Sailing Around Australia; Fever

American River, Kangaroo Island,

South Australia

15/2/2014 FEVER

Members of our sailing family, Eva and Brian on Zofia rang us today to say that it was exactly a year since we had completed our crossing of the Great Australian Bight. While we were surprised that a year had slipped by, we were astounded to think that would mean it had been ten months since we had filled Easy Tiger’s sails and headed out over the horizon.

It wasn’t that we planned a year away from our sailing adventure, it just sort of happened, which I suppose is what adventures are all about.

The first adjournment happened when we got to Port Lincoln. Leanne’s sister Sue was turning fifty and it was decided that her family would travel to Europe to celebrate. One month away from Easy Tiger wouldn’t be too bad and being a winter month of May we wouldn’t miss too much sailing.

No sooner had we arrived back in Port Lincoln, we unpacked, readied and got under way, arriving in Adelaide on the 7^th of July. As soon as we arrived in Adelaide our daughter and our son announced that they would both be in Cairns at the same time. That never happens, so hastily planned trip to Cairns for three weeks was organized and our sailing adventure and Easy Tiger were packed into care and maintenance again.

Three weeks in Cairns with our family all together turned into three months.  Our budget suffered a serious deficit, so I rejoined the workforce in Cairns, which allowed us to stay longer and spend precious family time.

Following Cairns we had five days aboard Easy Tiger, then off to work at Arno Bay. While working in Arno Bay, we got a call from our great friends Stacey and Ian who had booked two weeks in Bali and insisted on us coming with them.

It was a difficult decision to delay our sailing adventure for a further three weeks (after Bali we would go and visit family in Perth and Bunbury). The chance to spend time with our friends did win over and Easy Tiger and our sailing adventure was put on the back burner again.

After work finished in Arno bay we had three weeks on Easy Tiger, then off to Bali.

One of the amazing things about our trip to Bali was that our son Luke joined us. It was so nice to spend time with a wonderful young man and I am so proud to think he is my son. However, I am not sure where he got some of his genes. While we went through a list of activities we could go and do together, such as surfing, go karting, golf etc..etc… he let it slip that he would like to go …shopping!

Worse than that, he would like to go…clothes shopping! As I love spending time or as they say “hanging out” with Luke, I agreed to go shopping with him. Such is his generosity I ended up with 2 new shirts.

That first week in Bali was lovely. Plenty of shopping, a fun night with other friends April, Wayne and their family, followed an action day on Quad bikes for the fellas.

During the second week my thoughts started turning for “home” aboard Easy Tiger. Leanne and I both discussed how nervous we would be about getting under way again, particularly as we would be without the company of Zofia and Urchin from now on.

Then, our Bali villa turned into a sick ward. First Ian had a couple of days of being unwell, then Leanne had a day or so as well. Next it was Stacey’s turn. With 5 days of our holiday left, Stacey was virtually bed ridden.

Not even the promise of the amazing dessert at our favorite restaurant could cheer her up.

Then on the last night half way through the night I woke with an attack of gastro. We were really looking forward to seeing family and then getting home and finally the day had come. We had to be on the plane the next morning at 6.30am, which meant up at 5.00am for the taxi to the airport. Unfortunately I couldn’t make it outside a range of 5 metres of the toilet, so had no idea how I was going to make it to the taxi, let alone the airport or a three hour flight.

Leanne called a doctor who gave me an injection and a hand full of tablets to take at various times. It helped immensely. I was quite concerned about carrying a plastic bag full of pills given to me by a Balinese doctor through the airport. Being as sick as I felt and I must have looked pale, weak and nervous to any of the customs officials. I was so grateful to make our flight on time, as I was on a mission to get back to Adelaide and get sailing.

Sadly, my first few days in Perth were spent in bed at my mum’s recovering from the gastro. While this was going on we heard that Stacey was still very unwell. Just before we left she had broken out in a severe rash, was running a fever and spent the first night back in Australia, in hospital.

As I got better, Leanne started to falter. A trip to Bunbury for business turned into a bit of a nightmare on the return. Leanne started suffering back pain, restlessness and feeling dizzy, which we put down to being sick of the car or even a bit motion sick.

The next day, she had a fever and worsening aches and pains. The next day she had a rash break out and worsening fever plus headaches to accompany the already worsening pain. We were due to fly to Adelaide and be back on board Easy Tiger in 2 days.

Most people will tell you that when they feel sick, their favorite place to be is with their mum. So we drove back down to Bunbury to stay with Leanne’s mum and dad. By this time Leanne had a serious fever, blinding headache and severe pain up and down her spine.

Early the next morning I took her to the emergency department at Bunbury hospital where they put her on a drip and took blood tests.

After phoning Ian and Stacey, I found out the Stacey was in fact no better either.

I went back to Leanne’s folk’s place and reluctantly delayed our flights and therefore our sailing adventures. We had no idea how long this was going to last or what it was. Our sailing adventure was starting to become a fading memory.

After a few days, with Leanne no better, the emergency department called her to say that they had a diagnosis. Dengue fever.

Dengue fever is carried by a type of mosquito and mainly found in tropical areas, such as Bali. There are several strains of Dengue fever that can attack your organs or thin your blood.  At least we knew now what it was.

Unfortunately, there is no cure. The fever would have to run it’s course, which is very hard to tell someone who has a rash all over their body like a bad sunburn, who is agitated and depressed as a result of this fever.

With Leanne and Stacey no better, five days after the diagnosis, I rang and delayed our flights, and our sailing adventure further.

Bloody fever! I looked at my poor sick wife, my life partner and crew mate. I rang and delayed the flight for another four days.

As our latest booking to fly back to Easy Tiger loomed, Leanne rallied. Her fever seemed to break and she almost resembled her normal self. She said that she thought she would be all right to fly so we confirmed the booking.

My Mum drove to Bunbury and picked us up. I was very excited and eagerly looking forward to getting on that plane. Adelaide, Easy Tiger, sailing adventures here we come.

Emotional goodbyes were had at Bunbury with Leanne’s mum and dad and my mum at Perth Airport. For once we were nearly two and a half hours early for our flight. Leanne’s health seemed OK, but she was very weak. She was obviously pushing through the barrier so that we could get back to our own “home”.

At long last we were on board. Row 1 for us. Unfortunately, because we were so close to the crew that we could here them explaining, first to the pilot, then to the engineers that there was a problem with the aircraft door, that would have to be fixed before we took off. Then the announcement, “ladies and gentlemen, you will have to disembark”.

An hour after getting back off the plane, the flight was cancelled. We would have to re-book. Another delay in getting back to our sailing adventures! It was as if the universe was working against us getting back to Easy Tiger.

Bemused, we rang my Mum who cheerfully came and picked us up. Again. Unfortunately I couldn’t say that I was that cheerful. It is lovely to spend a bit of extra time with my mum, but Leanne and I really yearned for our own space, time and things around us.

Imagine our relief when the next day our plane took off at the scheduled time. Imagine how happy we were to at have our friend Susan pick us up from the airport and our gratitude when she offered us her car for the next two days! Well all that paled into insignificance when, at 10.30pm, ten days after we should have arrived back, we stepped on board Easy Tiger.

Family time in Cairns

Work time at Arno Bay

Holiday time with fiends and son in Bali

Sailing Around Australia; Shaky Shake Down

5^th January 2015  Crown Marina Adelaide

Shaky Shake Down

Before our sailing around Australia adventures began, we took Easy Tiger out for several “trial runs” or “shake downs” as those in the know call them.

Having been parked up in Adelaide for the best part of six months, we thought that a shake down sail would be a really good idea.

With the weather gods playing their part and eager crew in Ian and Sue Sulley, we plotted a course to Port Vincent. Port Vincent is a small town on the western side of the Gulf of St Vincent, a 30 nautical mile trip.

Last year during our journey we drew up a checklist of things to do and check 12 hours before sailing. As we hadn’t been out in so long, the list proved a handy reminder. We worked our way through the list while it blew 30 knots in the marina. I hoisted our multi purpose sail, Leanne charged everything electrical and we nervously waited for departure time.

We recently moved from one marina to the other. On that short trip we found most things we used had suffered from a lack of use. Things like a seized water pump. the Dinghy stopper button and the mast cars on the main sail. This experience caused great nervousness as we prepared for our shake down sail.

After a fitful night of trying to sleep, were up with the sun, ready to get going. We were both showing our nerves though as our guests boarded and the ropes were released.

Fortunately, everything went according to plan. Even though there was a serious lack of wind, we ambled along with one motor going about three quarters throttle. Ian rigged a lure and we trawled our way to Port Vincent. Unfortunately it was to no avail.

5 hours later we arrived at Port Vincent. We found a mooring, tied on effortlessly and all enjoyed a bbq lunch. Leanne and I both let out great sighs of relief.

We had planned a couple of nights on the mooring, but the weather bureau updated their forecast to read 30knots expected for Port Vincent on the morning we were to return. That would be a bit boisterous for our shake down sail. The decision was made to return a day early.

The return leg looked like we would get a sail in. After a wander around the Port Vincent Markets, we let go of the mooring and my trusty crew (Ian) pulled up the main sail. Here we found what we had been dreading. A problem. The reefing lines would not let the sail all the way up. We sailed with a half a main up and one motor on half throttle. As usual half way back to Adelaide the wind turned into our face and then dropped out completely. 

After arriving back in the marina we had a social day. We have two big blow up chairs ( like swimming pool toys) that we blew up and lounged around under neath Easy tiger. Who needs air con. But the elephant in the room all day was waiting. Once again out with the tools to determine the problem with the reefing lines.

Reefing lines are ropes that attach to the sail, then end up at the cockpit. As the wind picks up force you pull these line in to decrease the amount of sail up the mast, therefore decreasing the speed of the boat and the pressure on the mast and rigging etc… They are supposed to allow the sail to go all the way up though!

As usual, as my mate Noel would say, “it starts small but ends up big”. After several hours of staring at the reefing system I felt that I was trying to solve a brain game puzzle.  I worked out that actually the reefing lines seemed too short. But how could that be? It all worked really well previously.

Then I remembered that I had changed them at Port Lincoln to different points on the main sail. Whoops. We actually haven’t used the main sail since then and therefore hadn’t tested the reefing system out until now. DOH! Off we went to the chandlery to buy more rope.

Our boat maintenance budget was about to be shot for another week, but that shot became an explosion. Leanne found a much better pair of binoculars. As Leanne wears glasses and hasn’t been able to use the pair we had, I, the budget nazi, relented. Out of the chandlery we staggered with a receipt for $300.

A couple of hours, balancing on the back of the boat with one foot in the dinghy, desperately trying not to do the splits, were spent feeding the new rope and the old rope out. Around this pulley and through that hole and voila new, much longer reefing rope installed.

Now if the wind would relent for a while, we might be able to have another shaky shake down attempt, with sails that go all the way up, a salt water pump that actually pumps, the new stopper button on the dinghy and very clean mast cars. What's next Easy Tiger?

Able bodied and eager guests like Ian are always welcome
and put to good use.

As are sociable sailors who drink champagne!

We were all looking for some wind to try this sailing caper!

Port Vincent was a nice spot to "shake it off".

Sailing Around Australia; My Best 20 Sailing Photo's from 2014

Our three boats created great interest in Hopetoun WA.

Heading out to Middle Island from Esperance

Sailing across the Great Australian Bight

On Heather and Killa's mooring at Streaky Bay

And Leaving Streaky during a glass out.

That's a big sea gull!

This bird was not camera shy.

The Dillon bay panorama

Dolphin frolicking in the bluest of water at Bremer Bay WA!

Doubtful Island at dusk.

Leaving Esperance.

Storm approaching at Hopetoun over "Urchin".

Leanne and companion fishing in Streaky Bay

Dusk at Sceales Bay

Sailing into the sunset.

Our mates in deep.

Easy Tiger at Sceales Bay South Australia

Very still Streaky Bay.

Seal spotting at Hopetoun.

Following seas on the Great Australian Bight

Sailing Around Australia; Nearly

28th December = Crown Marina, Adleaide

Nearly

We are ready to recommence our sailing around Australia adventures aboard Easy Tiger. Nearly.

It’s just a matter of waiting for two weeks. Then travelling to Bali for a two week holiday and then we will be under way. In the scheme of things this is both a bit frustrating and quite a pleasure at the same time.

Frustrating because Easy Tiger is ready. Leanne and I are both ready. Ready to be on the trail of new destinations, new discoveries and new adventures.

This pause in our travels is also pleasurable as we have spent the time with our family in Cairns over Christmas and the time in Bali will be spent with our dear friends.

The time “dockside” has given me a bit of time for reflection. I’m reminded of the many times and moments when Easy Tigers Sailing Adventure nearly didn’t happen.

The first time there was a lot of dilemma in our minds, was 5 Years ago when we put in an offer to buy a boat and had that offer accepted. Have we done the right thing? Would we be able to sail? Could we afford to keep it? Shouldn’t we buy an investment property instead? These were all questions that, had we answered differently at the time, might have seen us still working 7 days a week in our business. We would not be going anywhere, as we would have been caught up in working off our material possessions. In fact a couple of decisions that were nearly made differently meant we could be dreaming of this adventure rather than out here doing it. We learnt that it gets to the point where you have to draw a line in the sand and say “we are going to do; not dream”.

Another “near miss” happened when we found out the other boats were going and we could accompany them. We could have decided that we weren’t ready, or our family commitments were too strong or we might not have enough money to live on etc… etc…  We nearly missed the opportunity to sail across the Great Australian Bight in company. We learnt there that opportunity seems to favour those who are prepared for it.

Next came the day to actually cast off and head out into the Southern Ocean. A fourth boat that was to sail along our path left a couple of days before us and NEARLY came to grief in the rough weather. They made the choice to return back to Mandurah. That nearly scared us off. We learnt though, that if we stick to our rules such as waiting for the right weather window, our journey will be far safer.

The problems we had crossing the bight and our rescue by the Streaky Bay SES was another time that we nearly decided that this adventure was too much for us. But what we found is that when we work together, we make a great team.

Having to find work, when we ran out of money was another time that we nearly considered our sailing adventure was all too hard. But, in fact this has been quite a rewarding time for both of us, as we realise that really we can stretch our hard earned dollars by applying them only to what is really important.

Now, we have to remind ourselves of all that we have learnt on our sailing adventures this far. Because, anxiety is starting to build as we sit here waiting. We are a bit scared of getting back on to the horse. We know that at some point we will get caught in rough weather, that we will have to cross over dangerous entrance bars and that something important is going to break on the boat at the time we least want it to. These times will test us.

However the things that test us actually make it an adventure. Will they stop us? Not even nearly.

We NEARLY missed the opportunity to sail with these great people.

Nearly ready to go, just a detour to Cairns for a great Christmas with our family.