The Full Monty

[haiqu]

Due to rotten weather and the need to clear some of my junk I decided to stay at my brother's place for the next few weeks. Will be back at the marina soon.

Also, I almost bought a Ferrari. Having money is dangerous.

[haiqu]

Having inspected the contents of several computers in my belongings, four of them have landed on the junkpile. I'm still having trouble tossing out a large quantity of new electronic components that cost me a lot of money, but which have been superceded by newer technology. And my lifetime book collection is still untouched.

I imagine this would be easier for someone who just has household goods to dispose of prior to cruising. I form very little attachment to couches or beds, but cringe at disposing of working electronics, technical manuals, and projects I fully intended to complete. Having spent almost 40 years fixing such stuff, it has a value to me even if there is no market for it.

I truly thought this would be more cathartic. Maybe when I'm done throwing things out the full effect will be evident. Meanwhile I still have several cubic metres of junk in the truck that I know I'll never use again, which - if I'm brutally honest - will only be thrown out by whoever has to clean up after I'm gone. All the logic in the world tells me to toss it and yet I hesitate.

I feel like a devout Christian who has been asked to burn his bible. It makes me go "squeee" just to think about it. I'm starting to understand those TV hoarders too, although I can better justify my hoarding at least, based on perceived value.

It's junk. It's not junk. It's junk. It's not junk.

I think if I had a working yacht and was ready to sail this would be a lot easier actually. Maybe that's the trouble ... throwing it all out gives me no way back.

And back to what, anyhow? A failed life that I no longer want?

In retrospect it made absolutely no sense to have paid for storage for the past five years. Back then, I didn't have a different plan. I still expected to be working until I was 65. I thought I'd retire and tinker with this stuff.

But life changed. I need to change with it. So, it has to go.

[steve_h]

If you have stored it for five years not not needed it now then best to do away with it.
You will feel liberated

[Oldsquizzy]

There are now only three criteria. Can I eat it. Does it float. Can I fish with it. Amen.

[haiqu]

Still at my brother's place. Flu, and the Olympics, kept me here longer than anticipated. I'll definitely leave after his birthday at the end of the week.

Webb Chiles has just passed the southern end of Madagascar and appears to be heading for the beautiful Richards Bay. Bob Norson of "The Coastal Passage" has entered the Darwin-Ambon Race/Rally in his self-made catamaran Barebones and is currently running fourth overall and second in his class.

[haiqu]

Still at Ipswich. After the flu blew over I awoke one morning feeling like someone had smashed me in the jaw with a mallet while I slept. I fairly quickly assessed the situation and concluded that I had an abcess below an otherwise good tooth. My face had started to swell and was very sore indeed.

A course of amoxycillin would have been the fastest remedy but that would require a visit to either a GP or a dentist, both of which are costly options. It also tends to clobber the good bugs along with the bad, which I wanted to avoid.

I did a quick internet search and found that echinacea was used to treat this sort of thing prior to the invention of penicillin so headed to the supermarket. Found a combo tablet of echinacea, zinc, vitamin C and garlic at $14.00 for 60 tablets and started taking them - two every four hours - about 10 days ago. All residual flu symptoms disappeared almost immediately and the infection has been improving gradually, to the point where I can barely feel where the lump was if I prod at it. Probably cured any scurvy-related symptoms too, my gums do look a lot better generally.

I'll be keeping this stuff aboard from now on, it works well.

[Oldsquizzy]

Methinks a big needle in da bottom witha bigga dose of pendapillin wouda worked as well.....lol Other than that are you ok?

[haiqu]

See para. 2.

I'm old and tired. OK isn't an option any more.

[haiqu]

Finally back at Montys and staying aboard at the yard for the first time. I could have stayed at my brother's place longer to recuperate but his wife was getting sick of me being there and you can't argue with that.

Bought a ladder and a scraper on the way, I'll start at it sometime tomorrow after I renew my acquaintance with the locals.

[Oldsquizzy]

Softly softly bit by bit

[haiqu]

Hi guys. Just popped in to wish all and sundry a Merry Christmas. I haven't made much progress so far and currently back at my brother Trev's place for a couple of weeks before heading to Sydney in January. I've decided to sell Keppelena, if I ever get around to doing her up it will be years away, and there is no shortage of boats in the world.

Consolidation time. I have too many projects and my attention is scattered all over the place, so I need to simplify. Maybe Shenoa will get done in 2017, maybe not. Montys has people living there who have been on site for years, I may just end up being another one.

Anyhow, if any progress is made I'll be sure to post pics here.

[Auzzee]

Merry Christmas Mate, and best wishes for 2017.

[Oldsquizzy]

Good to hear from you again. Best wishes for chissy and new year. Do you have an alternate email or some other contact way than cruisers log?

[redbopeep]

Merry Christmas! and may 2017 prove to be a wonderful year for you.

--Brenda and David

[haiqu]

Originally Posted by Oldsquizzy

Good to hear from you again. Best wishes for chissy and new year. Do you have an alternate email or some other contact way than cruisers log?

PM sent.

[haiqu]

Back in Sydney and just boarded Keppelena for the first time in two years. What a mess. I set off some bug bombs when I left so the whole inside has a coating of toxic white powder. But there are no cockroaches, so it's a win.

The mildew has run rampant, as have a family of seagulls who have been raising a family on board. The chicks were at the stage of being ready to leave home so I hurried them up a little. There's also fungus, and I needed to run the bilge pump for a good ten minutes to drain the accumulated rainwater. She stinks.

I was hoping this could be a quick fortnight trip but it may take a little longer.

[Oldsquizzy]

Two years, Wow can only imagine mess and smell.

[haiqu]

On the bright side, the seagulls have painted the boat for me. 8/

[Oldsquizzy]

LOL..Gave the paint a protective coating. Have you thought on what you are going to do with her ?

[haiqu]

Well, I was going to remove the ham radio and throw her on the market. However I do love this old girl and even if the possibility of ever fixing her up is remote it's handy to have a place to stay in Sydney.

I'm actually down here for a reunion on the 28th and expected to just do a quick cleanup and take a few photos for an ad on Gumtree. Went to use the power and lights earlier this evening and nothing happened. Then remembered that my multimeter was in the Isuzu truck. Grrr. A few hours later while looking for something else by torchlight I found the spare meter in a drawer, and there was even a new battery still wrapped in cellophane. So I popped open the switchboard and the problem was immediately obvious. All the new wiring I did has corroded at the point where it was soldered to the switches. Hmmm, and me without a soldering iron.

The portable gas stove almost killed me as well. I put a fresh butane can in and made coffee, and an hour later went back for another cup. The gas can was totally empty. This was a brand new gas stove two years ago and hasn't been used more than half a dozen times. One spark and it would have gone ka-boom!

The standoffs separating the backstay from the ham radio antenna have also let go, all the cable ties have broken due to UV I expect.

I think a visit to Bunnings is in order tomorrow morning.

Gas stove - check
Bucket - check
Chux wipes and sponges - check
Cable ties, wire stripper - check
White paint, scrubbing brush - check

Might as well buy a single doona at the supermarket as well, I forgot that I had taken them up to Qld for washing, they're probably in the other truck.

Should keep me busy for a couple of weeks anyhow.