40 watt bulb - why is this significant?

Well I have had a number of requests to explain the significance of the blog title "40wattbulb". It may be boring but here goes:

Consider that the 40wattbulb is a light - for our purposes it does not matter whether it was actually40 watts - rather that it was a low wattage bulb dimly lighting a families living space.

Turn back the clock to '95 or '96, I can't remember the exact timing that I found this point of reference.

During those years we lived in Balikpapan and saw such a range of people enjoying, or enduring, a vast range of lifestyles; rich and poor, healthy and debilitated - you just needed to walk up any street or lane with your eyes open.

Near where we lived in relative luxury was an area where reasonably well off Indonesian families lived. I recall one house that I passed regularly, and in the backyard a structure that I saw in the daylight many times. To me it had all the characteristics of a "chook shed" and nothing more. This was not unusual as almost every local household would grow poultry.

All appeared benign and not worthy of note until one night I was walking past and noticed that the "chook shed" was lit, albeit it dimly, and crouched over a simple cooking device was a woman and around her I supposed her family. From what I could see it became quite clear that this was their home. They were likely servants to the family living in the main house.

Reflecting on this I compared my home, my family, our health, wealth and education prospects. And the fact that we had so many more opportunities and potential than the majority of people in the world, no matter where, even Australia.

Upon my return to Australia I became painfully intolerable of "whingers" who would decry their lot, the state of Australia and all the things wrong. In comparison we are a privileged people. Of course there are more and less well off and I empathise with those in our community less fortunate. That is not the point.

The point really is that when times are tough a personal "light at the end of the tunnel" may be useful to sustain us - for me a point of reference is that "40wattbulb" back in Balikpapan. I reckon with a solid family, children that I am so proud of, and a soul mate to share all this with I must be the richest guy around. I use this to cheer me and help me endure that which cannot be overcome.

At Mooloolaba Waiting Out The Wind Warning

Still at Mooloolaba while we wait for the strong wind warning and >3 metre seas to move on. Our thinking today (Thursday) is that we may move on Saturday, but we will work today to be ready to go tomorrow just in case our luck is in.

While waiting we are simply doing holiday things - off to the flicks yeterday to see "Romulus, my father" - great movie but don't go without the tissues. Whilst it may be looked upon as sad it is nearly as good a refrence for appreciating life as the "40 watt light bulb".

Also for anyone travelling up this way take a note - there may be no shortage of water up here but the quality is questionable. Last night we tried, and failed, to drink our first cup of tea made from local water. One job today will be to buy more driniking water as what we will carry in our tanks will only be good for washing.

Take care.

Mooloolaba In The Rain

Arrived safely at Mooloolaba Marina yesterday.

Spent a wet day today about Tiburon; backgammon and baked dinner cooked in the Cobb, red wine and good company.

Just because we are camping does not mean we have to rough it!

We'll have to tough it out here until the weather is suitable for the 50 mile trip up the coast to cross the Wide Bay Bar.

While waiting we will reprovision and buy some fishing gear. Read up today and am off to the fishing shop tomorrow to buy gear to catch Bream (does that ryhmme with cream?). One of my goals on this trip is to catch a fish and send a photo to Bruce Hammond!

Scarborough Fair

Day one we made our way to Scarborough where we are waiting for the weather to improve a little for our first leg at sea, to Mooloolaba, which at this point we expect will be tomorrow.

The weather improved throughout the day and we enjoyed a great walk to Redcliffe. Spent some time at the markets there, and particularly enjoyed the buskers.

The views along the waterfront are terrific. Whilst a fair hike from Manly by slow boat Redcliffe is not far by car and I recommend the area as a day out from Brisvegas. Little beaches and the markets, with plenty of picnic spots.

We were attracted to the chandlery by a "sign of wisdom", see photo. On the opposite side of the board they advertised tinned butter for $4.90 so we bought one to try - now there is something to look forward to!

The "Ambling Improvers" should be pleased as we became serious today about getting the steps up and set a PB of 19,872 steps. The majority was completed over a measured track and with that we discovered that my machine is not counting every step. We walked a measured 14km plus more through the day and recorded only 12.7km - ripped off! Anyway the average is now at 6972 with a commitment at least to get to the requisite average of 10,000 per day. Gung-Ho team!

All going well off to Mooloolaba tomorrow - take care.

Mathew Flinders Wisdom On Setting Out in "Tom Thumb"

Projects of this nature, when originating in the minds of young men, are usually termed romantic; and so far from any good being anticipated, even prudence and friendship join in discouraging, if not opposing them. (from Mathew Flinders "Terra Australis" - one of our reads as we head up the coast - now those guys were crazy!)

Looks like tomorrow is the day for us to depart.

Note that I have added some links in the top right hand corner.

If you want to comment you can - just look for the comments icon at the base of each posting.

Departure Delayed

We had some advice that if we left today, as we planned, our vessel may need to be renamed the "Pasha Tiburon"!

We have not left, and have delayed departure until Saturday, when we expect the effects of the current low pressure system will have worked themselves out.

The key negative consequence, beyond the obvious loss of two days traveling, is that I will likely spend tomorrow shovelling gravel as we tidy up some landscaping around the house - ouch!

Navigation Aids

To help us know where we are, and where we are headed, here is a view on the navigation and pilotage gear we carry on Tiburon:

- paper charts. So far we have sufficient charts to make Hervey Bay. Plan is to purchase more there, and more again as we go along, depending on where we decide to head.

- Beacon to Beacon, a maritime safety Qld publication that is a bit like a street directory for the water and covers Tweeds Heads to the Cape.

- NAVMAN Trackfish 6500 combination chartplotter and sonar, loaded with C-Map Max charts for the entire Australian east coast.

- liquid filled magnetic compass, mainly used for steering.

- telescope and monoculars.

- handheld GPS in the safety grab kit. Also useful if we are reconning in the dinghy e.g., finding a passge or anchorage in shoal areas.

- plotting gear such as roller ruler etc.

And to help with further knowledge we will take:

- Cruising the Coral Coast, Curtis

- various articles on areas of interest.

Almost ready to go!

Karen and I have worked over the weekend to load almost everything we need, with only our fresh food and valuables to be loaded on Wednesday evening.

We completed a few last modifications including a new drawer for cutlery etc, and a new steering pedestal front panel with fitments for the cockpit table.

We have also added some additional safety gear, including a 406mhz EPIRB which should see our emergency signal picked up within 15 minutes, if we are ever unfortunate enough to need it.

Our list of safety equipment includes the folowing general items located around Tiburon:

- 406 mhz EPIRB
- 2 fire extinguishers
- PFD 1 lifejackets (traditional for Mark and auto inflate for Karen), with crotch straps
- a restraint hareness each with crotch straps, to prevent us falling overboard (only worn depending on conditions)
- high volume bilge pump with two auto switches (for redundancy) and manual overide
- fire bucket
- 2 anchors and rodes
- life ring
- no liferaft but we do carry an inflatable dinghy (which is always kept inflated)

In our "grab kit" which is ready if we have an emergency we carry:

- 121.5 mhz personal EPIRB
- set of flares
- v-sheet
- signalling mirror
- handheld compass
- handheld GPS
- and other survival gear such as sunscreen, spare water etc.

As we go on we will let you know what navigation and communication equipment we will carry.

Welcome

Friends,

Welcome to our blog. Karen and Mark will work to keep you updated on our travels over the next few months as we take "Tiburon" north along the Queenlsand coast.

After twelve months of preparation we are finally on our way. We expect the "little shark" (tiburon is Spanish for shark) will serve us well.

Weather being kind our planned departure from Manly is Thursday the 21st June.

This last few weeks we have been blessed with good wishes from our friends, family and workmates - thankyou - here we gooooooo!

As we move on we will tell you a little about Tiburon. For starters she is 27' long, a motor sailer, with a 22hp inboard diesel engine. She was built in Auckland in the late '80s.

You won't find too many of her sisters here but I understand she remains a popular vessel in NZ. Karen and I purchased her in August 2004.