Our 2020 Christmas message to our Friends

Le Bateau in COVID isolation, Trinidad
The year got off to a great start as we left our boat stored for a planned 9 months before the Panama/Pacific leg and came home to Australia.

We squeezed in a trip to Port Fairy Folk Festival and a visit with Josh and Hollie in Melbourne but then Covid changed our plans.

For a lockdown project the promised extension to Jane's studio made for a busy April.


The hand mixed slab for new studio

A Trombe internal wall for plants

Framing

A month in, nearly finished

 
Another lousy sunrise

During the soft lockdown we did plenty of walking, bike riding and a bit of seafood collection. The muscle of a Razorfish cooks up with some garlic very nicely.

Collecting Razorfish got the locals excited
But by Easter Jane's Irish house was finally sold and Ants with itchy feet (and a little niggle from Pat in Ireland) found a very nice Duncanson 26 "Tabasco" just down the road. To be fair Jane was fairly interested as well!

A trailer sailer to keep Ants amused
Jane also seemed amused!!

15 minutes salmon fishing

    As the soft lockdown eased we started doing camping trips within South Australia venturing into the outback regions. Kimberley, Jenny and Kerry, and Jenny Fraser joined us at times. We actually did four camping trips and a school hike over the winter and spring. But unusually for Oz outback we had too many very wet, or very windy, or very cold (0deg C might not seem cold but with 25knots of wind very uncomfortable for us soft Aussies) days. But all very interesting trips.


With Kimberley at Wirrabara


Kerry, Jenny, Jane and Ants at ????

A Hematite outcrop on Witchilena Station



The ubiquitous Australian Echidna




At Warraweena

Near Grindall's Hut, The Gammons
Jane got involved with the local gym when a Zoom 7am session was offered 5 days a week. So whether at home, or camping or boating, with phone signal it was possible.
7am Zoom gym session in the bush

Dad and the kids, Mt Remarkable National Park

A winter KI Bug ride near American River
We had a period where we couldn't meet in groups but when things eased the bike riders and paddlers were keen to get back into it!
Dragon Boating (when we were allowed to be a team)
Jane has been wanting/planning to do an Art course for a while and with Covid, Trinidad is off limits so 2021 is the Diploma of Visual Arts Year. It is a full time course for the calendar year and so for accommodation for just Jane, or for Jane and Ants, a boat at the Squadron as a floating caravan seems ideal. "Tabasco" was duly sold and "Skye" a S n' S 30 came into the picture. A lovely sailing boat with a bit of work to make her just that bit better. Not huge but plenty of space for 2 or 3 people. We have already done 3 return trips from KI to Adelaide.
A slightly bigger boat to keep Ants amused

And Jane likes the name "Skye"
It is great to see the regeneration happening after the fires. Yaccas flower amazingly and good rains have the farming areas looking good. It was great to get messages and help for KI from far and wide and the community is generally doing well.
Regeneration in Parndana Conservation Park

Sunset on "our beach"

Old desalination plant North of Yunta
In September we finally made it to Hiltaba Staition, part of the properties managed by Nature Foundation SA. Our first attempts were foiled by Covid and then the weather but a lovely spot. From there we went to Innes National Park for a week as Volunteer Campground Hosts. A different way to see a park and hopefully put a bit back in. After Christmas we are off to Katarapko Creek, Murray River National Park to be hosts there for 10 days. Some work, some swimming and we are taking our rowing dory as well. A good way to see in the New Year.
Mt Friday on Hiltaba Station

Innes National Park

Another 7am Zoom gym at Yacht Squadron, Adelaide

A friend of a friend bought a new secondhand boat in Sydney and Ants was asked to do a "professional" delivery trip with the owner. A Jenneau 42 Sun Odyssey in good nick and a great trip of just under 3 weeks. 50 knots arriving at the Prom and then 40 knots near Apollo Bay added to the excitement. Ants hasn't sailed in that much wind in 30years but boat, skipper and crew were up to it.
Skull Rock, Wilsons Promontory

Anchored on delivery trip, Bird Rock, Cape Liptrap

Another pre-dawn start

A very wet and cold hike in Alligator Gorge for Jane and Ants with the school
 

And if you toss in a few school camps for Jane, Dragon Boat President for Ants, and Jane's art and Ants's photos at the Community Gallery a fairly busy "lockdown" year.

2021 sees Jane at Art College and Ants floating between KI and Adelaide. Jane will know the bus and ferry and train system by November like the back of her hand! And plenty of ideas to fill in the gaps.

Then maybe in 2022 Ants will go with his Art Graduate partner to the Caribbean, but time will tell.

To all our friends have a great Christmas and, as we all wish, a safe and healthy New Year









Comments

  1. MAGS TRAVELS21 December 2020 at 01:22

    Wonderful to read of all your adventures have a lovely Christmas Cheers Maggie and Buddy

    ReplyDelete
  2. Christine Denman27 December 2020 at 13:43

    Thanks for your Christmas Newsletter. Merry Christmas and a Happier New Year.
    Chris & Wally.

    ReplyDelete
  3. aariedabbs28 February 2022 at 21:18

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete

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