Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
he knew I was working every day, as he had seen me riding down the same street every
morning on my bicycle in work clothes. They were pretty cool about it, and I appreciated
their blind-eyed diplomacy.
With my engine now started, I hauled up the one anchor and quickly put the helm hard over,
heading for the breakwater and swells that were generating from the seaboard out beyond. I
looked back and saw the yard owner standing next to Liza; they were both waving. I waved
back, shouting goodbye to them both. Goodbye Bundaberg, thank you for being so kind to
me, I would never forget you and your bittersweet people. I wiped away a tear as I looked
back from time to time. Liza's little frame still waved her hanky; she kept it up until I could
no longer see her.
By now I had hoisted the main and working Genoa, and with the engine still running, motor
sailed well past the harbor entrance and out to sea. As strange as it sounds, Carl, the single
hander from America who had lent me his sewing machine, was also leaving for New Zea-
land on this very day! We sailed in tandem for a while, but because I was motor sailing, I
overtook him before too long. We kept in contact for a while, but later he drew ahead of
me due to his longer waterline after I had switched off my engine. I lost radio contact with
him soon after. I was indeed sailing alone now.
I shall now refer to my log book, and my dear reader may wish to refer to the glossary.
19
th
Feb: Rough seas, high winds, bloody miserable the first night out! Diesel and water
sloshing around in bilges washing over sole hatches. Feeling very queasy and nervous on
my most important solo trip.
20
th
Feb: Still heavy seas and high winds. Sick and angry. Lay in my bunk most of the time.
Angry at why bilges keep filling up with water when sailing hard. Don't know where it is
coming from. Tacked way out to sea and back to coast again. Made very little progress,
feel discouraged and still sick. Saw first ship, must be in shipping lane. Tacked out to sea
again, took a noon sight.
21
st
Feb: Several cat naps. Sleep very important. Have noticed how dizzy and tired I have
become. I need to get my sea legs back soon. Took morning and noon sight, got a fix, no-
ticed I have done a lot better. Feeling a little more human, but not a hundred percent.
Three attacks on fishing line but no fish. Gavin would have done better. Changed sails in
the night. Wind picked up a lot. Discovered working jib piston hanks seized solid! God was
I furious!
