Journal Entries

May 2009

1 May - Keeping the boat up the river really is inconvenient for regularly sailing jaunts since it's a 2 hour trip just down the river. To get the boat away it really requires that I have a minimum of 3 days to spare and working the way I am at the moment doesn't allow that. Fortunately since I got the troopy I've been able to take some overnight trips to the beach and get away from the city for a break. This morning I packed up the troopy and Cutty & I headed off in search of a place to camp and get away from the city. We headed down the highway and in search of a, less than, beaten track.

A couple of hours later we were in the middle of the bush.

I looked on the map for a waterway and thought we would follow it for a while.

We finally came across a little track which led off into the scrub and followed it for about half an hour. I really wasn't sure where we were going or where the track led but it looked interesting and I figured if we got stuck, the old troopy's 4wd and winch would get us out of most situations.

At the end of the track was a big waterhole. It appeared to be natural and not a man made dam. It looked like a great place to camp tonight and there wasn't another person for miles. Perfect!

I took Cutty for a walk around the water and noticed little 'things' popping out of the water. At closer inspection they were turtles. The water hole was full of them. They were really inquisitive and came to check out their new visitors. Below is just one of the many turtles.

We spent the remainder of the day exploring the waterhole and surrounding area and spent the night camped on the banks. The next morning we headed off back up the bush track and toward the coast and to the beach.

2 May - I spotted a little estuary before getting to the beach and since I had packed the fishing rod, I thought why not get Cutty a fish for breakfast. I know what you are thinking, "isn't he being a bit optimistic for the worlds worst fisherman?". Well, to my surprise I did in fact catch, not one, not two, but three fish. My fishing skills must be improving since my Easter trip when I caught 2 mackerel. The 3 fish I caught today were nice sized whiting and as soon as I caught them, I put them out of their misery and handed them to Cutty. She promptly made a meal of them. Heads and all. She loves her fish.

After the estuary fishing trip it was off to the beach. Cutty goes crazy at the beach and despite her being almost in a frenzy when she sees the surf, I get her to sit and wait. Then when I say "OK", she runs to the surf like it was a long lost canine friend. Here she is on the way for a swim.

The frenzied dog below, just about to jump the incoming wave, is actually Cutty. She looks like a rabid crazed dog and I should post a close up photo of her face in this picture.

and here we are ready to head home. Cutty will sleep well tonight.

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3 May - The weather is starting to cool down now and the evenings have got that mild chill in the air. Just enough to prompt me to put a light jumper on. It's also just cool enough to light an oil lamp in the saloon. There is something about being on a boat in the cool of the evening with an oil lamp burning. The refelction of the flame on the varnished timber and the sound of ropes tapping on the mast outside. It's such a romantic atmosphere. I've been onboard the Westsail for 4 years now and not once have I regretted my decision. In fact each day that decision is affirmed and I still get that same feeling of butterflies in my stomach, each night when I lay in bed being rocked to sleep by the motion of the water.

It's a beautiful way to live.