from the archives

Um; was. actually, looking up something else - but one link led to another ... and found this ..
(from another blog of mine - apparently 'in hibernation' but seems to remain accessible ... meh.)
Tis also linked to a 'youTube' video .. but not sure whether the links remain intact in this 'copy 'n' paste'.

Ah, ye good olde dayes - when i had finance and access to the 'latest' most powerful 'laptop' computers (meh). At present, probably, the latest 'iPhone' or 'iPad' has more 'computing power' than my present 6 year old MSI laptop.
It is still struggling to compile and edit the 1080i HD video of the trip to Kangaroo Island ... but never fear, will make it work, somehow.

An alternative FACTS .. version of "reality TV".

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

Barra Fishing Trip. Ord River, North-western Australia.

(PS. This post is still under construction .. heh. Am finding that embedding a video screen in the post is a little more complicated than first thought. Might have to separate video screen from blog. Or just put a link to it. Dunno yet. )

Well now. Have completed a six minute version of the day's fishing at Macka's Barra camp on the Ord River and uploaded it to Revver.
The other post and 4 minute remix on YouTube is here.

There are several video hosting sites, and a review of ten of them can be found here.

I chose Revver as they put a “clickable” Ad at the end. This is all very “experimental” at the moment, and am still discovering the trials and tribulations.

I feel that the camera work is only so-so, but had only recently purchased the Sony TRV355E, and had much trouble with wind-noise in the in-built microphone. Would really have liked to have spent several days there. It's difficult trying to film an “expedition” while taking part in it; so missed quite a few good photo ops of some of the action. Will have to keep the clips fairly short, as this one took nearly an hour and a half to 'upload' on to Revver, and even with Broadband, takes some time to “buffer down” before you can view it.

THE TRIP.

Had gone up to Kununurra in May 2004 for another event and, due to some cock-ups with arrangements, found that I had a spare day. Well, it seemed silly to travel all the way up to the Kimberley Region in North-western Australia and not have a crack at the mighty Barramundi.

Scientific Name: Lates calcarifer

Barramundi are protoandrous hermaphrodites: they start life as males, reaching maturity at around 3 to 4 years of age and later change gender and become females, usually at around age 5. Small fish are almost exclusively male with the percentage of females increasing with overall length.

Distribution
Distribution map of Barramundi

L.calcarifer has a very extensive range in tropical and semi-tropical areas of the Indo-Pacific. Its distribution extends from the Persian Gulf to southern China and southwards to the northern Australia. Within Australia its range extends from the Mary and Maroochy River systems in south-east Queensland northwards around the entire northern coast to Shark Bay in Western Australia.

I was very fortunate to get on this particular trip, as it was pretty much a last minute decision.
So, with the Barra dream of every Australian worth his salt in mind, went to the Tourist Office on the Monday and made enquiries. They gave me several brochures, but no advice.

Umm, think I, then made tracks for the nearest Pub. Y' know how it goes .. "G'day, who's the best Barra guide in town? Rabbit, rabbit, rabbit..". After about six conversations, many beers and much differing advice - counted up the votes, and found that Macka's Barra Camp came out 4:2.

Macka's Barra Camp has become an institution when it comes to big barra in the Kimberley. In fact, one of Macka's specialties is catching the extra big, meter plus Barramundi. Even experienced Barramundi anglers can go a lifetime without cracking the magic meter long mark, yet at Macca's many such anglers have achieved this goal in one trip.

One of the strengths of Macka and his team of guides is that they ensure no effort is spared to see that you have a most exciting days fishing.

Macka picks you up at Kununurra, and soon after you are fishing aboard his 6 meter long craft which is specially designed for barra fishing, and includes all first class tackle and associated gear.

As the name suggests, Maccas Barra Camp it is not only day trips, you can stay overnight and extend your trip for several days or more.

For more information call 08 9169 1759 or check out his website
Macka's Barra camp

O.K... rang the number, found that there was one spot available the next day (Tuesday), and booked a spot on a day trip.
So, was duly picked up from Kununurra backpackers at 6.00am by Macka in a rather battered Toyota Troupie containing three other 'hopefuls'.

It is always a risk, taking a trip into the 'unknown'. They could have been hoons from the 90's, buuut, found myself in company with three similar age nutcases. Merv; life of the party, always with a comment, quip, quote or joke. Brian; quiet, reserved. Michael, likewise.

The bitumen disappeared about halfway into the hour and a half trip, through a gate, then bumped and tossed our way to the "camp".

One of the interesting things about some buildings in the 'Top end' is their relative impermanence. There are two seasons .. the "wet", and the "dry". The "dry" lasts for about nine months, and the "wet" IS. While cyclones are not all that frequent, they happen, so the general attitude is "why build anything permanent, when most likely will have to build it again next year".
So, we arrived at the camp, and were introduced to Andy, 'guide:boat driver:cook:mechanic:expert in pretty well everything.'
(there are always 'dream' jobs, somewhere.. and as Cher says, ".. if I could turn back time”.)
A fast zoom down the Ord river until Andy decided that it was 'bait time', pulled up at a quiet spot about halfway between the camp and the River mouth, and set off with his cast net.
Barra will take anything, but generally prefer live bait. These are called 'popeye' mullet.
Another fast zoom down toward the estuary, where Andy decided on a 'likely' spot. We moored, were instructed in the intricacies of 'bait casting' with this particular reel. (I had been used to a Penn 500, and these, while similar, seemed tinsy and tricksy).

After several trial casts resulting in over-runs, patiently sorted out by Andy, we settled down to anticipation.

Ten minutes later, there was a quiet pull on my line, and watched it travel out into the centre of the stream. Huh?? think I. Then the penny dropped, I flipped on the drag and hauled back on the rod.
Barra are fighting fish. It breached, thrashed its head from side to side, determined to rid itself of this annoyance. It dived, swam toward the boat and away, breached again. At all times one must keep tension on the line; at all times, anticipate .. let it run .. pull it back.
Unfortunately the person who picked up the camera to record this event left it on “full zoom” so there isn't a lot to see of the tussle except a lot of out-of-focus muddy water. Have tried to edit in some of the more recognisable images while keeping the relevant sound track.

After twenty minutes, it was close enough to have a net underneath, and lifted onboard.
It was a mighty tussle, and at the end of it I was shaking like a leaf in an autumn wind. This fish was 1.1 metres in length, and a female, so was required to return it to the water.

It was, in retrospect, an anti climax. I landed it at about 9am, and then caught another smaller Barra some 20 minutes later. You will see in the video that Brian “hooked” another fish, but Barra have a habit of “throwing” hooks, and he lost it. Try as he might, Andy could not find another fish. Mine were only two fish landed that day. From 9am until dusk we searched, tried several spots. Proving once again that wild fish are .. well .. wild. there are no guarantees in nature.

I think I was lucky (though prefer to think of it a superior skill heh heh). The other three were probably envious as well, but didn't let on.

Since the expense of getting up that way was considerable, I don't think that I'll be doing a "repeat" any time soon... but it's nice to have this photo on the wall.

Posted by Dav-vid at 2:42 pm

Raptor Domain

Um, Ok, did mention that i would write a more detailed account of my visit to Kangaroo island, South Australia .... buuuut ... inconsistent snippets escape into internet technology.
Herewith two images that have managed to capture from the video of our visit to Raptor Domain.

Will unashamedly promote the enterprise. One of the most exciting and educational aspects of our visit.
Click images to 'embiggen' - not my invention - try Holties house. (if he and it remains alive).

So, yep, this image is a snapshot from the video clip of me with a kestrel ... but the video clip is quite funny, as Robin (travelling companion) had to ask me to turn around; my back was toward the camera. "eh?" asks me. She had to ask twice! AM NOT DEAF
(well, self delusion, perhaps)














This is a snapshot from the video of Robin with a fully fledged, adult Wedge Tailed eagle on her hand (glove).
(am, of course, now regretting that i didn't decide to come up with the extra $10 to have this pic, with me, in my files).

 The video clips add more details, and am working to edit it all together - but resources are small ... and my concentration levels are short. The project to edit it all into a coherent and interesting (amateur - really need to go back for more 'cutaways' )  documentary is time consuming - but it's mostly for Robin; and may well end up on Vimeo at some point in the future.

However ... if  this post gets enough encouragement? - will redouble efforts to complete it sooner.

revisiting personal history

Last month, had the chance to experience ten days on Kangaroo Island, South Australia.

If ya wanna find out where it is - try yer favorite search engine .. heh.

Originally arrived on the Island at around age 5;  1950 - after my mother re-married to a 'Soldier settler' who took the opportunity and advantage of the offer of the gummint of the day to 'develop' farms on the Island.

Lived, learned, loved there until about 1962.

Have, now, many anecdotes, memories; of what is was like then - and images of how it is now ...
but that will have to wait until i have organised them all into some sort of coherent narrative with images.  Don't hold yer breath.

After 60 or so years - has it changed much?  Yes, and no.
One of the Island philosophies IS 'preservation'. Quite a lot of the land space is devoted to National Parks and "conservation habitat' (no rabbits, foxes, or bees - apart from the pure strain of Ligurian bees that exist on the island).

(They don't like dogs, either, had to put Abbey into kennels for the entire time .. meh).

Aaaah ..... memories.

Though if anyone wants to ask specific questions ... they will be answered.
(and no - wasn't suckled by a sealion ...).

Quick trip interstate

Well, depends on the definition of "quick". Took five days.

My one or two regular readers might remember that I pushed off into a journey of unknown destination with my Jackaroo and dog, last January - leaving most of my household possessions behind, in storage with a friend in Sunny Corner NSW.

Since am on a very small pension, the cost of retrieving them has defeated me until recently. However, recent conversations with a 'second-hand' dealer in Minlaton (well, 'Spog'* is a 'collector' of all sorts of random 'junk') - discovered that he owned a 7'X12', dual axle, trailer with sidings. Cutting the re-writing of the conversation short - we agreed that he would lend me the trailer for the journey back to NSW and collect my possessions for .... um, a "carton o' beer" which i thought reasonable.

Pushed off (departed) Edithburgh at about 7am on Tuesday 11th October 2016. Long drive on first day.  Up onto the Barrier highway through Broken Hill. (and yep, some of my "overseas" readers may wonder why i chose that route; and not through Mildura; which looks 'shorter'. Believe me - that route is through many small towns, and much 'slower'). 
Tried to get roughly halfway by 7PM.

  This is at  the first, really nice "rest stops" provided by the NSW Highways.
(Mcculloghs's?)

Slept in the back of the Falcon wagon that night. (bittuva a battle about sleeping space with dog - but managed to convince her to sleep on front seat ... heh).
One of the interesting things about that night was an "oversize" "wide" semi-trailer load that pulled up on the opposite side of the road. A 60ft Luxury motor yacht.  

Self didn't quite realise that it took up almost both lanes of the highway as i watched it, and its 'pilot' vehicles depart at first light next morning. (yer, i know, no pics, sorry). 

A couple of quick cups of coffee next morning (do travel with the 'basics' .. heh) then back on the road at 7AM.

Caught up with the Luxury Motor Yacht, and convoy, about an hour later.
(at this point, might have to explain to 'overseas' readers that Australia (almost the same size as the Untied States of America) -  has a total population of about 23 million to pay for 'infrastructure'.. Distances are 'vast' in European concepts. A 'highway' of roughly 1000 kilometres through sparsely populated areas is not easy to 'maintain' to "European" standards of 'excellence'. A friend of mine from Austria was fascinated that we could drive for 1000 kilometers; see very few people - nobody - and remain in the same country.

Back to following the Motor Yacht  'convoy'. 
Didn't really bother me too much. Was the only 'follower'.. we all pottered along at between 90 and 95 Klm/hour.\

Until Trangie. 
Self's motor vehicle needed refueling. Noticed motor Yacht parked along street.
Refuelled, continued along town street at about 25kph looking for bank with 'auto-teller'.
(apparently forgot to re-attach seat belt) ...
Waved into kerbside by bloke in uniform and fancy painted motor vehicle. Ooops, think i.
 "yer not wearing a seat belt". Sez he.
He asked where had come from. South Australia, was my automatic response.
Nah, he sez, where did you spend the night.
Oh, say i, Mculloch's campsite.
 He demanded my Motor vehicle driver's license and took it back to his car, apparently checked out all of the numbers attached to vehicle and trailer, found nothing untoward.

This took about ten minutes, until it twigged fer me that had, actually, 'recently come from the petrol station about 100yards previous' (which is where i forgot to attach seatbelt).

The good news is that he accepted my explanation ... and waved me on with a "caution". 

  More on this journey - later ....






 This post is under EDIT - Will add to it
* a 'spog' is an Australian vernacular (?) derivation referring to an English "sparrow" ..

How many untold stories ..

Departure .. and arrival

Ah. guess that i'd better write an update. This will only be a short summary. More detail, and photos, will be posted later (mainly because as i write the story of the Journey from sunny corner NSW to where i am now - more details occur to me next day).

Suffice it to say that departed NSW  at 2pm on Friday 11th December 2015 - and, after an interesting journey through the backblocks of New South Wales - arrived on Yorke Peninsula, South Australia on Tuesday 29th December 2015. Then came the fraught process of looking for a suitable house to rent.

 Am now typing this in a lovely little cottage in a very small seaside town on Yorke Peninsula. Not much furniture, as all my 'stuff' is still back in NSW - but have the basics; and the kitchen is workable. One of the joys is the bathroom. Cannot really explain the sheer pleasure of a long hot shower after 18 days "on the road", living in a tent or sleeping in the back of the Jackaroo. Through some of the hottest, dryest country.

More detail later.

the big 'Cod' ...

Heh. Tocumwal, NSW - a few days ago. Am not dead yet.

Set out on a 2,857 kilometer round trip journey to collect some 'family' archives from South Australia and a local friend of mine asked, after i'd mentioned that would be close to water - that i "bring back a fish".
 This is the 'biggest' that i could do - in the piscatorial photoshop process.

 Bit difficult to put into the back seat of a suburban sedan ... heh.

Bad car day

My days, generally, are fairly uneventful - but occasionally an unexpected, exciting, un-planned event comes along to raise the heart-rate; if only for a few hours.

The fortnightly cycle of 'interesting things' begins on a Wednesday pension day, and lasts for about four days. I won't mention actually how small, or much the income is; have learned to "live within" a tight budget and, oddly enough, am able to eat well, buy what i need (including new laptop, and the occasional radio controlled helicopter), pay the bills - even able to "save" a small amount each fortnight  (something that have never previously been able to achieve). On the other hand, the 'savings' are small, and am not in a position to "borrow" any substantial amount.  Am not quite sure what i would do if faced with a 'major' expense; especially in relation to my motor vehicle. However, have also learned to 'not worry' about something that hasn't happened yet - and cope with it if or when it does.

Last Wednesday I drove the 35k into Bathurst to stock up on supplies for the fortnight. Can get the occasional bread, milk, and other bits and pieces from Portland, but the choice of product is limited and a bit more expensive. One of the things that i intended to get in Bathurst was a 'dog restraint' (one of those strap thingos that plug into the seatbelt anchor). She usually sits, or sleeps, quietly on the backseat, but occasionally pokes her head over my shoulder to see what's happening.  So, was up early, pottered about; breakfast of pressed ham, fried mushrooms and a Roma tomato (as well as half dozen cups of black coffee .. heh).

Andy from round the back walks his 6yr old to the corner to catch the schoolbus at about 8.30 every morning, so had a chat with him. Asked if he wanted to go to Bathurst for something to do. He said yes, so arranged to pick him up at about 9.30-10.00.

Decided to check the water and oil in the car - both needed top-up, but spilled some oil down the side of the motor. Drat. Went and found an old tea-towel to wipe it up, then left it on a ledge by the side of the engine to soak up the excess. Went back inside to collect wallet and etceteras. Saw Andy walking up the road, so .. um, hurried a bit. Closed car bonnet, and set off.

About fifteen kilometres down the highway, smelt something strange. "Can you smell something funny?" ask i to Andy. "Mmm", he replies, "smells like hot oil".

Had a bit of a think for a millisecond, then - Lightbulb Moment! Oh shit, the tea-towel. Next to the exhaust manifold.

Found a place to pull off to the side of the highway, went round and opened bonnet. OH Faaaark! Flames!

*see warning

Andy saw the smoke and rapidly exited motor vehicle, so did the dog. Here's me frantically rummaging around behind the driver's seat trying to find the fire extinguisher while yelling to Andy to get the dog back into the car (busy highway three feet away), Andy shouting to see if i had any water in the back since there were several plastic bottles, some labelled Turpentine ... "Yes, the little ones", shout i. Couldn't find extinguisher, so grabbed a litre bottle of distilled water, tossed water on the flames.

Fire was extinguished quickly and ... oddly enough, no damage to engine or wiring. Must have caught it just in time.

But wait, there's more. While there was some nervousness on the rest of the journey to Bathurst (waiting for the other proverbial shoe to drop?), the shopping trip went well, no untoward incident. Wasn't until we arrived back at Andy's place that i noticed coolant pouring out of the radiator. Sprung a leak, by the look of it (but not as a result of the fire).  Oh well, there'll be another one at the wreckers, or dump, i guess (surprising, how much of my furniture comes from there)..

*Warning, this is a 'faked' pic, since everyone was too busy to think of cameras or videos. However, if Channel Nine "live news" can use "tricky images".. i can fake a retroperspective pic - but at least i admit it .. heh.

Rain, rain

There is an old song
"rain rain, go away
come again another day"

Um, must be of  british origin, or something. Not to worry. 'Twas my day to go into town to get the fortnight's supplies. Has been raining for the past three days - not the tropical 'downpour", just a sort of continuous drizzle.

 Decided not. (bit difficult to get vehicle out onto the "public" road. this place is not on the local council "high priority" list, most of us just sort of 'make do').

Have to admit that this place is sort of odd - am used to South Australia - rain stops in September.

Drove to the closest local "town" though. Dropped into the local Post office (where else can one get the local gossip? .. heh). They didn't stock "computer supplies" (was looking for a new keyboard - does anyone sell a keyboard that understands me shouting at it?) .. so didn't stay long; but did find out that the road to Bathurst was closed, flooding.

girls at play

still hangin' about

Have, of course, gone somewhat quiet since am attempting to save for a new set of tyres for the Holden wagon - somewhere in the region of $500.00.

This requires sitting still, spending little.

Always helps, I guess, if one is sitting still for a couple of weeks, spending little - in places such as these.

Drought ..

There are, of course, many images from NSW that I could choose.

(near Scone)

(near Sofala)

(Carcoar Dam, near Bathurst)

Drought is a relative term.

(near Leeton)

Have to say, though, that the relativities between South Australia and New South Wales .. are somewhat markedly different.

another quick update

There have, of course, been more than 1700 kilometres pass under the Diff. since I left Port Julia last year.

My loyal readers will, I hope, forgive me for not posting more regularly - but there have been a myriad of fascinating locations visited, dozens of characters encountered along the way who have, by and large, been friendly, helpful, and a pleasure to meet. Some have been a little more difficult to understand; but that, I guess, is what makes the world go round.

It would be a distinctly dull and dreary collection of human beings if everyone thought the same, dressed the same, behaved in the same way - and had very little to offer each other.

It has been a busy time, having to deal with trip planning and logistics on a teensy budget, so not a lot of time to sit, reflect, collate experiences; and write. This will happen; hopefully within the next few weeks.

Merry Xmess

(am glad I missed it)


Um, s'pose I'd better let yuz all know that am .. erm ..still alive and 'hangin' about'.

Ooo, lookee

[click pics fer biggeruns]

From the Maize Island campgrounds near Waikerie, I went through Renmark and up to the Mertho 'forest' floodplains, north of Paringa. (there is, as always, many, many words belonging to the 'back story' about that trip - and also about this area (was here in 1999 in a Toyota Coaster bus). Suffice it to say, was sitting minding my own business in the silence after sundown when I hear noises in the trees close by. There, silhouetted against the starlit sky was ..
Not only that - there were TWO of them. Methinks they are Brushtail possums .. and have never seen one in the wild before. Plenty of ringtail possums on Kangaroo Island, 50 years ago .. but never a brushtail.

Also, while am at it - echidnas.

While at the Burra Creek campground, also spotted one of these ..
Once again, first time that have seen one "in the wild" for 50 years.

(they're both on video)

Movin' right along

Just a quick update. The fires of last Thursday didn't really come all that close - in that I never saw any glow or flames on the horizon - but passing through Pine Point (12K up the road) on Friday, saw evidence that it had come right up to the back fence of the shop, caravan park, and also burnt a couple of the pine trees that border the road. If it had jumped the road, it would have got into the scrub surrounding the large group of shacks at Billygoat Flat .. so, congratulations to the Country Fire Services for containing it.

Packed up and pushed off from Port Julia at about 1pm on the Friday, but only moved about 50K over to the Maitland showgrounds, where they have HOT SHOWERS!!! and 240V power points, as well as water on tap. Only spent two nights there, though, as those little luxuries came at a price. $15-00/night.

Seemed a bit strange; $25-00/week at Port Julia, $30-00 for two nights at Maitland - so that sort of thing will have to be kept to a bare minimum.

Pushed off from Maitland at about midday on Sunday, and only intended to potter up to a freebie campsite at Kulpera about 50K away, as motor vehicle kept overheating - but YUK! Not much room, right next to main road. Sat there for a while waiting for engine to cool, trying to figure out where best to go next, and decided to check the oils. ERK! Tiny skerrick of auto transmission oil on tip of the dipstick. Peer under vehicle, see slow but steady drip from somewhere under engine. Um, think I; well, not much I can do about it here. Topped up the trans oil, and studied map. Decided to push on to Lochiel, but didn't hold much hope of anything there being open on a Sunday. It also occurred to me that Clare was only about 50K away so headed there. Filled up with autogas and bought some more trans oil ($41-00), and Hey, think I, Burra is just up the road. So, That's where I is. My favourite campground.

(pics from last year)

Was the only one here on the Sunday night. Absolute Bliss. "Personal space" must have something to do with early childhood. Some people - the 'majority', I guess - are born into, and brought up in 'family' situations in a city or 'town' environment and seem to be able to cope with living in close confines. Me, no way. Am always under stress in those situations. Even so, depends on population density, I guess. While in Brisbane some time ago, was in the the front bar of a pub having a chat with a guy from Japan. 'I feel uncomfortable in Australia', he says. 'Why', ask I. 'No people', he replies. I had a look out the front door and could see at least 20 people in the street, but having seen pics of the streets in Japan, sort of understood what he meant. Some people are 'socialised' into a 'personal space' of about 2ft. Me? .. have to have at least Five kilometres between me and the next person before I feel truly relaxed and comfortable.

Ran the front wheels of the wagon up onto a couple of rocks, yesterday, to have a look and see if I could find out where the trans oil was leaking, and found that the oil reservoir pan bolts had worked loose. All fixed.

A few more units turned up at the campground on the Monday, but there is plenty of space, so might stay here for a week or so. Don't expect any instant responses from this blog, though. Had to travel the 30 or so K into Burra for supplies and to post this. No internet where I am and, apart from the slough and sigh of the wind in the gumtrees, the trickle of the creek, the chirrup and chirp of birds, just blissful silence.

On the road again

Well, it's nice to know the gummint now think that am worth a few more dollars per fortnight. Had hung about 'til last Wednesday waiting until bank balance registered more than zero and, since was getting itchy feet again, had planned to push off into the unknown last Friday (yesterday?).

Had begun packing up and discarding excess detritus that tends to collect after lengthy sojourns but local events almost prompted an unscheduled and rapid departure. The weather had been unseasonably warm - first recorded November 'heatwave' .. six days over 35C .. and Thursday reached 42C at the campsite - when the fires began.

Weird weather, Thursday. Was hot, and the Northerlies came blasting in as precursor to a southerly change. Had to go into Port V for a few supplies mid-morning when I noticed smoke off to the west. Found out that there was a "dangerous and catastophic" bushfire near Curramulka - just 15 klm away over to the west (the bushfire warnings are a bit 'over-the-top' since the Victorian ones last year, but hey, whatever). Didn't pose a huge threat while the winds were northerly, but sort of scurried home as wasn't sure when the wind would go Sou'west.

Later in the afternoon the sky clouded over and then the lightning began. Weird stuff. Horizontal sparkles. Vertical slashes. Oddly, not much thunder. It really tried to rain but, apart from a few scattered drops, not much reached the ground. Apparently there were spot-fires all over the Peninsula, so the CFS had their work cut out, and couldn't concentrate resources on the one fire. Later in the afternoon, I noticed smoke near Pine Point, 10 klm to the north. Hoo boy.

At this point will have to say that the countryside around here is not similar to the disastrous Victorian bushfires last year. The terrain is mostly flat, vegetation - while tinder dry - is mostly crops or stubble, not much in the way of scrub and with many intersecting roads. Even so, with winds gusting to 90klm, it wouldn't have taken long to get to Port Julia.

Decided that discretion was the better part of valour, so pulled the annexe down, hitched the wagon to the van, and waited. Fortunately both nearby fires were contained by 10pm, so didn't have to make a hurried exit. Bittuva tense time, though.

Spent Friday morning repacking, and am now on the road again.

[I came into this world with nothing - and still have most of it]

Communications

Dunno about anyone else, but have been having enormous problems with Firefox of late. Suddenly doesn't remember any of my stored usernames or passwords - which became somewhat awkward, as had forgotten most of them myself, as well as not knowing where I'd written them down 3-4 years ago. Not only that, some of them were set up using an email address that no longer exists. Bit difficult when the "lost password" screen tells me "we'll send you a new password via email". Where to??

AVG "antivirus" kept popping up "warning" screens, but from what I can gather, there aren't any actual viruses, only "conflicts" with AVG and Firefox. Something to do with "sqlite" cookie. All very mystifying.

Have given Firefox the flick and gone to Google Chrome. Sad, really, have been using Firefox since my first computer in 2002, and never, never had a problem with it. Still think it (was) the bestest browser, so if they ever get themselves sorted, will return to it .. but as the old story goes .. once trust is lost, very difficult to get back again.

The other newsish is have installed Skype. Can now actually talk to people instead of battling away with two fingers on a keyboard. Not the most perfect way to make a phone call, as only works if am actually online and signed into Skype.

Had a situation last Friday when I wanted to discuss something urgentish with an office wallah in Perth. Sent him an email at 6.30am CST saying that I would be signed into Skype from 10.30am to 12 noon Central time. He sent an email back at 5pm saying 'oh, sorry, had a meeting and didn't see your email 'til now. Will be back in the office on Monday' .. sheesh.

Anyway, have yet to talk to a "real" person, so not sure how well it works. If anyone interested, send me an email, and will think about giving you my "Skype name" (am not going to put it here .. too many nutcases out there .. heh.).

bush engineering

Ah, I could say - never buy cheap. Have been having problems with this little pixie. If you look closely you'll see the "pull cord" starter thingo is a bit loose.

um, think i, must fix that. Took the housing off. Fiddled with it, the spring inside went SPROINNNGGGG!!!.

Several days later .. after i'd figured out how to rewind the spring; bolted it back on; something went loose and the flywheel sort of mangled the plastic bits - then the cord sort of broke and every effort to wrap bits of string around the vanes on the fly wheel to try and give it some sort of "kick start" failed, and many hours of expenditure curses failed to make it go "putt putt" and supply some sort of grunt for the laptop .. the problem has been solved by a bit of patience, ingenuity and bush engineering. Don't ask for the details.

On a brighter note, the Wagon has been delivered to the local "expert" to graft a secondhand auto transmission gearbox to a new "host" and should be delivered next Monday.

the genesis of stories

Storm warning .
I will start this story today, since the deadline for the southern Yorke peninsula writers group short story competition is August 14 and not all that far away.1500-2000 words. $5-00 entry fee – first prize $150-00.

Have no idea at this point how it will go, but need to begin – as the thoughts and info are of no use whatsoever if stored in my mind.

There are some words that strike an interesting mix of emotions in the heart of a boat skipper, changing sail while clinging to the plunging bow of a small sailboat in the dark of the night; the words floating forrard from the cockpit through scuds of rain and rising gusts of wind; 'Oy Skipper!”
“What?” the skipper shouts back.
“the tiller just broke!”

We were on a journey from Lakes Entrance in Victoria, northward to Brisbane, Queensland. It all began when I decided to take the boat from Westernport near Melbourne to attempt a circumnavigation of Australia. The boat wasn't new; a Roberts 32' ketch, hand-built in airex core glassfibre by a retired master mariner more used to ocean going cargo steamers than the subtleties of small wind-powered craft, but with the advantage that it was built with strength to survive and withstand anything that the vagaries, capriciousness, that the weather could throw at it - except, perhaps, the tiller – that vital physical lever that connects me with control over the direction of the vessel.

Not the first boat that I owned, nor the first time had been on the open ocean, but the first time I had ignored advice from coastguard regarding weather forecasts – or rather, had no real idea of what wind does to the seas of Bass Strait, and how they interact with the Southern ocean

HF conversation - “CG Loch Sport (repeated three times) this is (boat name).”
“This is CG Loch Sport responding”
“This is (boat name) departing Lakes Entrance,4 persons on board, bound for Eden, over.”
“Um, are you aware of the strong wind warning?”
“Yep. No problem. (boat name) out”
“This is CG Loch Sport. Best wishes. Out”

Am, basically, a soloist;single handed – but recognised that an ocean voyage of that magnitude needs assistance. Am not a machine, and occasionally need sleep – so advertised for three crew in a National 'Cruising sailor” magazine. Six people responded. Crew selection was an interesting exercise, but eventually distilled into – first choice was someone that I already knew. A stalwart, gentle person (let's call him Neil)– a known fighter – with one leg, the other amputated above the knee. He features later in this story.

Another impressed me by his reasons. Admitted to “know nothing about sailing”, and wanted to “gain experience” and “go to Queensland to buy a boat” (let's call him Toby); and the next – someone who convinced me that he knew “everything about Queensland waterways.” (Let's call him Bert). He also features with, perhaps - difficult results.







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