S.V Condesa Del Mar

23 meter Herreshoff Schooner built in Wilmington Boat Yard California 1970 onwards. Fit out completed mid 1990's. Mark and Jenny Gaskell purchased Condesa November 2011 and crossed the Pacific Ocean in 2012.

08 November 2024 | The Sandy Straits
05 November 2024 | East Coast Qld
01 November 2024 | Lady Musgrave Island
24 October 2024 | Long beach GK
14 October 2024 | Great Keppel Island
05 October 2024 | Barcaldine
27 September 2024 | Queensland coastline
19 September 2024 | The Sandy Straits
11 September 2024 | The Coral Sea off the Sunshine Coast
25 October 2023 | Keppel Bay Marina
19 October 2023 | Rescue Bay -Middle Percy Island
13 October 2023 | Hamilton Island
30 September 2023 | Wide bay Bar
06 September 2023 | Brisbane australia
24 August 2023 | The Panama Canal
19 August 2023 | Linton Bay Panamá
11 August 2023 | Bonaire
07 August 2023 | Bonaire par of the king do of the Netherlands
01 August 2023 | Dominica
26 July 2023 | Antigua, West Indies

DOT..DOT…~DASH

24 October 2024 | Long beach GK
Jenny Gaskell | Crazy mixed up weather from all directions
There is talk about the dash in your life; to make it worthwhile, as fulfilling and rich as you can. You know, the dash between your date of birth and your end date. THAT DASH!

Last week we put a dot to our sailing and made a dash to a magnificent wedding in Toowoomba. Shoes on, bags packed going from rags to riches.
On the way we made a stop into Brisbane for some family loving from the big and small people. Up the mountain range, via Forest Hill to see a special friend in her new flower studio then onto the weekend wedding celebrations filled with good friends. And before we had time to come down off the high, we were back up in a plane, on the trusty round-the-world bus back to our final stop Keppel Bay Marina -ahhhh home sweet home - back onboard the patiently waiting Condesa.
Next on the agenda was to sort the dying house batteries and restock the skeletal galley shelves. Yes, you got it, all done via another 50 cent bus ride into Emu Park. We are definitely getting our moneys worth, making new friends heading the same direction in life.
The next day we reconnected with old friends, share a drink with our neighbour who help with the heavy job of new batteries on…and the old off the boat. (26kg x 4) 🥵
Weather check done.....then we make another dash, this time from the safety of the Marina back out into the open waters off the Capricorn Coast. (It's been a while)
This is where the dash gets a tad hectic. Condesa poked her nose from behind the rock wall going from cruisy to feisty. Ahoy 35knots...jib sails up ...1.5mtr swell and off we zoom, express to Long Beach to find shelter from the wind.
It was more of a shake up than what was meant to be a "shake down". This was a rude reminder I'm not playing ladies anymore, but the beautiful memory of what was last week celebration is clinging to us both.
As usual, time disappears quickly and the sun sets. I hear he who hums on top deck securing sails and lines. I make quick dash up the companion way to compare the sky against the storm alert that is coming over the marine radio. It's an every day thing I know, but twilight always takes my breath away. Not sure if it's the twinkling boat lights against the threatening sky edged with the last sliver of daylight?.....The remarkable stillness after the invigorating sail?.... Or it could be the transformation from day to the uncertainty of a stormy night. Whatever it is these all become part of the dash and we don't take it for granted.
Good or bad, hit or miss we are poised, prepared and happily making the dash earn its keep.
Comments
Vessel Name: La Condesa Del Mar
Vessel Make/Model: Herreshoff Schooner 73 ft
Hailing Port: Southport Brisbane Australia
Crew: Mark & Jenny Gaskell
About:
Boat and water lovers from the east coast of Queensland. Both Mark and Jenny enjoyed an upbringing holidaying on the beautiful beaches of the Gold Coast where the smell of the ocean is ingrained at a young age. The passion grew with each vessel large and small over the years. [...]
Extra: Having conquered the east coast of Queensland Australia the biggest challenge and adventure was crossing the Pacific ocean in 2012 just months after purchasing. Leaving La Paz Mexico in March 2012 reaching for Australian waters October 2012. We love the simplicity and beauty of being live-aboards.
Home Page: http://www.sailblogs.com/member/svcondesa
Social:
La Condesa Del Mar's Photos - Main
The return to our favourite spot in the Percy group. Two days was not enough but we will return 🤩
1 Photo
Created 5 July 2021
The surprise week with the kids in Musket Cove
38 Photos
Created 18 September 2012
Throughout Fiji Islands
20 Photos
Created 12 September 2012
Our Puddle Jump Celebrations on Moorea Island
20 Photos
Created 12 September 2012
Discovering Tahiti and family come to visit Condesa
20 Photos
Created 3 September 2012
This little escapade was one of my favorites maybe it was the great company we had
16 Photos
Created 30 August 2012
This is the river discovery as inthe blog Free Falling
19 Photos
Created 30 August 2012
Our stint in the remote beauty of Suwarrow
26 Photos
Created 30 August 2012
Our trek deep into the Cascades on Nuku Hiva
20 Photos
Created 18 June 2012
21 days at sea
22 Photos
Created 18 June 2012
Day 21 onwards !
3 Photos
Created 14 May 2012
Here are files of photos from purchase to preparation for the Puddle Jump
20 Photos
Created 12 April 2012
Captured as we worked
28 Photos
Created 12 April 2012
Our 6 weeks in La PAz we have has a ball and celebrated with the locals and the fleet. We have worked hard and will reep the rewards at sea.
22 Photos
Created 11 April 2012
When out and about I snapped a few styles of homes and buildings - enjoy
26 Photos
Created 4 April 2012
The word "carnaval". The general consensus is that it evolved during the middle ages, as part of the Roman Catholic ritual of lent. I hear it concludes on 'Fat Tuesday'???
20 Photos
Created 16 March 2012
The journey south from Guaymas to La Paz
20 Photos
Created 16 March 2012
From Day 1 - Day 7 The preparation to launch La Condesa Del Mar to sail the Sea of Cortez
18 Photos
Created 4 January 2012