There has been an absence of blogs lately as Ian and I have been flat out working. Unfortunately, our days off haven't coincided and we've been leading rather dull lives - mostly.
You will notice that I have removed the 'Winkali in Cairns' blog. The 3 posts I made in this have been moved to the original 'Winkali' blog and slightly edited 'The Great White Hunter Returns' and 'Low Isles 1' for continuity between the posts. (I hope there is such word as continuity).
In a nutshell, over the past few months, Ian has graduated with his Coxswains Certificate with flying colours - that was to be expected. Hopefully, this qualification will help with employment when we set sail again (later this year?). In the meantime he is laying blocks and looking for local work in the Coxswain field.
I have been driving airport shuttle buses to and from Cairns and Port Douglas. I have a bit of interesting work coming up next month with Oztours. Blogs will be coming from Cape York again!
Winkali has been resting and wondering why she is spending her life tied to a pontoon. We had to reassure her that it was only temporary. We took her to Cairns boatyard for a bit of maintenance. As we were sailing her the short distance to Cairns I told her we were taking her to hospital. Ian had to rebuke me. He said that boats didn't like hospitals. Hmmm, "Sorry Winkali, did I say hospital? I meant Beauty Parlour!"
Ian had to invent some protective gear when sanding off the old antifoul paint from Winkali. She now has a nice new coat (or three) to keep her slime and barnacle free.
I had the misfortune of having to help. We both finished up blue from head to foot from the antifoul dust.
Ian also did some secret men's stuff to internal workings. This was very important to prevent sinkage whilst at sea. I fanned him with a bread-board to keep him alive while he did this as he had to cram himself into tight little spaces that I will never venture into. Not much fun in the tropical heat.
After a week, we had done all things necessary out of the water. Fees are expensive to keep a boat on the stand and time out of the water is kept to a minimum.
It was strange launching her again. I was hoping that everything would be ok and she would float safely again. She did!
In March, I went to visit my father in Melbourne. Krista, my daughter, flew from Tasmania and we had a bit of a family reunion. Ian had to finish his Coxswains course and flew down a few days later.
We went to Charlie's (friend of my father) farm at Yarra Glen, where Krista had a good time flattening my phone battery so I couldn't ring Ian.
Ian got to see Charlie's farm too. There was a bit of wildlife around which you don't often see. A wombat crossed the road in front of us.
As we drove up the lane to the property, we saw deer on the hillside.
A little Silvereye perches on a Prickly Pear. You can eat the fruit of these as you can from any cactuses. Ian cut one off for me and warned me to be careful with it as they are covered with very fine hair-like prickles.
As my eyesight is not what it used to be, I couldn't see them and didn't heed the warning. I spent the car trip home with my glasses on, pulling out millions of spines from my fingers. I can't remember what the Prickly Pear fruit tasted like.
We went to the Dandenongs where Crimson Rosellas flew out of the majestic Mountain Ash trees, hoping for some yummy sunflower seeds. My father didn't disappoint them.
Back home in Cairns, we had a Guurrbi at a secret spot Ian had found near where he had done his Coxswain course.
He had found a Red-Kneed Plover on a swampy patch. I was jealous. I didn't even know they existed.
Meanwhile, as we were sneaking about in wildlife territory, a Black-winged Stilt was getting very upset and vocal with us. It must have had a nest nearby and thought we were there to raid it.
It threw itself to the ground and struggled feebly as though injured.
It then struggled to a puddle of water and pretended to be drowning.
When it was satisfied that it had led us away from its nest, it happily went about its own bird business.
We are now at Jessee's flat cat-sitting while she is holidaying in Sydney. "Kitty" is a very timid cat and spent the first couple of days hiding in Jessee's bed.
In a nutshell, over the past few months, Ian has graduated with his Coxswains Certificate with flying colours - that was to be expected. Hopefully, this qualification will help with employment when we set sail again (later this year?). In the meantime he is laying blocks and looking for local work in the Coxswain field.
I have been driving airport shuttle buses to and from Cairns and Port Douglas. I have a bit of interesting work coming up next month with Oztours. Blogs will be coming from Cape York again!
Winkali has been resting and wondering why she is spending her life tied to a pontoon. We had to reassure her that it was only temporary. We took her to Cairns boatyard for a bit of maintenance. As we were sailing her the short distance to Cairns I told her we were taking her to hospital. Ian had to rebuke me. He said that boats didn't like hospitals. Hmmm, "Sorry Winkali, did I say hospital? I meant Beauty Parlour!"
Ian had to invent some protective gear when sanding off the old antifoul paint from Winkali. She now has a nice new coat (or three) to keep her slime and barnacle free.
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I had the misfortune of having to help. We both finished up blue from head to foot from the antifoul dust.
Ian also did some secret men's stuff to internal workings. This was very important to prevent sinkage whilst at sea. I fanned him with a bread-board to keep him alive while he did this as he had to cram himself into tight little spaces that I will never venture into. Not much fun in the tropical heat.
After a week, we had done all things necessary out of the water. Fees are expensive to keep a boat on the stand and time out of the water is kept to a minimum.
It was strange launching her again. I was hoping that everything would be ok and she would float safely again. She did!
In March, I went to visit my father in Melbourne. Krista, my daughter, flew from Tasmania and we had a bit of a family reunion. Ian had to finish his Coxswains course and flew down a few days later.
We went to Charlie's (friend of my father) farm at Yarra Glen, where Krista had a good time flattening my phone battery so I couldn't ring Ian.
Ian got to see Charlie's farm too. There was a bit of wildlife around which you don't often see. A wombat crossed the road in front of us.
As we drove up the lane to the property, we saw deer on the hillside.
A little Silvereye perches on a Prickly Pear. You can eat the fruit of these as you can from any cactuses. Ian cut one off for me and warned me to be careful with it as they are covered with very fine hair-like prickles.
As my eyesight is not what it used to be, I couldn't see them and didn't heed the warning. I spent the car trip home with my glasses on, pulling out millions of spines from my fingers. I can't remember what the Prickly Pear fruit tasted like.
We went to the Dandenongs where Crimson Rosellas flew out of the majestic Mountain Ash trees, hoping for some yummy sunflower seeds. My father didn't disappoint them.
Back home in Cairns, we had a Guurrbi at a secret spot Ian had found near where he had done his Coxswain course.
He had found a Red-Kneed Plover on a swampy patch. I was jealous. I didn't even know they existed.
It threw itself to the ground and struggled feebly as though injured.
It then struggled to a puddle of water and pretended to be drowning.
When it was satisfied that it had led us away from its nest, it happily went about its own bird business.
Love your bird photos as usual. Good to see Winkali back in action.I am in W.A. again at the moment enjoying(not really) the lovely cold weather.Hope life is treating you well. All the best Clive xxx.
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