The Diary

From 2002, Peter and Lyndall posted diary entries from wherever illywhacker happened to be — often mid-ocean, transmitted over ham radio (callsign VK2EFC) via a laptop swinging on the chart table. Later entries came from Sydney, Tasmania and the canals of Europe. All 178 entries are preserved here, in order.

Wintering in Canada

The diary opens in British Columbia, where illywhacker rested after the long voyage from Australia via Japan, Russia and Alaska. A winter of repairs, friendships and Canadian hospitality in Sidney, BC.

7 September 2002 07-Sept-2002: Port McNeill. We enjoyed blue skies and sunny weather for 5 days in this great little town but now it'stime to leave as lows from further north start pressing…
8 September 2002 08-Sep-2002: New web site. Finally, the new and hopefully improved Illywhacker web site is launched. This section will be updated via onboard computers on a regular basis.
10 September 2002 10-Sep-2002: Port Neville. A bright sunny day for the sail here via Johnstone Strait after a deep low kept us in Port McNeill for 2 days. We tied to a free govt dock and 3rd…
13 September 2002 13 Sep 2002: Bickley Bay. A beautiful evening, illywhacker is reflected in perfectly calm water with a band of fog at the bay edges brushed in sunset colours. In a different…
14 September 2002 14 Sep 2002: Thurston Harbour. A 15 mile run today in bright sunshine brought us here in company with Raven Song a 46' steel Kirsten and Our Country Home a 44' Hans Christian.…
15 September 2002 15 Sep 2002: Octopus Islands. Anchored amongst this small cluster of islands for a few days fishing, crabbing and shrimping. If you click on the BC map you will see us waving…
19 September 2002 19 Sep 2002: Walsh Cove. After an easy few days in the Octopus Islands we took off this morning into a strong NW which developed into a gale. Our route was via…
21 September 2002 21 Sep 2002: Squirrel Cove. With our frig loaded with the biggest oysters ever, plus mussels and shrimp from Walsh Cove we motored today through Desolation Sound in brilliant…
22 September 2002 22 Sep 2002: Pender Harbour. Unable to suppress our guilt for having such an easy time we said goodbye to our friends and motorsailed in glorious sunshine toward our winter…
23 September 2002 23 Sep 2002: Nanaimo. Well, here we are with only 50 miles to go on this year's cruise anchored next to a formal park with FM radio and TV in illywhacker's saloon. Nanaimo…
25 September 2002 25 Sep 2002: Nanaimo. What a wonderful town this is. Highly in tune with our lifestyle, it sports more than the usual 2nd-hand stores, bookshops, music shops and art…
27 September 2002 27 Sep 2002: Sidney BC. We'rein our new winter home! Our last sail for the season was in brilliant sunshine through the Gulf Islands and into this fancy (and expensive)…
6 October 2002 6 Oct 2002: Sidney BC. We've been here over a week and now have atelephone and dial-up internet so we're truly tied up . Cruisers from allover the world are wintering here,…
23 October 2002 23 Oct 2002: Sidney BC. Engine in pieces, sails in for repair, heater reconditioned, sheets washed, new anchor hawse .... but that's enough of boat work for a while, we're…
9 November 2002 9 Nov 2002: Sidney BC. Back home from our week in Washington State, the diesel heater has been on continuously for 2 weeks now and rain has become a part of our lives once…
1 December 2002 30Nov 2002: Sidney BC. Hey where did that month go? Contrary to the last report, Vancouver Island weather is beautiful with clear skies, a little fog in the morning then…
5 December 2002 5 Dec 2002: Sidney BC. Part of the deal with our cruising lifestyle is our annual trip back to Sydney Australia to visit family and friends. Today we leave for a 28 hour…
13 January 2003 13 Jan 2003: Sydney NSW What a contrast! The perfect warm summer days here call for shorts and sunglasses compared to the many layers of clothing we'll have to don in Sidney…
31 January 2003 31 Jan 2003: Sydney NSW We've achieved the main aim of our visit - to visit family and a few friends and to ensure our grandsons remember us fondly. Tomorrow we will fly out…
8 February 2003 8 Feb 2003: Sidney BC A bit chilly here at 8C after the heat of Summer in Sydney. Below decks things are back to normal, the heater is fortunately working well and we are…
9 March 2003 9 Mar 2003: Sidney BC Hey, it's getting cold here! After a beautiful month of sunshine and mild temperatures, the cherry blossoms are in full bloom in Sidney and Victoria…
14 April 2003 14 Apr 2003: Sidney BC We'revery concerned over Lyndall's health, her monthly tests are not showing any improvement but the plan is still to depart here for Hawaii and…
3 May 2003 3 May 2003: Sidney BC Home again after a great dose of R R visiting California (from the Napa wine district north of San Francisco to Monterey and points south ), Las…
3 May 2003 3 May 2003: Sidney BC Home again after a great dose of R R visiting California (from the Napa wine district north of San Francisco to Monterey and points south ), Las…
13 May 2003 13 May 2003: Sidney BC Phew! Illywhacker is ready to go after a winter season in Canada and the subsequent preparations here for our passage home. We lose the convenience…
17 May 2003 17 May 2003: Otter Bay, Pender Island, BC Finally away from the dock , we were rocked to sleep at anchor last night - and all systems seem to be working, touchwood. Lyndall, VE0LYN had her…
28 May 2003 28 May 2003: Sidney BC Illywhacker is tied up in Nth Saanich marina near Sidney after spending a great week in Vancouver. Our crew Jo has joined us and been through the…

The Passage Home

The big one: Canada to Australia across the Pacific — 2,500 miles to Hawaii, then south through Tuvalu and Vanuatu to a Townsville landfall. Position reports and stories sent by ham radio from the middle of the ocean.

5 June 2003 05 June 2003: 48N24 124W49. We're off to Hawaii! As night falls on our first at sea for some time, we've cleared the Straits of Juan de Fuca, rounded C Flattery and set our…
6 June 2003 06 June 2003: 46N17 126W58. The 20kt NW has given us a 140nm day but the 12' seas now reaching us from a storm to our north are making life aboard very uncomfortable.…
7 June 2003 07 June 2003: 44N11 128W59. Course 194, SOG 6.5 kts, sails - stas'land reefed main, Weather - gale conditions with 4m seas. Our 24hr run was 1 54nm and we are bouncing around…
9 June 2003 1700 hrs 09 June 2003 UTC: 41N19 13144W. Heading 217 speed 6kts. 600 nm so far in 4 days. Illyhacker is still rolling to big seas with the wind turning northerly and easing slightly to just…
10 June 2003 2200hrs 10 June 2003 UTC: 39N25 134W00. Course 207T, speed 4.5kts. W e are running out of wind but not the rolly swell from the north. The wefax shows us too close to the centre of the High…
11 June 2003 2000 hrs 11 June 2003 UTC: 38N55, 134W58. Heading 205T, speed 5.5kts , wind SW5, swell 1m, motoring. Driving south with all speed to escape adeep Low to our north. Today's wefax suggests we…
12 June 2003 .52000Hrs 12 June 2003 UTC: 35N48, 135W44. Course 190T, Speed 6.5kts , wind W18, tempC (in/out) 20/20. Sailing hard on the wind in a lumpy sea, still haven't escaped the effects of the Low to…
13 June 2003 2000hrs 13 June 2003 UTC: 33N47, 136W52. Heading 220T, speed 5.5kts, wind NW5, swell W2m, temp 22/24. Last night the wind swung to the SW with some sharp squalls then back to the NW at just…
14 June 2003 2100hrs 14 June 2003 UTC: 32N07, 138W32. Heading 209T, speed 5kts, wind SW3, swell NW2m, temp 24/24. Long ocean swells and sunny skies are here to stay - we hope. We also hope for some wind…
15 June 2003 2000Hrs 15 June 2003 UTC: 31N03, 140W00. Heading 220T, speed 5.5kts, wind SE4, swell NW1m, temp 23/24. Motoring under blue skies toward 28N wherethe wefax predicts light NE winds. We have…
16 June 2003 2000hrs 16 June 2003 UTC: 29N51,141W38. Heading 235T, speed 5kts, wind E10, swell 1.5m, temp 23/24C. We turned off the motor last night and have been sailing slowly and quietly on smooth…
17 June 2003 2000 hrs 17 June 2003 UTC: 29N11, 143W38. Heading 220T, speed 5kts, wind var 5kts, swell var 1m, temp 25/26C. Rolly motoring again with frequent sail changes as the wind is all over the place…
20 June 2003 0030 20 June 2003 UTC: 26N47, 148W20. Heading 240T, Speed 6kts, wind NE 12, swell NW 2m, temp 25/28. W found the NE Trades yesterday but were unprepared for the wicked cross swells that…
21 June 2003 0030 21 June 2003 UTC: 21N51, 150W20 Heading 235T, Speed 4.5kts. wind NE10 swell NE 2m, temp 25/28C. 500nm to go. The MPS halyard chafed last night and has been rebuilt but we'reback to…
22 June 2003 0300hrs 22 June 2003 UTC: 24N39, 152W32 Heading 240T speed 5kts, wind NE12, swell NE 1.5m, temp 24/26C. 320 miles to go and the GPS broke. What else? Still rolling downhill with poled out…
23 June 2003 2130hrs 23 June 2003 UTC: 23N01, 155W47 Heading 215T, speed 5.5kts, wind NE15, swell NE2m, temp 28/29C. Only 150nm to go so looks like a late Tues 24th arrival. Can't come soon enough. Back…
24 June 2003 2300hrs Tues 24 June 2003 UTC: 21N26, 157W30 heading 225T, speed 6.2kts, wind NE 20 swell NE 2m temp 27/28C LAND HO!! we are 15 nm from Koko Head and it's just 11nm from there to the harbour. Last night was the big one - squall after squall gave us…
26 June 2003 26 June 2003: Hawaii YC Aloha from paradise! Illywhacker is tied up just 10m across a green lawn with coconut palms and frangipani plants from the bar, showers and…
10 July 2003 10 July 2003: Hawaii YC Our lines are still firmly tied to this marvellous spot. It'swarm but there is a constant breeze blowing through the boat under our big summer awning…
17 July 2003 1600hrs 17 July 2003 UTC: 17N51, 160W35 Heading 195T, speed 6kts, swell E2m, temp 25/26.Dawn in the nth Pacific sees us on day 3 of our leg from Hawaii to Tuvalu, a distance of 2200nm. On…
18 July 2003 0100 18 July 2003 UTC: 15N20, 162W46 Heading 200T, speed 6kts, wind NE 15, swell NE2m, temp 30/31 and humid. 450nm out, averaging 6 kts in a lumpy sea, exhausted - even the mattress on…
19 July 2003 2200 hrs 19 July 2003 UTC: 13N43, 164W09 Heading 200T, speed 6kts, wind NE20-30 swell NE 3m, temps 30/30. Seas are bigger, frequent squalls, motion VERY uncomfortable for 2 grannies. If we…
21 July 2003 2130hrs 21 July 2003 UTC: 09N53, 166W56 Course 194T, speed 6 kts, wind NE15, swell NE 2.5m, temps 30/30 and humid. After 2 days of squalls weseem to be in slightly better seas and both…
22 July 2003 2200hrs 22 July 2003 UTC: 07N52, 168W16 Course 194T, speed 4.5kts, wind E9, swell NE 2m, temps 30/30. Now 1000nm from Hawaii, no ships, few birds but saw our first school of dolphins. Last…
24 July 2003 2200hrs 24 July 2003 UTC: 04N58, 170W30, course 204T, speed 6kts, wind NE 18, swell NE 2m, temps 30/31C. After motoring for 2 days we are now sailing to NE winds again. I hope we have…
26 July 2003 2100hrs 26 July 2003 UTC: 01N47, 173W26 Heading 223T, speed 5.5kts, wind SE15, sea NE/SE 1.5m, sea temp 25.3C. Yesterday was so rough below that computer work was out of the question. A big…
28 July 2003 0200hrs 28 July 2003 UTC: 00S30, 175W21 Heading 223T, speed 5.5kts, wind 0kts, swell NE1m, seatemp 25.3C. King Neptune sends his regards forthis our 5th crossing of the Equator.…
29 July 2003 0330hrs 29 July 2003 UTC: 02S27, 176W44 Course 215T, speed 6kts, wind E12, swell E 1m, sea temp 25.3C, In/Out temp 31/30C. What joy, the South Pacific has turned it on for us at last. Fast…
30 July 2003 0330hrs 30 July 2003 UTC: 04S38, 178W15 Course 215T, speed 6kts, wind E12, swell E 1m, temps 30/31. Day 15 from Hawaii, 2 to go to Tuvalu, record days run yesterday of 157nm for the leg.…
31 July 2003 0100hrs 31 July 2003 UTC: 06N37, 179W32 Heading 215T, speed 5.5kts, wind NE 20, swell E 2m, humid. Just as the SE Trades looked set, in comes a nasty NE'ly with squalls and a rolly sea.…
1 August 2003 0300hrs 1 Aug 2003 UTC: Funafuti Atoll, Tuvalu Halleleujah, we'reanchored inside a calm lagoon waiting Customs and Immigration - the rocking and rolling has stopped!! We sailed the 2250nm from…
3 August 2003 0800hrs 3 Aug 2003 UTC: Fongafale, Tuvalu The town is on a long thin coral strip formed by one side of the atoll, which is about 7 miles wide. We are anchored in clear smooth water and have…
6 August 2003 6 Aug 2003: Tuvalu We are lying peacefully at anchor facing into a gentle Easterly breeze and looking at Fongafale town as the sun comes up in the South Pacific. Just…
7 August 2003 7 Aug 2003: Tuvalu Had a great tour of Funafuti Island today. We hired 2 motorbikes - no paperwork, just walked in and were told come back when you'refinished. For 4…
10 August 2003 Sunday 10 Aug 2003: Funafuti, Tuvalu The pleasure of being anchored in crystal clear waters within a coral atoll lagoon are sadly overshadowed. I am alone, as Lyndall flew back to Sydney…
16 August 2003 0330 16 Aug 2003 UTC: 11S09, 174E48, course 238T,speed 5.5kts, Wind SE20, sea S2m. James and I have had a rough first 2 days out from Tuvalu. The wind was South at 25kts with a 3.5m…
17 August 2003 2100 17 Aug 2003 UTC: 13S31, 171E08 Course 237T, speed 5.5kts, wind E18, sea SE 3m. The SE Trades are steadily pushing us along at a 140nm/day average. The motion is jerky, sleep is…
18 August 2003 2030 18 Aug 2003 UTC: 14S48, 169E09 Last night the wind died so we are motoring the last 120nm to Luganville. The wefax shows a big Low to our south so we are hoping it doesn't bring SW…
19 August 2003 2200 19 Aug 2003: Luganville Anchored at last and cleared in after an all night motoring vigil. Weather is overcast, belying the natural beautyon Vanuatu which I'm sure is here.…
21 August 2003 21 Aug 2003: Luganville Anchored in front of the Beachfront Resort allowed us last night to20 sample great food and company and learn of the delights of Santo. We are doing…
24 August 2003 0400 24 Aug 2003 UTC: 16S02, 164E36 Course 260T, speed 6kts, windS E20, swell SE2m, temps 26/21C. At sea again, this time on the last leg home , 1200nm from Vanuatu to Townsville. On…
24 August 2003 2100 24 Aug 2003: 16S18, 162E59 Course 260T, speed 4.8 kts, wind E1 0, sea SE1.5m. A big Low hammered NSW last nite and the ridge has just extended to our area, giving us lighter…
26 August 2003 0400 26 Aug 2003 UTC: 16S48, 159E51 Course 261T, speed 5.5kts, wind SE15, sea SE 1.5m Temps 25/23C. Moving along with an illy whacker roll to e ach wave we are making fair progress -…
29 August 2003 2115 29 Aug 2003 UTC: 18S21, 150E28 Course 260T, speed 6kts, wind E 15, sea SE3m. After 2 days of 25kts and 3-4m seas it is only just safe toget the computer out. We are now 130nm from…
31 August 2003 0900hrs Sunday 31 Aug 2003 AEST: Flinders Passage, Great Barrier Reef, Q ueensland, Australia Our journey of 7 years comes to an end as we leave the great Pacific Ocean and head towards Townsville, just 76nm away. The crew are happy to be safe…
8 September 2003 8 Sep 2003: Townsville A week has passed and reality is settling in. The GPS registers no more, there is no sound of water swishing past the hull, the engine is cool and…
22 October 2003 22 October 2003: Townsville, QLD I must say we have had perfect sailing weather every day since Illywhacker's arrival here 7 weeks ago - something unheard of in the higher latitudes…
23 November 2003 23 November 2003: Breakwater Marina, Townsville The end of November signals the beginning of the cyclone season in this part of the world and true to form the weather is becoming unsettled with hot…

Home Waters

Townsville, the Great Barrier Reef and Sydney. The cruising slows as Lyndall fights leukemia with the same courage she brought to every ocean passage — and the diary becomes a moving record of love, care and stolen days on the water.

7 January 2004 7 January 2004: Sydney Seasons Greetings to all. Lyndall and I hope that 2004 will bring lots of sailing adventures for everyone reading this website. We are enjoying…
12 February 2004 12 Feb 2004: Kettering, Tasmania Travelling by land and air, we arrived in this great little harbour to catch up with a number of sailing friends from Sydney. It is strange to report…
25 March 2004 25 March 2004: Townsville Lyndall received a new digital camera for her birthday today. A Nikon Coolpix 8700. With thousands of photos in our database reflecting her artistic…
12 May 2004 12 May 2004: Breakwater Marina, Townsville illywhacker is out on the hard as part of her end of passage refit. She has been stripped of all paint back to the original layer of epoxy - a long…
19 July 2004 19 July 2004: Breakwat er Marina, Townsville What a magnificent place to live aboard a cruising yacht. The weather is perfect - blue skies everyday, temperatures 12C at night to 25C during the…
10 September 2004 10 September 2004: Townsville It's been a bit of a struggle but tomorrow we untie our lines again and head off for the long awaited cruise - this time in home waters. Our plan is…
17 September 2004 17 September 2004: Hinchinbrook Island Nth Queensland We're alone again! Illywhacker is anchored in Gayundah Creek about .5nm from the main channel. It is calm and very quiet between the mangrove-lined…
23 December 2004 23 December 2004 - Sydney, Australia Holiday greetings to everyone from Lyndall and Peter, crew of illywhacker. We are temporarily away from our floating home in Townsville, north…
15 February 2005 15 Feb 2005: Sydney We're watching the Townsville weather carefully from down south in this comparatively mild Sydney climate. So far, no cyclones up there but some…
8 April 2005 8 April 2005: Breakwater Marina, Townsville The cruising season is underway here in Breakwater marina. New yachts are arriving daily, using Townsville as a base to prepare and stock-up before…
7 May 2005 07 May 2005: Breakwater Marina, Townsville This diary is in danger of becoming an ongoing medical report, but since Lyndall's health problems are determining the outcomes of our cruising…
6 July 2005 06 July 2005: Breakwater Marina, Townsville Whew, what a few months those two were. Lyndall spent May in hospital and she is still recovering now. The minor infection in her toe really took…
30 July 2005 RSS now available for Illywhacker.com RSS can be used in many forms and application. E.g. Firefox, Google and some mail clients.
31 July 2005 31 July 2005 Breakwater Marina, Townsville Illywhacker is getting back into cruising mode. We had a few days at Magnetic Island to test her systems and ourselves. Our youngest, Matthew and his…
19 August 2005 19 AUGUST 2005 ORPHEUS ISLAND We are away at last. Just the 2 of us on a slow gunkhole north, hoping for no health dramas and fine weather. So far this season we have had much…
22 August 2005 22 AUGUST 2005 FITZROY ISLAND Sunny skies and clear blue water, that's what great cruising is all about. Orpheus seems weeks away as our subsequent anchorages at Gayndah Creek at…
31 August 2005 31 August 2005 - Marlin Marina, Cairns A cruising glitch occurred last week. After an easy trip to Cairns the wind strength increased and it rained ..... almost continuously for 5 days. We…
8 September 2005 8 September 2005 - Cairns, North Queensland Illywhacker is back in Cairns Marlin marina after a few days anchored at Vlasoff Cay. That was the ultimate paradise, a tiny patch of pure white sand…
13 September 2005 13 September 2005 Fitzroy Island A great stretch of calm weather has allowed us a relaxing time at this Great Barrier Reef island National Park about 15nm from Cairns. There is a…
4 October 2005 4 October 2005 Mourilyan Harbour Greetings from this land-locked cyclone-proof harbour in North Queensland. It is almost possible to sail past and miss the entrance even though it is…
10 October 2005 10 October 2005 - Zoe Bay On the eastern side of Hinchinbrook island, this is a magnificent but seldom visited bay. It is exposed to prevailing Trade winds from the SE but at…
2 November 2005 2 November 2005, Ashore Sad but true. We have moved into a 6th floor apartment overlooking illywhacker at her berth in Breakwater marina. From here we can watch lucky…
17 December 2005 17 December 2005 It's a hot day in town so we're out here for a day's sail with family and friends. Not only have we escaped the madness of Xmas shopping but we have…
19 March 2006 Sydney, 19 March 2006 Of all the times to be away from illywhacker! We are in Sydney visiting family and friends and to enable Lyndall to see a specialist. The news from…
21 March 2006 Sydney 21 March 2006 A miracle has happened. Cyclone Larry veered slightly north and slammed into the sugar town of Innisfail causing great destruction. All sugar and…
16 May 2006 Townsville 16 May 2006. We learnt today that sadly our dear friend John Crowley passed away peacefully in his sleep. He and Dolores were about to drive north that very day…
1 August 2006 Townsville 1 August 2006 What a beautiful time of the year it is here in the tropics! While winter rages down south, we have sunny days with blue skies and SE Trade winds…
2 October 2006 Sydney 2 October 2006 Illywhacker'screw are housesitting a yachtie friend's place in Sydney. Considering it's Spring we are freezing down here but we can put our feet up…
16 November 2006 Breakwater Marina, Townsville 16 November 2006 This is the season for Northerlies along Australia's east tropical coast and conventionally, anyone who has been cruising the area over winter is…
18 December 2006 Townsville, 18 December 2006 If you think you've nothing to be thankful for, then feel your pulse! Lyndall likes that little homily - it's been especially relevant during the…
4 February 2007 Townsville, 4 February 2007 Monsoon tropical dowpours. That's what we've been getting over the past few weeks. In one 24-hour period we watched 216 mm drench the marina. The…
9 March 2007 Townsville 9 March 2007 It's humid tropical weather here and the marina is quiet during the day - most liveaboarders are hiding below decks with their air-conditioners…
25 April 2007 Sydney 25 April 2007 I'm freezing! We left Townsville 2 weeks ago in bright sunshine and a pleasant 30C only to be greeted as we arrived in Sydney last Sunday by…
18 May 2007 Sydney 18 May 2007 Reports from Townsville say the weather is perfect for cruising. Meanwhile, Sydney has been praying for rain and today it is happening - cold, grey…
15 June 2007 Sydney 15 June 2007 Braving storms and cold in Sydney has it's rewards. Long lost friends are happy to drop by and reminisce. Last weekend, Tom and Vicky Jackson left…
26 June 2007 Sydney 26 June 2007 It's been a week now and I'm still having trouble keeping back my tears. We knew that eventually our life together would come to an end and we know…
20 August 2007 Sydney 20 August 2007 After a pretty average month Lyndall is now a bit more perky, still mostly horizontal but able to read a little and give directions to the galley…
18 November 2007 Sydney, 18 November 2007 My little flower is wilting but still smiling. Last visit we could see that the specialist was intrigued, it was as though he'd never seen such…
31 December 2007 Sydney, 31 December 2007 2008 begins tomorrow and I'm delighted to report we are both here to enjoy it. Despite the gloomy predictions of her specialist, Lyndall is defying…
5 March 2008 Sydney, 5 March 2008 It is heartening when friends email us asking for more information on Lyndall's condition. These diary entries seem so far away from their intended…
27 March 2008 Sydney 27 March 2008 Storm clouds are still above but a glimmer of hope is shimmering on the horizon. Lyndall's specialist returned from an overseas conference quite…
19 April 2008 Sydney 19 April 2008 Wow, what a week that was! It has been one of busy, and for me exhausting preparation but now illywhacker is ready for her passage south - the first…
21 April 2008 Sydney 21 April 2008 Oh, Oh! I should have known that things don't always go smoothly on yachts. After a great start, Illywhacker and her crew of 3 left yesterday at…
23 April 2008 Sydney 23 April 2008 Wouldn't you know it! The winds have eased offshore from Townsville south - this is the time to go. However, illywhacker is in her berth with the…
4 May 2008 Sydney 4 May 2008 It was only yesterday, on Saturday that the engine was finally repaired. By then the crew had flown back to Sydney and friends in Townsville had…
1 June 2008 Sydney 1 June 2008 It sure is a struggle. Overcoming the effects of radiation therapy has been quite hard for Lyndall. After a few days in hospital and many anxious…
14 June 2008 Sydney, 14 June 2008 Monday will be a big day. It is then that Lyndall will be in hospital for 5 days to start her treatment of a new drug called Vidaza. It is heralded…
5 July 2008 Sydney, 5 July 2008 Lyndall's week in hospital was very hard on her but there was much kind attention from the nursing staff as they learned the new routine, it being a…
17 July 2008 Sydney, 17 July 2008 Lyndall's last blood test showed a significant improvement which the specialist puts down to the first round of Vidaza. He is delighted with such a…
23 August 2008 Sydney, 23 August 2008 We've completed chemo session #3. One more to go, then the next phase will begin. Lyndall's specialist could not be happier, he's amazed that the…
30 September 2008 Sydney, 30 September 2008 Life doesn't always work out just how we'd like. At the end of her final chemo session (#4), Lyndall contracted an infection and in her weakened…
9 October 2008 Sydney, 9 October 2008 Finally I have Lyndall at home. She still has a good deal of pain but hopefully we can manage that as part of the process of steady improvement in…
28 October 2008 Sydney, 28 October 2008 Things are not going as we would want. Just a week before the scheduled operation Lyndall'slung infection returned with a vengeance. She has been…
4 November 2008 Sydney, 4th November 2008 Bedside days and nights uncounted Her body morphine-wracked Each gentle touch, each smell, each sound an anguish My life companion drifts away…
17 November 2008 Sydney, 17th November 2008 Thank you dear friends for your condolences and kind messages of support. Never before have I felt so empty inside, so rudderless and unmotivated.…
3 December 2008 Townsville, 3rd December 2008 I have been aboard illywhacker for 6 days now, alone. Marina friends have been dropping by, offering condolences but embarrassed by my tears, scurry…
25 December 2008 Sydney 25th December 2008 The first Christmas without Lyndall has been the saddest day ever. It seems that after 7 weeks and 2 days, I am now running on empty. My exhausted…

Farewell, and a New Chapter

Lyndall crosses her final bar on Pittwater, the waters where they both learned to sail. Peter honours her wish, travels, and slowly points illywhacker south towards Tasmania.

25 January 2009 Sydney 25th January 2009 My feelings of loss are still as deep as ever but the pain of dealing with it is easing a little. I am hesitantly making plans for the future and…
14 February 2009 Sydney 14th February 2009 - Valentines Day The rain eased briefly this morning and under an overcast sky we motored out into an empty Pittwater in Joysea , an old converted timber trawler.…
25 March 2009 Sydney 25th March 2009 Lyndall's birthday today. I took an early walk along our favourite beach and watched as grey clouds lifted and the sun came out from behind. OK , she…
25 April 2009 Sydney 25th April 2009 There's been a fair bit of activity in my life over these last few weeks. Matthew and Julie moved to the UK early in the month giving me the…
9 May 2009 Townsville 9th May 2009 I've been back aboard illywhacker for 2 days now - and confronted with an impossible stowage task. Moving out of the house somehow resulted in a…
6 June 2009 Townsville 6th June 2009 illywhacker is still a mess. The refrigeration repair became a major rebuild with both the 12volt DC and the 240 volt AC system requiring new…
24 July 2009 Townsville 24th July 2009 Blue skies, 15 knots of warm breeze on a smooth sea, a seafood meal and a great red wine - life doesn't get much better, especially when you're…
27 August 2009 Nevada USA 27th August 2009 I'm a week into my pilgrimage to the USA, Canada, UK and Europe, visiting friends that Lyndall and I made on our travels over the years. Already I've…
7 September 2009 Sidney BC 7 September 2009 After a whirlwind trip across the NW of USA, courtesy of Dolores, visiting old sailing friends in various parts of Washington State I'm now in…
23 September 2009 Calgary, Canada 23rd September 2009 I'm halfway through my so far very rewarding, pilgrimage of remembrance. Tonight I fly out to the UK for an introduction to our new grandson, Thomas.…
17 October 2009 Bath UK 17 Oct 2009 Tomorrow I fly home to Australia after a very fulfilling 2 months away. The UK and Europe part of my trip provided a cultural contrast to the North…
3 November 2009 Townsville 3rd Nov 2009 Tomorrow is the anniversary of Lyndall's passing. It will be a sad day here on board but there is also a feeling that the future is looking better.…
12 November 2009 Townsville 12 November 2009 Sometimes cruising means waiting for the right weather before setting out. My journey is taking me to Sydney, some 1200nm south along the Australian…
18 November 2009 Airlie Beach 18 November 2009 On the positive side, illywhacker has left her berth in Townsville and has covered the princely distance of 150nm south towards Sydney. Shamefully I…
6 December 2009 6 December 2009 Lemon Tree Passage The injector pump was repaired in 3 days at Airlie Beach and we once again took to sea for what turned out to be 4 great days of sailing under NE…
23 December 2009 23 December 2009 Hobart Tasmania I'm in Tasmania researching potential crew for illywhacker at the same time as enjoying the company of old sailing friends. The waterways around this…

Tasmania & the Canals of Europe

A new rhythm: summers cruising Tasmania aboard illywhacker from Kettering, and European summers drifting the canals of Holland, Belgium and France aboard the barges ANJA, Burra Billa and Sirius.

21 January 2010 21 January 2010, Lemon Tree Passage I'm back aboard after a very pleasant stay in Tasmania. So pleasant in fact that the plan now is to sail there once the new engine is installed.…
27 February 2010 27 February 2010, Lemon Tree Passage I'm exhausted! After 5 weeks with my head in the engine room, I emerged yesterday for a test run of illywhacker's new Yanmar in the waters of Port…
25 March 2010 25 March 2010 Kettering, Tasmania There first rays of sun cast a red glow over the mirrored waters of the harbour, reflecting off the many yachts at anchor before coming to rest on…
5 June 2010 5 June 2010 Quarries Bay, Bruny Island, Tasmania It might be winter but there is immense satisfaction in an anchorage that is all ours to share only with the wildlife. There is no other boat to be…
24 June 2010 A Few Days in Paris After a 22 hour flight from Sydney via Singapore, we needed a few days rest before heading aboard our new floating home for 3 months. We were most…
24 June 2010 24 June 2010 Paris, France While illywhacker lies patiently at her berth in Kettering, her owner is on the other side of the world, about to experience a whole new cruising…
4 July 2010 All Aboard ANJA on the Nivernais Canal Alison and the barge owners Dave and Penny aboard ANJA waiting for a lock to open. Well, actually it's me waiting for the water to fill the lock…
20 July 2010 20 July, Montbard, Burgundy Canal The Burgundy Canal adventure began from Migennes and will end at Venary-Les Laumes near the site of the famous battle fought by the Gauls against…
7 November 2010 7 November 2010 Kettering, Tasmania Back aboard illywhacker in Kettering after a fascinating 3 months in France aboard the totally different craft, Anja . It is certainly a great way to…
31 December 2010 31 December 2010 Kettering, Tasmania 2010 was a good year for me, something I'd never have thought possible at the beginning. The sail from Townsville to Kettering was a great move -…
2 March 2011 2 March 2011 Port Davey, Tasmania Bleak, rainy, cold yet magnificent, that's Tasmania's SW coast - in Summer! The winds here at 43S howl in unencumbered across vast distances of the…
7 June 2011 Kettering Snow on the mountains, strong, cold SW winds and long underwear. That's Tasmania in the Winter! There are occasional fine days though and these are…
22 July 2011 Weesp, Holland I'm in another world! Airline travel seems to highlight the difference between my life in a small yachting community in Tasmania and as it is now,…
31 July 2011 Aboard Burra Billa in Utrecht, Holland Burra Billa beside the River Vecht at Maarssen Utrecht is one of Hollands first towns, almost 2000 years old but is still fresh and well kept. Our…
22 September 2011 Edam, Holland aboard our canal barge Burra Billa In the last week, Burrabilla has been covered daily in autumn leaves, the trees beside the canals are now almost bare. The temperatures are dropping…
5 November 2011 Kettering, Tasmania Our three months in Holland were wonderful but it is great to be home. Illywhacker was patiently waiting for me and came alive with a flick of a few…
8 June 2012 8 June 2012, Kettering, Tasmania Life is fine aboard illywhacker, she is still as good as new, cosy and warm below decks in this Tasmanian Winter and host to many interesting…
21 July 2012 21 July 2012 - Amsterdam, Holland Yes, that's right, Alison and I are in Amsterdam. We are aboard our new canal cruiser named Sirius and about to begin a new journey. Talk about…
3 August 2012 3 August 2012 Giethoorn, Holland Sirius now has 20 engine hours on the clock under it's new owners and has proved to be more than up to the job. She has been through a number of…
25 September 2012 25 September 2012, Schipol Airport, Holland How did that happen? Suddenly our time aboard Sirius is over and I am at the airport ready for the trip home. There are signs of winter here now so…
29 December 2013 29 December 2013 - Sydney, Australia Visiting Sydney to catch up with family and friends for 2 weeks. It's been a long time since there have been any entries on this website and this…
2 May 2014 2 May 2014 Amersfoort, Netherlands Greetings from on board MV Sirius, our European Waterways magic carpet. Alison and I began our 3 month cruising holiday 12 days ago in Zwartsluis,…
12 May 2014 12 May 2014 Werkendam, Netherlands 13C Feels like 4C, says the weather app. I guess that's due to the 76 Km/h wind gusts that accelerate the rain squalls beating constantly at the…
31 May 2014 31 May 2014 Tholen, Netherlands Sirius is sitting in her last port in the Netherlands before the crossing tomorrow into Belgium. We have 43Km of industrial strength canal to…
7 June 2014 7 June 2014 Antwerp, Belgium In a past life aboard illywhacker, travelling to a new country meant a long sea voyage where the motion of the swell slows mind and body to peaceful…
23 June 2014 23 June 2014 Gent, Belgium The passage from Antwerp to Gent is a downhill run. It runs along the Boven Zeeschelde which flows from the North Sea. As such it is tidal with…
19 July 2014 19 July 2014 Namur, Belgium They say troubles come in threes. Well, we've just had ours over the last few weeks. Gent was great, Alison and our friend Joanna had a week of…
24 August 2015 France August 2015 This is the first time the good ship Sirius has been in France under the helm of the Sirius-Europe syndicate. France is quite a change from cruising…
10 October 2015 France October 2015 As we left Epernay, well satisfied with our attempts to sample as much of the best champagne France has to offer, we felt that a long bike ride up…

Lifestyle for Sale

After a lifetime of adventures, illywhacker is looking for her next custodian.

27 October 2024 Lifestyle For Sale LIFESTYLE FOR SALE INTRODUCTION I just love being on illywhacker. Everything I see on and below decks reminds me of the life I've had aboard. Lyndall…