Our travels around the world by bike, barge, boat, camel or horse

The Boys are Back in Town!

2/27/2017

Reuniting My Family

I’d been (im)patiently waiting for this moment for three years.

In fact, this event fulfills a life-long dream.

Backstory
A few years ago, we adopted five Standardbred horses and trained them (well, they trained us) into a team and we tackled part of the Bicentennial National Trail together. The full story is here.

The bond between the seven of us was extraordinary. I grew up with horses, but living and relying on each other 24/7 over many months meant a unique relationship formed that would ultimately tear my heart to pieces. We were family.

A member of my (human) family was poorly and I felt I needed to be in the UK. Reluctantly the five horses were split. Stevie and Spirit went to one home, Charlie, Ned and Dom to another.

(l to r) - Stevie, Spirit, Dom, Charlie, Ned. This is only a few months before we departed company.

Fast-forward three years.

During during those years not a day went by when I didn't miss those boys.

Returning to Australia, it worked out that we could have Charlie, Ned and Dom back. I counted the days.

Nine days ago today, we picked them up. Charlie needs more food than most. At 16hh he is not only tall but bulky, his big thick legs show no breeding of daintiness – whereas Neddy is a ‘good-doer.’

I fretted over Charlie on the eight hour trip back to our place. He’d not fared well and I thought he’d break.

‘Horses are far more resilient than that.’ Noel reminded me.
Here are the boys on their first day home.

Charlie hadn't fared too well

Charlie's last foster home didn't have enough grazing for him - the hay didn't do much either.

Dom had done a little better.

Ned had fared really well - he's a good doer.

I thought Charlie would break on the journey home!

Dom's a bit boney.

I watch Charlie eat every mouthful.

Neddy-boy

Charlie's lost his beautiful round shiny bottom!

The boys took a while to recover from the journey.

Their forever home.

My cowboy!

Amazing Transformation

The pictures below were taken nine days later.

We have great grazing and the speedi-beet is working wonders. After worming, grooming, feeds and loads of love – their eyes are bright and I’ve caught them doing the odd buck and head-toss with pure glee.

Do they remember us?
Yes. Ned has already rested his head just above my tummy and sighed with relief – he used to do this on the trail after something scared him. He can be quite nervous can our Neddy-Boy.

Charlie talks to me. He only ever chatted when there was food. Now I call him, or just walk down to say g’day, and he says hello. Gently he rubs his head against me and breathes his own sighs of content.

Dom, well Dom loves everyone and everything. He’s the first to come to us, ears up, with the kindest face. He’d play with butterflies if he could. I call him little Dom, but he was a baby when we let him go and he has grown!

They are all so big – how did I ever hop on board Charlie!

They are at their forever home. Everyday, I hope to receive a message to say we can have the
other two back and reunite our complete team. I’ve asked and asked….

My life-long dream has been to own my own land with my horses. Of course, I share this with Noel who is just as happy to have our boys back. A good man, lovely horses, and a beautiful home - life's pretty good!

Everyday I smile, I’ve fulfilled a life-long dream and have my family back.

I need nothing more…

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Another Shed And Man-Eating Spider Dramas!

2/13/2017

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Serial Building-Dismantlers

We have another shed!

The theory was to put the battery-bank and inverter for the solar panels inside this smaller shed. I say 'was' as that has already changed and we now have a .... well, you'll have to wait and see.

First we dismantled the American barn - it's sitting on our land still in bits.

We took apart the hard annexe on this caravan - hefted down bit by bit with our trailer - then put the caravan on a truck and that now sits on our land - annexe is waiting to be reassembled as well.

This was the latest idea (to house the batteries etc). We managed to convince Noel's brother, Colin (left) that dismantling this "tiny-weeny" shed was a good idea in 30 degree heat!

Colin was wonderful help and also defended me when confronted with a man-eating spider!

A rather large, hairy, heavy lump of spider was clinging to each wall as it was removed. Until finally, the last piece was lifted and Col and I warned Noel of this tenacious crawly!

As Noel lifted the last piece, the spider fell onto the floor and galloped towards Noel, how he didn't feel the vibrations on the concrete slab I just don't know.

Col and I tried to shout a warning, but we tried to yell as fast as the spider was moving and so we squealed incoherently. The spider leapt up Noel's leg and it was all too much for me. As Noel did the spider-dance, I jumped behind Col's back and more-and-less climbed up his back under his t-shirt!

After a few minutes we all pulled ourselves together and Colin and I gracefully took on board Noel's advice, 'it'd be helpful if you could yell a warning coherently!'

This shed is now waiting to be reassembled, but it maybe sometime, as we have another trick up our sleeves.... an item that is great for storage and part of our home-made crane!

That's all coming soon....

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Where We Live

2/11/2017

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Beautiful Brogo, NSW

Since returning to Australia we've done a fair bit of dithering on decisions on whether to build - or sell up - and buy a smaller block of land with a house.

One of the many small residents - love the cute feet!

But we couldn't find a bit of land that came close to our diverse, character-filled land.

While we dithered on decisions - it didn't stop us accumulating several (yes, several now) buildings. We then realised that we'd be daft to sell, it's so beautiful here.

Come on a tour with me....

More of our antics coming soon - including making a home-made crane to lift a 600 kilo generator!

In the meantime - how am I going battling my migraines? I'm making progress, look here.

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House Sitting

2/3/2017

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Taking care of Pets and Houses - between projects

While we organise the build on our land we are house sitting in the area. We are starting to be in demand, but there is a down-side.

I am an animal lover - mostly I like animals more than I like humans, they listen better, they don't judge and they provide unconditional love. So I quickly adore each pet we take care of.

I also thought I was more of a dog-person than a cat-person, but little Bonnie (with a thick coat) thought otherwise.

At first she was shy, it took her a while to trust us.

However, soon, she had me wrapped around her paws.

She'd often ask me for something, and I'd follow her, thinking she wanted to go outside, but she'd reach the soft hallway carpet and flop down - it was time for tummy tickles!

Not only did she endear herself to me entirely, we could also enjoy these blissful sunrises - so far we are unpaid house-sitters and I get so much pleasure from different animals.... wonder what/how many we'll end up with when we move into our house, once it's built!

Next installment on our new infrastructure on our land - are we serial shed dismantlers... and what's that? A ship's container?

Don't forget to check out my other blog - I'm doing an experiment to combat my migraines. Take a look here.

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Award Winning Blogs

1/20/2017

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Nominated for Sunshine Blogger Award

Many thanks to Viki Moore for nominating Noel and Jackie's Journeys for the Sunshine Blog Award.

Viki loves to travel, have adventures, see new places, try new foods, meet people and escape reality. Her family and friends go along on the various trips and they have lots of fun. They sail to destinations whenever they can enabling them to access locations that are off the well-beaten tourist trails and experience life closer to nature and away from the crowds. If Viki isn't sailing then she's hiking or skiing in the mountains, or otherwise trying to experience "as much of this amazing country and planet that we live in." Take a look at her blog here, it's full of travel and useful information for travellers and sailors.

Here's Viki (middle) enjoying life with friends

The Sunshine Blogger Award is given from one blogger to others who are "positive, creative and inspiring". Once you have been nominated you are given a set of questions to answer and then you get to "pass it on" to other bloggers that you admire and find positive, creative and inspiring.

So thanks heaps for the award Viki! Here are my answers to your questions:

What do you enjoy most about travelling and or sailing?
The challenge, learning something new every day and relying on yourself totally. That last one is especially true when sailing. In the middle of the ocean if there’s a problem, there’s no one to call to lend a hand (except in a major emergency of course!)

What are the most challenging aspects of your adventurous lifestyle?
Finding the time to do everything I want. We don’t live long enough, I need about 200 years to come close to finishing the first part of my ‘want to do’ list!

How do you fund your sailing and travels, and what advice can you give to others wanting to do the same?
Writing and photography. If you like writing and/or taking pictures, have a go. It takes a long time and hard work to be published regularly. Over time, though, you hone your craft and it pays off. You need to be tenacious!

What is one off-the-beaten path location you’d recommend that we visit?
Suwarrow, however, you can only sail there, so maybe that’s a bit out of reach for some. Anywhere in the Pacific really, but I’d most definitely recommend the Cook Islands. The people are such happy, contented people that know they live in the most beautiful place in the world.

If you have a book you re-read often, what is it? If not, what’s your favourite book?
Well, I’m a bit of a sucker for Dick Francis, I often re-read his stories. He does not waste one word. Every single word is important, there’s no fluff and I love his characters – yes, caught out, not an inspirational story by another travel – a thriller!

What’s the strangest thing you’ve eaten or drunk while travelling?
Nothing too bizarre, you can’t afford to when travelling. I eyed up the stir-fried cockroaches in Thailand but there was no way I was going to eat one. I tried kava in Fiji, it is a mildly narcotic drink made from mixing the powdered root of the pepper plant (piper methysticum) with water and it results in a numb feeling around the mouth, lips and tongue and a sense of relaxation. My lips went immediately numb so I stopped – a rather strange experience and taste!

What do you enjoy most about blogging?
Connecting with people all over the world and documenting our antics. It’s great to look back on what we’ve done. Generally I use the best photos, so it is nice to have the good ones all in one spot. I love it when people I've not met stop by and say g'day.

When did your passion for sailing/travelling start and how did you make your dream a reality?
I always felt I didn’t fit within the ‘norm’ but I didn’t really start travelling until I was 26 when I ran away to Australia. I’d had rather a difficult time in the UK and ran as far away as I could. I met and married Noel (within 5 months) and he’d given up on the 9-5 monotony a long time ago. Noel had watched his father retire at 60 and lose his purpose in life, with unhappiness. Noel couldn’t understand working in the structured 9-5 from 14 years-old to 60 if it didn’t result in contentment, ‘what’s the point’.
When we met, we were both disillusioned with life and Noel had experienced the freedom of sailing. I thought it sounded like a good idea!
When two people have one vision, it is a powerful thing.

What is one item you can't live without when you are sailing/travelling.
Noel. Everything else I can find/replace.

Where are you from, and what are some fantastic things to see in that part of the world?
I am originally from Hertfordshire in the UK, now I live in NSW Australia.
The UK has wonderful must-visit places such as Eden, the universities, country parks/estates, Stonehenge, etc. But just take a walk around London. The ancient historical buildings are breath-taking and the UK has the best pubs!
NSW is stunning. The Blue Mountains, Snowy Mountains, bush walking in National Parks where a simple walk gives you the biggest thrills (watch for snakes!). Waterfalls, creeks and best of all – the Aussies themselves! Sydney is a fascinating city too and the beaches – endless golden sand with no one on them!

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from your travels?
Don’t sweat the small stuff.

So that's it! I've kept my answers short and sweet as you can scroll through this blog and www.jackieparry.com to find out more (and see lots more fascinating pics).

Thanks, again, for the nomination Viki. Now I get to nominate some of my favorite blogs for the Sunshine Blogger Award. I follow a few blogs, but here are just a few:
BTW If I have missed your blog off my list and you would love to do the challenge too then please let me know! I'd be more than happy to add you on! There's no obligation to be involved - it's up to you.

These pictures are from my nominees to whet your appetite!

Contented Souls Jill and husband Graham lived on a Narrowboat (Matilda Rose) with two Tibetan Terriers Baxter and Muttley and the Boss Daisy the cat. They have recently moved onto a larger Dutch barge. They've spent the last six years cruising the waterways of England and Wales but Graham’s ambition was always to cruise the continental waterways. Check out Jill's blog for down-to-earth chatterings and loads of laughs.

River Girl Val lives onboard a historical Dutch barge in the Netherlands. She's an incredible author, traveller, and all round great-gal. check our her blog for interesting information and lots of chuckles.

Valiam Linda Frylink Anderson and husband 'Captain Underpants' have sailed many oceans, and purchased their second boat, unseen, on Ebay. Linda's written two fabulous books in the 'Sarong Series' detailing their incredible adventures. How can you ignore this blog with a Skippers name like Bill's!

I'll be adding more blogs down the line. That's enough for you to check out for now and I encourage you to do so - these women are wonderfully down to earth and compose inspirational reads.

Good times at Suwarrow

So to all my nominee’s here are the “rules” of the Sunshine Blogger Award:

Thank the person who nominated you and link back to their blog
Answer the eleven questions set by the person who nominated you
Nominate eleven other blogs and give them eleven questions to answer. (You can use mine or change them to suit)
Notify your nominees
List the “rules” and display the Sunshine Blogger Award logo in your post

And here are my questions for you:

What do you enjoy most about traveling and or sailing/faring?
What are the most challenging aspects of your adventurous lifestyle?
What advice can you give to others wanting to do the same?
What is one off-the-beaten path location you’d recommend that we visit? Or the one place you'd recommend to avoid!
If you have a book you re-read often, what is it? If not, what’s your favorite book?
What’s the strangest thing you’ve eaten or drunk while traveling?
What do you enjoy most about blogging?
When did your passion for sailing/traveling start and how did you make your dream a reality?
What is one item you can’t live without when you are sailing/traveling.
Where are you from, and what are some fantastic things to see in that part of the world?
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from your travels?

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Caravan Escapades

1/19/2017

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Moving onto our land - well sort of!

Here's our "site office" trundling down the highway heading for our land.

Only one or two pieces worked their way loose and fortunately did not cause any highway-problems. As we collected one or two pieces of "debri" we didn't admit it was from our caravan.

We followed behind, and Glenn from MGM Towing in Bega was impressed with our caravan-travel preparation. We were not, we shouldn't have had any loose bits - thank goodness, it ended well.

With a very fair price and a cheery wave, Glenn left us with the van to arrange. He unloaded it as close as possible to our desired location, but we still had to manoeuvre it four metres.

Pushing it wasn't an option - so brain-box here (moi), said, 'Let's try to use lengths of timber as a lever on the tow bar, as you lift it I can push it.'

It not only worked, but worked brilliantly!

We didn't use the jack and this is on the concrete block (not on our land) - just showing you the tow bar! Nice bit of rust eh?

We quickly arranged a water tank, filled it with water ("You only want 3,000 litres") and are set to start cleaning the van in preparation for short stays between our house-sits.

We've since been up to more antics - growing our infrastructure on the land at an alarming rate.

There's been plenty of giggles, spiders, sheds, purchases and all beneath a big blanket of hot humid weather in NSW. But we're having fun - stop by again to check out our next set of escapades.

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The Caravan Project

12/22/2016

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We have a caravan and annex to use as a "site office" on our land while we build. "Free to anyone who moves it", and then you find out free is expensive in time and effort!

We arrived on day one to start preparations. First we moved the make-shift car port so we could park next to the van. The job took fifteen minutes under the abuse of a happy-holidayer 'it's a good job I don't have to go out.' We had parked four metres away from her car - you could have driven a bus out. We figured she was not having a good time!

First we had to clear the annex

Then get on the roof - some timbers had rotted.

The roof of the annex (from my view) was full of water and weighed a tonne!

We transported several loads to our land and used the dumpy level to find a level-ish bit of land for the caravan with fall to septic.

Professionals! The roof sheets (polysterene insulation) fell (pushed) off the top in a perfect pattern (and luckily didn't break a window)

We made a mess!

Left in good order for the evening. All this was done, by the way, in ridiculous humidity that sapped every last skerrick of energy.

Our trailer earned its keep.

We now had to move the bathroom. We wanted to keep this as one unit.

So we did what any (in)sane people would do....

...and loaded it up as one unit! I wanted to sit a mannequin on the toilet to give the other highway-drivers a laugh!

Now we have a bathroom on our land!

And it has the best view!

I don't know about you, but I'm exhausted.... next blog is the Pacific Highway journey with the wobbly caravan on a truck.

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Glutton for Punishment

12/20/2016

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First there was the barn... now the caravan

If you've been following you will see how we recently turned this.....

Into this....

Now watch as we attempt to turn this....

Into our new - temporary - "site office", here....

Then we'll turn this......

Back into this....

Then, eventually, we'll build something like this...

Are you following this? Not sure I am either, but stay tuned to see what other antics we get up too.... Oh! and big count down until I get the horses back! Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

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Shout Out to Nowra Tilt Tray Company

12/16/2016

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And an amusing video - where Noel....

I couldn't finish the Barn episode without a shout out to Nowra Tilt Tray Company.

Dave (read last post) - came along and loaded the dismantled barn in just a few hours. He whizzed the load south to Brogo and swiftly, deftly, and gently off loaded it.

We couldn't have asked for a more professional, hardworking driver.

The pricing was fair and we were impressed.

Note: His name wasn't Dave, but our memory has been blotted out as it does after a traumatic time, we now call him Dave because, well, see last post (scroll down!)

And the last post goes on the barn adventure goes to me....

No I didn't forget the video, click here to have a squiz at our roofing antics!

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The Barmy Barney Time Nearly Complete

12/9/2016

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What's the next adventure?

Well, slow down, let's get the barn done first!

Can you believe THIS....

.... turned into THIS......

I know! Ridiculous isn't it?

Still, now it sits on our land, with an electric fence around it to keep the cows off. It all looks so easy looking at the pictures, but grab a cuppa and have a squiz through the gallery below.

Take a slurp of tea as here's more (perhaps wine is more appropriate!)

We all went a bit dotty by the end of the project. Noel kept calling new people he met 'Dave'.

So to help his poor old memory Colin and I called everyone and everything 'Dave.'

We had a 'Dave' for every occassion:

"Oh Daayve, where've you put my hammer?"
"That's DAve's fault!"
"Wish Dave was here to help!"
"Dave would know what to do."
Even the wildlife was called Dave.....

Dave the spider!

Okay, we're almost done on the barn - just one amusing video on the next installment. I was supposed to be the STAR showing my roof top skills, but somehow Noel stole the show..... coming soon.

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<<Previous

Forward>>

The Boys are Back in Town!

Amazing Transformation

Another Shed And Man-Eating Spider Dramas!

Serial Building-Dismantlers

Where We Live

Beautiful Brogo, NSW

House Sitting

Taking care of Pets and Houses - between projects

Award Winning Blogs

Nominated for Sunshine Blogger Award

Caravan Escapades

Moving onto our land - well sort of!

The Caravan Project

Glutton for Punishment

First there was the barn... now the caravan

Shout Out to Nowra Tilt Tray Company

And an amusing video - where Noel....

The Barmy Barney Time Nearly Complete

What's the next adventure?

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