Tuesday 6th April (Lini’s Journal)
Brindabella's Web Diary
Simon Williams
Thu 22 Apr 2010 19:38
semi-consciously heard Si skyping family while I came to. Si zipped
off after breakfast to fill in his forms, find out when the pump is
expected and pick up some much needed fresh food. I ploughed through
emails trying to find information for my insurance claim which seems
like far too much work for the minimal amount I had to pay for. It
took ages as I opened emails of my scanned mail from back home while I
was online. It was a welcome break to have a call from my sister Julie
on skype and catch up on the family news. It was not good timing
though for the wind to pick up as Si was altering the length of the
genoa furling line. With the sail flapping madly I cut short our
conversation, rushing to help on deck. I know Si is very capable of
doing everything on his own but some jobs are just easier with two.
The pelicans are on great form and today are joined by the
Synchronised High Dive Fishing Display Duo. Si zipped off after lunch
in Shovell to buy some fuel for the outboard and thought he was under
attacked when a pelican swooped down and dived into the water only
feet from the dinghy: They are so amusing. The honking of horns
however shifted our attention to the harbour entrance where the
gathering of folk on the fort holding flares announced the arrival of
another transatlantic rower. Si jumped into the dinghy and rowed out
with many others to follow him in, but there wasn’t time to lock up
Brindabella so I could join him for a close look at the single-handed
hero creeping into the anchorage. I gave my usual welcome of calls of
congratulations and horn blowing though and watched through the
binoculars outstretched arms greet the thin, bearded man sporting
union jack shorts. Fidgeting around in my seat with a still painful
back I couldn’t imagine sitting down for over three months.
We’d just settled down with sundowners before dinner when Colin and
Sandie from ‘Papillon’ spotted our Australian flag and swung by to say
hello. They were a really jolly couple and strong South African
accents gave away the time they had spent there as well as New Zealand
and Australia. They too are moving on tomorrow so we plan to look out
for each other.