WENDERA'S TRAVELS

GREEN HEAD 30°03′ 23" S 114°57′ 41" E

PORT DENISON TO GREEN HEAD PASSAGE

At last the weather was good for a passage south. We left Port Denison behind at 5.00am in the dawning light. At 7.00am I was rudely drenched while lying on the lounge! The hatch above the saloon lounge was left cracked open and a huge wave crashed over the bow and the water splashed through the hatch, soaking me. Paul kept a vigilant eye out for lobster pots as they were everywhere. At 8.44am quick evasive action was required in narrowly missing a string of pots. Shortly before lunch Tim was sick over the bow! Quite astonishing really as he’s been the salty sea dog of late, and the sea state was not at all bad. Tim blamed a dodgy carrot and a gory bit in the book he had just read! After lunch we decided to head into Green Head, as the wind was picking up and was forecast to only get stronger. All in all it was a good passage, and the motor ran perfectly.

Thursday 10th December 2009

Happy Birthday Mel

Ross stopped by early this morning with a special delivery of 2 freshly caught lobsters, so we had a millionaire’s lunch. We cooked one lobster thermidor style (grilled with garlic, white wine and a little cheese), while we boiled the other and served with lemon juice, pepper and tar tare sauce. They were absolutely spectacular. Mel, we thought this was a fitting way to celebrate your birthday. Peter picked us up and took us to see his new property in Dongara. We enjoyed sundowner drinks in a lovely tranquil rural setting.

Wednesday 9th December 2009

Another day waiting for a weather window for our continuing passage south.

Tuesday 8th December 2009

SUCCESS!!! The motor is fixed and running beautifully. We had dinner ashore at Ross and Sue’s house. We enjoyed a spectacular meal of lamb shanks! YUM!!

Larry the Lobster at the entrance to Dongara. Port Denison/Dongara is the lobster capital of Western Australia.

Monday 7th December 2009

We were woken this morning before sunrise by the throb of diesel engines as one by one the commercial lobster boats left for the morning. It was like being parked on a motorway. Another morning for Paul to work on the engine. The boys and I were invited ashore to Ross and Sue’s house, for me to do some washing and for Tim and Ben to enjoy some “land” time. Sue and Ross have a gorgeous 11 month kelpie/blue heeler cross pup. The boys had an absolute ball playing with Molly, and Molly had a ball with the boys, so much so that rest stops were required! I think all three will slept well this night. Ross picked Paul up and brought him back for lunch before we all headed back to Wendera.

Yes, we know that Tim needs a haircut! Tim, Molly and Ben.

Peter, Sue and Ross joined us for sundowner drinks and dinner, and fresh made sponge cake (courtesy of Sue) for dessert.

Sunday 6th December 2009

Paul spent the morning working on the starboard engine. Keith came aboard to offer some more expert advice. It was looking promising that it would be sorted out by tomorrow.

December 2009 1st – 5th Geraldton

wendera — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 07:48:00 +0000

Saturday 5th December 2009

GERALDTON TO PORT DENISON PASSAGE

It was an early start. We were up at 5.00am and noticed that Tranquillity had an even earlier start and had already left. We set off at 5.20am and the plan was to head as far south today as possible, maybe even an overnight passage. At 6.30am our starboard engine made a strange noise and it was quickly turned off. To say the Skipper was unhappy is an understatement! We tried the engine again at 9.00am with no luck, so we made the decision to head into Port Denison to try and sort out the problem. We arrived at 3.00pm, after dodging all the lobster pots on the way in. Seeing how prolific the pot floats were, we decided there would not be anymore overnighters. As we were coming alongside the jetty Paul observed “That guy looks like Peter (the friend from Exmouth) ……… wait it IS PETER!” Peter was in the area with a couple of friends. They were walking along the beach, spotted the catamaran which Peter thought looked familiar and came down to have a look. It’s a small world! We invited them back for sundowner drinks. A Rep from the Sea Search and Rescue Port Denison met us at the jetty and allowed us the use of a nearby mooring. Peter and Keith arrived for sundowner drinks and Keith, a diesel mechanic by trade, provided some useful suggestions in relation to the motor noises.

Friday 4th December 2009

As we had stayed longer in Geraldton than we first planned, BR picked us up to get a few more groceries. There was a weather window the following day that we were eager to take advantage of. We said our last goodbyes to BR with sundowner drinks onboard Wendera.

Thursday 3rd December 2009

The boys and I went to the Geraldton Museum which has a fantastic display on all the shipwrecks found in the surrounding area, including the Batavia. It also has a wonderful and informative section on the HMAS Sydney II. Anchored in the harbour is a replica of the longboat that sailed from the Abrolhos Islands after the Batavia was shipwrecked. It is a traditional Dutch longboat used by the captain of the Batavia, Francisco Pelsaert and 46 others survivors to sail from the Abrolhos Island to Jakarta, Indonesia in June 1629. It was a journey of 1500nm in a open longboat of only 10.7 metres and all arrived safely including two women and a small baby. For the survivors left at the Abrolhos Islands, their fate was not so fortunate with a bloody tale of mutiny, murder and rape now part of history.

We had sundowner drinks onboard Tranquillity, a 40’ Fusion.

Wednesday 2nd December 2009

Doug on “Loru” anchored alongside us on yesterday as we returned to the bay. We first saw “Loru” in Shelter Bay and Doug left from there the same morning as we did. Doug came onboard for morning tea, the boys cooking chocolate pancakes topped with strawberries.

Tuesday 1st December 2009

Each morning tinnies and motor boats head out to check their lobster pots. They buzz past us and they remind me of mozzies buzzing by. We headed back to the marina to escape the sailing regatta. We tied up to the public jetty and returned to our anchorage at 4.00pm.

November 2009 29th – 30th Geraldton

wendera — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 07:37:00 +0000

Monday 30th November 2009

We are stocked and ready to go – now just waiting on a weather window. We moved back to anchor at our spot in front of the Yacht Club with Ben saying “Ah, it’s good to be home!” Home is regarded as the place we have anchored for a more than a couple of days. How are they going to feel next year, in one location permanently? A school group were outing sailing dinghies in the bay as we arrived back, so we anchored well away from the action. We were all inside when we suddenly heard a commotion. By the time I got on deck, Paul and Tim were fending one of the dinghy’s off our bow. Their rudder had broken and they were unable to manoeuvre away from us. We had their mast just clearing the top lifelines, the bow of their boat being fended off our starboard hull, and stern from the portside hull. We managed to fend them off, as the rescue boat came to assist in towing them back to shore. The crew on the dinghy were quite shook up, and hearts onboard Wendera were also racing. Luckily we escaped any serious damage, in part to the quick thinking of Paul and Tim. We then spent the next couple of hours “on watch” as a few more dinghies, out of control, came perilously close to us. We were informed that there would be a regatta tomorrow with up to 40 boats – so we planned to be well away from the area!

Being close to Geraldton harbour, we enjoyed watching the tankers as they arrived and departed. We were amazed by the skill of the tugs in manoeuvring the huge tankers into seemingly impossible “parking spaces”. We watched as a tanker would come in empty and 12 hours later depart the harbour loaded with grain.

Sunday 29th November 2009

With both engines now fully operational, we came into the marina early yesterday morning before we headed out to the farm. Today it was time to victual. We got fuel, refilled the water tanks, loaded up the groceries and washed down the boat. It is always an exhausting day when we are alongside, getting all the jobs done, but it is much easier to load the boat with all the provisions when alongside. BR and Enid joined us onboard for sundowner drinks and dinner. What a lovely evening reminiscing the good ol’ days!

November 2009 22nd – 28th Geraldton

wendera — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0000

Saturday 28th November 2009

BR picked us up early and we headed out to his son Ferret’s farm. An hour into the journey the boys enquired how far to the farm. When they learnt that it was half way to Perth, Tim exclaimed “Just keep driving until we get to Perth!” Both boys couldn’t believe how quick it was to get to places. We made it to Dongara in under one hour and the same journey on Wendera would be a full day! They were very keen to get to Perth and see their new niece and nephew, and well as Pop again. Once at the farm we were privileged to each have a ride in the header with Ferret. Thanks to BR for taking the photos, as I left my camera in his car back in Geraldton! D’Oh!!!

During the run when Ben and I were in the header, we got to watch as the grain was unloaded, it’s a bumper crop!

While Tim and Paul were in the header, Ferret explained how the nesting quails fly out and are sometimes seized by waiting hawks. As he was saying this a quail flew out of the wheat crop and a hawk swooped down and got it. Tim and Paul witnessed a very real example of the circle of life. After lunch BR took us for a tour around the rest of the farm.

The sprayer looks like something from a moon landing and the size of the wheels was quite mind boggling.

Friday 27th November 2009

A day of maintenance, school work and washing. Domestic boredom!

Thursday 26th November 2009

BR picked us up and took us to the HMAS Sydney II War Memorial on Mount Scott. It is a very humbling and poignant memorial. The dome dominates the Geraldton skyline, and we wondered about its significance as we sailed in on Tuesday. The memorial honours the 645 sailors lost when HMAS Sydney II was sunk off the Western Australian coastline somewhere west of Carnarvon on November 19th 1941. HMAS Sydney II, a light cruiser, encountered what appeared to be a foreign merchant ship which turned out to be the German raider “The Kormoran”. A battle ensued resulting in both ships sinking, with all 645 sailors onboard HMAS Sydney II being lost. From “The Kormoran” 300 men made it ashore.

The dome has seven pillars, signifying the seven States and Territories of Australia and the pillars are representative of a world axis joining heaven and earth. The dome is adorned with 645 flying seagulls, one for each soul lost at sea.

“On 19 November 1998, during the strains of the Last Post at the dedication of the HMAS Sydney memorial site in Geraldton, a large flock of silver seagulls flew in formation above the crowd. The memorial’s sculptor, Joan Walsh Smith, was so struck by the flight of the birds that she decided to incorporate 645 seagulls into the ‘dome of souls’ she was designing; a gull for each of the men who lost their lives in HMAS Sydney. “ from website www.ww2australia.gov.au/waratsea/HMASsydney.html

The upside down propeller signifies the loss of a ship, while the eternal flame burns in the port and starboard lights overhead.

“The memorial was designed around a circular theme "symbolic of eternity and the circle of life".

The "Dome of Souls" structure, comprises of a stainless steel dome, made up of 645 silver gulfs, a polished bronze propeller in the centre of a granite ceremonial area and an "Eternal Flame" that hangs above an altar.

The "Stele", overlooking the Indian Ocean, is a 19m high sculpture made from stainless steel and was designed to represent the prow (forward part of a ship) of the HMAS Sydney II. The sculpture is also symbolic of a stele, which is an inscribed upright stone used as a grave marker.

Capturing the personal despair of the many families, especially the wives and mothers who lost a sailor in the tragedy, the Waiting Woman stares out to sea in vain hope of glimpsing the return of her loved one. Sadly the sculpture not only represents the great loss of the time but also symbolises the continued despair of families that still wait for closure from the incident.”

from website www.westaustralianvista.com/hmas-sydney-memorial.html

The Waiting Woman grieving for her men folk. The “Stele” the exact height of the prow of HMAS Sydney II

The memorial was a thoughtful and respectful reminder of our history. Even the roses that surrounding the dome have meaning – they are the “Courage” rose, something the sailors on HMAS Sydney possessed.

Later BR picked us again to go Jumbo’s place (BR’s son) for a couple of quiet beers. Jumbo showed us his amazing collection of memorabilia – as good as a museum. The boys wandered around in wonder looking at all the relics and memories of years gone-by. It’s a work in progress for Jumbo and definitely a labour of love, and it is fantastic to see the history will not be lost.

The boys also enjoyed playing with Eddie and Axle.

We had a BBQ dinner at BR and Enid’s and enjoyed “Hollywood” showers before heading home to Wendera.

Wednesday 25th November 2009

SHELTER BAY 26°10′ 27" S 113°12′ 53" E

Geraldton Port.

Paul worked on the motors today. Bruce (BR), a family friend, came onboard for morning tea. Being a retired farmer with a wealth of knowledge with diesel engines, Paul welcomed some sage advice from BR. BR is famous for affectionately “nibbling” the ears of people as a humorous greeting. Ben was well aware of this and had been preparing for his introduction to Bruce, adamant that he wouldn’t be a “victim”. He had even flagged Geraldton on our C-Map chart as “Ear Muffs On”.

Within minutes of saying hello though, BR had succeeded and Ben’s ear was duly nibbled. The text explanation sent to Pop by Ben was “I was overpowered by strength and size!”.

Victory for BR the ear nibbler!

Ben was determined to avenge this indignation. At 11.15am he struck. As BR was leaning over looking at the port motor, Ben snuck outside climbed on the cockpit furniture and hanging from the roof leaned over and CHOMPED!! Victory.

The boys and I went for a wander through town. Tim took advantage of the opportunity to source a computer deal and spend his birthday money. Ben and I then went to the movies to see “New Moon”. Ben, still at the stage where kissing and love scenes makes him cringe and cover his eyes with his hands, commented “that was the longest movie that I DIDN’T see!” as we exited the movie theatre. Apart from a few action scenes, particularly where the guys morph into werewolves, it was a bit of a girlie movie. When we got back to the boat Paul had the port engine running beautifully. One repaired, one to go!

Monday 23rd November 2009 and Tuesday 24th November 2009

STEEP POINT TO GERALDTON PASSAGE

At 5.15am the engines were turned on, travelcalms were dispensed to all the crew. The skipper declined a tablet and we set sail 10 minutes later. This was it! Our last significant overnight passage and one that we had been dreading for the last few weeks. We were all a little nervous but the weather looked good and we were just pleased to be moving south towards our ultimate destination. A monohull “Loru” followed us out and after a quick call on the radio we learnt he was heading towards North Island in the Abrolhos. If the weather turned ugly, this was our fallback destination too. At 6.05am we rounded the western most point of Australia, Steep Point. We had now done North, East and West. We were amazed by the number of fisherman out on the Point. There was even a port-a-loo to cater for the volume of the masses. There were balloons attached to the fisherman’s lines, drifting the lines seaward in the early morning breeze. These fishermen were true die-hards in their sport, perched in locations that defied gravity. How did they get out on the tiny little ledges in the middle of nowhere?

Rounding the point and sailing out past the Zuytdorp Cliffs the sea state was like being in a washing machine. As expected, the swell and waves were so confused and even though Wendera was ship shape, things were moving that had never budged an inch in our journey thus far! The skipper described the sea state as “sloppy and vomitous” and not one of the the green faced crew were inclined to disagree! Even in these rough conditions the water teemed with life, with whales and flying fish everywhere while an albatross flew overhead. By 11.00am Tim shook out the two reefs and we were now sailing with a full main. We were motor sailing along quite comfortable when at 11.45am the starboard engine made a funny noise, so we immediately shut it off. Paul soon retired below not feeling 100% and probably regretting that he didn’t have that travelcalm. By 3.00pm Paul made it back on deck and we were sailing along nicely. At 6.00pm Tim and I started the three hourly overnight watch cycle. At 7.30 pm our port engine spluttered and it too was immediately was turned off – we now had two unserviceable engines and still an overnight passage with 130nm to go! It was dark, the wind had started to pick up and by 7.40pm, with Tim and I feeling a little overwhelmed (an understatement) and Paul below still feeling queazy, we heaved-to. Tim was brilliant as he assumed the role of skipper and calmed and motivated the distraught crew (me!). “C’mon Mum, we can do this! We’re OK”. By 8.35pm we were back underway with Paul at the helm, though still feeling unwell. He then gave Tim and I instructions on how to heave-to, reef the main and get the boat moving again, all while lying flat out on the back cockpit seat. Tim again stepped up, clipping on and going forward to the mast to reef the main. I was so proud of his bravery and ability to stay calm. By 9.30pm Tim and I retired below for a well earned kip. By 10.00pm, with the breeze rising and the sea state still “vomitous” we again heaved to. We spent the next 3 3/4 hours this way. By 1.45am with Tim and I back on watch we decided that the winds had abated enough to get underway again. We amazed ourselves by getting the boat sailing again (out of the heave-to) even without the assistance of motors. By 3.00am Paul and Ben were back on watch, and an hour later shook out the reefs and were sailing with full main. When I arrived back on deck at 6.00am I was amazed by the sight of a flying fish on the back steps. Apparently it had landed on the bow of the boat sometime during the night – a rare occurrence!

We had a lovely sail into Geraldton, we even had the spinnaker up for a little while. We had no motors at all, something that the skipper was most unhappy about. So we sailed through the channel, negotiating our way through the myriad of cray pots and anchored under sail power. After nearly 35 hours, we were all so pleased to be finally in Geraldton and thought a meal of McDonald’s was a fitting treat for such a horrible passage. We ended up having KFC, as it was just across the street from where we were anchored, and we were too tired to go looking for Maccas!

Ben had the honour of adding onto our track! We’re in Geraldton!!!

Sunday 22nd November 2009

MEADE ISLAND 25°59′ 58" S 113°11′ 53" E

SHELTER BAY 26°10′ 27" S 113°12′ 53" E

MEADE ISLAND TO STEEP POINT PASSAGE

Margaret and David came onboard Wendera for morning tea. Margaret brought freshly baked scones – yum!

By 10.30 we headed off bound for Shelter Bay. We were amazed by the proliferation of manta rays. They were feeding just below the water’s surface and they were huge. We were so close to them and the water was so clear that we could see their mouth open, feeding and wings flapping, the tips breaking the surface like fins. They seemed so graceful, their wings gently flapping helping them “fly” through the water. We were mesmerised by them.

We had a “tack-fest” through the Blind Strait channel, accompanied by some dolphins before anchoring for the night just below Shelter Bay. Fingers crossed for a weather window for our passage to Geraldton tomorrow.

November 2009 15th – 21st Shark Bay

wendera — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:41:00 +0000

Saturday 21st November 2009

HERALD BIGHT 25°37′ 03" S 113°33′ 32" E

MEADE ISLAND 25°59′ 58" S 113°11′ 53" E

HERALD TO MEADE PASSAGE

It was an early start to enable us to get as far as possible toward Shelter Bay (Steep Point) before the forecasted 20 – 30 knot winds.

Paul and his “manky” hat, skippering on the bow, playing air guitar listening to country music!

At 9.10am Paul lost his “manky” hat overboard and we had to heave-to to retrieve it. This hat is faded, sweat stained and has definitely seen better days. But Paul is insistent that this hat makes it for the whole journey from start to finish, so it MUST make it to Perth!

As we were passing Cape Peron we were perplexed to see hundreds of little crabs swimming by the boat on the surface. At first we thought they were bits of seaweed floating in the water. Then we saw turtles everywhere, snacking on the crabs. The turtles would swim up to the crab lift their heads out of the water and CHOMP! It was a very bizarre sight to witness. It was like a turtle drive thru “McCrab”! We bailed out for Meade Island when the 20 – 30 knot winds blew in, preferring the shelter of the bay to slamming out in the waves for another couple of hours. As we approached Meade Island we were intrigued that there was a large building on the mainland of Dirk Hartog Island.

It turned out to be a homestead now run as a tourist operation. It was closed for the season, but the caretakers David and Margaret came out to invite us ashore. We spent a lovely evening in their company.

We had hot showers, sundowners drinks and nibbles and even stayed for dinner! The boys kicked a football for the first time in ages, out on the green grass.

Friday 20th November 2009

MONKEY MIA 25°47′ 29" S 113°43′ 16" E

HERALD BIGHT 25°37′ 03" S 113°33′ 32" E

MONKEY MIA TO HERALD BIGHT

We went ashore to watch two of the morning sessions of dolphin feeds. In the first feed the “kids” were having a ball playing. Fin and Flute, in particular, go ballistic chasing and nudging each other and weaving in and out the jetty pylons. A couple of pelicans landed in the water and proceeded to swim to the beach. One of the dolphins playfully swam underneath and nudged the pelican out of the way. The pelican was most alarmed by this treatment, but the dolphin was clearly letting the pelican know who was the star of the show.

On the beach after the feeding session, the Pelicans soaked up the limelight, posing for the cameras.

The second feed only had Nicky and her calf Fin. The heavily pregnant Puck was not in for the feed so there was some speculation that she might be giving birth. Apparently just before a dolphin gives birth she stops feeding. In the last couple of feeding sessions Puck was accepting the fish but not eating them. So it could be a sign that there might be a cute new arrival on the beach at Monkey Mia very soon. At lunchtime we said goodbye to Monkey Mia. We needed to be at Shelter Bay by Sunday, as there was a weather window approaching for a passage to Geraldton – the first in a couple of weeks.

The shores of Monkey Mia and the Resort.

The stark contrast of the red cliffs of the Peron Peninsula and the azure blue waters. A Pearling Farm is in the foreground.

This was a wildlife spotting cruise, with turtles, manta rays, a sea snake and 16 dugongs! The Shark Bay region has the largest number of species of seagrass of any area in the world and has some 4,000sq km of it. It also has the largest seagrass meadow in the world, the Wooramel Bank. So with a smorgasbord feast there for the munching, it is no wonder that there are so many dugongs. They are really quite a funny beast and you can see why they are called the sea cow. They are a slow and lethargic creature and life runs on their slow time. We anchored overnight in Herald Bight to shelter from the 20-30 knot winds that had blown in.

Thursday 19th November 2009

MONKEY MIA 25°47′ 29" S 113°43′ 16" E

We woke this morning to find the cockpit filled with a swarm of resting swallows. Apparently the next door fishing boat was their normal haunt, and when it left for the morning, Wendera looked like an inviting hotel foyer! We also had rain last night! The first real downpour since leaving Cairns. It was wonderful cleansing rain, washing down the last of the remaining Dampier dust from the top of the mast and the sidestays. Unfortunately this resulted in a muddy mess on the decks. We went ashore for the dolphin feeding. It was wonderful watching the dolphin calves playing out the back while the mothers were being fed. It is almost as though ‘while Mum’s away, we will play’! They jump out of the water, splash and wrestle each other and tail slap the water. They really look as though they are having a blast and it was a joy to watch.

Nicky and her calf Fin.

Only female mothers are fed, and they must be descendants from the original Monkey Mia beach dolphins. They are only fed 1/4 of their daily feed and this is spaced over a maximum of three feeds until midday. When they come into the beach they are fed 25 minutes later, so they are encouraged to still have a normal wildlife routine. They choose when and if they could into the beach. If one of the dolphin comes in for the second feed, she doesn’t get the extra fish from the first session. You are not allowed to touch the dolphins and can’t wear sunscreen as it hurts their eyes.

Mary and Nicky.

We then met Mike and his dog “Miracle” (or Mirror for short). We sailed past Mirror and Mike in their Wharram as we were exiting the channel yesterday. Actually Mike was the only witness to our little sandbank embarrassment. Then after a wander around, the boys and I went for a camel ride along the beach, which was fantastic. The camels were very affectionate and were nose peg free (well only a tiny bit whiffy!). For most of the ride I had Ellie cuddling into me.

I’m on Digger, Tim is on Ellie and Ben is on Camelia who is the Mum of both Digger and Ellie.

Camelia “talking” to Tim

The boys were disappointed that we had to go back to the boat and do school – responsibility is a drag!!!!! I was sitting on the deck watching the second dolphin feeding session and noticed lots of dolphins just by the boat. Tim quickly put the kayak in the water and paddled over to them. He spent the next 45 minutes paddling beside the dolphins as they played and interacted with him. He had a “whale” of a time with them, definitely a once in a lifetime experience. On his return it was back to the grindstone!

Wednesday 18th November 2009

MONKEY MIA 25°47′ 29" S 113°43′ 16" E

CARNARVON TO MONKEY MIA PASSAGE

We left early this morning with 0.1m of tide. We got past the last starboard marker on the way out with no drama and thought we were set, only to run onto a sandbank 50m on, where we spent the next half hour or so kedging and dinghy pulling the boat into the deeper part of the channel. Very embarrassing, fortunately it was early morning so there weren’t too many observers to Paul being in the water pushing!! And now our dirty little secret is out and luckily it was a sandy bottom so it was a free hull cleaning service! After such an adrenalin pumping start, the rest of the passage was lovely and relaxing. It was also a real wildlife spotting cruise, with dolphins playing on our bows, whales breaching on the horizon, turtles and even a dugong feeding on the water surface. Just as we anchored at Monkey Mia we spotted another dugong just off our stern.

Tuesday 17th November 2009

After school work was completed, we went for a walk to the One Mile Jetty.

The footbridge into Carnarvon

The boys were walking along the (disused) train tracks, when suddenly a train whistle pierced the silence. You should have seen the boys jump and quickly scamper from the tracks. We soon saw the source of the noise. As we rounded the curve we saw an old steam train being restored at the Jetty Train Museum and the whistle had been given a test blow.

One Mile Jetty is the longest jetty in the Western Australia. Unfortunately you can only go out 800 metres, as a fire destroyed the rest and is currently still being restored.

The view from the top of a disused water tank.

We took a train out the 800 metres, which was an enjoyable ride.

The boys provided a “free track cleaning service”. Your should have seen their feet!!!

The owner of the Souvenir shop had a cute little puppy called “Jetty” that the boys immediate took to and had fun playing with. Tim was tempted to ‘dogknap’ her!! When we got back to the boat, we moved further up the channel, as we were planning on an early start tomorrow and didn’t want to navigate the shallow channel in the dark and at low tide.

Monday 16th November 2009

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIM

WOW! Tim’s 14 today – where has all that time gone? It just seems like only yesterday that I was holding him in my arms for the very first time. We had a BBQ burger lunch in at the playground today with Quoll II.

Tim received a packet of water balloons as part of his birthday present from Quoll II, so the boys enjoyed the next three hours having a water bomb fight. What better way for a boy to enjoy his birthday, and of course later there was birthday cake!

Sunday 15th November 2009

Carnarvon

Our school work, play and domestic routine continued today.

November 2009 8th – 14th Carnarvon

wendera — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 02:11:00 +0000

Saturday 14th November 2009

We spent Friday and Saturday in a routine of boys doing school work and then playing with the Quoll boys in on the playground, and Paul and I doing the domestics.

Friday 13th November 2009

CAPE CUVIER 24°13′ 18" S 113°24′ 14" E

We were waiting with baited breath for news of the latest arrival, as Aunty Maz was induced yesterday morning. Ben assumed control of the mobile phones all night, walking around with the phones in the band of his PJ’s, and then he had them in his cabin during the night. At 1.30am, Ben was woken up by mozzies buzzing around his head, he checked the clock and then the phones and said “Ohhhh, Aunty Maz didn’t get her present!” First thing this morning we were informed of the safe arrival of Elizabeth Wendy Cochrane-Poller. Wahoo!!!! The first granddaughter on the Cochrane side, and she’s so precious and gorgeous …

We celebrated and ‘wet’ the baby’s head with dinner and drinks in at the Carnarvon Yacht Club (which is only open on Friday evenings).

Thursday 12th November 2009

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNTY MAZ