Bundy 3 weeks on........

My, how time flies. Before continuing we felt that we should clarify an earlier reference to a yacht broker. No, we are NOT contemplating selling the boat; it was just a social meeting as happens all the time in the boating/cruising fraternity.

We've managed to continue with our deck caulking but not getting as much done as we had hoped due to the odd bit of rain and people coming and going with regard to the ongoing sagas of the freezer and watermaker!!! 'Nuff said though on those subjects.

Jean has just come back on board after a shower ashore. She is proudly wearing a pair of pink cotton pyjama pantaloons which she got at a street market for $5 (so extravagant) in Milford during our recent visit to NZ. They look great and oh so sexy walking down the Bundaberg marina!!! Along with that she has as a top a dark blue short wrap around with tassels. The effect is stunning and it's just such a pity she didn't have the pyjamas in Noumea with all the Frenchmen around!! Or wearing the outfit down the Champs Elysee - on second thoughts probably just as well we're in Bundy. 'Nuff said on that subject as well. One more thing - Jim picked up 2 good cotton shirts at Vinnies here in Bundy (recycling shop) for $3.50 ea. intending to use them for our upcoming antifouling but they are so good that some disposable overalls might be the go instead. We could re-outfit ourselves entirely at Vinnies and really cut a dash when we get to Raffles Marina in Singapore!!!

On a more negative note we must make mention of the Noseeums. These nasty little critters are causing us some problems with their biting habits. They are quite toxic and it's taken some time for us to get to grips with the most effective methods of discouragement. They cause septic red welts which itch like crazy and which take days to disappear. However, after some experimentation we have found a cream which helps the itching and a spray which at least seems part way effective in keeping them away. The worst is that you can't generally see them and you don't know you've been bitten until about an hour afterwards. Then it's much too late.

Bundaberg seems to be on a bit of a roll. The sugar cane growing season has been one of the best on record and everyone expects a bumper crop. The harvest begins in June after when we will have departed. There has been some rain but not too much and apparently the price per ton is up too. Not often increased production coincides with higher prices. Not like a local tomato growing outfit which has just recently gone under owing thirty million dollars. Jim should still have his glasshouse property in Mangere - might have made a fortune! - nah, rather be sailing.

We have continued to meet some interesting people - an example is Claus, a German who is in his 80's and who lives on his boat near to us with a small dog. He goes bicycle riding every day in the very early hours and the dog rides in a basket over the back wheel. We go to the Bundaberg Farmer's Market every Sunday morning and the primary attraction at the moment is beautiful very large passion fruit at $2.50 per bag of  6-8. Along with pineapple ($1.50 ea) and very sweet melons there is a cornucopia of fruit. Not so many green vegetables however.

Then there are the staff in the marina office - Sam (Samantha), Emily, Dan and the manager, Geoff. We enjoy the daily encounters and particularly Emily's zany sense of humour. One needs this sort of distraction during these times of such uncertainty. One thing for sure, whatever the concerns are, it's necessary to just get on with one's plans because at our age if we don't.........it's a slippery slope downwards. This time next year, who knows?

The Queensland State elections are fast coming up and it looked as if the LNP (Campbell Newman) was a shoe-in but it now seems that there are serious doubts as to whether he'll win his seat so would be a leader without a seat in the state parliament! Very embarassing!! Labour might be re-elected which seemed almost impossible a month or so ago. Then there are the Federal politics - Julia Gillard is hanging on with a one vote majority - a very fragile position. Looking at NZ politics, we're very sad at what we see. Debilitating strikes at Auckland and plenty of criticism to be levelled at both sides, the ongoing debate about the sale of productive assets offshore - we are adamantly opposed and that was the reason we voted NZ First. Everything seems to come down to money these days and there are very few curbs on commercial excess. It's the same in Oz; huge mining developments with associated ports and the wholesale depositing of dredging spoils within the Great Barrier Reef National Park. No wonder it's in the state it is at the moment and as for the future, it looks bleak indeed. What are we doing to our planet in the name of $$$$$$'s? As an example, at the moment there are some 1700 ship movements through the barrier reef each year but by 2015 it's predicted that there will be over 10,000 p.a. with all the attendant risk that will entail. 

We are hauling out this Thursday (15th.) to antifoul and hopefully won't be out for longer than 5 days. Long enough for a wooden carvel planked boat in this climate. Then back in the water again and maybe time for a quick trip to Fraser is. and back.

Then in mid April we are looking forward hugely to Dennis Bouverie joining us for the sail north - at least as far as Cairns. Maybe further?  Dennis was part of a 3 way partnership back in the 1970's who were the 2nd. owners of Tiare (then "Reflections of Wellington") and who actually launched the old girl in 1978 in Wellington. He is also very excited at renewing his long lost love but hopefully he won't forget his new wife, Rosie who sadly because of work commitments can't be part of the journey north!!

Much more to come............

love from us, Jim and Jean (Gina)