Family Jewel at 95

Many Happy Returns Mum!
Just 95 and a day.

ANZAC Day 2017

We fly a flag at half mast out of respect. Today in particular, ANZAC Day, we honour the sacrifice of all who have served in our armed forces, hold their memory tight and cherish the nation they helped shape.

The beautiful War Memorial in Maryborough, Queensland

It uniquely also honours the role of the nurses in war.

The Soldiers Memorial at Maryborough

 

Duncan Chapman, a Maryborough man and first ANZAC ashore at Gallipoli.

 

LEST WE FORGET

Cruising Buddies Re-United

Having thrown off the lines for SV Onora in the morning, the collector jetty at Newport Marina was now free to receive B1 and Maree on SV Urchin. We haven't been on the water together since we left Port Lincoln on 30th June, 2014 so this was a very exciting reunion indeed, especially when considering all the nautical miles, frights and fun we'd shared.

Last wave from Jeannie

Taking advantage of the high tide and SV Onora is on her way

 

A well oiled machine, Jim and Jeannie head off

And after 5 fabulous days, they were gone!

We weren't at Newport Marina to assist with Urchin's lines but we watched them motor up the canal on the Marine Traffic AIS App while in bed at Lucas and Amy's house. We were so excited to see them at our 'Visitors Berth', once we'd returned to the marina the next morning from our overnighter with the kids.

A lunch with the 'whole gang' (Us, Leanne and Steve -SV Easy Tiger, Maree and B1 -SV Urchin on R) at The Galley Restaurant - The Boatworks, Coomera, a few weeks earlier.

We had one last rendezvous on Easter Sunday at the Sand Hills anchorage at Moreton Bay. There were quite literally 100's and 100's of boats anchored and enjoying superb Easter conditions. Urchin was the first to leave on Monday morning. By Tuesday afternoon only 4 boats were left.

Sunrise, Easter Monday

 

Urchin, with her bows pointed northward

Urchin is now northbound with an aim to complete an Australian circumnavigation by October of this year. Wishing Maree and B1 a smooth, safe and joyful ride. Saying "Goodbye" is the toughest part of our cruising life, so it's ..... until next time .......!

Birthday Boys!

It probably wasn't the best of idea for the crew of SV Onora to take on the Tasman Sea while Tropical Cyclone Debbie was smashing through The Whitsundays and Airlie Beach but had they not ploughed through the worst weather and seastate that they remember in 25 years of cruising, there would not have been a shared birthday celebration. The transit from New Zealand to Australia was completed with just a couple of days grace so that The Bloke and Capt'n Jim could celebrate their shared day. What champions Jim and Jeannie are!

 

SV Onora at rest after a punishing trip across the Tasman sea

62' Aluminium custom built.

By this time we'd been 'residents' of C arm at the Newport Marina for a month and the collector jetty had become our own 'Visitor's berth'.

A booking was made for a great little place - Cafe 3eightnine on the Scarborough waterfront. We'd been introduced to it earlier by Sue and John Hansen from SV Imagine, and enjoyed a great breakfast and coffee there, so off we went by bus to Scarborough for the celebration lunch. The staff were already briefed that it was a special event and went along with our shenanigans.

 

Birthday Boys Jim and The Bloke, don nautical themed ties gifted by Jeannie

64 or 71, they are still just big kids!

Happy Birthday Boys!