Living Contentedly

The mission for today was to deliver and sell my Homalayan. I was annpyed when, for the first time ever it refused to turn over. I knew the cause was a lose plug from a cable I had to move to fit the new battery. A two minute repair, but it irked me.  I didn't want to pass or on like that, but I had little choice. I plugged it back in and she fired right up.  The new pwner, who I thought might be Indian as Aussie as. A nice guy. I'm list about to text him to let him know of he has a problem, to check that.  I dropped by to see my sister afterwards. Good to catch up with her and with family news. She will be missing mum on Mother's Day in two days time. I felt free as soon as I left. Just me and a small pack, walking and catching the train home, walking from the station. Something about walling I love, lately my exercise routines are all full on; jogging, cycling and weights. Walking is enjoyable and done like this I achieve things, travelling to or from places I have to b...

Sailed Ilona, Lemon Tree to Corlette : When I realised I'd left my wallet at home & had to backtrack 15k, I wondered how the rest of the day would go. I needn't have been so pessimistic. Trying the Trailer Skids: I had been frustrated with the old trailer set up. Four sets of rollers on two way tilting brackets tended to hammer the hull severely, knocking paint off, for one.     I'd followed my gut instinct to fit simple skids, two six foot long runners, topped with thin rubber wear strips. To say they worked flawlessly would be an understatement.  Rigging Up    I stripped her rig months ago & hadn't really reassembled her yet. So I rowed across the passage and anchored while I attached the halyard to the yard, & the mainsheet tackle to the boom & centreboard casing ... & got underway. Wangi Queen Vibe The "Wangi Queens Showboat" was boarding as I rowed away from the finger wharf. A few passengers had that whimsical look asxtgey eyed Ilo...

Huh, I got married on this date in 1991. Thirty five years ago and have been  ecstatically separated for the last nine years. But the social worker in me says its useful to acknowledge these things.     Of course, I focus little upon those years beyond the happy times parenting. But there are also reflections of years missed; fitness goals, sailing miles, and so on.     But today I am prepping the most expensive sail boat Ive ever owned, for a sail early tomorrow morning. For me, there is nothing better than stopping midsail on a smooth anchorage for a snack, coffee and a book. Perhaps there will be a beach walk and swim? Bliss.   Clancy, LBG While I was visiting my daughter last week, my son was left to "care" for the cats, chooks and house. Sadly he did a lousy job and part of that was leaving a fate open to let the goats graze my garden. I lost 20 lettuce, raddish, cabbage, book choy, beans, onions, tomatoes and the last of the...

This bike (2017 Classic 500) got me back into motorbiking after giving it away when my children were born. Actually my son got a bike and I thought it was probably OK for me to have a crack.  I immediately loved it's styling, simple build, ease of repair and with a smaller muffler, her sound. Over time I moved on to a Honda Shadow and after a while letcmy son ride The Royal. Initially he loved it, but lost interest when he graduated to a Honda 650 which he bought new.  So I got my Royal back andxits become my daily rider; Honda is being chopped and Himalayan is now for sail. I am still in love with The Royal, her note, nimbleness and knowledge of the fact that if she goes  down I can pick it up again. 

Sunday for me can be a restful day. After yesterday's Gravaleur ride, including a wrong that added 10k and a tumble off my bike in the main street while trying to unclip, I'm feeling a little tender but mostly denourished. So today was ways going to be a slow one.    Fortunately the weather is majestic autumn at its best; no T-shirt and shorts!    Job One: get Yamaha outboard running. This was provided as ballast when I bought Ilona 2years ago with apologies. I had a try some time ago without luck.    It actually looks in perfect condition, but as Ive learned, engines hate sitting idle. I gave her a wash before  consultinf some Yamaha online tutorials then: renewed fuel, checked the plug, checked spark, made sure choke, gear and throttle settings were right. But even using Start Ya Bastard I had no feedback of any kind. Back to the shed.     Selling Ilona : Ive had a query about her rig type from someone wanting the yawl. Its clear in the ad,...

Getting up at 04:30, shovelingy oats and driving 90k is not the ideal start.     But the Gravaleur event was not super just, so I sosmt have to worry about people on my face. There was a big  mix of riders and the early mood was uptight but positive. On the road we quickly settled into their paces. I fell into a rhyrhm of passing two women on the flats and they passed me on climbs. They ultimately led me astray, rising an extra 10-15k. My highlight was meeting a Brisbane rider who had ridden the Tassie Gift twice. Wow. With 6k to go I was feeling a bit yuk due to hettinv lost and feeling depleted. But seeing the aftermath of a road accident put things right. Someone's dream retirement, to tow a caravan around Australia had ended upside down on a steep embankment. Even if the occupants survived tje rollover, the heartache and condition of the wreckage would be devastating.  So my little issue was quickly put into perspective.