New Crew and A Lamb Clan Gathering

For some time now we have contemplated having a ships cat, but due to many countries having difficult import rules for live animals we have been deterred. It was during a bike ride around the Gold Coast we threw common sense to the wind and dropped into the local Animal Welfare Centre to see what was involved in adopting a cat. We walked out with Trim.

We chose the name “Trim” after Mathews Flinders Cat who, in the early 1800s accompanied the famous cartographer on a number of sailing circumnavigations around Australia and the world, surviving two shipwrecks and a pirate boarding!. Whilst we very much hope the shipwreck and pirate experiences are not part of our Trims adventure, so far our Trim has lived up to his name. He settled in remarkably quickly and now commands the comfiest place on the boat and keeps us both entertained with his brave antics.

He has certainly found his sea legs,  and is very comfortable with all the strange noises, motions and visitors that come with living on Joline. His first sociable experience was in Nelson Bay (NSW), where Brents parents joined us for a few days, and they were rudely awakened  by Trim as he  pounced through the hatch onto their bed to say hello at 2 am in the morning! The following day was a real treat as Brents extended family came on board, loaded with gastronomic treats and  Uncle Wayne, who is a lovely man, with a lot of patients who  ensured we had our fishing licences and then tried to teach us how to catch fish in the local waters. After several hours of very good tuition Emma proved to be the star pupil catching  5 fish! The rest could not believe it as we caught  zero fish ( apart from the odd tiddler we had to throw back!) A super weekend with Brents parents enjoying a lovely part of the country.

Two weeks later the Festive Lamb Clan gathering began in Newport ( just north of Sydney). Luke and Nao came from Wellington, Christopher from Bristol and Malcolm from the Lake District, Uk, all centred at Emma’s and Brents beautiful new house, (which we now refer to as the “ treehouse resort”).

Emma created a spectacular itinerary which took us exploring the local beaches, great places to eat, Sydney Opera house for a Beatles celebration, the Coogee to

Bondi  walk, and even a days  wine tasting in the hunter valley, which was arranged with military precision!. It was superb. The best bit was family dinners and hanging around at the Tree House resort – a beautiful part of the world to live, and a house in a stunning setting. A few weeks beautifully orchestrated and hosted by Emma and Brent  resulting in  the whole family had great fun every day. THANK YOU.

Christmas eve was a traditional British Turkey feast, (although the weather was thankfully not traditional UK temperatures, but  28 degrees and perfect!).  Christmas day  we had a beautiful fun filled day with  both the families feasting on a spectacular  spread of food, a few games and of course the Aussie BBQ!. A very enjoyable day.

John and I had decided months ago that Sydney Harbour on Joline for New Years eve was a must. Armed with exclusion zone maps and many documents describing what we could and couldn’t do in the harbour, and what piers were open and closed at what time, we positioned the boat in Athol Bay with a most spectacular view of the harbour bridge. The family, and a few friends were right up for a festive night on the water and we were all rewarded for our logistical planning with a unforgettable firework display. A great end to what was for us a brilliant year. Long passages with family across the Pacific, new friends, fun adventures, Emma & Brents  Wedding and some beautiful memories all based around our home – Joline.

Good by 2024 – Hello 2025….

To welcome the year in,  Emma requested a new patio around the treehouse pool--- so some DIY, which has been a testing but fun project with a huge sense of achievement, despite the pleather of rules around pool fencing!. We plan to finish the project  by Australia day and then  do our own  Sydney to Hobart adventure with Johns new apprentice!