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We
are the People that are FREE! |
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From
The Coastal Passage, issue #34 |
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It was 9 years around for Dave on his
Adams 12, and he didn’t come home alone. He met Sonia in
her native Columbia. Sonia loves children and comes from
a very traditional family. Dave told us how when he first met
he asked if he might talk to her for a while and he was surprised
when he had to wait for the matriarch of the family to size him
up first! Apparently he was judged OK and now Sonia calls Australia
home. |
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"It's just 10 minutes past beer o'clock
and sundowners on Thomas Island is already in full swing. Enjoying
the ambience of the occasion is Edwina and Mack on Maui, Maxine
and Richard on Tracs Too and Pattie from Speranza. Where
else would you rather be?”
words & photo courtesy of Keith
& Pattie, SY Speranza |
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After being introduced to “
The Coastal Passage” during our recent 3 month sail from
Brisbane to the Whitsundays and back, I thought I would add some
photo’s of another “family” to your gallery.
Whilst many thought our 3 month adventure on “Idyllic”
(Northshore 46 monohull) with our three sons Mitchell (2),
Scott(6) and Curtis(8) was not in keeping with the name,
we all had a FANTASTIC time!!!
We had mostly great weather, certainly plenty of Whales, Dolphins,
Turtles and excellent snorkelling, as well as the old “not
so planned” occurrences. Probably the only disappointing
thing was how few other families with young children we came
across. This trip brought us all more together as a family and
whilst not in formal schooling, the experiences the older boys
gained during this journey could not be taught in any classroom
situation.
We were also very encouraged at how kindly others without young
children welcomed us despite not fitting the “Cruising Couple”
mold. I hope you can use this and some photos to encourage some
more families to ”seize the opportunity” and that when
we head out again in 18 months there are more young “playmates”
out there!!
Kind regards,
Donna & Ian Luxton |
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One look at Kevin off 'Chantilly'
and 'Old Salt' springs to mind. He and his wife Carole
have been sailing the high seas for over 30 years and their experience
includes several circumnavs of the world. Carole is the navigator
and prefers ocean crossings, while Kevin is more into coastal
exploring. Perhaps his penchant for collecting rope explains
this. If you ever need a particular type or thickness, more than
likely Kevin will have some on board somewhere. Kevin and Carole
started off life on the sea on a 23 footer, complete with four
kids, two Labradors and a cat. Time has whittled down both the
kids and the pets and now their boat is a beautiful Bavaria 46
Cruiser, and their only passenger is one very spoilt moggy named
Charlotte. Their motto is: “Go where the wind takes you
and never wait for the mail”.
words & photo courtesy of Wendy,
SY Absolutely |
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Auspicious
is an Explorer 40; a beautiful black and white cat who has safely
sailed her owners John & Win around the top from Perth
last year. These guys have been married 43 years, which puts
them in the 3% of the population that most of us are not members
of. They've done quite a bit of sailing over the last 35 years,
including the Pacific Ocean, PNG and the Solomon Islands and
of course the East coast. After all that time John reckons he
can feel a 'tree change' coming Win calls it pottering in a garden
and swears she will be a FI/FO wife if he wants to stay in Cairns.
It will be sad to see them land based once Auspicious finds her
next owner, as they are lovely people who are always good for
coffee and a tale or three.
words & photo courtesy of Wendy,
SY Absolutely |
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