Adventures – Page 15 – Sailing Azure Seas

At long last, a blog post

We have been travelling for a month and first we were so busy with friends and family in the States, we didn’t blog. Recently, when we tried to blog, WordPress was having problems. Today we have had the information and time to get back on track.

We arrived in Dubrovnik on the 30th April to the news to Mercier was going to be held up in getting back into the water. Up to ten days was the likely new timetable, but luckily there were some Poms who were desperate to get their boat into the water and they persuaded ACI to get both yachts into the water on Sunday, when they wouldn’t be working on the hard stand. They literally had to dig a channel out with the bobcat, so Mercier could motor through.

Second attempt at excavating, after we touched on initial launch

We had a few days to get organised and then we left for a night at Calypso’s in Polace on Miljet and over to Ubli on the island of Lastovo, where we checked out of Croatia and sailed across to Vieste, Italy on Wednesday.

The island of Lastovo is one of the most westerly points of Croatia and we spent our last night in a tiny cove with a submarine bunker on a perfectly quiet night, not even a wave against the hull.

Vieste, Italy was a lovely, if long, day sail from Lastovo, almost entirely without use of the engine. If Lastovo had been quiet, Vieste was lively with the feast of Mary of the Merino being celebrated and the whole town out for the procession of the statue of Mary.

Celebrating the feast of Mary of the Merino

The next day, we started our Italian provisioning strategies in Vieste. We circumnavigated the entire town looking for Sim cards, cheese, spices and wine. The Fornaio or bakery rivaled any on Arthur Avenue, tremendous bread from old large woodfired ovens.

The day was beautiful and we saw a sign offering Spritz by the sea, James and I understood at once, Spring was in the air and the season was starting.

Happy 137th Birthday, May Gibbs

It doesn’t take a very long stay in Australia, before you hear about Snugglepot and Cuddlepie or the big Bad Banksia men. No generic fairies here but botanically correct adorable little creatures that were fashioned on Eucalyptus gumnuts and their flowers. The Banksia men were drawn from Banksia cones that dry on the branch for up to three years and become very wizened. It seems it was easy for Gibbs to fashion these old cones into wicked old men. who might threaten her Gumnut babies. All of their adventures are captured in books by Gibbs and also in a Sunday cartoon.

May Gibbs came out from England with her artist parents at the age of four. She was a children’s author, illustrationist and cartoonist. She was the happy owner of Scottish terriers and lived with the Scotties and her husband at Nutcote in Neutral Bay. James and I went to have a look at Nutcote on Sunday and drop in on the Scotties’ Birthday party.

Nutcote was a small but perfect house created for May Gibbs and her husband Bertram Kelly, by architect, BJ Waterhouse. It had waterviews from most of the rooms and a lovely balcony overlooking the water. Breezes waft amiably through the house to counter act Sydney’s warm summer weather and it had all the modern conveniences of the time, including indoor plumbing.

Children were blowing bubbles and Scotties were running around. Over the PA, came the announcement ” Please remember to use gloves to separate dueling Scotties”. We did hear a bit of barking but the Scotties were on their best behavior.

The Teahouse had wonderful cupcakes, Icy pops and Teas on offer. May Gibb’s Nutcote is a secret and enchanting place to visit with your own Scotty or little gumnut baby. As we left, a group of children from Liverpool arrived, not only was it their first time to the Scotties’ Birthday party but their first time over the Harbour Bridge. We think they rather enjoyed it.

Celebrating a birthday and watching boats race

What did you do on the weekend?

We had an action packed weekend. The two highlights were celebrating Debbie’s birthday and watching the Godson racing Farr 40’s.

To misquote Ms. Ephron, birthdays aren’t for the faint of heart but friends help us through them. Several of Debbie’s BFFs met for breakfast at a very secret Sydney location, Echo on the Marina in Roseville. Entertainment was provided by Possum Magic and numerous coffees fueled the laughter and giggles around the table.

Lesley, Deb, Gaila and Reenie at Echo on the Marina

Rene and Rachel who came all the way from Queensland

Glad you had a great birthday weekend, Deb. Wishing you many more.

David was racing later in the morning on Voodoo Chile, so several of us went out on the Nand V, to cheer him on. Rene in fact, had son David on Voodoo Chile, brother Bobby on Transfusion and nephew Nathan on Sputnik. We had three teams to cheer on.

Sydney Harbour was full of boats on the Saturday, Ynglings, Etchells, 18’s, lasers and Farr 40’s. The Farr 40 racing was close and there were times the wind was fairly fresh. Here are some of the photos.

Transfusion was the winner of the 10 race regatta, with Voodoo Chile finishing 5th after 2 disappointing races where they finished first, but were later disqualified or withdrew.

Pizza, Pools and Beaches

James and I joined several friends for the annual Pizza Party at the KMYC on New Year’s Day. This is the best view from a Pizza oven anywhere in the world, overlooking Cowan Creek, boats passing, sea planes landing and friends sampling the homemade pizzas.

On Saturday, we walked around Cremorne Point, a peninsula to the Northeast of the Sydney Opera House. The views across to the city are quite beautiful, although the clouds gave everything a silver glow rather than the usual blue sky.

Fort Dennison aka Pinchgut island, Sydney's Martello Tower — Fort Dennison aka Pinchgut island, Sydney’s Martello Tower

On Monday, we went up to Palm Beach to visit Trina, Aunty Gwen and Baby Bunty. We had a lovely afternoon with them. On the way home, we took the scenic road and took photos of Whale Beach and the headland. That was a blue sky day.

Happy New Year 2014

The way forward in 2014, for James and I seems to have a theme of embracing family, friends and experiences. We had great Christmas eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day get-togethers with family and friends.

Although Mercier is safely tucked away on a hard stand in Croatia, we have shared plenty of time on the water with good friends. The sailing season resumes in January and we hope to do Tuesday and Friday Twilights on Jackie Clare followed by Saturday club racing for James on Impetuous Too. We will be looking at what to do in Sydney for our gap year and how to structure our days. Our longs walks on the shores of the Med are sorely missed. The passeggiata is such a wonderful time of day, social as well as aiding fitness. We will try to fit them into our day here in Sydney, walks through the nearby suburbs, along the water and through the bush.

Hawaiian colour on Smith's Creek — Hawaiian colour on Smith’s Creek

Frosty sailed to Sydney on NY Eve and back on New Year's Day. What we'll do to see the Sydney fireworks. — Frosty sailed to Sydney on NY Eve and back on New Year’s Day. What we’ll do to see the Sydney fireworks.

So Happy 2014, hopefully this year will bring health, happiness and adventure to all our friends and family. We look forward to speaking to you, seeing you or even just sending an email. Good Luck to my sister, Linda and brother-in-law Rick, moving from desert to mountains later in 2014 sounds pretty exciting.

San Diego Central Library

San Diego's New Library — San Diego’s New Library

We woke with surprise to a rare grayish morning with a chill in the San Diego air. It is our last full day in San Diego and we had planned another trip to the beach; instead we decide today was the day to go to the new library. San Diego Central Library was sensational.

The architecture is innovative with a myriad of spaces for different events, a wonderful BaseBall Library near an open space reading room. The Children’s Library has superb Dr. Seuss murals on the wall and exhibits of other authors like Maurice Sendak.

We took escalators up to the second floor, passing great Visual Arts screening on the wall. There are indoor reading rooms, conference rooms, galleries and outdoor spaces. There is parking underneath the building. Views take in the Coronado Bridge, art spaces nearby in old buildings and PETCO Ball park, home of the Padres.

San Diego Central Library is the new home of the biggest BaseBall Library,” west of Cooperstown”. It is right next to the comfortable, open reading room with views over San Diego icons like the Coronado Bridge and the Trolley Station.

PetCo, Padres BaseBall field, — PETCO Park, Padres BaseBall field

The outside of the building was as remarkable as the inside, with viewing platforms overlooking all of the revitalised San Diego Downtown area. The giant steel dome creates a wonderful landmark in the San Diego skyline.

Steel construction creates an iconic dome for the San Diego skyline

Over one entryway, a quote read:

“The three most important documents a society gives are a birth certificate, a passport and a library card.”

Tucson Trails

James and I along with Donna Tormo received a lovely invitation from our friend Peggy San Filipo, come and see Tucson. Peggy, Donna and I are old skiing/life/work buddies from Aspen, hard to note that was decades ago.

Saguro Cactus in an Arizona — Saguaro Cactus in an Arizona landscape

We did a walk in Sabino Canyon in the Santa Catalina mountains of Arizona. There were large numbers of Saguaro cactus, water holes and large boulders of gneiss. The weather was perfect, warm and sunny.

James and I still travel with both ladies. For years we met Donna in different places: San Diego, San Francisco, Baltimore, Houston and New York on our trips back to the US and also travelled Italy together. Peggy has visited us twice in Sydney and for years we have met in Los Angeles just before we would head back to Sydney.

There was quite a bit of eating, drinking, laughing and talking going on all weekend. There were walks and taking photos. Visiting the Hotel Congress and visiting a very lively downtown Tucson and seeing where they captured Dillinger. We had a great dinner at Cafe Poca Cosa on Saturday night with friends Arta and Celeste.

Donna on the 'Sunset balcony'. — Donna on the ‘Sunset balcony’.

Peggy, Gaila & James at Poca Cosa

Brunch is mandatory

Brunch is mandantory — Peggy, Gaila & James at Poca Cosa

Brunch is mandatory

It was quite a drive to get to Tucson. It is about a six-hour drive through the desert. Hours of the drive are in barren desert country but as we approach Tucson we see the hills and scenery of Cowboys and Indians. Rugged hills full of Saguaro cactus, which is indigenous to the Sonora Desert.

Walking in the wash, taking close up views of the Saguaros.

A giant thank you to Peggy for all her hospitality and generosity. Tucson is highly recommended, if you are going and want to play golf or pickleball, I will introduce you to Peggy.

We know we are lucky, not the least because our friends our travelers too. This gives us great insight on what to see when visiting different places that they have visited, lived in or live nearby.

1) So far, our best evening was spent with Monica Earl. Nothing one can see in London, is as great as seeing a good friend from home. It was great to hear about the work she is doing and life in London.

We had a quiet evening with a quick stroll around Canary Wharf, we saw the Temple Lounge, in West India Quay. This is a Sheesha Garden, where people meet to smoke exotic scented tobaccos with water pipes and have drinks and socialize. We decided not to eat there but go to a nearby café. We wouldn’t have even understood what a Sheesha Garden was except for Monica’s insider knowledge.

2) Pam Lofthouse is studying in the UK and had given us two tips, both excellent. The first was to see Warhorse, which we were lucky enough to get to see. Excellent production, the horses are puppets but lifelike at the same time. Great theatre, highly enjoyable for both of us.*

3) Pam’s better tip was to visit the Sir John Soane’s Museum in Lincoln Inn Fields. Even with a description and a quick look on the internet, nothing prepared us for the home of this great English architect and his ‘house-museum’. Imagine a terrace house, but with ceilings 25 ft high and every available inch covered in art and antiquities. Mirrors were strategically placed to capture light and during Soane’s lifetime, his home was lit with whale’s oil which must have been a wonderful illuminant for these dark rooms. There is a Venetian room, filled with paintings of Venice by Canaletto. He also has a series of paintings by Hogarth, including one series called An Election, which illustrates that politicians may change but politics doesn’t. They are as wickedly funny now as in 1754. Soane’s museum is superb and well worth a visit.*

4) This trip to London was hastily devised not planned, so the only meeting we were going to get with Libby Chapman was a phone call to the Isle of Wight. Libby told us about the Wallace Collection. We weren’t even sure if we could fit it in because we were going to the British Museum on Sunday. Sunday was stormy and raining, so half of London was at the British Museum, we managed an hour before we decided that the Wallace Collection may be more hospitable. The Wallace Collection is also a house-museum. It is an incredibly large and diverse assembly of fine art, decorative art and armory. There are so many Pre – French Revolution paintings of royalty and 19^th French paintings there in the Collection, that we heard more French than English. In the armory area in the basement, even 14 year old males were engaged; as they could try on the armour, helmets and leather jerkins, then try to stand upright.*

5) Shopping – enough said.

*No photos allowed in these venues

Category: Adventures

At long last, a blog post

Happy 137th Birthday, May Gibbs

Celebrating a birthday and watching boats race

Pizza, Pools and Beaches

Happy New Year 2014

San Diego Central Library

Tucson Trails

We Enjoy playing Catch up

San Diego and La Jolla with Anna and Harv

London – our top five things to do, so far

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