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Monday 5 October 2009

Nothing like family holidays

'I have a great family; I live an amazing life' - John Oates
2009 was really about connecting with family. After the Easter Holiday with our granddaughter, Keith's mum, Peggy, and my Dad, Rob, both came to Darwin for another visit. Sadly it was to be their last. Friends Bob and Tony at BT's at Moil on the Park offered the use of their holiday home. (Parents don't do boats!)
Peg and Dad helping out with smiles
Dad was the first operator of the Iron Ore Loading Facility in 1965
Keith with his Mum
Lea with her Dad

Next on the list was my flying to Melbourne to take my daughter, Tamar, and Skye, for a girls week at Hepburn Springs, the capital of Spa Country in Victoria.
Historic Hepburn Springs surrounded by forests
Hepburn Springs is rich with history and the texture of generations past. It was established by Swiss-Italian migrants during the Gold Rush of the 1850s.  
We stayed at the delightful 65 Main, and were spoiled by Christine Lewis, our hostess.
65 Main
Tamar and Skye enjoy 65 Main Breakfast
Christine our wonderful Hostess
There is so much to do in Hepburn and the surrounding area and a week is nowhere near long enough. We did enjoy lunch at the Convent Gallery




The Convent Gallery
and of course no visit is complete without the Spa experience at the only historic Hepburn Bathhouse


One of the first TAFE's
Fabulous coffee everywhere
Jacksons Lookout; an incredible view





Thursday 30 April 2009

The Nautical Easter Egg Hunt

"Life without chocolate is life lacking something important" - Marcia Colman Morton & Frederic Morton 
There can be a total difference in working lives; University life offers weekends, Public Holidays, flexitime and a feeling of work/life balance. Even my office computer had Tientos as a screensaver and a model yacht as decor to reinforce that balance.
Yachts prevail, even at work
Trips away also give you a feeling of disconnect from being 'overworked', and I enjoyed my work sojourns to Nhulunbuy. 
Still working and enjoying the view at the Gove Yacht Club
Conversely, the problem with being a live-aboard Marina Lockmaster is, as Keith discovered, the need to be available 24/7. However his 'lock' office has far better views.
Keith's office at the Lock
'Lock-monstering' does not equate to a 'life' nor offer too many opportunities to go sailing. We reconciled this by affirming we were 'cruisers' and not 'day sailors'. 
Easter was an exception and with lots of notice we managed to cast off the marina shackles, with our granddaughter, Skye from Melbourne, aboard, and head for Crab Claw Island for the long weekend. 
Crab Claw Island is not really an island, but a point of land known as Brown Point on the southern side of Bynoe Harbour. Having its beginnings in 1985 when yachtsman and developer, Peter Cantwell, developed the airstrip and resort, it became popular with yachties for any long weekend break.
Knowing Skye was coming aboard gave me time to organise an Easter Egg Hunt based on all things nautical as her clues will show.
Clue 1
Clue 2

Clue 3
Clue 4
Clue 5

Skye at the helm leaving Darwin
Dinner at Crab Claw Island Resort
Even Granddaughters have crew duties

Another 'Titanic' moment
Easter was a special time enjoying time with Skye aboard Tientos, out of the Marina.