A rare event is unfolding in the northern reaches of the Pacific Ocean with a tropical cyclone being named Raquel on the 1st July 2015. Unheard of really and a 998hpa centre, so she has some pressure in her. Which means all that wind has to get squeezed along the coastline and presents itself as strong Sth Easterlies here in Oz.
Hold onto your hats folks, check your anchor scope and enjoy the change of weather.

Leaving the marina with a steady 20knots from the Sth East allows us to approach our mooring buoy with not too much stress. Trouble unfolds when we notice that the pick up line has spent the past 4mths getting wrapped and twisted around the main buoy which then requires us to anchor nearby and begin the labourous task of unwrapping this line - hanging over the dinghy. Here you have to imagine lots of barnacles, short choppy waves and fading light.
Life is not easy and certainly anyone living out in the elements will soon learn this. Just as you learn that people around you in similar situations will most often offer to be of help when needed.
So special thanks to Gary on Razzle Dazzle for coming over and offering assistance when it was really needed and greatly appreciated. Our first night back out on the water and the body is being toned already from the extra physical effort of the great outdoors.

Starting a blog at the end of the day almost guarantees this is not going to be a long rave, especially with the sun setting over the hills and casting shadows onto the water from the cloud formations. There is so much beauty to be seen in the natural order of life, to be committing words here. I really think I may have to review an optimum time of day for posting this story...... however, here goes.
With chilled drink to hand and a soft breeze on my shoulders, I have to say the move off the land and out here onto the yacht has been a reward of greater proportions than just a dollar ratio. Time is slower the moment you step on water (here you can use your imagination to either see me crawling into the tender, or hefting myself topside from the dinghy) and its not a sinking feeling, its more a weightlessness of thought and worries. There is less confusion out here on the water with no traffic; less noise and more of nature happening. It is a feeling of being more ALIVE than when I am standing on land.
And now it is time to sip and toast to the setting sun for another day.
Peace be with you