Sailing Around Australia; Who you know , not what you know.

18/2/2014; Who you know, not what you know.

Our sailing around Australia adventures, aboard Easy Tiger have really been made memorable by the people we have met. Sure the places we’ve visited have been beautiful with whites beaches and turquoise waters, just as I had envisaged in my mind as we built the dream and then pursued it.

One of the hardest parts of the whole journey has been missing our family and our special friends like Ian and Stacey, April and Wayne and Noel and Sue. This has been overcome somewhat by coming into contact with people that are very willing to put themselves out and give us either a hand or some really useful advice.

In Albany it was Brian Holman. He came to earn the mantle of B5. I have fitted the hand squeezy fuel pumps that he advised and wow what a help they have been. As I battle with our port motor and it’s dramas, just a little tip like that has saved me a lot of effort in drawing fuel up out of the tank in order to bleed up the engine.

At Bremer Bay, although they were already well known to us, it was so nice to be reunited with Heather and Peter Naylor. Their hospitality was very much enjoyed and again their offer of a vehicle to get fuel and water supplies was really appreciated. Heather’s sister Jill and her husband Bill were also good value. Bill’s long strong arms were put to good use repairing our anchor bridle that had come adrift.

In Esperance we met Fud and Faye Mackenzie. Again they seem to have no end of helpful advice and tips. One such gem, is to use two anchors in the weedy conditions of the south coast. While In Streaky Bay we have found a secure mooring, but I have just purchased a grapple hook type anchor and rigged it ready for use. It looks like it may be a savior in the making. There have been a number of other gems of experience that Fud has passed on too.

Also in Esperance we spent some time with Ray Jaarola who has been restoring a wrecked catamaran. Ray was able to supply us with some really tasty fish.

Here in Streaky Bay, We have met up with Heather and Geoff Georgiou or the “killa’s” as they are known locally. (I daren’t ask why). Heather was the lady who called up when we were being rescued (the second time) and offered use of their newly installed mooring. As owners of a local business and very busy people, we really appreciate the offers of assistance, vehicles, rain water and even tour guiding they have made.

Brian (B1) on Urchin had a great surprise. The day after we arrived he had a call to say that his 2 brothers had arrived here in Streaky Bay. Trevor had flown from Sydney and Rodney from Melbourne to Adelaide. From there they hired a car and drove 7 or so hours to Streaky Bay, just to pay their brother a visit for a few days.

Leanne and I had become a bit blinded to how nice people can be after nearly 13 years of running our own small business. In business, people seem to want more and more and expect more and more. Whether they want a better price, or they want you to meet more impossible deadlines it seems everyone expects so much more without any loyalty or other return.

My eyes have been re-opened to the generosity and helpfulness that seems to prevail on our sailing around Australia adventures. People who are prepared to offer assistance without expecting any return at all. I don’t know if it is because people involved in boating are more aware of the things or hospitality needed when we arrive in a port, or if we have just been lucky enough to “bump” into the real gems of these communities.

Either way, it will certainly be the people that we will remember most, not the places. Many of these we hope to stay in touch with when we are “parked up”.

When we do “park up” it would be true recompense to all that helped us, if we became “those” people. I would like to think that we could become people that others who follow us on their own adventure got assistance or help from.

Hopefully we become the people to know.