Marvelous Milestones

The 12th of February is our wedding anniversary. 38 years now. Some say that's 2 life sentences! It's also the anniversary of our completion of our Great Australian Bight crossing from Middle Island to Streaky Bay. That's a lot of stuff to recall so we enlisted some help from Chris and John who were actually at our wedding and they volunteered to represent all the other guests who attended. A big job they claimed, but someone had to do it.

Our original plan for our celebrations was to meet up at Peppermints, a waterfront restaurant that promotes the fabulous produce of the district; seafood, berries etc... It was a plan hatched some weeks before but abandoned in an instant on the news that our friends Jim and Jean would be sailing 'Onora' into Hobart to complete their 2nd circumnavigation of the world! Additionally, Marvelous Miles was arriving from Port Lincoln to celebrate Jim and Jeanie's stunning achievement.

With so much going on we shortened our time in the D'Entrecasteaux Channel by one 1 day to head back to the RYCT after first of all, being hosted for a wedding anniversary eve dinner aboard Sheokee. It was a gourmet feast and a night to remember. David prepared duck breasts in a cherry jus. I made panna cotta on a plum and cherry jus, topped with shards of almond brittle. It was proof positive that it's possible to make splendid meals in our little galley kitchens with stuff we just had lying around in our bilges and fruit baskets. The biggest treat of all though, was the gift that Pam had made, a memento of our time anchored at Dover behind Rabbit Island.

We are impressed beyond words both with the gesture and outcome.

 Sheokee and My Way2 silhuetted against the sunrise.

Waking to a Quarantine Bay glass-off, we felt sure this was going to kick off a day to remember.

Lunch was reconvened at the Mount Nelson Brasserie, a fine table with views out across the Derwent was reserved for us. Chris and John collected us from the yacht club at noon. We needed to have an early lunch to accommodate Marvelous Miles' arrival plus that of Onora mid afternoon. From our dining vantage point we should be able to spot Onora sail past. Did I mention that this was a busy, busy day?

 Celebration lunch with John and Chris

 The appearance of this yacht, although not Onora, alerted us that Lunch needed to end.

 What happens when your friends don't get into the 'selfie' moment.

Planning was almost faultless. We enjoyed the company of two of our original wedding guests with wonderful food and views of their new home town. The sight of a yacht sailing by plus a text message from Jim alerted us to skip coffee and rush back to the yacht club. Miles had arrived in his hire car from the airport only 5 minutes ahead of us and just in time to collect Onora's lines. Phew, we just made it in time to finalise all the tying off and time for more champagne!

Part of our planning for Onora's arrival was the purchase of some Chicago White Sox supporter paraphinalia. The Bloke and Jim share a birthday and the gift exchange last year resulted in the acquisition of a St Patrick's Day version of a White Sox cap. Miles had been given a cap for Xmas. All that was needed was some shirts and we'd give Jim a fun surprise.

The Bloke in his kit.

Miles switches to his shirt too!

The Bloke, Jim and Miles.

Jeanie getting stuff stowed and happy to have arrived.

 Parked in the lee of Mt Wellington.

Jim and Jean Foley.

Two time world circumnavigators on Onora, toasting their achievement!

Jim sharing technical info with John while Jeanie showed Chris around the 'Ship'.

It all came together on the day, despite fears that it was getting too complicated. Marvelous Milestones were being celebrated and we didn't want this enchanted bubble to burst!