Finally started unloading, washing, sorting LUCK this guy was NOT at Restoration Island!.

Time waits for no man least of all me..and OK I will make sure I get a blog from Dave, Chris and Dave W. asap....Chris is still holidaying in Sydney at the moment and due to fly back to UK in a few days to look for work and maybe prepare for some fun in Tonga with me next year?? more on that latter...Dave W. has been working, Adventure holidaying with his daughter and we are trying to meet up somewhere in the world, Dave P is coming over for dinner again tonight..we have a regular Wed. night appointment to watch Tim Cope's Doco ( ABC2 X 6 part 30 min. series) about his amazing ride across the world. So will not feed him till he writes something!!

 

Have not started on the Talisker Bounty Boat Doco yet but assume it will not go to air until late next year. Same with the book. Sorry about the wait but we need to do it right and I know you will not be disappointed when you see it.

 

Being back in Hobart it is hard to believe what has just happened, sorting all the gear is similar to when you just get ready to go, so the feelings are quite strange. hard to understand that it seems to have just??? happened. I have to admit that I have just about come out of the "after effect",...it happens every time when you go through an adventure. Takes you sometime to get back in the "grove" and hit all those responsible things you are supposed to do. I know that this trip was very Physically demanding on my body for a few reasons and that played on every other human part, including my brain...anyway I am still me and very happy about the whole experience, the people I met and the very special moments the four of us had onboard. I already look back on that reliving the simple times...I really want to go on another long sail again, as I realised how much I missed being out on the water, so yes I am scheming again for the future. There are just some things you know you have to do in your life and I have now come away from TBB with a whole new set of dreams, ideas, and ambitions...

 

I am 55 at the moment and most people probably start to think about managing their lives and organising for the last half right!! so I am very normal..I have set a plan in my head that will take me through to the early 60's...crazy hey..not even sure why I am saying all this here. I have been contemplating many things in the past few weeks! including the meaning of life!..again!!!...I have been so lucky too to have met some really interesting friends, make new relationships and be exposed to differing ideas, all at a time when it really matters, so thanks to those people...it all comes down to which came first?? the chicken or the egg!..apparently science has now worked it out! really???? well I just know that you have to live your life without regrets and have a strong belief in Karma.

 

If you are still reading this ..I am surprised..some would have just concluded that I have finally lost it and clicked off!!  

 

Tim Jarvis, Dave P and I had a day together in Hobart on the weekend planning the James Caird trip. Yes Quilter is up for it too!!! I am headed to the UK late Sept. to start work on the Boat, do some presentations to sponsors and supporters of the expedition and make some plans with SIF too. Tim has been working on the Shackleton voyage for some time so I will be meeting his connections there in the UK. all very exciting. A new web site ids planned and should be up by the end of this year once things have settled down.It will be similar to the TBB sight, but heaps better..and I promise the tracking system will be real-time live all day we are on the boat.

 

We are still raising funds for SIF. I am sorting the memorabilia from TBB that was carried onboard will package them with the book and some other things when that is all done. the Ebay Auction of some big ticket items is still being set up..so thanks again for everyone's support. looks like at the end of the day we will pull over 100,000 pounds?

 

How's my weight..just managing to hold at 87kg..but it is hard work now and I think Margie has a plan to push it higher..her cooking is awesome??? still have not had my major medical check up??..I actually feel really good but will do soon.

 

How is TBB..well she survived the trip and transport really well all things considered, the varnish is all cracking , the paint is starting to flake a little, lots of little knocks and bruises, the Talisker logo on the mizzen is looking part of history now, but lets just say the boat now has some real character? like a fine vintage wine. You cannot help but look at her and think WOW!! she has just done an amazing voyage.. I look and think WOW!! that is a small boat..how did we do that?..did we??   I guess so....

 

Don