Author Archives: Mike
Fire and ashes
Christmas was great. New Years Eve was even better… The Dunalley bushfires weren’t. That smoke plume in the photo below was the Forcett fire raging down on the Peninsula. We were ok, we sailed out the day before fire swept through but our car and shipping container were at Dad’s place, and Dads place and … Continue reading
What’s Cruising?
So the better half asked me this morning, “What cruising are we expecting to do?” The question was in context of all these boats I keep sender her links to… Like this one, and this one, not to mention my current ideal boat, if we could ever afford it. What cruising was I expecting do … Continue reading
The Ballistic Brick
We took the plunge, bit the bullet, broke the ice, took the first step… We bought a car! She’s a bit tatty, is neither comfortable nor fast, and manages to be square hipped, shouldered and jawed. Without further ado, let me introduce Beryl… Yes, she’s a Volvo. I did say once that I’d never own … Continue reading
Boats a rockin’
It’s been four straight days with winds gusting over 30kts, and it’s getting old. See that 976 millibar low over toward New Zealand? It was 982 when passed over us a few days ago, and it’s been kicking our arse ever since. We had a 43kt gust (30 second average) measured onboard come through on … Continue reading
6ft-itis
Have you heard of 6ft-itis? It’s a common affliction for boat owners. It starts with looking at other boats, and you know you have got it bad when you start casting a less than kindly eye over your own boat. The infection is contagious… Your wife has it when both of you start conversations with … Continue reading
Seafood Chowder
It’s still howling 20 to 30kts here at the moment, boat heeling in the gusts. The thermometer thinks its 9 degrees C, but with this wind, it feels a lot colder than that. With this rather chilly weather, I have rediscovered soup. A hot bowl of soup seems to be just the ticket for days … Continue reading
Thieves, sneaks and rogues
We had thieves aboard early this morning. We awoke to the pitter-patter sounds of furtive feet on the side deck. The dear wife sat bolt upright, waking me with a start. By the time a half dressed her and naked me clambered out into the cockpit, we saw three juveniles at the marina gate. They … Continue reading
My Galley Rules
I got some inspiration recently, talking to a live-aboard friend about the television show “My Kitchen Rules”. Many people we have talked to wonder how decent family meals could be prepared on what they view as a camping stove with nowhere to cook. “What can you cook in such a tiny space space?”, they exclaim. … Continue reading
Sovereign Hill
I recently had to go to Ballarat on business, and by good fortune, finished up early. I thought rying to find something to do in a place like Ballarat, in the depths of winter, on a weekday, for half a day was going to be a tall order… Until I found Sovereign Hill. Sovereign Hill … Continue reading
Electric Light Orchestra
We have had an issue in ERIK of late, made worse by the deepening dark of these winter nights. Whenever we fire up the DVD/media player, or the refrigeration kicks in, the lights dim and flicker horribly. It started off as a mild phenomenon, hardly worth commenting on. Last night it was so bad the … Continue reading