Pre March 2006 journal lost
Friday 3rd March 2006 - Day 371 - Paynesville
Friday 3rd March 2006 - Day 371 - Paynesville
Got off to a leisurely start after staying the night at Sally and Martin’s. Monday was my last day at Parks Victoria as my six weeks casual work was complete as they were unable to find the extra money to extend me for any further casual work. Sad to go again but it was really good to catch up with everyone again and also earn a bit of extra cash (which is already spent, unfortunately). Sally and Martin were really good and lent me their mini moke for the duration which I fell in love with and didn’t want to give back. Also Bob and Kay let me live in their little one bedroom unit below the main house for a minimal cost so, once again, good friends have helped me out. Sal and I left Bright just before 10am in Martin’s Tribute. First stop Harrietville, about 15 kms away (yes, I know, not far at all) where we just had to stop for coffee at the new café there. The next was a pit stop in Omeo, tried to stop in at the winery at Ensay but it only opens on the weekends but we had stopped for lunch at the tiny Swifts Creek Bakery. We eventually got to Paynesville around 4pm so the trip took us over 6 hours and not the normal 3.5 hours. Called Geoff and he let us in onto the jetty and we wandered up to 2AB. Gulp - parts of her are blue and not the aqua I expected. The paint chart matched up to the original paint, but in actuality, is much bluer. At least it is clean and fresh but it is even less of a match to the green canvas bimini as the original colour. We may have to paint the canvas navy with a canvas paint or get used to it! The strips along the hull look good as does the polish job. My cracked fibreglass in my wardrobe has mended well and Geoff has put a switch in my bedroom for my fan so it is easier to switch on and off now. The antifouling also has been done. Great. Sally went off visiting and then Russell, the sailmaker, arrived with our new Hood mainsail and they hoisted it up to ensure it was ok. By then Sally had returned so we headed off to pick up Wyn and Ann and then it was off to OzMex in Bairnsdale for a thank you dinner for them. Back to Wyn and Anne’s for after dinner drinks and to transfer the money over to the sailmaker. Back to 2AB and bed.
Saturday 4th March 2006 - Day 372 - Paynesville
Got up lateish and Geoff cooked scrambled eggs on toast. Sally met up with another friend and then headed off about noon and arrived home in reasonable time with only 2 stops, which was good for her apparently. Geoff and I decided to have a lazy day so we did. In the afternoon we cycled up to Wyn and Ann’s and then got a little bit of shopping on the way back.
Sunday, 5thMarch 2006 - Day 373 - Paynesville
Cup of coffee in bed, first for 8 weeks, nice. Bacon and eggs for brekkie. We thought we would have another lazy day but I did do a load of washing and the launderette here is free. AND the marina here is only a minimal cost. That’s because we are in Sally and Martin’s berth which they have bought a 12 year (?) lease on so we only have to pay the service fees. Later we visited Chris on Penrod. We had originally met Chris and Denise (well, Denise really) at Gloucester Passage when they were sailing in ‘Hakunamatata’. Chris later bought ‘Penrod’ a 47 foot Alan Payne ketch at Mooloolaba. They then sailed ‘Penrod’ back to their home port of Paynesville and then went back up for ‘Hakunamata’ which Denise now has for racing and Chris lives on Penrod. Apart from that, we didn’t do much. Dinner, TV and bed.
Monday, 6thMarch 2006 - Day 374 - Paynesville
Well, I have to pull my finger out today so no more lazing around. Tidied up the cupboards, cleaned the bathroom, scrubbed the back deck. Geoff was busy moving the TV antenna wires etc as I had suggested we move the computer. Not as easy as I thought so poor Geoff has a days work ahead of him because of my suggestion. 2AB is looking a little bit more ship shape. I have measured up for curtains as I want to change over to a more greener colour. We are going into Bairnsdale tomorrow by bus as we need to do some shopping. We both need new mattresses so we are going to see what is around. Russell, the sailmaker, came around 6pm and measured up for the new mainsail cover which we are getting in navy to match the blue of the boat better. The bimini canvas is getting thin in some places so it will be good if we can find some canvas paint in navy. Geoff is still trying to talk me into going to Tassie but I’m not keen. Hm! Watched the news, had tea and trounced Geoff at Scrabble. Has he got rusty whilst I’ve been away?
Tuesday, 7th March 2006 - Day 375 - Paynesville
Dull, grey and cold day but it started like this yesterday. Up at 08:00 am, shower and ready to cycle to the bus stop. The trip to the bus took under 10 minutes and then we were off to Bairnsdale. We had a huge list and on top of the list were the new mattresses. One bedding shop was really helpful and said that apart from buying latex at $2500 per bed we would be better off trying to buy seating foam and not bedding foam as it was denser and would last longer. We were also trying to buy two narrow singles to make into a double bed for ease of getting them in and out of the bedrooms and for turning and airing. We found them at Clarke
Rubber in the shape of a divan cum double bed. Two different colours but once they have sheets on you won’t notice. Then off to buy curtain material, cane basket, carpet for the head, new apron, new shoes, chopping boards, canisters, anti slip matting, tool accessories for Geoff, post letters and go to Medicare plus plenty of things I forgot to mention. We also spotted Sarah from ‘Baybird’ and stopped for a quick natter. They are heading north again in a few weeks time. We then caught the 2:45 pm bus back to Paynesville. Then the fun began as we balanced all our goodies (not the mattresses) on the bikes for a precarious ride back to 2AB. Nice Dark&Stormy and feet up for a rest. Then Geoff was up on the cabin top still
working on modifying his sail slides. Then he wonders why he gets tired! I sewed the tags onto the new hand towels and then got tea ready. There are gales forecast for this area so that should be fun! It is quite blowy already. TV, tea and bed.
Wednesday , 8thMarch 2006 - Day 376 - Paynesville
Up at 08:00 and a grey day to start with but it became sunny later. Geoff spent the day fibre glassing the crack that we did when we were at Magnetic Island. I spent virtually the whole day taking off the front deck hatches in preparation for painting the front deck. There were a few that I just didn’t have the strength to undo on my own and even Geoff had to cut some screws through. I got a little colour from the sun whilst I was doing all this. I then started to cover the swim tubes in the same fabric as the saloon covers. The swim tubes are used to fill in the space where the seat cushions and the seat backs don’t quite meet. Cooked a nice Japanese Curry for tea. Later, Alli rang and said she was in Bairnsdale and didn’t realise I was back in Paynesville as she would have come for a visit. Quite blowy and cold today.
Thursday, 9th March 2006 - Day 377 - Paynesville
Up at 08:00 again - why? Finished covering the swim tubes whilst Geoff painted the davits which he had cleaned of corrosion. I cleaned all the rust off of the latches I had taken off the day before. Geoff prepared the front deck ready for painting. It was then midday so we hurriedly made a pattern for the back deck seat cushions which Clark Rubber were going to cut to shape from yoga mats. By this time it was approaching 01:00 pm and we met Wyn and Ann for the trip to Bairnsdale. Wyn dropped us off at Clarke Rubber to drop in the seat patterns then off to the camping store to pick up 2 Coleman folding chairs (they have a 3 year warranty and I am always breaking the cheap ones). Alas, they only had one so it is mine! Geoff picked up the Waeco 240/12 volt adaptor for the fridge and then the Blue Tooth mouse. Looked for an outdoor speaker but none were available. Back to Clarke Rubber to pick up the bed mattresses and seat cushions and meet up with Wyn and load them all onto the trailer. Got some meat and back to 2AB. Geoff received a call from the specialist saying that his CT scan was ok so that is a relief. Back at 2AB I had a wonderful time cutting up my old mattress ready for the dump master and then fitting in the 2 separate mattresses. They don’t fit exactly but I have kept a strip of the old foam mattress to put at the base of the bed. They feel very comfy. Geoff fitted the painted davits and then bolted them back into place. I was off for a shower. Whilst I was away Mich rang and said she was going to try to make it down over the weekend so I will keep my fingers crossed. It is over a year since I saw her last. Dinner at the Motor Cruiser Club with Wyn and Anne and it was very yum indeed. Quick wander back to 2AB for coffee and then bed on my new mattress. Oh—forgot to say that we have pairs of swans (black Aussie ones) come to visit each day. They come to say hello - no they don’t - all they want is food!
Friday, 10th March 2006 - Day 378 - Paynesville
Bed was good but I still had a restless night for some reason. Maybe I ate too much last night. Washed the linen plus some clothes and cleaned the cooker. Mich rang and said she was coming on Saturday - Rippa! She will be here at 09:00 and leave Sunday early I wonder if I have won the $22,000,000 on Powerball? I would be so lucky but a little would be nice. Nope - as usual, terrible numbers. Headed off on my pushbike to the shops and filled the backpack. Boy is it heavy, or what? Stopped off at the craft shop and bought a couple of things and then stop at the hardware store and pick up 2 litres of deck paint - more weight - then back to 2AB and make lunch. Then a big clean job. Washed all the interior painted surfaces and checked what food supplies we still have left. Geoff spent the day painting mostly and fixing up his new bed. Then he cleaned up his working mess on the back deck and I vacced. We are now ready, more or less, for Mich tomorrow. It was then head off on our trusty steads to Wyn and Ann’s for dinner. After dinner I made some very lengthy phone calls to my dad and sisters. Glynn has ripped out the insides (well dad did) of her narrow boat, Humbug ready for renovating. She’s already made the curtains and is doing what she can but the galley cupboards don’t come for another 5 weeks yet. Back to 2AB and bed. I was reading about 11:00 pm when we heard a boat approaching the outer berth, which was empty for a while. It was Wade and Chris on their cat ‘Medina’ who had come to use the power for a few hours.
Saturday, 11th March 2006 - Day 379 - Paynesville
Up at 08:00 and no stirring on ‘Medina’ who had threatened to wash their boat down at 7 am in the morning. Mich rang to see if we wanted anything picked up in Bairnsdale. 30 minutes later and she’s here fully laden. Hugs all round for Geoff and I and then hugs for Chris and Wade too. Chris had been having a big moan about the state that Wade had left ‘Medina’ in. Wade was in the dog house for not washing her down when he put her back in the water after having her in the shipyard. AND, she was very dirty and it was hard to get off after being baked on by the sun. Plus the birds had been using her as their own private loo! ‘Medina’ headed off at midday and we followed about 30 minutes later. This berth is very tight to get in and out off. We motored past Raymond Island and once out of McMillan’s Strait we hoisted the sails. unfortunately, the mainsail looks like it may be catching on the back stay. Wade radioed to say they had caught up with their other friends and were sailing to Waddy Point to anchor overnight and were just passing us going the other way. We looked and so they were. Geoff decided to tack and follow them to see if we could catch them up and maybe even overtake them with the new main. We were averaging over 6 knots and, lo and behold, we actually overtook them. It was a good opportunity for a photo shoot so, hopefully, Wade has got some good shots of 2AB. We were shooting into the sun so ours of Medina were not so good. We then tacked again (not very well) and headed on up into Lake Victoria and had a good sail. Geoff is very pleased with the new sail and says he feels the boat is balanced better. The wind was around 15 knots and it certainly had a bite to it and was definitely ‘jacket’ weather. Then back to our berth. We docked after 4 attempts (boy, is it tight) and the wind was catching us each time but we made it. Michelle kissed the ground in thanks of making it safely back - only kidding - she’s made of sterner stuff than that. Cuppa, then Mich and I went off for a bike ride into Paynesville for a bit of exercise, Mich on Geoff’s bike. Back to 2AB for pre dinner drinks and nibbles. BBQ, T-Bone steaks, curtesy of Mich, which were very tasty and tender. I, of course, drank too much for me so was feeling a bit tiddly. Mich decided to sleep on the back deck on a yoga mat and her thermarest mattress so we put up the side clear to keep the dew off her and she was sound asleep in minutes. Wish I could do that! Geoff and I had a game of scrabble and he beat me right at the last minute. Bumma.
Sunday, 12thMarch 2006 - Day 380 - Paynesville
Mich said she slept really well although she was disappointed she went to sleep so quickly as she wanted to lay there and gaze at the stars. She got really excited yesterday when she saw a Sea Eagle which we just took for granted. Are we getting a little bit blasé? She left at 9 am and then we had bacon and eggs for brekkie - yum. Wyn arrived at 10:40 in his motor boat (cuddy cab) and it was a big step down into it and we were off. The first tour was up the canals and we actually passed my ex boss, Chris, Helen and family who were also going out for the day in their 5.4 metre motor boat. The houses on the canals were large and looked very expensive and then we were into the new canal system that had just been completed with blocks of land for sale around the $450,000 mark. Yep - I think we will have 10 of those! Then off round the back of Raymond Island where Geoff took over for a bit of a ’hoon’ around. For myself, not so keen on the speed as I’m used to doing 10 knots max. It is also hard on your back when you cross another fast moving boats wake. We stopped at Sperm Whale Head for a BBQ lunch. The national park facilities were very good but Geoff was going to put in a suggestion for hammocks so you can sleep off an excessive lunch. Ann was the skipper on the way back so a nice girly pace was had. It was a hot day so 2AB was very warm when we got back so we opened all the hatches to cool her off. Fan on, Geoff snoozing, Maz snoozing. After our little snooze we went up on the front deck and I masked up all the edges whilst Geoff started the painting of the first coat. We started at 04:30 pm (when it had cooled off a tad) and finished at 07:00 pm in time for the ABC news. It was a very nice night so after dinner we sat on the back deck in the moonlight relaxing. Whilst we were out there we heard some very loud splashes and blowing so Geoff got the large torch and saw it was a dolphin just having fun. He was propelling himself straight up out of the water, just as you see them do in Sea World. Magnificent. Also, earlier in the day Sally had rung. Whilst I was talking to her on the phone a swan glided by with 2 cygnets safely and snugly ensconced on her back. I was enthralled as I don’t think I had ever seen this before.
Monday, 13th March 2006 - Labour Day - Day 381 - Paynesville
Overcast, grey, cool and now raining. Wyn picked us up at 10ish and we went to their place. Geoff fitted a new power point to Ann’s island bench whilst Anne helped me (she did the sewing, mind you) make the new curtains. Found the lady in Spotlight had only given me 3 metres of the curtain material and 5 metres of the black poplin so I will now have to get nother 2 metres next time I go into Bairnsdale. Blast, so we did curtains for the big bedroom windows and the side bedroom windows and the head window. Geoff had decided that the curtains would look better from the outside if they had a black backing, hence the black
poplin. They would also make the bedrooms darker for those Qld sun rises of 04:00 am. I will finish the others off another day. After lunch it was back to 2AB. Add a bit of Velcro to some of the curtains and then hang them up. They look good but they certainly darken the bedrooms up. Whilst at Wyn’s I paid my 2004/05 income tax which hurt. We also received an email from Eric de Carheil who we knew in Bright who is looking to crew for yachties during the Victoria winter to see if he likes it/can hack it/doesn’t get seasick. Told him he was welcome on 2AB for a couple for weeks and that I would also keep my ear to the ground
for any crewing opportunities. Picked up Wyn and Anne (we had their car) and headed into the RSL in Bairnsdale for there “2 for the price of 1” Monday special. But, due to the fact it was a public holiday, it wasn’t on. Never mind. On the way back we stopped at McDonald’s and picked up the $1 soft serve ice cream with a flake. Geoff finished reading my last journal to the 12th Jan, he’s a bit behind with it.
Tuesday, 14th March 2006 - Day 382 - Paynesville
Up at 08:00 and Geoff raised the curtain wires for my side window as it didn’t fit properly. Wyn came at 10 am and we took off for Traralgon to get the printer fixed under warranty. From there the day went downhill. Wyn dropped us off at the Canon dealership and then went on to Pakenham to pick up his grandkids. We left the printer with the dealer. We hadn’t been gone long when he rang and said Canon wouldn’t repair it under warranty even though they had told us they would. We rang Canon but to no avail. We were pretty annoyed by now as we wouldn’t have wasted the whole day if we knew this was going to happen. The dealer said it would cost us $137 if we wanted a new print head put in with no guarantees it would fix it. Our model has also been superseded so it means we are up for over $400 for a new one. Got back about 04:30 pm and Geoff decided to put the 2nd coat of paint on the front deck, even though it looked a bit like rain. It looked patchy but Geoff is hoping it will be ok when it dries. He looked later and it looked fine so he peeled all the masking tape off before it stuck for good.
Wednesday, 15th March 2006 - Day 383 - Paynesville
Up at 08:00 am. Geoff washed off the side decks. Brekky. A text from Glynn saying dad had sent some emails with photos of Humbug, her boat. Wyn picked me up around 10 am and Wyn and I headed off into Bairnsdale, once again, where I picked up more curtain material and a few supplies. Wyn dropped me off at the jetty and then I realised I didn’t have my jetty key so rang Geoff. Geoff was round at the slip yard visiting Sarah from ‘Baybird’ who was helping her friend to prepare his boat ‘Malcolm L’for antifouling. It wasn’t far so I wandered over, signed in at the office, picked up my trendy orange vest and had a quick visit with Sarah. We didn’t hold her up long as we knew how much per day it is to have your boat up on the hard and every precious moment costs you money. Sue and Arno rang during this time and said they would be visiting their son, Aarron, in Bairnsdale tomorrow and they were all coming for a visit. Wandered back to 2AB, put a load of washing in. Geoff painted my bike mudguard and fitted it back on. He had taken it to the panel beaters as I dented it badly when I fell off at Airlie when I ran over that “B” snake. The panel beaters thought it was such a good story that they didn’t charge for it. Nice! Wyn, Anne, Kate and Alex (grandkids) went by in their motor boat ‘Jannanie’. They were taking the kids out to have fun on the biscuit which is a large round blow up thingy that gets towed behind the boat. Finally got round to doing my bank reconciliation and typed up my journal. After dinner we watched the Opening Ceremony for the Commonwealth Games. It was strange but quite interesting.
Thursday, 16th March 2006 - Day 384 - Paynesville
Good start to the day as I dropped a whole cup of coffee over my saloon seat. So, a big clean up before the day had really started. Had a shower and then Wyn picked me up (it was raining) and I put my bike in the boot. Anne helped me finish the rest of my curtains (I cut and pinned and she did the sewing). I have enough material left over to make curtains for the back windows if I ever so desire. By then the sun had decided to pop its head out for a little while so I was able to cycle back to 2AB. I wanted to ride as it is sometimes the only exercise you get. Once back to 2AB it then took over 90 minutes to sew all the rings back onto the galley curtains. Glad that all the others are on wires or clip type rings. Now they are all up and look good. Now I just need two more double bed size doona covers! ! ! What’s that? I hear Geoff saying. Then we just had time to do a tad of tidying up before Sue, Arno and Aarron were to arrive. Geoff had made a mess as he had just made another small shelf for his bedroom. He couldn’t work outside as it had been raining, on and off, all day. Sue, Arno and Aarron arrived about 3:30 pm with a fattening sponge cake so we sat on the back deck with cake and coffee. There were heaps of bait fish in the water. Some of them were jumping and skimming the surface so there was probably a predator chasing them. About 6:00 pm we headed off to Paynesville proper and had a couple of wines and a cheese platter at the wine bar then on to the fish and chip shop to get takeaway fish and chips to eat back at 2AB. Geoff showed Aarron some of the videos and photos of our trip then Arno and Aarron sat on the jetty in our folding chairs having a cigar each and doing the ‘father and son’ thing. They departed around 10:30 pm and we walked them to their car. By this time it was quite cold, showery and blowy.
Friday, 17th March, Day 385 - Paynesville
Up late at 9:00 am. A sensible time to arise. It was very blowy during the night and early in the morning I put out one of the flat fenders as we were rubbing against our rubbing strip and making a bad mark. Had a lot of washing up to do from the night before as I was too slack to do it then. Typed up the rest of my journal in preparation to send it off. All I need is the sun to come out so Geoff can take some shots to make up the panorama shot for the journal banner. It was still windy and I had to go into Paynesville to the post office by bike and knew I would have a head wind most, which I did. I certainly used all my 6 gears to get there. Stopped off at the Op Shop on the way to see if they had a beater for the Dremel tool and ran into Mandy Munro from Buffalo House, Porepunkah there. She and her daughter were staying with friends on Raymond Island for a few days. On to the post office to pay bills, pick up & send mail and then to IGA for a few provisions. Stop off at the hardware to pick up some white paint and then back to 2AB with the wind behind me. Nice! Got back to 2AB and Geoff was painting the back transom steps and the boom traveller
area. Wyn and Ann came by for a quick visit for afternoon teas and then Russell arrived with the altered mainsail. Alas, it still needs a little taken off but the sail cover looks great but one strap needs to be longer. Geoff made up a beater for the Dremel tool and we tested it out by making a carrot cake. Works well-ish once I have got the hang of it. Whilst the cake and dinner was cooking I went to Wynn's to transfer some money to pay for the sail bag plus send my journal. Rode back and dinner was 30 minutes away so all I had to do was put the vegies on. Russell arrived back with the altered main sail which we will hoist up tomorrow.
Watched the Gymnastics in the Commonwealth Games which I always find very interesting.
Saturday, 18th March 2006, Day 386 - Paynesville
Wade came over to use the grinder and also brought over some photos of 2ABreast under full sail from the Labour Day weekend. His friend also took a photo of Medina and 2AB side by side which we thought was quite nice. We’re the one on the right! We then hoisted the main sail and it is still catching a tad on the top batten but Geoff thinks he may be able to fix it. Wyn, Steve (Wyn’s son) and Graeme (Steve’s father in law) went past on Janannie on their way on their fishing trip. I then cycled around to Wade on ‘Medina’ and borrowed his car and went off on my own to Bairnsdale. Look around the shops to my hearts desire. Managed to pick up a new speaker for the back deck, a new bag and do a big shop at Coles. Spent 4 hours away. Back to 2AB and the normal push and shove to fit everything in. Whilst I was away Geoff had continued painting the back transom steps. When he saw I had got the speaker everything stopped whilst he fitted it in. He sprayed it with a varnish and put it in a plastic bag before fitting it to see if it lasted longer. There was no difference to the sound quality. Wyn, Steve and Graeme stopped off on their way back and Steve had a quick look over 2AB. By this time we were ready to go and pick up Wade and pick up my bike and off to the pizza shop. A good pizza at a good price. Back to 2AB for nightcaps and a game of Scrabble. Geoff won, Wade 2nd and me a dismal last! Tch Tch!
Monday 20thMarch 2006, Day 388 - Paynesville
Not sure about my new mattress as I’ve been waking up with a bad back. Hmm may have to have a rethink. It is a very still morning this morning and it looks like it is going to be a nice day. It’s 8:30 and I’m up but Geoff is still rotting in bed. Cyclone Larry looked bad on the news last night and we have heard it hit today at Innisfail at 290 kms an hour. Not good. Did a load of washing and cleaned the last six stanchions that needed doing. We tried some lateral thinking on how we can make up a fly screen easily for the saloon door but we don’t think it will be easy. Decided to look for a mozi net that fits a four poster bed that has 4 corners and not a round hanging loop. Then we can attach it to the back deck corners and sit outside when in a mozi or sand fly area. We can but try it. I was just about to start dinner when we heard an “Ahoy” and it was Eric, Sue, Jordan and Gabrielle from Bright in their small motor boat. They came on board and we showed them some of the videos. Eric had already looked at our photos on the yahoo photo site. They left at 8 pm after agreeing to come sailing with us tomorrow afternoon. Geoff then cycled up to Russell to get the sail cover straps lengthened which didn't take long at all. Then a light tea, changed my bed around a bit and watched the Games.
Tuesday, 21st March 2006, Day 389 - Paynesville
Woke late and didn’t get up till 9:30. The bed was certainly a lot better. Did some tidying up and vacuuming. Eric and family popped by and we arranged to meet around 1 pm. We then cleaned up the back deck and put all the paint, brushes, rags and sundry on the dock to get it out from under everyone’s feet. Eric and family arrived just after 1 pm and we cast off shortly after and headed off into Lake King. The wind was a consistent 15—20 knots and the sailing was very good with speeds of up to 8 knots plus most of the time. Geoff and Eric worked at perfecting the tacks and Geoff now thinks he has got the hang of it better. Hopefully, no more going into irons (at least not too much). We are really pleased with the new main sail. Hopefully it is this sail that is giving us the greater speeds and is not just the lakes environment. The Gippsland Lakes are an ideal place for pure sailing fun because they are large with plenty of space in calm (mostly) waters with no swell and afternoon winds. An ideal cruising ground with beautiful areas to anchor. We anchored for a while at Dawson's Bay after sailing all the way around Raymond Island. After drinks and nibbles we motored back through McMillan Strait to our berth because it was such a short distance in busy, crowded waters. It is school holidays here in Victoria due to the Commonwealth Games so it is busier than normal. We got back around 5:30 pm and managed to dock first time. Well done Geoff. Relaxed for a while and watched the news and then went off to meet the de Carheil family at the Motor Cruiser Club for dinner which Eric treated us to. Nice! Back to 2AB to see if the computer had recorded the TV program we wanted to see and it had. It was much easier to program than a DVD/VCR! Bed latish.
Wednesday, 22nd March 2006 - Paynesville
What a lovely day today. As usual, in the mornings, the lake is like glass with the winds normally punching in around lunch time. Looking out from the back deck across to the houses with the private jetties we can see an older motor cruiser with a distinct lean to port. Definitely sinking! I hope someone notifies the owners. We are sure it wasn’t like that yesterday. Geoff has fixed my wardrobe hanging rod that collapsed yesterday. It probably collapsed because I have all my clothes hanging from it as I use my other bedroom cupboards
for food storage. I like to keep a good supply of food on board so we can stay out of marinas as much as possible. Geoff has now finished Sally and Martin’s website and now it only needs loading on to the web. Rang Sally for a chat. Bad news, one of the dear friends has got cancer and only has 2—6 months to live. Both Sally and Martin are very upset, of course. Their friend had only just retired 3 days earlier. It makes you glad you took the plunge and sailed away as you never know what life has in store for you. About 12:30 we cycled up to Wyn and Ann’s to use the internet. Laura (my niece) had sent some photos of Glynn’s narrow boat ‘Humbug’. It looks really neat. I just had to include a photo. Say hi if you are ever passing ‘Humbug’ on Slough Arm of the Grand Union Canal in Bucks, UK! Say Maz sent you! Also received emails from friends John Grupetta and Graeme Drew and photo of Susan and her baby. I tried to upload some new photos into yahoo photos but Wynn's connection was too slow as he is only on dial up. Will have to wait till later. By this time it was gone 3:30 pm and I was getting hungry so cycled back to 2AB for a bite of late lunch. Geoff gave the back tables/panels a top coat of gloss paint as he had routed the edges which we will paint the same blue as the anti slip parts of the boat. After tea I took my folding chair up onto the
dock and sat under the starlit sky and gazed out over the still lake and watched the black swans glide serenely past on their way home. Scrabble and bed.
Thursday, 23rd March 2006 - Day 391 - Paynesville
Very foggy early but slowly clearing by 9:30. Wade rang to see if we needed anything as they were coming up to ‘Medina’ for the weekend. Geoff changed the oil and filter plus the secondary filter on the port engine and then it took ages to get the fuel through for the engine to start. An hour later and hooray, it started. By this time it was which time to meet Wyn and Ann and head into Bairnsdale. Ann had a physio appointment which she thought was at 1:30 pm but when she looked on the card it was 10:30 am so she missed it. Bought a mozzie net for the back deck and then did our final (hopefully) buy up of supplies. We will be heading off ASAP when the weather is right but the next four days don’t look hopeful. Back to 2AB for afternoon tea. Then Geoff changed the oil and filter on the starboard engine but didn't need to change the fuel filter, so no problems starting the engine. I hung up the mozzie net and it looks fine with some minor alterations. I then tried out the new stove top coffee percolator and yum, it’s nice to have nice coffee again. I hate plunger coffee—bleh! Alli sent a text and said she may catch up on Monday if we are still here. Dinner and scrabble AND HE WON!
Friday, 24th March 2006 - Day 392 - Paynesville
Up late and a nice autumn day again. I painted the first coat of the routed edges of the back panels. What a fiddly job and I haven’t done it very well. Had lunch and Geoff went to pick up the wet area laminex to box in the holding tank and make a dirty washing box over it. He started installing it whilst I rode up to Wyn and Ann’s and what a ride it was as the wind was so bad. I was in first gear most of the way. I took the mozzie net up to fix the Velcro. I had thought it would be a relatively easy job but it took over four hours. Thanks Ann! I only had to stick on the Velcro as Ann thought it would be better stitched. Trouble was that the glue backing kept gumming up the machine needle and the Velcro kept catching on the netting. Bet she will be glad to see the back of me. Plus a few seconds of inattention and Christy, their German Shorthaired Pointer pup, decided to play with it so we have a few holes to fix as well. At 6pm I headed back to 2AB and the wind was worse and I had a big job to cycle back. At one point I thought I would have to get off and push. Got back eventually and Geoff has really got on with the bin but he has a sore throat so thinks he may have caught Wynn's cold. After tea he went for a lie down. Whilst I was up at Wynn's I searched the web for canvas paint and found one of the horse suppliers can supply a Dry Seal water proofing that can be tinted with oil based dyes. So it can be done. Also found a site that says that you can use Acrylic art paint. We will see and I can also test it out on a canvas scrap. We have a couple of canvas hatch covers that we don’t use overly much that we can ruin if needs be.
Saturday, 25thMarch 2006 - Day 393 - Paynesville
Nice day again and calm and still at present. Wade and Chris turned up this morning around 8:30 am. They didn’t come last night as they had wrapped some ropes around the propeller so had to stay where they were until this morning when Wade dived in and got them free. See - we’re not the only ones who do it! Luckily, not as much as we used to, touch wood! They came on board for morning tea and then I headed off for a hair appointment. Got back and hung up the mozzie net to see how it was and what still needed doing. Had
lunch, a yummy French stick, then I put on the second coat of the routed edge of the back panels. I taped them up this time and it made it seem easier to paint. All this time Geoff had been working on the washing bin in the wet area. It’s taking quite a while but he always like to do a job properly. It’s now nearly 6pm and he’s still going. I think he is nearly there but it has taken him at least a day and a half, if not more, to get it finished. But it really finishes the wet area off now. Meanwhile, I’m not sure what to do with myself as I don’t want to get in the way and there are tools and mess everywhere. I went and cleaned all the Perspex clears, doors and windows etc to keep out of the way. Took photos and made coffee and cleaned. But there is only so much cleaning you can do before you really get sick of it. Oh, Geoff has just remembered to tell me that the marine shop told him that there is a cold start for the engines when we are in colder climes such as Victoria. You put the engine into gear with the button pushed in so it stays in neutral. You then pull the engine stop up then down. Then you turn the key and start the engine and Brrrrrm! Straight away. Rippa - its handy tips like this that make life easier. The starboard engine has been very slow to start the more south we got, but now - great! But Geoff has also seen that the port engine mount is cracked so we have to order another at over $200. It never stops, does it? Ah well, that’s yachting. Wyn then picked us up and we went up their place for a BBQ with Anita, Phil, Laura and Ari. Good night and good company.
Sunday, 26th March 2006 - Day 394 - Paynesville
Up late and Geoff’s cold is getting worse. I put two large loads of washing in then Wyn and Ann (no e on the end of Ann I have been told—tch tch) picked us up in ‘Janannie’ and we headed off to The Grange and then walked to the Ninety Mile Beach. We took Christy with us and she had a ball although she is not keen on the power boat section of the trip. Back to 2AB and pick up the mozzie net and back to Ann’s to put the final touches to it. Not so difficult (for Ann) this time. I just keep her company and do whatever she tells me. She has put tape all around the bottom hem so it should be easier for me when I put the curtain weights on to hold it in place. Back to 2AB and put the washing in the dryer. Chris and Wade were there having afternoon tea and I managed to grab the last cinnamon donut. It was good as we were able to say a final goodbye for this season (hopefully) before we see them again. We are hoping to head north as soon as the winds let us. Grab the washing and fold it and put on clean trousers and then off to the RSL in Bairnsdale for the 2 for 1 buffet. Good feed for the two of us for $12.90. Back to their place to send emails, check the Bureau of Meteorology and watch the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games. I only gave it 6/10. The Indian segment was good. Back to 2AB where we had to make the beds with the clean linen before we could go to bed.
Monday, 27th March 2006 - Day 395 - Paynesville
Geoff ordered the engine mount as it looks like we will be here a few days yet. Geoff’s cold is definitely getting worse. You don’t seem to pick up anything when you are cruising! After a shower I headed off on my trusty steed to Paynesville post office, chemist and Foodworks stopping at the Folk Art shop en route to pick up some acrylic paint to test the canvas and paint the lampshade that has rust spot coming through. After lunch I put 2 coats of paint on the lampshade and Geoff put one coat of navy on the bathroom canvas cover that we don’t use. They are both a bit patchy and we may have to thin the paint down next time. I then cleaned the fridge and relaxed. Geoff was on the computer eating mints when he lost the filling out of one of his upper molars so we now have to try to find a dentist. I don’t hold out much hope of getting in on such short notice. Listened to the weather on Telstra Seaphone and, of course, the weather forecast has changed and we could have left for Eden today after all but it is too late now as we have to wait for the engine mount to come in, hopefully, tomorrow. Dinner, watched TV and bed.
Tuesday, 28thMarch 2006 - Day 396 - Paynesville
Rained overnight and it is drizzly, grey and colder today. I rang around trying to get Geoff into a dentist but to no avail. They will ring if they have a cancellation. Geoff varnished the washing bin again as he wasn’t happy with the results. I typed up my journal and Geoff started to sort out the digital photos on the laptop as they were getting in quite a mess. He then handed the job over to me and went off to pick up the engine mount. When he came back with it he was initially disappointed as he thought he had found a second hand one in the Boat Pieces chandlery for $10 but found it wasn’t quite the same but would do as a spare. So he wasn’t too upset after all. He is now in the process of replacing the old cracked one and I have just finished sorting the photos and just about to cook up some dinners to freeze for when we eventually get going on the passage to Eden. Which I Have now done – 4 serves of Chicken Curry and 4 serves of Beef Goulash. All now in the freezer except for 2 serves of the curry which we will eat tonight. After Geoff finished installing the engine mount we had dinner and watched the news. The news stated that there were 8 metres waves in Sydney from the effects of Cyclone Larry and the weather doesn’t look good for us leaving in the near future either. Bed very late as we stayed up till 11:45 watching the Nelson Mandela story on SBS.
Wednesday, 29th March 2006 - Day 397 - Paynesville
Nice day and we didn’t wake up till after 9:00 am. The dentist rang with a cancellation for 8:30 tomorrow morning so Wyn has said we could borrow the car. As the weather is still no good we will continue to do small jobs on the boat. The Gippsland Lakes is a nice area to get stuck in. Anyway, as we are still here Geoff has taken the front bimini cover up from above the helm station area. He has sealed a few leaks and scrubbed it down in readiness to paint with the Squall Blue. I’ve helped him a bit and done the phone claim for my diesel energy credits for generating power. I’ve also lazed about, done crosswords and jumped to it when required. Another job Geoff has done is backed up all of our digital photos and videos etc. Whilst he was doing this they came and pumped out the water from the motor cruiser that was listing to port on the jetty opposite us and towed it away. Wyn, Ann and Christy turned up for afternoon tea and came with yummy cakes. Geoff continued with his painting above the helm station area which I had masked up for him. It’s looking good! Whilst the bimini was off he also cleaned all the stainless steel supports. Dinner, scrabble and bed.
Thursday, 30th March 2006 - Day 398 - Paynesville
Up at 7:00 and shower and coffee then meet up with Wyn who brought the car. We dropped him back at his place and then we were off to Bairnsdale. I dropped Geoff off at the dentist which was opposite the old DSE/Parks office in Service Street. I then went and filled up with fuel and drove through to pick up a bacon and egg McMuffin for brekkie. Parked outside the dentist and ate my brekkie and drank my coffee and then Geoff came out a few minutes later $157 poorer. He said the dentist was very good even if he did have an unpronounceable Indian name. The other dentist there was, .apparently, a yachtie and had taken of for Tassie the other day but turned back after 3 days as the seas were so rough so I’m glad we’re not going. Off to Sale, 60 kms away. Found a LeadingEdge store that actually had a Canon iP90 in stock which we got for just over $400 plus we bought and extra 2 years extended warranty. We then also found a good paint store that had canvas paint in stock that could be tinted to the colour you wanted. So we have got that as well. Feel like showing it to the guy in the paint store in Bairnsdale who said there was no such thing. After lunch we headed back to 2AB where Geoff started installing the printer drivers etc on the laptop. Once completed I printed out new spare sheets for my Ships log, radio log and weather. The guy on the motor cruiser opposite us also told us that the weather dept at the RAAF base in Sale was quite happy to supply a really good weather forecast for boaties. We will ring them in the next few days. It doesn’t look like the weather is any good up till at least Sunday if not beyond Warning - Warning - Don’t try to save money by buying generic home brand coffee. The Farmland one is disgusting!!! Light tea, Scrabble and bed.
Friday, 31st March 2006 - Day 399 - Paynesville
Up late. Geoff put the new print head from the new printer into the old printer to check it and we still have the same error message. So this means it is not the print head that is faulty but probably the main board. So this means the BS that Canon gave us saying the print head would have gone because we didn’t use it enough was just that, BS. We have sent the old one back to them with a letter of complaint and see what happens. Probably nothing. We decided to cycle into Paynesville to send it off and have a coffee whilst we were there. Grabbed some books from the Op Shop (good value - 5 books for $2.50) and then I went to get back on my bike and my ankle gave out on me (as it does - its genetic we think as my sister Glynn’s does the same thing) and, splut down I went again. Boy, does it annoy me and embarrass me. I hobbled over to the bakery and drowned my sorrows with a drink and an apple scroll. Bought a few bits and pieces and back to 2AB where I put a small load of washing in and cleaned the galley and head area. Geoff cleaned the vinyl condom that covers the tender and painted the side seat surround white in preparation of painting the non slip area the Squall Blue. It is now very windy with a gale warning current for this area. Ann rang and offered us a bed for the next few days if it gets bad, which was nice. We are up there for roast tonight.
Sunday 19th March 2006, Day 387 - Paynesville
No bacon and eggs today as we didn’t get round to it as we started doing odd jobs. I winched Geoff up the mast to have a look at how he was hoping to fit the new LED anchor light he had made. Found the tri coloured light up there is cracked so will have to be replaced at some time. It never ends! I hoisted up the digital camera to him so he could take a photos of the boat. Whilst he was up there Wyn, Anne, Steve, Graeme and the grandkids arrived for morning tea so he took a photo of them from the mast of them all in ‘Janannie’. He also took some photos of Slip Bight Marina and the Paynesville Motor Cruiser Club to stitch together for the panorama photo for the banner of this journal which, as you can see, came out well. We may give a copy to the club. Wade arrived after lunch and will be leaving late tomorrow afternoon. It is getting windy now but still sunny. Geoff also painted the fiddly bits of the back of the deck and I cleaned the brass items. I also cleaned the Perspex windows throughout the boat plus general boat cleaning. My ex boss Chris, Helen and the kids passed in their little motor boat so we called out hi. Apart from that, nothing much to report today.
