The Lovers, The Dreamers and Fear
25 October 2023 | Keppel Bay Marina
Jenny Gaskell | Wind is Changeable, sunshine and clear skies
Harbours and Ports are a buzzing hub in any waterside town.
It has been a favourite loitering place along the east coast of Queensland for He Who Hums since he was flying under the radar as a young travelling salesman with a briefcase 🤓 in hand when the bug bit.
We now loiter marinas together viewing from a different perspective, with loads more respect, but the same level of wonder.
Next minute I blurt into the sea breeze "Marinas are awesome -aren't they! They are filled with strength, history craftsmanship and mystery." Surprising myself where that came from but appreciating all these boats have tales to tell, good bad and indifferent!
Some never stop working, like the Sydney Sun-dancer. She sails up and down the east coast of Australia hosting charter trips with other Blue water and champagne sipping lovers adrift at sunset.
Whatever the vessel, they can all sail the same waters, they just require someone with a dream and the time.
It makes no difference how big, or the media used, nor does the weight matter, the vessel. It will either shoulder through the waves, labour over it or skim the top.
By the time we walk back to Condesa on the furthest mooring out in the marina there is usually a likeminded loiterer or two looking closely at their reflection in the brass portholes, imagining the nightmare of a 12ft bowsprit or inspecting the simple but effective sail plan. Well, let's say they are usually the first set of questions asked.🙊
Sometimes the interest goes beyond "standing on the dock" timeframe, so it continues onboard and that's how easy sailing friends are made.
In my mind there is a Satelite of nautics drifting around the globe. Trillions of vessels, all shapes and sizes, moulded and shaped with a dedication, passion and curiosity. We often mention Captain James Cook, what an absolute legend! At least he knew he wouldn't fall off the world. I guess that was one less thing to worry about!
Oops, I digress. It could be 1, 5 or 10 years before you see these colourful characters again and you can pick up the sailing /travel stories right where you left off, anywhere in the world.
It's not for everyone, I appreciate that. Fear of the ocean can run thick in some people's veins, especially when they hear the words "night-sail, electrical storms and unfathomable depth"...🤐 it's what nightmares are made of, as it is for us too don't worry!
We work very hard to pick a good weather pattern. As for night-sailing we can't avoid due to our speed... or lack of. And deep waters, for some reason doesn't affect my mind at all. 🤷🏻♀️Go figure?
But each person on the water, just like the vessels are different, despite being cut from the same hardy cloth. They too can sail the same waters and will shoulder through, fly across or tie up and leave her idle in the marina for whatever reason. One I see 😳 is for reefs to grow on the bottom.
If you are lucky or crazy enough to resonate with, what they call "Blue water sailing" and survive Murphy's ongoing mind games,
then you'll know of the in-port and out-to-sea amazing discoveries you will have (not quite at Cook's level)😆
It's like opening your eyes under water. First try is hard to see what all the fuss is about. Don't give up, just "spit in your goggles" so to speak, and another world opens up. Here you are in charge of your own destiny I'm sure it's well beyond anything that travelling salesman imagined - way back when.🤯
The heart explosion moments are purely there to override the hellish scenarios you sometimes have to work through to reach your destination.
Simple as that really. I'm now off to clean my goggles, 'cause I have some reefs in my minds eye as a potential stopover. However, He Who Hums is like a homing pigeon. Once he turns to the south, his goggles are weather focused. To get Condesa home safely before the wind changes it mind is a real challenge best he get his quill and maps out.
Sailors/cruisers know things can change in a second out here, best I am prepared for anything and everything! 🤿