Cairns musings

We had been invited to Bernie's Jazz Bar in town for New Year's Eve and had been looking forward to it; however, about a day before Jim came down with a very bad cold with almost flu-like symptoms and so we had to regretfully bow out. New Year was therefore a very low key affair for us and we didn't even see the New Year in. Instead we retired to bed with (in Jim's case) a large scotch from a bottle of malt we brought back from NZ. It didn't have any effect on the symptoms but at least the patient had a dulled pain response!!
Happily the patient is now largely recovered and thankfully Jean didn't catch it. Surprising considering the close quarters on a 38' yacht.
Since then we've been making plans for our eventual departure from here which now is only 12 weeks away. Sounds a long time but it will loom up really quickly. We have been having discussions re hauling out with the Cairns Cruising Yacht Squadron (CCYS) who operate their own haulout facility and a commercial operation - Norship. The CCYS is friendly and a bit cheaper but we have some concerns re their professionalism and the fact that you have to arrange everything - even the hire of an access ladder - from outside sources. By contrast Norship has everything in the yard and the whole operation engenders much more confidence. And the CCYS is only just along the road so the odd visit to their restaurant shouldn't be too difficult! So we're hauling out on March 25th. and should be out on the hard for a maximum of a week. Hopefully only anode replacement and antifouling so there shouldn't be any delays. There wouldn't need to be either because hauling costs in Australia are far from cheap. The total operation will cost us a minimum of $A2,000 ($NZ2,500) - another reason we want to get to SE Asia with their much lower cost structures.
We're about to start on a programme of maintenance which we can do in the water including repainting some of the hull topsides. Should be fun balancing in the dinghy with a can of paint! We'll need to start early each morning because beyond about 9.30 the temperature precludes any strenuous activity.
We've also started on our get fit campaign with cycling (in Jean's case) to the local gym at the Campus shopping centre. Only about 5 kms and Jim is cycling to the local pool where they have a 50 metre lap pool - so far he's doing 10 lengths at a time but hopes to increase that to 20 soon. Only been 3 times so far but it's amazing how quickly what had been a bit of a chore very quickly becomes easier with only a modicum of fitness. It's really all flat but on a bike you really notice even the slightest rise.
The wet season hasn't really started yet- just a few showers. Mostly the weather is beautiful and fine but hot!! The aircon on the boat is a godsend.
We are all well and living well. Cheap wine from Dan Murphys and heaps of great fruit and veges. The mangoes are cheap and delicious. We are able to use the marina courtesy car which means we will be really spoilt for when we are anywhere else!
Hope all is well with everyone and that everything is going your way.
With lots of love from us
Jim and Jean
s.v. Tiare Taporo III
www.tiaretaporo3.blogspot.com

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