spanner, it was difficult to accurately determine the problem but we soldiered on for a couple more days eventually returning to Jason's without misadventure. Not convinced about caravans though. 

Grey Nomads on the Road

Radiation started on the 13th of October and we have counted off 7 of the 30 treatments today. At the end of the treatment period we plan to go back to Albany for a couple of weeks to recuperate before the hospital and brachytherapy which will involve 4 days in hospital and a spinal block for 3 of those days to enable the treatment to be administered. Not really looking forward to that bit much.

Wild flowers at Cape Riche

On the weekend of the 15th 16th Jason Ferne and Lily met us in Yokine where we helped them to pick up and stack on pallets,  some brick paving they purchased second hand to be transported down to their farm for the new veranda and garage. (23ton, 5300++, 4kg ea , 200sq m.) We were all knackered!!..(..relief to know it was not just the "olds" who were stuffed!!)

This week we spent a couple of nights with Ann-Marie in Fremantle which was fabulous. I had a couple of visits to a specialist to consult on a troublesome shoulder injury I sustained in February, and he has decided that cortisone and exercise with be sufficient. Thankfully no surgery!

23 ton of Paving tiles packed and wrapped for the veranda

Next weekend is the CHOGAM Conference in Perth so we plan to head south again for a few days. Kris's folks are back from Bali, having survived the earthquake there unscathed. Looking forward to their adventure stories. At 83 and 89 years there are sure to be some tales. It is also Colins 89th birthday so we will have to participate in strangling a few rednecks.
 

Davids mum Joan, is planning to move back to Albany so we are spending quite a lot of time staying with her in Guildford to try to help here sort out the move. A big job at 88!

The picturesque estuary at Cape Riche

Thats it from us for now.

RETURN TO OZ. September 2011

We flew in knackered after a long wait in KL, and were greeted by the friendly faces of Andrew and Christine at 6am at the airport and a very welcome site too! Great breakfast at their place before we picked up the car from Bayswater Hire and now staying with Joan, Davids mum, at Guildford.

Now its back to treatment mode and blood sucking, an all that fun stuff before we can pick up the "cured"card and flick off back to warm..sweaty even...Thailand and home to Taipan to continue our adventures.

Car hunting for a cheap reliable car..ha ha! Wish us luck!

BACK IN AUSTRALIA 29th March 2011

On the 29th of March we flew back into Perth to pursue some treatment for Prostate Cancer, diagnosed in Kota Kinabalu on the 18th of March. David had no symptoms and his PSA was not very high (within the range for his age)  however we were advised to go straight back to Australia for follow up.

We visited a Radiation Oncologist David Joseph for advice and David was referred to a surgical urologist, John Stanley at Hollywood Hospital for further assessment.  David underwent a MRI and CAT scan on Thursday morning before this appointment and we were able to take the results of scans and the pathology results with us. The scans don't show any involvement with Lymph or Bone at this stage and it is considered unlikely to have metastasized. It is however a T3 tumor. He decided that surgery was not an option. Well, not an option he would recommend, as the location of the tumor makes it unlikely that surgery would be successful on its own.

Wednesday 13th of April after a return visit to David Joseph David commenced hormone therapy. This will take six months so we can fly back to Taipan on  Anzac Day April 25th.

In 6 months we will return to Australia for a 6 week therapy of Low Dose Radiation which involves visiting Charlie Gardner Hospital every week day for about 10 minutes. Following this there will be a 2 to 6 week rest period before Intensive Radiotherapy which will require hospitalisation for 3 to 4 days.

This will be the end of treatment we hope.

Thank you all for your kind thoughts and good wishes and we will keep updating this site on developments.

"LANGFORD" HOME ON LAND. April to July 09

On the 14th of April, after the Wacky Bush Wedding we moved to the farm house on "Langford" our farming property just north of Albany. Its roughly 400ac. and predominantly a forestry. Blue Gums for paper pulp. There is just 50ac of pasture and the house is rented.

The house was extensively renovated about 15 years ago and now none of the original house is visible from the outside. The plan was to add a big solar passive living space and new wet areas and office. Then to re clad the exterior of the old house , build verandas and replace all the windows. Construction was Stabilized Earth Blocks. These are made using Road Base and Cement. We made the 8000 brick and 200 paving slabs for the house over a 6 month period and then built the house. 80 ton of Gravel and 8 ton of cement went into the concrete mixer and out into a barrow..then into the moulds... and then they were stacked. This was all done by hand!!!. The brickwork was laid in gravel mortar and then all the joints were pointed up with a sand and ochre mix. A time consuming and laborious job but well worth the effort, from a purely aesthetic view. I don't need to tell you that all this history makes for a fairly strong sense of ownership. Not to mention a fair helping of satisfaction as one sits back and admires the finished result which is of a quiet, warm and functional home.

There had been no one living in the house for over 6 months and the grounds, particularly, were looking very dejected as a result of a lot of windfall storm damage. Inside was clean and tidy and very empty. We dragged some furniture over to the house from the locked storage room adjacent to the house and made ourselves moderately comfortable. Winter had set in although the days remained bright and sunny. Mornings were really cold.



The objective was to replace the lining in the main bedroom and build Built In Robes. Re tile the ensuite, repair some old termite damage in the roofing, re carpet throughout, replace several doors etc. This project went on and on...and on...until the 19th of August when we finished the fencing by torch-light. Tenants had moved in on the 18th.

Well you may be wondering how it took so long. The jobs grew bigger and the projects more extensive. A deck was added to the back over the big pond. The house was repainted inside and out. The waterfall glass windows were stripped and the sills replaced. Extra sills were installed to windows hitherto without them. The sun-room indoor garden had new jarrah tops made.Exhaust Fans replaced. Barge boards and gable ends replaced or added.Brickwork pointing with mortar. Guttering replaced or repaired. Underground pipes replaced. Shed interior demolished. Garden beds mulched with chips, Mountains of storm felled trees were heaped and burned, along with a great heap of junk abandoned by tenants gone bye. Fencing replaced or repaired and electrified..and all of this we did without any outside help.!!!..sigh. I really thought we might be permanently land locked.

The upside was that there were many, many visitors. Family and friends dropped by regularly to check on the progress and break the monotony of work. We are also indebted to friends and family who loaned us tools, as all ours are on Taipan.

The house has 2 slow combustion fires. A huge one in the lounge and a Rayburn cooker in the kitchen. The house was very snug although wood gathering became a regular event to keep up to the hungry fires. As the weather got progressively colder the heating was much appreciated.

We took great pleasure in observing daily, the large number and variety of birds which frequented the pond in front of the sunroom. Smokers, Greenies, Western Red Rozellas, Black cockatoos, Kookaburras, Shrikes, Honey Eaters, Red and Yellow Breasted Robins, Willy Wag Tails, Fantails, Egret, Mudlarks, Magpies, Crows and Whistlers. Several other varieties with which I am unfamiliar.

Well by the time we left exhausted and pleased to be going, the house and grounds were all in pretty good shape. New tenants were nesting and seem very happy with the house.

WACKY BUSH WEDDING April 2009

Intrepid campers wove their merry way into the wilds of Narrikup in the south of WA at Easter to attend the wedding of the year!. A wedding they will never forget. No electric power or refrigeration. Plenty of ice though. Limited running water and Kenny toilets. On the upside though the refreshments flowed freely and the food kept coming.

Many guests stayed 2 nights and some stayed 3 or 4. Horses in floats and dogs in utes came together in a frenzy of pole erections and swag laying. Yachting friends, at home sailing in the mild climes of Asia, braved the cold, donned Drizabones and headed our way on flights from Bali, Singapore, Phuket and KL. Several boarding school mates flew in from the east coast. Sally H saw most of the weekend through the lens of her camera. 

The Chef, Wendy, flew in from New Zealand and has stayed on in the sunny west. Jo and daughter Gen arrived from Melbourne ..eventually! (thats a whole other story)

Beavering away at the piles of farm junk accumulated in and around the wedding venue saw David, Wendy, (who arrive a week early thankfully) and I suitable knackered by the big day. Fortunatly there were a big band of merry helpers ready to lay their backs to the wheel. Tin went on the wall, wood was gathered, the Big Wood Water Heater was designed and built by my beloved brother Vern. And what treasures they both are! 

Harley, a neighbour, blazed the trail to the camp with his fabulous new tractor and slasher. Balloons were blown and we were ready to party. Stuff was gathered from generous friends to facilitate the day. Eskies, generator, cables, ropes and tarps to name a few. The forecast was bleak!

Dawn of the big day was a little grey, however, although the sun didnt shine, it was mild and fine. Jumpers went on and off again. Horses were warmed up ready for the fray. Bridesmaides saddled Jumangi for Kris, donned their Akubras and mounted their trusty steeds. Most were pretty fresh and some, downright feral!. The bride issued with a steadying glass of Champagne, was hustled to the salon for a touch up job by Daun and Richelle.

Mobs of bods started arriving and a freshly painted bride was seen scampering off in the direction of the horse camp to pick up the "posie".

Drums rolled as Jim cranked up "Water Music" by Pavarotti on the ute stereo, the gathering gathered, and the clip clop of neddies was heard coming around the dam.

An elegant if somewhat eclectic cavalcade hove into view led variously by Lilly, Ferne with Savannah, Jean, Sally, Kris, Jo, or Michelle, depending upon who's steed was under control!.

David met the Bride in a timely fashion (before she was unceremoniously dumped off) and ably assisted her to dismount, whereupon she was led away to the podium to be wed.

Captain Ganghook, alias Chris Morris, presided over the formalities and vows were variously exchanged amid much hilarity. (See excerpt attached)

Davids son Tim and Kris's son Jason were the whiteness's and never were there two finer whiteness's. Kate Thomas was the official Celebrant and kept the whole rabble in general order to ensure that the legal requirements were met. A fine job she did too!

To seal the bargain Gary and Libby provided an awesome bottle of champagne complete with gold in bubbles! This was to be the only gold about on the day and what better way to enjoy it than to get it in you!

Let the party begin. Only one speech. Colin made a considerably suitable and entertaining speech, elucidating some of Kris's past and inviting David into the fold. After this everything got a little relaxed and no more speakers came forward. Only serious eating, drinking, and yarn swapping left to do. Wendy had slaved over the slow combustion Rayburn to produce a veritable feast. Meat from Mount Barker meats was tender and tasty farm grown local food. Stayers were still partying until 4am but most good bush folk were in the sack by the bewitching hour.

The morning after: its a long slow BBQ breakfast, a bit of quiet strolling in the scrub, visits to horses or other camps and for the more energetic, a horse ride round the farm. There was a general long slow wind down and a gradual departure. 1 44gal Drum full of empty wine and champagne and another full of beer cans and bottles attested to the capacity of the 70 + guests consumption ability. There was still plenty cold in the chilly bins though. The dying embers of the Hot Water Heater signaled the end of a fun and memorable Easter weekend.

We had a lot of fun and hope all who attended did too. David and I would like to thank all those who came, played and pitched in and made this such a memorable weekend. We are looking forward to our return home to quaff the excellent vintages so generously gifted to us. Thank you