Year 2 -16 May 2025 – Breakwater Marina- Townsville
I woke reasonably earlier and packed. I am flying home today for my brother’s cremation and memorial but it will also give me a good opportunity to spend some time with family and friends and loved ones. I will therefore not be blogging again until I return on about 25 June 2025. I have reflected since I last went home in early April and since I returned we have spent time in the Whitsunday Islands with good crew. This has been a good distraction from the grief of my brother’s passing and I know he wanted me to return and to continue my voyage.
As it was my last day I made a berry smoothie and then cooked bacon and egg for everyone. After breakfast I used the courtesy car to drive over to Ross Raven Marina where I hope Stormbird will be lifted for the bow thruster repair. I sorted out the formalities and then we returned to the marina. I then put distilled water in the batteries and then took out the log so that it will not be broken if they jetwash the bottom. They did manage to fill one of the gas cylinders which was good so I have some gas going forward.
We had some lunch and luckily the engineer came round and I talked through with him the job that needed doing and what he needed to sort out. This was the best I could do and I hope it goes smoothly.
I then changed and at about 3.30pm set off for the airport at Townsville for a flight to Brisbane. I left Stormbird in the sun and trust that all will go well. As I was leaving they were talking about a crocodile which came into the marina last week. That puts me off swimming even more!!
When I get to Brisbane I will then fly to Dubai and then to London. My flight is at 1.55am on my birthday and I will arrive over 24 hours later at 18.40pm on my birthday so it will be the longest birthday I have ever had!
The picture of the day is of a sailing Stormbird recently which will remind me of the last few weeks until I return.
I will return and will blog again from 25 June 2025.
Need/Opportunity Year Three
I am in need of one more crew from Cairns to Indonesia. You could join In Townsville at the end of June and sail up to Cairns of join in Cairns on about 14 July. We will then sail to Indonesia on about 17 July and arrive 1,100nm) on about 22-23 July. You can then stay for a bit and then leave when convenient. If interested do email me.
In year three I will be going from Thailand to Sri Lanka, India, Maldives and then on to Chagos, Mauritius, Reunion, Cape Town, St Helena, Azores and back to the UK. I am looking for crew from Reunion to Cape Town and from Cape Town to the UK. If of any interest do email me.
The blog will continue as we continue the journey. If you have any comments or suggestions about the blog then do email me on hine.nick9@gmail.com