We in the global west have an odd relationship with change. We tend to assume that what is, will always be, be it good or bad or somewhere in between; however, what I’ve come to realise, slowly and sometimes painfully, is more in line with eastern traditions and that is, that the only constant in… Read More Decisions: Endings, Beginnings, and Everything In-between
As anyone who reads this blog is more than aware, our sailing plans have not gone to plan for some time – but that has finally changed! See, as I write this I am serenaded by the gentle lapping of water against Avalon’s hull and the call of the migrating sea birds that call Pancake… Read More The First Two Weeks: Sailing from Mooloolaba to Pancake Creek
I could title this post something click-bait-y like “10 reasons not to buy a boat” or “I hate sailing” and likely get more reads, but that just would not be me. Instead, this will be my usual SEO-failing fare from the heart, a heart currently full of disappointment and doubt; because, in the past 48… Read More Doubt, Disappointment, and Delays
It has officially been four months since I posted and five months since we bought our beautiful boat, Avalon. What have we been up to during our radio silence? Well, I am here to tell you that boat ownership is most definitely not all sunsets, cocktails, and white sand…alas our current experience is a bit… Read More Boat Work Galore
Avalon Spirit finally splashed (was put back in the water) exactly a week ago, on Tuesday September 6th. We had really, really hoped that it would be much, much sooner than this, but, as I’ve already said, that was not to be. Instead, we had a month of the purchase process and weeks on the… Read More Avalon Spirit’s First Passage
Ten months later, I can almost say we have officially bought a boat! Though when I say almost, well, that’s a bit of a longer story. See, in October 2021, after almost four years of saving money, we quit our jobs in Geraldton to buy a sailboat. We sold or got rid of almost everything… Read More Buying a Catamaran: A Tale of Delays
Sunlight glints off the surface of a tranquil lagoon, its glassy surface the most pure of turquoise, except for the ubiquitous dark patches that hide a cornucopia of life just below. Spangled emperors, flamboyant parrots, boisterous damsels…the fish here are a sight to behold. Snorkelling the inner reef of the Ningaloo is a lot like… Read More An Ode to the Ningaloo
I’m dreaming of a white Christmas Just like the ones I used to know Where the treetops glisten and children listen To hear sleigh bells in the snow The Christmas season is upon us and I’m feeling…not so Christmas-y. You see this will be the first Christmas I have ever spent away from my hometown… Read More Christmas in Australia: Decking the Halls with…Eucalyptus?
Foamy green algae floats in a thick film across the stagnant pond, concealing the depths from prying human eyes. I stand close to the fence, idly resting one hand on the chain link fence separating me from the contents of the lake. Our guide for the day, a gregarious man with a morbid sense of… Read More Camping with Crocodiles
When foreigners think of Australia, the first thing to come to mind is Sydney. While, I can’t begrudge the famous opera house’s place in the international community’s travel dreams, what I will never understand is why so few travelers ever make it to Western Australia. Yes, the east coast has most of Australia’s population, but… Read More 5 Reasons to Visit Western Australia