enzwell

So Australia it is. Saw a couple of likely candidates in my short trip and generally the boats do seem a little cheaper. I must admit though that one of the main attractions is not having to cross the Tasman, a very shitty piece of water most of the time. Now all we have to decide is where in Aus. We would like to start in Sydney as we like it as a city and it would be great to spend some time there, however, Queensland has lots more boats for sale and although we are happy to travel about, we are talking fairly large distances, not quite sure how far it is from Sydney to say Townsville but it's a hell of a long way!
On the home front we are all but ready to depart, sold most everything but the bedroom suite, TV, a couple of chairs and odds and sods which will go into storage. Working out the best way to draw money down while away as it can be very expensive. Last night had Heather's Toastmasters group farwell dinner which was great, tonight a big farwell party at home and on Thursady the big work farwell at the pub. Funny leaving a job after 31 years plus? I find it a bit strange that there is no real emotion yet. I suppose it's because I really am complete in my leaving, not bitter about the way the job has gone, everything changes, and we feel like we are moving to something as opposed to leaving something. For better or worse I generally seem to focus on what's ahead rather than what is behind, that's my excuse for a rotten memory anyway.
Till later. crew.enzwell@gmail.com

Here we are! 

enzwell

Geez there's a bit to sort out! The house and the flash car are sold, the resignations are in and the hunt is on for a boat. Seen about 15 in NZ so far and off to Brisbane on Monday to have a look there. They look great on the net so I will see how than pan out in reality. After that we can decide if we purchase here or there. Starting in Australia would be so much easier. First and formost is we won't have to sail across the Tasman, a notoriously shitty bit of water. Given it would that about 12-15 days, we would met at least two cold fronts and or depressions, I'd have to take on a couple of crew and fly Heather across and have to meet Cat 1 requiremnts for the boat and the skipper before we leave, why bother? If we buy a boat in Aus, none of that is required, we start our adventure in relatively good water and just day hop around the coast up to the Great Barrier Reef giving time to get
used to the boat and living on it, and hopefully Heather to get her sea legs. Now she does have lovely legs, they just don't do too well on the ocean at the moment, actually the legs are fine it's the stomach that revolts and does a hasty exit. Anyway, the only down side to buying the boat in Aus is if we bring it back to NZ we are up for GST (Grab, steal,Take..tax), still we don't have to bring it back to NZ but can return to Aus and sell there at the end, whenever that is.
So, after Tuesday, I should have a good idea of where we can get the best deal.enzwell

It starts!

"Better to die with memories than dreams"

So, here we are, that's Heather on the left and Shane on the right. The houses are sold the resignations are in, well they will be soon and the planned departure date is mid March. Oh and what's the plan...........well.........we are going to buy a boat,about 40-44 ft and set off around the world, westwards. Leaving from either New Zealand, our home town, or Australia, from there up to Indonesia, Thailand and eventually get to Santorini in the Mediteranian for Heather's 50th, which is needless to say some considerable time away, well, years anyway. So, stay tuned, check in for a peek occasionally and see how we get on!