Australia and England - October 2005  to February 2006

After leaving New Caledonia in early October we had a difficult passage heading into southerly winds. Progress was slow in the initial stages and we had headwinds of up to 25 knots from the north east which hampered us on our final leg into Australia.  

We arrived in Australia at the Port of Bundaberg about 150 miles north of Brisbane.  Our first impressions of Australia were great. The Marina staff were helpful and very friendly. We stayed there for about 4-5 days before heading out again to day hop down the coast to attend Katie Barley's wedding in Mooroochydore. Katie, the daughter of Robin  Barley, Peter's long time climbing partner and ski buddy who we have known for over 25 years, was marrying Mark, an Ozzy she met while he was working at Whistler. As we had a little time to spare  we meandered through Great Sandy Straits down the coast of Fraser Island and on south to Mooloolaba. Our intention was to anchor at the head of the channel but only got as far as the Yacht Club with 8 feet showing on the depth metre at mid tide- we had a quick change of heart  and headed into the Marina rather than continue further up the river. We later found out that there is only 5 feet at low water in the anchorage area, we would have made a nice dent in the mud. We stayed in the Marina for about a week and as we had the wedding to attend in the area and it seemed easier to handle the constant need to get ashore. Sometimes you just pays your money.

The wedding and reception were held in an old sheep station . A beautiful situation up a long green valley  and y es, it was a great Ozzy get together. Even had to dress  up in our best bib and tucker for the affair. That took a long time to find in our boat gear!!  Robin had brought stuff for Peter just to make sure he didn't show up in a scuzzy T shirt   Check out Peter in Robins jacket shirt and tie!.  Joyce even cleaned up O.K. as well. We even met people we hadn't seen for years, they came from Canada, England, South Africa, USA as well as Australia of course.

         Wedding Pictures                                                              Peter and Robin (the father of the Bride)                 

       Katie and Mark                                                                            Peter has a shirt and a tie!!!                         

After a great reunion with friends we took the boat on an overnighter to Scarborough (Brisbane) where Matarua is currently  lying. Spent half the night dodging Freighters and sand banks.

Peter had work to do on the boat before we could leave her and fly to England.  The work was finished before he had anticipated and with his flight booked for mid December he took the opportunity of a climbing road trip with his Canadian friend, and long time climbing buddy, Robin Barley.  Visited all the hot climbing areas on the east side ending up in Arapalese (near Melbourne). He even managed to take some good pics and played tourist with a bit of sight seeing along the way.

Bungonia Gorge near Brisbane                                 Peter belaying                               Looking  out from the cliffs

                                                                                                                                                                  Arapailese

Joyce spent sometime in Sydney and Brisbane with Margaret, her friend from England before flying to Arnside, Cumbria at the end of November. She had to be there for Peter's mother . We both had a wonderful Auzzy sojourn. Thank you Robin and Margaret.

         Australian Art from,                          Koala from the Australian Zoo               Kangaroo in a Nature Park,

         Brisbane Art Gallery                     ,                 Queensland                                  Blue Mountains  area Sydney

Joyce had one day with Mum before she had a stroke and had to be hospitalised. Mum was unconscious for 4 days with Joyce ending up spending most of the four days at the hospital..  She spent the next 2 weeks visiting her every day before Peter arrived.  By this time his mother was seriously ill. Both of us then spent the next six weeks by her bedside. Sadly Peter's Mum died on January 24th and we are now in the midst of selling her house and disposing of stuff.  It is a real chore for Peter as he is torn between what to keep as family heirlooms and what to send  to the salerooms.

                                                               Peter and his Mum Christmas 2004                                                          .

Although we have been extremely busy here in Arnside with family and the winding up of the estate, we have been trying to get out and about in the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales as who knows when we will be back in England to see all the places of our youth.  A day trip to Langdale was certainly high on the list of must sees.  Also York, Cartmel, Harrogate and Carlisle which have some good Architecture especially the Churches, Castles and in particular York Minster was well worth a visit. Peter has been hiking in the Lake district with his old schoolboy friend Noel Vause, both now looking forward to being pensioners!!. They have done rounds of the Langdale Pikes and climbed both Coniston Old Man and Scafell the highest point in England. Both times coming back with sore knees and a three day recovery period.. Can't teach kids anything.