Saturday 5th September (Lini’s Journal)

Brindabella's Web Diary
Simon Williams
Tue 8 Sep 2009 22:15

 

Happy Birthday CJ!

   I woke early to a changed world. The wind whispered through the rigging, under twenty knots for the first time since we arrived, gentle waves trickled over the stern and the sun shone. The realisation that I had settled into holiday mode came when decisions for the day included shall I go out to play on my bicycle before or after lunch and shall I visit the castle or the bar while doing the laundry. I set off on my bike while the weather was fine. The harbour saw a hive of activity with the windsurfing world championships taking place. Different dinghy racing fleets flocked from one mark to another and along the Rodwell Trail families were taking a stroll. I cycled to the harbour taking photos of the colourful fishing boats and quayside cottages, then tried to find an almond croissant for Si’s breakfast tomorrow. Never mind, muesli will do! On the way back I stopped to pick a big box of blackberries. Back on board the bed was stripped, laundry gathered and I returned to the facilities unfortunately forgetting the detergent. Doh! I had 45 minutes to stand in a hot shower to wait for the washing to finish. I then had 45 minutes to wait in the bar for the drier. I watched the world go by and wrote my journal.

   Boats were now flocking into the marina for the annual berth holder’s party and despite the increasing winds there was a very jolly atmosphere along the pontoons. I was glad I’d gone out in the morning as there would without doubt have been damage to Brindabella when a motor boat came in next to us. My heart was in my throat as it took all my strength to keep them from crashing into all the new gear on our stern. I helped them moor then cooked a chicken, made blackberry and apple pie, cleaned the boat through and did some mending before my assistance was needed again when a large sailing boat came crashing into a berth behind us being blown off with the strong wind.

   I was now feeling like Cinderella with Si at CJ’s party and all the neighbours at the berth holder’s party. A neighbour had invited me to go as their guest but I didn’t know what time Si would be back. I did a different couscous experiment for my dinner and popped a language course on the iPod. Si arrived home just as my eyes were closing.

                                                                                                ---Lini---