After all the work that we had done in Marmaris we headed over to Leros, Greece and the family run Artemis Boatyard. This was where we had picked up the boat back in June 2021 after coming out of a very long COVID separation. At Artemis there was a great opportunity to have the underside of the boat done properly. It was since June 2021 that MAD 2 had been in the water. Almost a year and a half and it was showing lots of wear on the bottom.

Brisbane

Made it over to Brisbane on November 12th after a very long travel time, had a very warm Xmas and it just got hotter from there.

Jacqui decided to take a job for a few months while we were there to pad the pocket book and keep herself busy. I kept myself busy trying to improve the golf game. Always a challenge, thanks Dave for including me in your Aussie golfing group.

Had a great Xmas period in Australia with Teri and Dave and also spent time with Mike and Helen up the Sunshine Coast.

We slowly accumulated more stuff to take back to the boat, new curtains made, wind chutes, cushion covers, mosquito netting, they repaired our Solar Wind regulator so that had to go back, and other odds and ends. Clothes that we both had left last year. Better get them all back to the boat. It is a bunch of winter wear that we will be needing next winter as we won’t be getting off the boat for such an extended period again.

While we were in Australia for the celebration of Jacqui’s Mom’s 80th birthday, we got to do a bunch of things that we had been missing out on like finally catching COVID after avoiding it for the past 2 years with all of our travelling. That was fun but it passed without any lingering downside. Unfortunately Noel and Terri missed out on Mom’s birthday celebration, Jacqui squeaked a distancing visit on the day and came down with COVID last, Dave some how managed to avoid it with three of us all positive.

A catch up with Lisa and Dave. Lisa and I managed a game of squash which was great (she is still up to her old tricks on the court). Cherie and Baden invited us over for an afternoon aperitif. I think I drank most of the bottle of wine. Oh well, not unusual. And the usual visits with Margaret and Dave minus the COVID.

They held the Australian PGA at the Royal Queensland Golf Course and we had a chance to follow Cam Smith (eventual winner) and Adam Scott on the Friday. Great day out on the course and got to witness how the elite play the game.

Went down to the old neighbourhood at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron and found the old boat. We are calling this MAD 1, because the new boat is called MAD 2. Nice walk around the old area.

A trip to Maryborough to visit with John and Linny who sailed with Jacqui while I was on lock down in Nelson. I think Jacqui had a good time with this couple.

And another visit with Mike and Helen with some walks on the beach. You never know what you will find walking the beach.

Vancouver

And then off to Vancouver. I went ahead of Jacqui and spent a great 2 and half weeks with Shelley on the Island and got to spend a lot of time with little Meggy and Jesse and of course George.

When I arrived at the end of February it was -1 and snowing. Big change from 30C in Brisbane to -1 in Vancouver. We had temperatures in the mid to high 20’s while we were on the boat in the Mediterranean and then to have Brisbane temperatures in the high 20’s to low 30’s and then hit Vancouver in the winter. As I get older I find it harder to adjust to the cold weather, give me the sunshine and warm weather any day.

Didn’t get to play squash like I had hoped but did get a game of doubles in with Will, Bruce and Donna. Jacqui didn’t play at all because guess what, she got COVID again. Go figure and even now she is not quite right. Hoping with the sunny weather coming things will improve.

Jacqui

Thanks to Michelle for having us at her house and again so sorry for passing along COVID to you, I feel terrible about that and also for putting up with my whining about how cold I was 🙂 Please please come visit us this summer we will have a blast!

It was lovely to see the kids, they are all doing well and of course Zena (not sure she remembered me though) Jordanna has replaced me and gives her so much love and attention, thanks Jord. Would love for you all to visit us in the sunny weather, I miss you all (more than you know).

April 19th saw us jet off from Vancouver back to Leros loaded with all our goods, 4 flights, two days but we made it home .Now to get back to the business of sailing and enjoying the Mediterranean and the warm weather.