"PUZZLE" QUEENSLAND. MARCH 2025

The boat will be fun once all the work is done! So we keep telling ourselves. David is in his element. Upside down in a hole sniffing fibreglass.

Having attended to the mechanical stuff inside we left "Recovery" in Manly,  after purchasing her in early September.

Returning from WA in January we had a list of underwater jobs to do.

The passage to Boatworks was uneventful and we were lucky to have good friends and cruisers Pam and Jon to accompany us. Our first night out was on anchor and we were a little concerned about the windlass performance. Switching seemed a little dodgy. Initially we thought it was windlass clutch slipping but it became apparent that the actual switch was not disengaging. Another thing to check.

After one night on the dock at Boatworks we were hauled out and choked ready for business. And a lot of business too! Watsons had been booked about 3 months previously and were right onto their jobs. 

Pulling shaft for balancing, inspecting rudder bearing, replacing PSS Seal, and balancing propeller, replacing two cutlass bearings and installing a rope cutter. This took several days and there were no nasty surprises except that the removal of cutlass bearings was laborious. The guys recon'd they built the cutlass bearings then built the boat around them! Then a pretty gold coat of Propspeed was applied to the propellor and rudder. Now it looked like the dollars spent were worth it.

Clean fuel tanks

Sweep Marine were also engaged to pump out and clean out the two tanks, polish the fuel and refill one tank to see how much the tanks hold. It was confirmed that the tankage is 800lt per tank. This ment the boat had a bit of a list when we relaunched but it feels good to know you have clean fuel and clean tanks when you have but one engine and no sails! We also have nice pictures of the inside of each tank, new gaskets and some peace of mind.

Michael, David's brother gallantly stepped up agreeing to come over to help out with some jobs on the hard. With no fridge, (it decided not to restart when we returned from WA) it was a bit of a challenge. 38 deg days and very humid with it. No aircon on the hard either. Between Michael and I we got the new washing machine installed, the old fridge out and some galley improvements. A new Sarca #6 Anchor and 10mm chain with new chain gypsy to suit, was installed.

Print Image printed and applied the new signage and after just 2 weeks we were antifouled by CAS (who are fabulous,) and relaunched as "PUZZLE". Go figure!  Still no fridge but ice from the Galley Restaurant saved the day.

Puzzle was in a pen at Boatworks for a couple of days of system inspections before we headed off down the Coomera river for some sea trials. (Well, waterway trials!) We were still fridgless. The refrigerator was deemed F@#*% so a new Vitrifrigo was on order but the container was stuck on the wharf while wharf people did what wharf people do. Don't ask!

Anchored at Currigee we launched the Dingy and much to our delight, the motor started first pull. The dingy is nameless and pretty old but seems to hold air just fine. The motor is a 2 stroke Mercury 2001 model. We had assumed it would be toast, but were thrilled to have a working tender. That first anchorage was a bit eventful however. The windlass, true to our suspicions, was faulty, and after Michael and David had to haul the anchor by hand we slunk back to Boatworks to investigate. The fun didn't stop there. On attempting to reverse onto the pen, both the thrusters stopped. Me... minor panic! The crew were on it though and we managed a not terribly graceful docking without anyone or anything getting damaged. Discovering (after docking fortunately,) that the engine wouldn't start .

David in his happy place

An electrician was called; a few wires on the windlass dangling here and there were replaced and the Thrusters, Windlass and Starter Motor were all given their own breakers. Previously they had shared only one breaker which was why we had multiple failures.

The fridge arrived and we used a Boatworks courtesy ute to pick it up. The big strong guys from CAS Antifouling gave us hand to get it aboard. The door was on the wrong side so after several Youtube videos and much bad language we managed to change the door and wangle the thing into the old fridge hole. It was of course "exactly" the same size.... NOT! So some carpentry was called for but eventually we had refrigeration. Nice fridge with nice freezer.

At last we were ready to head home to our berth in Moreton Bay Trailer Boat Club in Manly. Once again Jon and Pam agreed to come as backup team and we left the pen at Boatworks confident that we'd got most of the niggly issues nailed. After anchoring at Jumpinpin without issue we spent a relaxing afternoon and evening soaking up the cruising life we all so missed. Onward next day to Dunwich and an opportunity to sample the new Brewery.

My experience on the helm being very limited, we elected to overnight at St Helena Island and make our entry into the marina at dawn. This way no one would be looking and the wind would be negligable. The plan worked and with great directions from the team we docked without incident.

In the pen, it's back to work of a different kind. 

Watermaker installation. 

Watermakers Australia 240V 160Lt per hour. 

So many hours, so many trips into the bilge, so many times the entire wardrobe is pulled out and lain on the bed. So much stinking fibreglass resin!!!

Oh but wait! there's a cyclone coming! To Brisbane??? Yes. Its the first one in 50 years. Must be global warming! Oh but, wait, wait, wait, Alfred is just cruising down the coast chewing out the beaches on the way down and causing minor panic among boat owners. Tie down everything and fill the skips with all that crap on deck you thought you might need but now realize you don't have anywhere to keep it. And still Alfred ambles south, doing a few pirouettes on the way to keep the weather gurus on their toes. 

A lot of rain at MBTBC

 

Waiting,waiting!

Team Puzzle decided to abandon the boat and hole up on the local Pub. one night... two nights... Three nights!! Enough!! Back aboard on the Saturday night, things finally hotted up. The wind piped up to around 50 knots overnight but we slept pretty well aboard Puzzle. No one sustained any damage and appart from the endless rain it wasn't any problem. We did have flights booked to Melbourne cancelled but managed to get out on the Monday.

Three days of rest and recreation with english friends in Daylesford then on to visit Ley and Neil, cruising friends in Williamtown for three days. Finally stopping off in Sydney on the way back for 3 days with Jo and Patrick, our trusty swabby and Taipan crew.

OCEAN PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR EXHIBITION
https://seaworks.com.au/events/ocean-photographer/

Returning to Brisbane and aboard Puzzle for more watermaker installation.

MAPS AND PHOTOS

 Link to Taipans Anchorages and Map.

A NOT New Boat

 Swallowing the anchor seemed like a good idea in 2023 when we sold our beloved TAIPAN to Robert Balch from Florida. Robert fell in love with Taipan online after sailing with John Kretchmer on Quetzal, Taipans sister ship. Having followed our progress for several years he pounced when we were unceremoniously returned to OZ from French Polynesia, when David had a stroke there in March 2021. He was keen to purchase her

Two years later after much deliberation we agreed to sell and in Feb '23, Roberts dream became a reality. He flew in from Florida with his daughter and bought Taipan. We were sad to see her go but thought the time was right. Robert and Max sailed her away to the east coast across the bight and on to Tassie and New Zealand. They are now happily sailing Tongan waters and we keep in touch. Happy in the knowledge that she's in good hands, respected and looked after.

One boatless year on, we were not so sure about this land life. Deciding that maybe a more sedate form of "sailing" would suffice, we started looking at Stinkboats!! The very darkside! Our first trip to Queensland included viewing 2 boats which we decided didn't quite fulfil our requirements. Too many engines! So now with  clearer idea of what we wanted, we watched and waited until a Defever Sundeck 36 turned up. There was also another potential vessel nearby. David and Leanne "Perigee" happened to be in Southport and kindly agreed to take a preliminary look for us, so having seen a lot more photos and taking on board their comments, we flew to Brisbane again to inspect the two boats.

Our offer was accepted, subject to all the usual inspections, so we decided to take a camping trip back to Queensland to be on the scene for the survey, mechanical inspections and sea trial.

 Thus ensued a ten day, 5000km journey in the trustry Triton 2 door tray back ute,(read fairly rough)  towing the Mitchel Pioneer camper across the mighty Nullarbor. To fortify ourselves after 2500km, we forced ourselves eat oysters in South Australia for a couple of days before heading on to Southport for the remaining 2500km.

Long story short we bought another boat! A fat little motor boat. Her name is Recovery but we'll be changing that in due course.

With the purchase price renegotiated and armed with a list of work required on the engine, and under the supervision of our good mate and experienced superyacht skipper Peter Mitchel, we took the new boat around to Boatworks to have TransMarine deal with the whole salt water system. TransMarine were super efficient and after only 2 weeks in a pen, they had it done.

Upon completion of works we plucked up the courage to fly solo, and took her out into the Broadwater and north through the convoluted and sometime very shallow, waterway between Southport and Brisbane. This boat only draws 1.2m so its a little less daunting than the 2.2m Taipan drew the last time we passed this way.

Our first and only anchorage was at Peel Island, Horseshoe Bay, at the southern end of Morton Bay, and an anchorage we visited on a number of occasions in years gone by with Taipan. The next morning at dawn, in nil wind, we crept into Morton Bay Trailer Boat Club where we had been fortunate to secure a pen for 6 months, and where 'Recovery" is now mored for several months while we deal with business in WA. 

Having collected the camper from friends up near Caloundra, we then headed west once again, taking just 8 days to get back to Albany. A stop in Streaky Bay SA, mid journey, enabled us to fill the freezer with oysters and eat a few along the way. 

Early in the trip we caught up with good cruising friends, Pam and John, "Tweed" at Moree on the way over, and at St George, on the way home. They had done the trip east to west return during the same period. Always great to see them and they have offered to be the new boat minders in our absence which is very much appreciated.

We've booked to return to Brisbane and the boat in early January to complete underwater work and antifoul before a little cruising on the East Coast.

LOOKING BACK GOING FORWARD 18th Feb 2022

 

I know this post is long overdue!. We've had a very busy year and I will endeavour to bring everyone up to date over the next few weeks. Going right back a whole year to catch up so here's the first instalment.

On the 7th of December 2022, we departed Boatworks bound for WA. 2500nm The Queensland borders were due to open to the rest of Australia and Omicron outbreaks were inevitable. Passing up the opportunity to cruise Morton Bay we instead elected to head on south, directly to Tasmania. Tasmania was still Covid free and Tasmanians were still welcome in Fortress WA. 

The trip downriver to the Seaway at Southport, where we had decided to Anchor for the night, was without incident and the boat was skimming along smoothly and quietly under motor. After the Gearbox rework this was encouraging. Electing to carry on instead of anchor, we left the Seaway on dusk and headed south expecting to forge on directly to Tasmania. 1500nm. The seas got rougher the further south we went and with it the engine noise increased to a point we knew we had a problem. There was a serious knock coming from somewhere. Not the gearbox but we suspected one or more engine mounts were broken. At Port Stevens, 325nm south, we went in for further inspection.

Some nice sailing.

Dave and Pattie Bowden, cruising friends from back in 2002, live in Port Stevens and they spotted us from their balcony, phoned to offer advice re anchorages and to arrange a catch-up. We had established that the exact 4 engine mounts we needed were in stock in Newcastle about an hour's drive south. Dave immediately insisted on driving down to pick them up, so within no time we had moved into Soldiers Point Marina, with new engine mounts aboard, and with no idea how to go about fitting same!!. All the mechanics were.. "flat out until mid March at least" So armed with spanners and a lot of patience David carefully measured the mount placements and numbers of threads showing etc and then one by one using a small hydraulic jack, he undid and raised the engine off each mount enough to slide out the old one and slide in the new one, tightening each one just so.... each time. 

Wonderful Sculptures dockside at Soldiers Point Marina

There were lots of bits of the engine to be removed including, at the last, the alternator and heavy mounting and big Jabsco damage control pump. It took 5 long weary dirty days to complete the work and Dave and Patty fed us and fettered us on several occasions as well as providing much largesse from their amazing vegetable gardens. We were in Port Stevens for 10 days and pleasant as it was, we needed to get moving. Tasmania was due to open its borders and that would mean WA closing the gate on Tasmania and anyone who was coming in from there.

WA had announced it would open the borders on the 5th of February but we had serious doubts based on the rapid spread of Omicron which was now occurring. On the 19th we set sail south again with the noises all gone. There was some pretty serious weather off Sydney and Pittwater but even in the roughest conditions, the engine was still purring away quietly. Port Hacking provided shelter for a night during a strong southerly wind shift and the next day we were able to continue to Eden to await weather for the Bass Strait crossing.

Unable to go ashore for fear of compromising our entry into Tasmania, we stayed aboard and were able to continue on south on the 23rd, 222nm, arriving at Lady Baron Flinders Island on the 24th of December. Looks like Xmas alone in Flinders Island while we try to negotiate the G2G pass bullshit. These passes are issued electronically and are only valid for 24 hours. Einstein!! you can't sail from Eden to Tasmania in a small boat in 24 hours. So eventually we negotiated permission to enter. God it's worse than all the international borders we've negotiated in the past 18 years!!!

Xmas 2022 at Lady Baron Flinders Island

A very quiet Xmas was spent at Lady Baron, also not going ashore, then the wind changed and we had to go for cover to a pretty doubtful bay at Orchard Point on the north of Cape Baron Island. Nothing there. It may have been nice walking but the weather was foul and it was blowing dogs off chains so we tucked in for a couple of nights. We had also discovered that the alternator bracket had loosened and was hanging on only one of its 7 bolts. It transpired that when one replaces these bolts after removing them one must use new bolts as the act of tightening them originally stresses them too much to reuse. Lesson learned.

Flinders to the Tamar River Tasmania

Fixing stuff. Missing bolts!

Beautiful Port Dalrymple Yacht Club

On the 27th at the break of dawn, we crept out and headed to The Tamar River  85nm. First decent sailing day in weeks. Made it into the anchorage at Port Dalrymple before dark and had a very nice quiet night's sleep. The Port Dalrymple Yacht Club is super friendly and has one of the best fuel docks anywhere. Here we managed to get a taxi into Launceston and locate and purchase the wretched bolts for the alternator. We took the opportunity, not being in any hurry now that we were in Tasmania, to repaint the bracket and over a couple of days we got everything back together and shipshape. 

Tamar River

Gift of preserves from the lovely manager of the Port Dalrymple Yacht Club

Remember WA was going to open to the rest of Australia on the 5th of Feb. Well by now it was just the 3rd of Jan. The announcement came that the border would remain closed indefinitely and Tasmania was moving to Extreme Risk meaning there's no way to proceed to WA from Tasmania unless you are a football player or tennis player or the Premier!! We had to leave Tasmania before midnight Friday the 5th

There wasn't much in the fridge, cabbage, beetroot a few carrots this and that, and the fuel situation was not ideal but rather than risk any further shore forays we elected to bolt. This proved easier on paper than in reality. Gale forecast for the eastern Bass Strait waters forced us to backtrack and seek the shelter of broad shallow beach west of Stanley. An 0100 arrival time is not ideal in 30+kn. Having re-anchored the following morning, a little further inshore, we settled in to sit out several days with gusts over 40kn. Bouncy, noisy, and generally unpleasant.

On the 7th we were able to motor out in calm conditions, albeit with a somewhat rolling swell remaining. Another pleasant day's sail, passing quite close to King Island and sadly not allowed to visit. In the late afternoon, a fog swept in and it wasn't long before visibility was extremely poor. These conditions continued on and off over the next 12 hours. We were relying on Radar and AIS for ship positions

Holed up off the coast near Stanley Tasmania

On the 9th, just north of Portland Victoria, we caught a darn cray pot line around the Rudder!! It was pretty calm and we were sailing so it didn’t get around the propeller. After a little manoeuvring into the wind, it eventually dropped off. Pots are extremely heavy. No chance of pulling it up. We probably dragged it a couple of km before getting rid of it The night was all sailing and the stars were stunning. They felt like they were falling on you. Can’t remember seeing such bright stars.

With a strong Easterly system bearing down. We had to find a safe gunk hole to wait it out. The sea state gets too sporty with the wind of 30+ against the current. So we headed towards Kangaroo Island to spend a couple of nights on anchor somewhere isolated.

Kingscote King Island

Several anchorages were available in various wind conditions and we used them all over the coming week as the wind swung around the compass before settling to a steady westerly.

American River Anchorage King Island

Kangaroo Island anchorages

Kingscote provided respite although again we were not able to go ashore. Eventually, the wind died and promised to become easterly again so we chanced a couple of light days and with dwindling fuel headed into the Great Australian Bight and made a beeline for Albany, 960 nm west.

The Great Australian Bight.

January 14th. The first 24 hours were slow. Reluctant to use fuel we waffled about making as little as 3 knots at times. While the autopilot would steer, we sailed. The wind arrived and conditions became pretty sporty with a decent following wind wave and a good cross swell from the southern ocean to keep our attention. Cold. It was extremely cold. Fladden suits were absolutely necessary on watch.

Fladden Suits.

We stopped at Middle Island, east of Esperance, on the 19th of Jan, riding big swells into the nice protected anchorage to sit out a few more days of sporty weather. Seriously pretty spot and plenty of squid, but we were still dealing with border control and trying to get permission to enter WA W'ed been isolated at sea since the 18th of December! Stupid Covid rules.

Middle Island

Fortunately Lisa Blair arrived in Albany without permission and someone saw. fit to recognise the fact that shed been at sea alone for 18 or so days so she was granted permission to enter. Lisa kindly gave us her contact in the Police Department and. we were also advised that we were permitted to enter and Quarantine Free. Yipee!! Arriving in Albany on the 22nd of January we were welcomed by many family and friends and escorted in by Jason and family in their little Penguin. Weather couldn't have been better and we were relieved to be finally home with Taipan 19 years since her last berth in Albany.

Arrived

BACK ABOARD TAIPAN. 1st OCT 2021

Our new Swift 3.1m RIB Australian made. Our first one lasted for 15 years.

Previously, we were Medivaced back to Australia from Tahiti. The process was protracted by Covid and the inevitable delay was frustrating and very stressful. After quarantine and several specialists appointments in Perth, we went back to the farm. David underwent endarterectomy surgery in Perth to clear out a blocked Carotid Artery and 6 weeks later we were given the all-clear to fly to Queensland, and back to Taipan. 

Airlines, more specifically QANTAS pissed us around, canceled our flight, and made no endeavor to recompense us or make an alternative booking so we caved in and took a VIRGIN flight direct to Brisbane on the 29th of September. It was great. Stayed a night at an airport hotel and had a driver take us to BOATWORKS Coomera, near the Gold Coast, the following morning. 

Arrival on the 30th of September and inspection of Taipan left us somewhat deflated, as the extent of the damage and dirt were unexpected. The cleaning and repairs we had entirely underestimated.  Now 6 weeks into it with 2 of those weeks back on the water we are mostly back in shape. The major job was the gearbox, which was ominously empty of oil on inspection. Sure enough, the gears were all case hardened and we had to wait 3 weeks for very costly repairs and new parts. The skipper was very lucky to have made it into port in that condition. 

We didn't get the Gyprock finishing done.
Labour was scarce with the building boom.

A new Swift dingy arrived, having been ordered a month or so earlier. We knew the Walker Bay was stuffed. A useless thing it was! A new mast track was installed for the spinnaker pole, a new boom bag replaced our very shabby 12 year old one. Drive Shaft and Propeller were inspected and the Propeller was re-pitched and Prop Speed applied. New cutlass bearing, flexible coupling, and Dripless Seal were fitted. We replaced the air conditioner we installed in Thailand in 2009, after many years of service it finally died in Tahiti just before we left.  The bottom was in good shape and didn't require a lot of prep as they have a great high-pressure wash down here. 

The Boatworks is an outstanding facility staffed by professionals. The best we have ever encountered in all our travels. Proper stairs to each boat deck. No ladders!! Clean facilities and lovely gardens. The service providers are also excellent, prompt, friendly, and effective. Outstanding amongst them was Rene Airconditioning & Refrigeration and Watsons Engineering. Da Met did the Gearbox restoration. 

BBQ area and Yachtie meeting place.

There are 6 vehicles available for patrons' use. A simple phone call will secure one for up to 3 hours at a time during the week and all weekend if you get in early enough. We have secured a car for all but one of our weekends here and have been able to visit cruising friends in Manly, about an hour's drive north, a couple of times. We took a drive up to Mt Tambourine one weekend for a break from the yard. There is no cost for the car. A donation or fuel in the tank suffices. The laundries are free, there are several decent restaurants and cafes, a gym and beautiful BBQ facilities where we meet most nights.

We are still on the dock at Boatworks but looking forward to moving on to anchor soon. Then we will move north into Morton Bay and Brisbane to catch up with friends.

Boats are a lot of work but you have to do something so it might as well be boat work! David's recovery is complete. He shows no signs of having had a stroke. Counting ourselves very lucky.

EMERGENCY IN PARADISE August 11th 2021

COVID has run away with our freedoms and unrelated health matters have caused a major re evaluation of our sailing plans.

Wandering about beautiful French Polynesia for over a year waiting for the end of the cyclone period, (May) we had gone to Papeete to do a few maintenance jobs and prepare to haul out before setting off westward to complete our circumnavigation.

Having a quiet coffee aboard Taipan in the Papeete Marina when David suddenly declared that his left arm was behaving strangely. Good friends, Grahame and Janakie from "Leela" were aboard and we immediately called the ambulance and they helped walk David to the marina gate. Rapid response by Fire Brigade in the first instance, then Ambulance shortly afterwards, meant that David was in the Tahoe Hospital in Tahiti in about 20 minuets and straight into Emergency where they performed many tests and scans and administered drugs. David had suffered a stroke!!! The event was caused by a shower of tiny particles coming loose from plaque in his right Carotid Artery. He was admitted to the Neurology Ward and to cut a long story short spent the next 9 days undergoing treatment and preparing for Medical Evacuation to Australia.

New Zealand Air Ambulance

The Australian Government in the early chaos of the pandemic outbreak closed Australian Borders and forbad Australians from leaving the country. At the same time they prohibited Australian Travel Insurance Companies from renewing, or writing new policies for Australians. Our Travel Insurance Company could not renew our travel insurance so in desperation we took out a little Evacuation and Rescue policy with a company called GEOS for a mere $125 each.

Goodbye Morea

With the Pandemic raging the Evacuation process was protracted. The Australian government had to give permission for us to return and Air Ambulances had to get international permits to enter etc. The whole debacle took 7 days of negotiation to arrange our repatriation to Perth. At A$10,000 a day in the hospital with no medical cover it was altogether a very stressful process I never want to relive. Geos only cover the Repatriation.

On the 28th of March at 700am we were collected by a team from New Zealand Air Ambulance, and aboard a nice little Beechcraft Nexis we were flown to Brisbane, with refueling stops at Nui and Nauru, New Caledonia. There were 2 pilots and an emergency nurse aboard and we touched down at Brisbane at about 4pm after a 9 hour flight in beautiful weather. The whole team were outstanding, caring and fed us amazing food!!!

Customs and Immigration processed inbound clearances and we boarded the Life Flite Ambulance, a Challenger 605: all leather and mirrors apart from the 2 intensive care stretchers. There were 2 pilots, a doctor and an emergency nurse taking care of things. Food was great too! It was the ex-prime ministers plane and let me tell you they don't slum it!! We touched down in Perth at 6pm, Perth time and I was chauffeured off the Hotel quarantine and David was transported by Ambulance to Royal Perth Hospital Quarantine. I don't know what it all cost but we were very grateful to the whole team at GEOS for getting us home. I am never flying cattle class again!!

Queensland Coast. Australia!!

We were extremely lucky to be right in Tahiti. The biggest hospital in the Pacific outside New Zealand right on the doorstep. A highly skilled team of cardiologists and neurologists from France meant David was in very good hands very quickly. Had we been in a remote island anchorage the outcome could have been much different.

Since arriving back we have done the bloody quarantine without catching Covid in the hotel! Corinne and Michael, our illustrious Panama to Galapagos crew, among others were instrumental in making sure we didn't die of starvation in the hotel. David has, after multiple consultations had an Enterectomy. That is, they open the carotid and scrape out the crap and close it all up. Good as new... Well nearly.

After being homeless and imposing on numerous friends and rellies for nearly 2 months we moved back into our farm house in Albany. It took a month or so to catch our breath at this point.

Taipan on the hardstand at Boatworks

Meanwhile back in Tahiti, Taipan was in the capable hands of Paul Stratfold an Australian delivery skipper. Grahame and Janakie spent days previously putting Taipan back together as David had just completed an entirely new Lifepo4 battery installation. There were still some unfinished issues to be tidied up. Between them they returned Taipan to working condition for Paul to take over. Paul agreed to return Taipan to Australia for us and was hoping to come with at least one other crew person. After protracted and frustrating liaison with the Australian Immigration it became apparent that he was going to have to go it alone. The intransigent authorities refused to let his Australian crew leave the  country again to return to Tahiti to his work. If he entered he would be forced to remain. So Paul came from Tahiti to Brisbane, 3500nm, 25 days, alone and was put into 14 days quarantine on arrival!! Taipan had to be anchored in Southport uninsured. There are no facilities for arriving yachts. The marinas are unable to accommodate unless you arrange for a deep clean of the boat and a local delivery skipper to move it to a marina. There are not even any moorings for the quarantine anchorage!!! Paul has since moved Taipan to Boatworks and she's on the hard awaiting our arrival. Covid permitting.

Knocked out a few ceilings walls and a fire place

Life goes on on the farm while we wait for the East Coast to get its sh## together so we can fly to Queensland, pick up Taipan, perform maintenance and set sail for WA. That's on the other side of Australia for the foreigners out there. Australian border rules are going to make it very tricky. Sailing down the east coast to Bass Strait in one hit may be the only option. 860nm south from Southport Queensland to avoid New South Wales which is a Covid disaster area right now and may be closed  till Xmas or longer. To cross the Great Australian Bight we need to be positioned in Bass Strait or South Australia by mid Janurary. Then the Easterly winds will be steady for the run west. The shortest distance is about 480m but that relies on being able to enter South Australia and work west along the coast. The distance doubles if that's not possible. Bloody COVID!!

Raptor. The stump grinder

Goodbye stumps.

Meanwhile on the farm we've knocked out a lot of tree stumps, knocked the gardens back into shape and knocked a few walls and ceilings out of shape. As we speak there are 2 electricians in the roof and a builder fixing stuff and installing a dropped ceiling in the kitchen. Between us we have removed a big old brick chimney and all the interior wall finishes of 3 rooms. The gyprock will be replaced with big loads of insulation behind it. Its been a very cold and wet winter in Albany. The work has been exhausting causing us both to fall into bed knackered each evening. Its a good test of David's strength and recovery.

Roughly the proposed route.

I will update on progress sooner next time.

Farewell beautiful Huahine. FP