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It was oh so quiet

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Tess and Marty Sae-trials bliss

It was oh so quiet. The morning was eerily still. Perhaps it felt eerie because of the significance of what was to come. Our new mainsail was being installed and if all went well, we were having sea-trials with the new rigging, furling boom, sail and new engine. 

Side note: Sea-trials are where you take it out with the manufacturer/installer and put it through its paces to ensure that it all works properly. In this case our sea-trials required our rigger and the sail maker.

Normally I would be excited and jumping out of my skin. However, we were getting too used to issues and delays. When Martin and I rose that morning we barely spoke; each in our own thought bubbles; each knowing that if today did not go well we would have to… well, let’s not go there. 

We drove in silence to the boat. I broke the silence and said we really should do a Facebook live. I recall saying I should be excited however I am nervous…

We arrived at the marina 45 minutes after the rigger said they would be there. We were expecting to round the bend to our finger and see a couple of guys installing our vang. A vang controls the angle of the boom to the deck under sail.

We rounded the corner and… nobody was there. We stood there for a moment. Martin phoned the rigger – no answer. Me? The disappointment felt like a wave that made my body heavy, lethargic and my inner voice says, “Here we go again”. 

We walked the remaining 20 meters to our boat and left our trolley on the finger. We turn to walk the 1 km back to the café and grab a coffee. We grab takeaway and, not thinking we decide to sit at the café tables, upsetting the COVID19 table reservation and cleaning system that is in place. No problem, they have a table spare and seat their new customers there. Perhaps they are regulars like us. I don’t know. I don’t look. It is a busy place.

It was oh so quiet (thank you for the song Bjork). The water was glassy flat. The sun was shining brightly, the sky was crystal clear. There was rain over night so everywhere was damp but with the rain comes a couple of extra degrees of warmth. Nice. All in all it was a perfect day for raising the mainsail. There was no wind. We sat in the stillness. 

Martin tries phoning the rigger again. This time he answers, He is polishing the knuckle and is leaving in 10 minutes. We can expect him here in 30 minutes… I don’t know what a knuckle is. He will be here around the same time as the sailmaker. Fingers crossed.

Martin and I part ways. He went back to the boat and I went to the bathroom. 

On my way back to the boat Martin tries to call me. I ignore it as I am recording the day using my iPhone’s time lapse feature. I am almost there.

Martin and Tess happy days.
Our smiles say it all

I rounded the corner and my heart nearly burst out of my chest. The sailmakers and riggers were both there and working on our boat. It was like an explosion in my head and my heart. Martin walked up to me and gave me a huge hug. I am so in love with him and the adventure we are creating…

I was pretty quiet for the rest of the morning while all the guys were working. I was happily watching (and filming) as they toiled away. I can watch craftsmen work for hours and not get bored. They worked well and swiftly, guided by years of experience. 

They finished earlier than expected. We were going to be doing sea-trials that afternoon. It was barely 11 am. The rigger asked, “Do you want to do sea-trials now or on the weekend?” Perhaps due to the light winds. And finally I contributed to the day’s proceedings and said, “We are doing it now”. To which the rigger said something along the lines of, “The lady has spoken”. We had cast off within 5 minutes and our new engine purred. The sails were put through their paces and my heart soared.

The wind was starting to pick up a little. It got to a nice 10 knots. Enough for what we needed. Brett, one of the riggers, was hosted up the mast and checked the rigging and made some adjustments while we were under sail. I will say that again, He was hosted up the mast in a bosun’s chair while we were sailing. Amazing man… And he didn’t drop any tools. 

The sailing was beautiful. It was like mother nature put on the best she could offer. Perfect sunshine, warmth, wind and some dolphins joined us. The guys even saw a dugong. I missed it. Perhaps next time…

Oh so quiet
Oh so quiet

We came back in. A girlfriend phoned asking if we had had lunch yet. She came to the boat with sushi. I was starving. We talked and chatted. And we had one of those blissful moments that you can have with a friend who knows you well. Those moments of saying nothing at all and just chillaxing after a job well done.

It was oh so quiet… blissfully oh so quiet

—

Jump into our Facebook page and check out some of the videos from the day https://www.facebook.com/pg/WhatAreYouWaitingForLiveYourLife/posts/?ref=page_internal

#Ilovesailing #Liveyourlife #Whatareyouwaitingfor #Ohsoquiet

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In Down sizing

Downsizing update – How many pairs of shoes is enough and other serious questions…

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You may well laugh! Downsizing is challenging. How many pairs of shoes is enough is a serious question, the answer of which may divide our followers depending on how wedded you are to your viewpoint. Having said that shoe-lovers and partners of shoe-lovers, this post may give you insight into each-other’s psychology and save you an argument or two.

How many pairs do I own you ask?

Firstly, does it matter? Secondly, I can’t really answer that question. I never counted.

My shoe cabinet, a causality of downsizing.
My shoe cabinet, a casualty of downsizing

I did have my gorgeous shoe cabinet and all my favourites where there along-side my statement pieces. My cabinet held approximately 30 pairs and then I had bike boots (2 pairs), 1 pair of classic black knee length flat boots, 1 pair of funky wedged heal knee length grey boots, 1 pair of flat black boots (super comfy and elegant) and 1 pair of 13 holed Doc Martins (floral patterned, yes floral). They were in the cupboard. And some odd pairs of flats kicking around.

Yes, to me shoes are art, architecture and perfectly meet my old criteria, that anything in our home had to be beautiful and/or functional and have a home. Tick, tick and tick. And they made me happy…

I also tended to buy good quality, usually on sale or second hand. It is amazing how many designer shoes you can buy that have never been worn.

My inner voice, “Do I sound like I am justifying my collection?” I ask myself. “No – not at all – I just love my shoes.” I tell myself.

The couch psychologist (aka me) is coming out again…

Serious question #1. How do you know when is it time to let go of something? For me and my shoes, believe it or not, I felt like I had enough so when I acquired a new (or new via second hand) pair I had to let a pair go. This would typically be the most worn out work shoe. As far as strategies go it is not bad… And it worked more or less when the main goal was not to extend my shoe collection. However, that goal is no longer relevant as I need to downsize. Did I mention downsizing is challenging? Oh I did… OK moving on.

Serious question #2. How do I let go of old favourites? You know what I am talking about; your “go to”, most comfortable tshirt, shorts, shoes, undies etc. The one that your partner says, “you really can’t wear that!” To which you replay, “Why not? There is nothing wrong with it?”

You know your partner has secretly tried to bleach out the stain on the front of your favourite Tee. You honestly cannot see the stain they are talking about. And some of you have even successfully rescued it from the trash. And when you are spotted wearing it again you say something along the lines of “I thought you accidentally threw it out”. And turn on your heal to do something important to end the conversation. Now you know what I am talking about.

For me there is a transition zone… You know that these shoes really need to go. How many times can you resole your favourite boots? I can answer that question from personal experience. However it does not matter. What matters is I used to have a transition zone that worked for me and I would mentally prepare for letting go of one or two pairs of shoes.

I need a new transition zone!

—

The challenge.
My goals have changed. I am shifting from not growing many of my art – I mean shoe collection. To downsizing them.

I am mentally expanding my transition zone from letting go of one or two pairs at a time to 30’ish pairs… No comments thank you… I did mention downsizing is challenging. Just saying…

—

To the rescue.

Yesterday one of my gorgeous girlfriends, who has helped me over the years downsize books and clothes appeared on the door-step with lunch consisting of beautiful ham, avocado, ash brie, yummy vege’ chips and tasty Italian biscuits for the cuppa we never had. Nothing like a care-pack in a time of a crisis’s. I tell her I will be fine and won’t need counselling – as we laugh I pour the bubbles.

Fuelled with a beautiful lunch and sparkling wine, we headed to the bedroom where all my shoes were on the floor, in roughly two piles…

Ones that I could see going and the rest. So I had about 4 pairs in the “could go” pile and a lot in the other pile. We work through the piles. I have lots of high heels for work. Many black pairs, but also red, blue, beige and one white pair of heals.

Now for the serious questions.
What heal height do a I keep? High or more sensible mid-heal height? What shoes match the work clothes I am keeping?

You ask, why do I need heals when I am moving on to a boat? Well I am still working. I still need work clothes. One of my clients has started back in the office and I had my first in-person meeting since the COVID shutdown last week. When I parked in their car-park I asked myself, as I swapped out of my flats into my heals, can I still walk in them? I had about two hundred metres up a slight hill. In case you were wondering, I was fine.

COVID has not helped the decision making. As I can’t eliminate based on which pairs I have not worn lately… The answer is any of them, except my beige pair on Monday.

Nevertheless, we successfully narrowed it down. Mostly by eliminating by their condition, then comparing similar shoes, black heel with black heel which do a I keep, which are more versatile? Etc.

We did introduce a “maybe” pile and we went through that again at the end of the process.

Even though I am downsizing, my gorgeous Doc Martins are staying. Image of my floral Doc Martins
My Docs

At this point in time, I need (ha, ha yes I know, I chose to keep):
• One white pair of heels
• One funky red pair of heels
• One blue pair of wedged espadrilles
• One beige pair of heels
• One or two black pairs (ok.. two)
• One pewter pair (to wear at an up and coming wedding)
• One black ankle boot with heels
• My floral Doc Martins
• My black flat ankle boats
• Two pairs of ballet flats (White with blue trim and the other blackish pair)
• Two pairs of sandals (one white, one black)
• Two pairs of thongs (one beach, one more dressy)
• Two pairs of knee-high boats (one flat black, one grey wedged heel)
• One pair of bike boots
• Two pairs of sneakers

So that is twenty-one pairs. Yet when I took the photo it was twenty-two pairs. I missed one pair. Closer examination of the photo and I found my deck shoes. Kind of important.

I know it is too many. Nevertheless, it is a huge cull and I am celebrating the mini milestone as I have entered a new transition zone. The shoes will go on a rack in the shed at the marina until we go sailing further afield in December. I will still be working after we go sailing. What that looks like, in an office or remote who knows? I have also culled my clothes and will revisit both my clothes and my shoes before we set sail. More downsizing to look forward to.

But now I have a 6-month transition zone to let go of more of the shoe collection.

For now I am happy. I am proud of myself… Thank you to my gorgeous friend!!! I am pleased with my new strategy that will get me to December.

And to the answer to the question: how many shoes is enough is what-ever is right for you (and your circumstances)?

PS my girlfriend went home with another pair of shoes and some more clothes. 🙂 Thank you for your help with downsizing!!!

#Iloveshoes #Whatareyouwaitingfor #liveyourlife #downsizing #Confessionsofashoeaholic

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In Liveaboard

Challenges, deadlines and the domino effect…

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With deadlines looming our schedule is ever changing… We are two weeks behind on schedule version 1,099…

Pushing deadlines it was great to finally see this image our engine on the trailer and the crane to host her onto the boat.
New Engine and reconditioned GenSet

Week starting 25 May 2020 (this week):
• engine craned in – tick – crazy happy dance
• engine gets connected and other bits and pieces… almost finished.

Week starting 1 June 2020 (next week)
• new inverter, batteries and electrical checks – (OMG done a week early… unbelievable… another happy dance)
• new sail installed (or the week after)

And with a new sail and the rigging will we need to do what is called a “sea trial” to ensure it all works as expected… Seriously running out of time. We are feeling the pressure of multiple deadlines.

We have planned to be moving onto the boat this weekend. However, the interior is still in a million pieces. OK I exaggerate… 999 pieces… You get the idea.

Meanwhile back at the ranch we are both working too many hours and are still swimming in a sea of books, shoes and bits and pieces that are no longer supported by furniture… i.e. it is all on the floor.

Back to our schedule or reschedule…

We have had to reschedule the pet sitter. He was meant to be looking after the animals this weekend while we were moving the boat to the Gold Coast. We rescheduled him to the following weekend. However, Bill Fuller in case I forget to tell you, it may be the weekend after… or… sorry the deadlines keep changing.

We are getting a few questions about the animals. Moo and Nitro (the dogs) will be fine I have no doubt. Zac (the cat) on the other hand – well that remains to be seen. I spoke with the vet about sedating him. He recommended some anti-anxiety tablets instead and to try them out first. They worked at treat. Tick…

Our best-case scenario is now to be moving the boat to the Gold Coast the weekend 5 June…

Our worst case and last option is to be moving the boat to the Gold Coast the weekend of 12 June… Not ideal as we have a skip scheduled for the 12 June.

It will be worth it… we just need to get through the next 3 weeks.

And as the deadline approaches our stress levels are increasing with the diminishing timeline and so many activities in the hands of others. Mechanics, electricians, sail makers and… And, of course there is a domino effect…

#Ilovesailing #Whatareyouwaitingfor #Liveyourlife 

Jump into our Facebook page to see time-lapse videos of the crane lifting and lowering the engine through the cockpit, into the galley and into the engine bay.

Engine being craned in. https://www.facebook.com/tess.brook.5/videos/10158102310684435/

GenSet being craned in. https://www.facebook.com/tess.brook.5/videos/10158102314494435/

Getting the engine into position inside the boat. https://www.facebook.com/tess.brook.5/videos/10158116495059435/

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In Down sizing

An imperfect study on the Psychology of Downsizing. Part 2

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Firstly, thank you for your responses to my last post on “An imperfect study on the Psychology of Downsizing“. I am thrilled it has touched so many people. I am amazed that I actually finish a post so I am excited when it touch so many people. Let me explain. Publishing a post is a miracle in and of its self.

First there is an idea. My ideas typically come from:
something that is bouncing around in my mind, or
a funny event or incident
an interesting conversation maybe

From there I ponder the angle and the rough title… Once I have a rough idea of the title I can start writing. The title keeps my writing anchored and on point even though I may take the long way around… which you observably don’t mind if you are still reading…

Thanks for staying with me so far.

When I write a post I am constantly amazed that I actual can finish a train of thought. That is miracle number 1. From there I hand it over to Martin Lloyd or Bill Fuller to proofread. Otherwise, it would never be published. Then finding the photos to use takes time.

Then we get to the publishing phase. Facebook is easy to post to while the blog site consumes a little more time, with image location, size, tags and SEO (Search Engine Optimisation). It is all a learning curve.

So, the fact that it actually gets published at all is miracle number 2.

I never expected to write a “part 2”. So let’s just say that this is miracle number 3. Due to your response to last week’s post and interesting in the Psychology of Downsizing I find myself compelled to write a companion post.

Some truly beautiful things are happening. Thank you for sharing with us your thoughts and actions. Here are a few…

A friend (we did our jewellery apprenticeship together at different firms) said I got him to think about moving his tools on. While another shared a similar story about passing on his tools of trade.

From my own experiences of the Psychology of Downsizing the takeaways are:

  1. Pay it forward
  2. Create space for a new future
  3. Know what you are moving away from and towards

Let me explain…

Couch phycologist (aka me) takeaway number #1. Pay it forward. You create new stories and adventures for others. I am loving living vicariously through others from their actions.

Kevin Wilton made me an awesome pair of earrings.

3 Generations enjoy their catchups over Royal Dolton.

One-lady, gifted her daughter a china set that matched the teapot she gave her for her 30th birthday present. Now three generations have afternoon tea together off Royal Dolton.

A famous artist (Horacio Cardozo – header image) now has one of my easels and is using it to paint a canvas for our boat’s saloon. So, excited… And yes, we are adding this one painting to our collection.

My Tulips 2015

Some of my original paintings are feature pieces in new homes. Some of our art collection has turned my sister Judi Stewart and a few friends homes into mini art galleries.

Our gorgeous egg chair is now a statement piece in a photography studio and I suspect will be used in many photo shoots.

Two of our bookcases are being set up as a reading corner and loaded with classics and many more of our books are creating more hours of enjoyment for many others…

While it is hard to let it go, receiving a photo of something that was ours, set up in its new home is wonderful. And having them sign up to our blog to follow our journey is the cherry on the top.

So, if you are hesitating, Pay-it-forward and create new stories.

—-

Some days are easier than others… Because it is hard. It is a fundamental shift in thinking and direction. After all we have been collecting (consciously and unconsciously) to fill our home with things that make us happy. So to be letting the very same items go is challenging.

Having a deadline helps with our motivation. One of my friends commented

“Wow. I am loving your posts and borrowing your tips as we continue the long journey to declutter (with a spare farm and huge shed the lack of imperative is slowing us down a bit, but one day we will have to sell the farm and then what?!!!). Will forward this post also to some of my family who are struggling with prepping for downsizing! Hugs to you….”

I understand the challenge. I can’t decide on what stays or goes so I make a cuppa and the decision waits for another time. Along the same vein, I have ordered a number of times a document shredder bin to clear out old work stuff. I have extended the hire again and again and again.

I enjoying pondering the psychology of downsizing, however that only gets me so far. The following tips have worked for me;

Tip number 1 – Get help. This could be a friend or a professional.

Twice I have had friends help me sort and toss. One girlfriend helped with my professional book collection. About 18 months ago I re-homed many books. And since then I have bought and downloaded the kindle version of my “go to” books.

More recently, another friend helped me with my art equipment. I am pleased to say my books and art equipment I have not added to either collection.

In each instance we came up with some rules before we started and then they kept me focused on the rules. It was awesome and fun. And I did not need counselling afterwards. I have to admit I have still to sort out the paper from the office. And past moves tells me that is always the last to go.

I am also following the lovely Virginia Wells, A professional organiser and founder of The WellSorted Group – Declutter and Organise Your Home. I have enjoyed her posts and her daily challenge. There are a few things I am struggling to let go of. Little things and so I am engaging her for a personal session to help me part with the little things… Perhaps I will write about that separately.

Couch phycologist takeaway number #2. Create space for your new future. Past or current possessions will keep you anchored to where you are now. Let go and make space for your new future. Your new adventure or life stage.

In our case our possessions are changing:
A new ratio of high heels / flats in my wardrobe (more flats)
A new ratio of vehicles / sailboats (the dinghy is a little sail boat)
Hard copy books to ebooks
And a new collection of sheets and lines (or ropes as they are called) for all sorts of purposes

—-

To wrap it up and reach my third takeaway… Talk about what you would like to do. Our journey started with conversations. We started talking years ago about what retirement looks like. We thought it would be a batch (beach shack) by the sea with a boat. As life events unfolded, our conversations continued and evolved, finding new ways to learn, understand and accommodate each-other’s needs and interests.

I suggest you start talking with each other. We have had people say to us, I would love to live on a boat. While their partner has said, I could not do that… Find the comprise for each. Book a holiday and go sailing. Trust me hiring someone’s else’s boat is heaps cheaper, Please, trust me on that one.

Ask yourself, what would you like to do when the kids finish school, uni etc. And before they have their own kids.

What do you want to do when you retire? Why wait? Start doing it now. What’s holding you back?

On an adventure!

When Martin and I met, I had a long list of things I wanted to do written with liquid chalk on the glass sliding door of my bedroom cupboard. The list included local travel and overseas travel. I always had my next adventure planned (or a couple of options). I had a short list and possible dates ready. And when I returned from the current adventure I could to start thinking about the next, which one when etc. Otherwise it was too depressing to go back to work. Even though I loved my clients and my work. I always knew what I wanted to do next…

Adopting these strategies and building your “retirement possibilities” means you will know what you are moving away from and what you are moving towards.

And that is leads me to…

Couch phycologist takeaway number #3. Know what we are moving away from and towards.

One of the most compelling reasons we decided to move aboard and start our adventures earlier, is we want to do it while we can. In the last two weeks we have had one friend pass away after living with cancer with 17 years and another friend pass after having a stroke on Tuesday and life support being switched off on Thursday. You never know what will happen and when.

What are your retirement possibilities? What are you waiting for?

#Ilovesailing #Whatareyouwaitingfor #liveyourlife #downsizing #payitforward #Createspace

I am sure there will be a third post on “The Imperfect study of the Psychology of Downsizing”. As I said previously, I have been amazed at the response to these posts on the Psychology of Downsizing. I encourage you to start your own conversations with your family and friends. It will make it easier to take incremental steps towards your new future.

Stay tuned.

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In Down sizing

An imperfect study on the Psychology of Downsizing.

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Yes, we are back to downsizing. Take 3! There are no more extension dates. We will be out of the house on the 17th June.

First things first, recently Martin had an aggressive skin cancer removed from the back of his hand.

The great news is they believe they removed it all. A week later they took another one off the top of his foot and again we have good news. Supper happy.

Dr Tan and the staff at Coorparoo Skin Clinic are brilliant. Not only at diagnosing and removal of the offending tissues but at the fine art of calming down a grown man with a genuine phobia of needles and knives. Watching this was magic.

If you have not had a skin check-up recently, do so. And don’t forget – wear sunscreen.

Downsizing took a back foot for many reasons, new engine, Martin’s hand, his foot (you can stop there baby) and the COVID restrictions. It is kind of hard to sell anything if people can’t visit to collect. So, with the slight lift in restrictions we are placing ads on-line and starting to move things once again.—Downsizing is a study of the psychology of inner conflict. Psychology as defined; The study of the human mind and its wide-ranging functions and influences.

Downsizing is a journey into our past with the aim (in our case) to be free of possessions that hold us to house and land in order to roam freely and un-encumbered into a new future.

My inner voice; “Wow – did I just write that? That is deep.”

In the process of shifting and sorting we stumble across things that have stopped us and make us reflect.

My reflections fall into a number of categories:

Possessions and collections.
Habits and silly conversations with self.
Family and friends.
Our identities.

Possessions and collections

• Am I really letting that go? I saved for so long for it.
• Wow, I have spent (or wasted) a lot of money!
• I love this collection. I really need it to go to a good home.

Habits and silly conversations

One of many collections

Backups. This habit is becoming abundantly clear as we are down-sizing. I always have a backup. This habit has served me well e.g. Dishwashing liquid when the current bottle is finished, I easily can reach under the sink and grab the back-up bottle. In my next shop I buy the next backup bottle. No emergency dashes to the shops for anything if possible.

Silly Conversations. My inner voice in a serious tone, “Do I take this (hair) conditioner or that conditioner. How did I end up with so many?” Pause… shouted from the bathroom, “Do you want a cuppa baby?” Clearly too hard a decision. Best be decided later…

Family and Friends

Cards, notes and keepsakes

The people who have shaped, guided and influenced my life. I have found notes that I have kept, cards and photos. None of which at this point in time I could write coherently about. It would take a few months bopping around at sea to have the time and space to express how grateful I am to you all. So, let’s settle on a humble thank you to everyone who has made me who I am today.

Our identity

For both of us we are exploring our next adventure. As you know we are not waiting to get any younger. And while we feel able, we are feeling the challenges our bodies are presenting. Martin perhaps a little more than me.

For me, a quandary has been drifting in and out of my consciousness for some time. I did not realise that it was associated with how I saw myself. These thoughts started to become clearer after a conversation with my friend Kevin Wilton.

One of the biggest downsizing challenges for me…

Martin’s Wedding Ring

has been what to do with my jewellery bench and tools. Some of you may not know that I started my working life as a jewellery apprentice and went on to become a jeweller. I worked in the trade full-time between 1984 and 1992 and then part time for a couple of years while I studied Industrial Design. In the last 28 years my jewellery bench has been set up ready for work for about 20 of those years. I have tinkered occasionally. It was packed away when Martin and I met.

When I proposed to Martin, he insisted that I make his wedding ring.

My cries of, “Sure you don’t want a bought one?” were firmly resisted, all the while insisting I make his wedding ring.

Back to my conversation with my friend. I first meet Kevin when he was working as a professional photographer and had been engaged to take some photos of my jewellery for a funky menswear shop that made limited edition men’s shirts.

Alternative Silver

I had the opportunity to be at the photo shoot. And this was where I connected with Kevin the photographer. He included me in the discussions of photo composition, light, angles and beauty. Since then we have happily bounced in and out of each-other’s lives. He has since fallen in love with jewellery making. Impressively, driven by his passion is self-taught and making a living from his craft in a really tough environment. He has set up under the banner of Alternative Silver and makes commissions, sells at the markets and runs classes. He is truly passionate about jewellery.

I was discussing the downsizing dilemma of letting go off my tools. And he shared a parallel story. He still has his photography studio and dark room setup; he has not used it in years. But it Is still a part of his identity.

My mind has been mulling over

packing up my tools until the day that I may return. Or giving them to Kevin to use and create as they were intended to be used. And so we have reached an agreement that he can have my tools indefinitely.

There is an old tradition in the jewellery trade (that sadly has largely fallen by the wayside) that when a jeweller retires or stops making jewellery, they gift their tools to someone. This thought has also been bouncing around in my mind. I have been admiring Kevin’s passion and his making a living out of jewellery when most jewellers are ready to give up.

Somehow and I am not sure how, I have settled and become comfortable with the indefinite loan of my tools to Kevin. Having trained a number of apprentices, seeing someone with such passion reminds me of my early days in the trade. It feels right.

Now, we move forward, letting go of old identities, making way for new ones.

And with that one more story of identity springs to mind… a professional colleague (and client) Tracey Bode introduced me to her husband one evening last year as “sailor girl”. It went like this, “Hey Derek, this is Sailor Girl”. And with hearing that, my face broke out with a massive grin.

#ilovesailing #Whatareyouwaitingfor #Liveyourlife #Downsizing

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In Our Journey

The power of intention and other life updates

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The power of intention… Be careful what you ask for because you just might get it. A fortnight ago, I concluded my post with … I feel like I can relax a little more and enjoy the beauty and pleasure of everyday mundane things.

I’m pleased to report I am improving at relaxing. But I can’t take all the credit. I believe some of the success lies with luck, some is in sound decision-making (reducing pressure and in turn stress) and some is managing the pressure I put on myself and my attitude towards the long list of things that still need to be done. And Martin’s foot. More on that later.

Proud to show our diesel engine maintenance course certificates
Our diesel engine maintenance course certificates

Luck – a 4 day Easter weekend followed a fortnight later with the 3 day Labour day weekend. Happy dance – extra time.

Sound decision-making – two decisions have reduced our stress:

  • taking a shed at the marina reducing the pressure to sell everything 
  • deciding to pay for a removalist to move our remaining possession (and there are still a few) 

Managing my attitude towards my to do list. This is hard. But by simply reprioritising what’s important to me first, has made the world of difference. Including my exercise.

I am doing my core strength work and my back is loving it. No more pain killers because I am curled over the keyboard for hours on end. 

The morning walk with the dogs had fallen by the wayside. It was like my keyboard had this magical power softly calling my name the moment I awoke. Not for my writing but straight into work. Yeh I know… I need to cut that s*** out, right?

And so, I am loving the mundane and catching up on things.

One task that has given me an immense level of satisfaction has been writing a couple of thank you cards. I have a card box where I keep a few cards handy, just in case I need one. 

Some of the cards are from art-galleries we have visited over the years. Some from a shy homeless guy in Melbourne who draws all the time. He has his drawings printed and sells them on the street corner. And in days gone by I used to make and sell my own cards. 

It was wonderful to pull this box out and select the cards to impart my messages. In the end I selected handmade cards the exterior made from recycled paper. This paper while in pulp form had multi coloured stars sprinkled randomly through the pulp mix. The inside of the card was a lovely linen paper. The smoothness of this texture was a beautiful contrast to the recycled paper and so beautiful to write on. 

Hand made letters
Hand-made cards

I had been planning to write four thank you cards to two different hospitals (Doctors and staff) and my local doctor for the amazing work they have done either saving Martin or my goddaughter’s lives. I was so happy to have been able to this. My stepbrother who is a doctor and a surgeon, suggested it after explaining the challenges of my Martin’s surgery.  I cannot tell you how good it felt to write my gratitude. We also enjoyed the walk to the mailbox to post them. I was grateful to still have a couple of stamps kicking-in around in the box. A quick online search confirmed current postage fee. All good.

And now some space to give you more updates… And it is all good news…
  • Martin and I received our certificates for completing our diesel engine maintenance course… Woohoo!!!
  • Our new engine has arrived and installation is likely to be this week. I am hoping it is Friday as I would be able to watch it. 
  • Doctors advised that they have successful removed all of the skin-cancer from the back of Martin’s hand. 

The Doctors also found and removed another skin cancer from the top of Martin’s foot. This happened on Friday and we should get the results on Wednesday. Fingers crossed for the same results as the last. 

Our cute little companions
Our companions

This weekend it is truly doing nothing for Martin as he has to keep his foot up for 48 hours. And be gentle with it moving forward not to pull the stitches. So, it is a Netflix feast and reading weekend. And for me it is punctate with nursing duties for cups of tea and biscuits etc. I gladly do it to keep Martin off his feet and I’m pleased to report no cups of tea were left on the bench (undelivered) as I get distracted with something else…

I did forget to turn the kettle on twice. Ha ha.

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In Sailing

Personalising the boat and other life choices…

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Personalising the boat… for me options explode in my head, bounce around like a pinball machine and for the main give me hours of entertainment. Everything is a choice…

Every one’s free lyrics

Queue music; Baz Luhrmann everyone is free

“Wear sunscreen

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it
A long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists
Whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable
Than my own meandering experience…“

This is one of my all-time favourite songs. It is all about choices… I wonder if Martin will get sick of hearing it on the boat… This and many other questions are taking up more of my head space.

As we approach moving aboard our attention is shifting from the essential, to the practical and the nice to have. Or what I call the critical non-essentials…

Here’s my logic…

The essentials are a must have.

For example, a fully functioning motor is essential. As is fuel. And the right type of fuel for that matter.

The practical covers a few things, they could make life easier, such as the trolley we recently purchased. It needed to be fit for purpose. So in this case; sturdy, collapsible and compact. Or which cutlery set do we take. Martin’s set from home is lovely however, they are not well balanced and as we are going to slightly smaller dinner plates the cutlery will easily fall off the plates. It already does now.

The Critical non-essentials… Personalising the boat, linen, cushions etc… More on that shortly.

A practical decision first… 

My old ski

I would love to take my surf ski with me. It is a 4.2-meters fibreglass OzFlyte ski. I purchased it directly from the manufacturer located on the Sunny Coast and requested a purple and pink paint job. I added hibiscus flower decals to the sides later. Weight was a consideration. I had to be able to lift it on and off the car by myself. At 17Kgs it was just about perfect. 

However, when we are at sea the ski will be strapped to the side railings of the boat. It will be smashed with waves. However of greater concern, is a whip from a stray sheet (sail rope). That will be a battle that the fibreglass is likely to lose. Hence, a more practical solution is required. 

I have been trawling on-line for a couple of months for a second-hand plastic kayak. Length is a consideration. I don’t want to compromise too much on manoeuvrability and I also want the kayak to glide. I’m armed with a list of criteria and I think I have found what I want… stay tuned… 

On to the critical non-essentials… 

Saboteur is going to be our home. We want her to be beautiful… She already is beautifully designed. Her fibre glass hull has a beautiful hand-built teak interior fit-out. The quality of the interior is spectacular. My grandfather (a carpenter), if he was alive would have loved it.

To gain a sense of style, imagine (for those of you who have been to Singapore) the beautiful old style colonial buildings with the old style plantation shutter doors, only in our case all our cupboards have louvred doors. Imagine, while you are at it, a Singapore Sling in your hand, but instead of sipping it in Raffles (The Long Bar or the Court Yard), you are lounging in our saloon or chilling in our cockpit… Equally as glorious.

This post has inspired me to enjoy a Singapore Sling this evening. Martin went to make breakfast this morning and found the required spirits bottles already on the bench in anticipation 😉

Are you getting the laid-back lazy Sunday afternoon feeling? I am…  

Back to personalising our interior. We have limited options in terms of artwork. This is limited by the fact that almost every space that is a wall is actually a cupboard. The result is we only have space for two smaller art pieces. More on that in a separate post.

We want to install weather covers at the aft end of the boat. Traditionally, they are in basic block colours and made from a heavy-duty canvas. We are considering an alternate to the standard block colour, just to personalise it a little. The pattern we are considering is the sample in the photo. It is still the nautical blue and white however, the pattern will complement the side safety netting and I love the fact that the pattern (kind of watercolour-ish) is not perfect. This may match our safety-netting installation skills. Time will tell. Today, is critical non-essential research day, followed by a Singapore Sling at sunset. A perfect Tess and Martin day.

And finally, on a more serious note… 

Wear sunscreen.

Both Martin and I have fair skin. My grandmother had more then we can count skin cancers removed. They were located on her calves, the back of her right forearm and the underside of her left forearm. These locations are from sun exposure while picking strawberries on the family farm. I can see her bent over holding the basket in her left hand and picking strawberries in her right hand, just like she has bent over in her own garden for many years. Based on family history, I go in for skin test every 6 months and regularl have suspect spots removed prior to them turning nasty.

This week saw Martin get a call to come in immediately to have a skin cancer removed from the back of his hand. We find out on Tuesday if they have it all.

So my friends… how long has it been since you had your skin checked? As Baz Luhrmann says, “wear sunscreen”.

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In Sailing

Moving aboard preparation & the bliss of the mundane.

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Friday 17 April was the day we should have handed over the keys to our rental and be fully in escape mode onboard Saboteur. You may recall we pushed back this date by two months as we need a new motor.

The good news is our motor arrives this week.
Happy dance.

It may seem that while we are waiting, we are running out of things to do… Well, that is not 100% true… There is always moving aboard preparation tasks to be done. However, finding things that can be done fairly quickly and not either get in the road of or be hindered by the other work that is happening on the boat is the challenge. 

Priority moving aboard preparation task is installing safety netting
Hope our netting looks this good!

There is still a lot of work that must be done prior to moving on board. If you recall the two dogs and the cat are joining us. To that end we need to install safety-line netting. That’s for the dogs (and some humans). The cat will ignore it. Safety-line netting runs along the boat, from the deck up to the first safety-line for approximately 40cms and in theory catches little animals before they slide over the edge as well as beach towels, hatch covers and the like. And maybe the odd human. The investment of $210 and a few hours to install it will pay for itself in the long run. Not to mention the hours of entertainment for our neighbours as Martin and I work out how to install it. 

As we have never had to install safety-line netting before,
the fastest way to learn about it is Google.

A couple of weeks ago armed with our research, we visited our local chandler Muir Marine to find out what is the best product to buy. It is one of those things we can easily order on-line but have no idea if we are getting the right product, quality etc. Plus, I love supporting the local businesses. The three chandlers we frequent are staffed by people with a passion for the water and usually with many years of experience on the water and their vessels of choice. I could lose myself in there for hours just wandering, tinkering and listening to people’s stories. However, we are always keen to pick up what we came for and get back to Saboteur and get on with it.

We received a call to inform us that the netting the we have ordered had arrived. Awesome, we picked it up and headed to the boat to set about installing it. We get there and decide that we need to clean the safety lines. A task that has taken considerably more time than it should. Notwithstanding, at the halfway point I decide I want to scrub the deck. As you do…

Moving aboard preparation task of cleaning the decks after messy tradesman
Before / After

I grab our deck broom which has reasonably stiff bristles and start scrubbing with the hose and boat wash. It is an improvement but not brilliant. Martin, jumping in to join me plies the deck with more water and boat wash. We were about to grab a stiffer scrubbing brush (an old fashion hands and knees scrub) when at the same time our neighbour pipes up and offers us the use his gurney.

Woohoo!!! The result, as you can see is amazing… 

Our moving aboard preparation has constant interruptions.

None more delightful and insistent then Moo (the dog)
telling me that he really needs to go to the toilet…

Naturally, halfway through a job. Martin grabs their leads and takes them for the almost 1km sprint to their favourite grassy knoll. It needs to be a sprint. Simple because we don’t want Moo weeing on anyone’s mooring lines. 

Relaxing after doing all our moving aboard preparation
Sunset

I noticed he had forgotten his key. I follow him barefoot. If you recall I am only learning to walk in thongs (flats, jandals, flip flops) and to walk fast in thongs would be a guaranteed disaster. My right foot is learning much faster than my left… Ha, ha…

I find Martin already on his way back. Others were coming and going through the gate so there was no real wait. As we wander back to the boat, the sun was getting low on the horizon and we turned our attention to dinner. The safety-lines, deck and of course the netting will wait for another day. 

Another moving aboard preparation task killing mould
Mould killing Gas Bomb

Additionally, our neighbour is going to set off some commercial mould killing gas bombs on our boat before we leave. While the boat is open, including some ceiling panels now was never a better time to do so.  We will report on this product. It should remove all mould from all nooks and crannies that would otherwise be impossible to reach. Other boaties may want to know about this.

Meanwhile back at home, we are still on a deadline to move out. We still have so much moving aboard preparation to do before we can move on. And we have had to rethink what we are doing with our remaining possessions. COVID19 has put an end to our garage sales and selling things on Market Place. Much of it is too good to go to the tip.

Furthermore, we have decided to stick around South East Queensland (and work) until later next year. A little extra cash won’t go astray. And so, we are going to take a different berth. One with a storage shed. This will help with each tools and working space to finish our moving aboard preparation tasks. We can also set up my painting easel, some gym gear, a fridge and a table and chairs. We can now take our time to sell/rehome our remaining possessions.

And with that decision our move becomes much easier. I feel like I can relax a little more and enjoy the beauty and pleasure of everyday mundane things.

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In Down sizing

The kaleidoscope of life as seen through our 1st garage sale.

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Our 1st garage sale…“So, you are the guys going on the boat?” was stated a few times today. “Yeh, that’s us,” we replied. Which was followed by;

“That’s brave…
A little crazy
Good on you.”

And there is always someone that has to tell you about a disaster they know of. Fortunately, we quite like these stories because we learn of ways people get themselves into (and out of) trouble or what to avoid in the first place. We also like checking out these stories on YouTube.

So where to start…

Massive thank you to Bill who helped us clean out the garage and get it ready. He cleaned a never-ending supply of crystal and at 2am he decided to count the cash float (Scrooge McDuck style) in order to know how much money we will make. I am unsure if the cricket was boring or if he woke up with that in his head. Either way thanks Bill.

We met numerous characters who started arriving at 10 past 6 am. I am serious. I am not sure why I am surprised as some of the ads I saw when researching said “strictly not before” their nominated start time. Now I understand why. Our dogs greeted them and I politely told the first person to return at 7am.

Rob, a close friend of our’s, turned up a 6.40am walking past the already small group of people waiting to grab a bargain.

Rob was a god-send.

Having had a garage sale before, he thought we would need help with our 1st garage sale for the first rush. And he was right. We had our own scaled down version of the boxing day rush. They were worried they would miss a bargain they did not know they needed yet. I had a David Attenborough commentary going on in my head about some of the behaviours in front of me. The first hour was intense. All the toys sold out immediately. After the rush settled down Rob took his leave. Greatly appreciated Rob.

Well earned glass of wine on our 1st garage sale
Well earned

The day settled down into a steady pace with one quiet spot for 10 minutes around 10.30 where there was nobody here. We took the moment to restock shelves. Finally, around 12.30 we could sit down for the first time. Martin grabbed an ice block while I poured a glass of wine. We took the weight of our feet. We had a couple more punters turn up in the last half hour.

Some people we met…

A gorgeous Argentine lady, who has made a serious niche food business of making and selling Argentine food. Empanadas (equivalent to our pies or a British pastie). She also makes Argentine cookies, cakes and chocolate. And here’s the good news, she lives just around the corner and some of them her items are gluten free. Happy Dance. We learnt she misses home (which is very close to where my brother lives in Argentina). However, she loves Australia and living in Brisbane. It was wonderful to hear how much she loves our amazing country and the opportunities they are finding here.

Then there was an eccentric disorganised artist lady. She made a grand entrance by spilling beetroot juice when she arrived. She then proceeded to leave a trail of beetroot juice behind her. The good news is she purchased the items that she colour enhanced. She was talkative and would probably test the capabilities of the most experience negotiator.

Enter on queue my friend Tom, a mediator, who so very kindly brought us coffee and biscuits. I jokingly said in a Facebook live to bring coffee. I love you Tom. Sorry we did not get to talk properly. Tom however listened ever so patiently to our new beetroot juice artist friend.

Then there was a lovely couple that drove down from the Sunshine Coast to collect the coffee tables that solved a number of problems for them. Size, functionality and looks. They told us that they had been looking for a while.

I love it when someone else loves what I love.

We met a mother and daughter who bought a lovely trinket box with crystal bits and pieces and my car hail blanket. The mother was so happy to get the hail blanket. Her carport had recently been removed and she was worried about her car getting hail damage with the storms. She could not afford a new hail blanket. I think that made her day.

Along the same vein was a young couple who came in rather late in the day and spotted the Gerni in the corner. They bought it for her father who’s Gerni had died only yesterday and he was devastated.

It was also lovely to see familiar faces walk down the drive. Some of our friends who live nearby bought a small collection of things, books (20), furniture, glass ware and more.  And one of my hats for this year’s Melbourne Cup. So happy to have it go to an appreciative home.

And finally, the day wound down at about the same time as our energy did, or was it the second glass of wine as we were both chillaxing after a full on couple of days. I had a well earned power nap before we headed off to the boat to tinker. Not bad for our 1st garage sale.

Hit Repeat…. Look forward to seeing more of life’s kaleidoscope in next week’s garage sale number 2.

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In Down sizing

Downsizing Artist Spotlight – “Michael” by Richard Roper

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“Michael” by Richard Roper

This spectacular painting “Michael” by Richard Roper was discovered on a Sunday afternoon drive on the Labour Day weekend a few years ago.

We had decided to have a long lunch up at Mt Tamborine and to wander through some art galleries and shops.

Why? Because the area is beautiful, and the clean crisp air, especially in May has a magic about it, the vista looking out over the Gold Coast is spectacular and why not!!!

We had been in and out of a couple of galleries and we came across Gallery Works. We wandered in and both kind of went quiet as we lost ourselves in the artist’s work. It was interesting, different, some of it mystical, some of it amusing. Some of the paintings were inspired by poems which were presented beside the painting.

We were lost in another world.

Both of us were lost in our individual bubbles. Gradually we gravitated towards Richard, the artist and gallery owner. We talked about his multimedia techniques. The conversation meandered on to living and painting on Mt Tambourine, how art has been a passion all his life, his working career, his goal to have a gallery and paint full time when he retired which he was very happily doing. We learnt that Richard was taught to draw as a child by aboriginal children using layers of wet clay on the banks of the river. You can see in this painting his cleverness of creating layers to paint a picture and tell a story.

He invited us into his studio, which I loved. I felt like I had died and gone to heaven.

We started wondering through his studio. I first saw “Michael” in the floor leaning in the corner. It was captivating. It was fresh and different (different to the work he had hanging in the gallery). I then turned to see Martin spot Michael for the first time. He was also captivated.

We looked at each other and smiled. We asked Richard why this painting was not in the gallery. He told us it was an experiment and that he was still thinking about it and the techniques he used. I asked him, when he has finished thinking about it would he consider selling it to us. He was not sure.

We left the studio giving Richard our email address in the hope that he would sell “Michael” to us.

The painting was burnt on my mind’s eye.

Richard in front of his Gallery

Twenty-four hours later we received an email from Richard, saying thank you, our love for his experiment has encourage him to sell it and to move down the path of doing more in this style. We were thrilled. We organised a day and time to pick “Michael” up (and have another long lunch at Mt Tambourine). When we came to pick Michael up, we spent a couple of hours sitting on the bench seat at the gallery talking with Richard about life, the universe and everything.

I really want to honour Richard and highlight his work. Each painting tells a story.

It appears Richard is now selling his studio, gallery and house (perhaps he is downsizing as well) His website reveals that he is moving solely to on-line sales now.

In summary:

Artist in the spotlight – Richard Roper
From – Gallery Works (Formerly at Mt Tambourine, now on-line only)  https://bluethumb.com.au/richard-roper
Artwork title – “Michael”
Media – All original mixed media. This is a combination of water colour and inks on canvas.

About Michael

I understand Richard meet Michael at a conference. Michael is an indigenous Australian who was the first from his family to go to university. I understand his mother asked him, “Why do you want to work in white man’s world?” When his portrait was painted he was the curator for indigenous artefacts at Queensland Museum. It is an important role to share his world to people who may never normally get the chance to see it.

I love the joy that Michael has given us as he has hung over our piano in the lounge. I am also thrilled to say, he is now hanging in a serious art collection with other stunning paintings.

And on a side note, Martin and my birthdays are a day apart. “Michael” was a joint birthday present to us.

I encourage you all to go walkabout, check out your local backyards, have long lunches. You never know who you will meet and what you may walk home with. What are you waiting for?

Check out Mt Tambourine Art Trail

Gallery Works http://www.galleryworks.com.au/blog/

Current works for sale http://www.galleryworks.com.au/blog/category/richard-roper/2014/

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