BY BARGE, SAILBOAT, CAMEL, HORSE OR BIKE!         
Noel & Jackie's Journeys
  • Our Travels
  • About Us
  • Our Books
  • Travel Gifts & Merchandise
  • Contact
  • Travel Photos

Premier Sailing Event

4/4/2017

2 Comments

 

Women Who Sail Australia

I'm home after attending an extraordinary event at Port Stephens.
Picture
Over 100 women spent several days together, sharing, teaching, learning.
Picture
Now I’ve had a good night’s sleep (13 hours), my emotional roller coaster is levelling out, and here’s why it was such a ride…
With an event like this, it’s not just the friendship and camaraderie it is something more:
The primal link of women. The understanding and empathy, the shared tears of joy, despair, hope, and dreams.
The hug.
The smile.
The safe place to be.
Giving time, lending an ear.
Friends, sisters, mentors.
It’s the ‘ordinary’ looking person sitting next to you, that is actually an extraordinary person.
Everyone has a story… I’m keenly aware that those I learned about, I’ve only scratched the surface. Their lives run so much deeper, richer, so much more still to teach me, so much more to learn.
When women come together it’s magic, a beautiful power of authentic souls connecting.
Thank you WWSA, see you next year.
2 Comments

Bathing in Heaven

3/24/2017

2 Comments

 

Nature's Swimming 'Pool'

When it's muggy, it's time for a dip!

Lucky for us, our creek chuckles along even through a drought.

It's here you'll find us taking a moment, enjoying nature, indulging in our land.

It's here where no one can see us, the world stops - just trickling water and contented sighs break the silence.
We need these brief respites - as you'll see in the next blog!
2 Comments

Tractor Tales!

3/21/2017

3 Comments

 

The Tractor is finally here!

After many months of research we selected a tractor to suit our needs.

It arrived last week and has already earned its keep!

I was interested to witness Noel's painful back (pinched nerve/convulsing muscles) disappear the day before the tractor arrived - I'd threatened to not let him drive it until he was completely better!

"It's going to be a 'girl' tractor, not a 'boy' tractor,' I teased!

Still - it worked! Now to start digging!
Picture
Noel looking the part!
Picture
He's really quite chuffed! ;-)

Okay - here's the real one! 

More mad, mayhem antics to follow....  foot eating cat, tom yum, bolshie horses...
3 Comments

House-Sitting

3/16/2017

4 Comments

 

More lovely pets to spoil!

Near Bega, NSW we had the pleasure of taking care of Monty, Bardy, Domino and Candy. Two dogs and two cats.
Picture
Bardy's on the left and Monty on the right - they kept us amused with playful antics outside and sad eyes. They weren't sad of course, just pegged me as a soft touch within the first five minutes, so they could get lots of treats!
Picture
This is Candy (left) and Domino - I wasn't sure if they were allowed on the table, but we'd received no instructions on this - so, yes, they were spoiled too.
Picture
Again, I was surprised how much the cats stole my heart. I adore dogs, but the cats were so adorable. Candy leapt on my lap every time I sat down. And it didn't take Dom long to follow suit, at the same time! The pair were a hefty weight!
Picture
If not on my lap, Dom's favourite place was on top of a cupboard. 
They were all a good excuse to waste-time!

The next house-sit is just watering plants - which means I'll get more done, but I'll miss this lot!
4 Comments

A Container Joins the Family (or menagerie!)

3/11/2017

6 Comments

 

A Barn, a Shed, a Caravan, an annexe, and now a container...

"I don't want a container, they're ugly, I don't see the point."

This was Noel's take on these large, lockable, waterproof, safe storage places. I wasn't bothered, what would we need one for?

But I started to think about where to store my latest order of books, and the horse gear. I needed somewhere dry and rat-proof. The idea of a container was circulated again, without much success.

Then, at another house-sit near Bega, there was a 'nearly-new' one for sale. And Noel started to warm to the idea (only because he had tools that needed to be kept dry and safe).
Picture
Money changed hands, MGM Towing (Bega), once again did a fine job assisting us with the move (they transported our caravan too).
Picture
A blue-tongued lizard lost his home under the container.
Picture
The container joined the mayhem.
PictureAnd shares the wonderful view with the caravan.
Picture
It has lots of space, well it did have.
"I don't know how we survived without this!" Noel said, as he continues to hog all the space in the container!
Pics coming soon to show how stuffed full the container has become, including decades of power(!)
6 Comments

Lose Yourself Without Getting Lost! GPSMyCity

3/1/2017

0 Comments

 

Menin Gate, Ypres, Belgium

Wouldn't it be wonderful to have your own, personal guide for over 6,000 different walks around the world, and across more than 700 cities?

Well now it's possible!

Blog article apps are a new concept in travel apps for IOS devices.

They are the latest offering from GPSMyCity, and I’m pleased to announce that a few of my posts have been turned into apps. You can download these apps for free, or pay for an upgrade.
Picture
Review: "I am a frequent traveler and travel blogger and can't praise the GPSmyCity app enough. When I find myself in a new destination, unsure of what to see and do, this app is a life saver! It offers such a wide variety of destinations and highlights unique attractions that you won't find in any guide book...."


​What Are GPSMyCity Article Apps?

​GPSMyCity produces city walk apps for over 700 cities across the world.

The walks may be general (like “San Francisco’s Highlights”), or thematic (such as the “Murray Hill Architecture Walk” in New York). They use GPS tracking on your iPhone to chart your progress around the route and prevent you from becoming lost.

Many of the city apps now have links to articles covering different aspects of the area, including places of interest, restaurants and shops.

​You can even access the article offline, allowing you to read it without internet access.

The app is linked to a GPS, so when exploring a city you can access information mentioned in the article.
Picture
Review: "I have installed this app a while ago and all I can say is it's here to stay. The compilation of articles is very useful - a well curated selection of recent writings in one place. I like the UI, it's easy and friendly. I used it mainly as a local trying to find new places to explore. I definitely recommend a try. Good job guys!


​Upgraded Apps Giveaway

There are two ways to access article apps on your IOS device.

1) You can click on the link at the end of a blog post that has been turned into an app (if you haven’t already downloaded the free GPSMyCity app you will be prompted to do so).

2) Once you have the GPSMyCity app, you can browse by city to view the articles available. A FREE download of the article is available - or upgrade to use the offline function and GPS tracking.

For a limited period I am offering a free upgrade on the following article app so you can see how it works (Free upgrade available until 6th March 2017):

​Menin Gate, Ypres - Belgium - follow the instructions below.
Picture
Review: "This is a great app. While it's main use is for walking tours, I have found it great for researching places I want to go. It much easier for me to find the info I am interested in here as compared to TripAdvisor or surfing the web as tours and blog descriptions can all be found in same place! Highly recommend."


​FREE UPGRADE

For a FREE upgraded app:

1) Click on the link for the article(s) you are interested in.

​2) Follow the instructions to download the GPSMyCity app. You will then be taken to the page for the article app – click on Upgrade and the app will be automatically linked to an offline map and the GPS navigator.
Picture
Note: If you do upgrade one of my downloaded travel articles, I will receive a few cents. It helps me offset the costs of maintaining a travel blog…     ​
0 Comments

The Boys are Back in Town!

2/27/2017

14 Comments

 
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.
Picture
(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…
14 Comments

Another Shed And Man-Eating Spider Dramas!

2/13/2017

2 Comments

 

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

Where We Live

2/11/2017

0 Comments

 

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.
Picture
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.
Picture
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.
0 Comments

House Sitting

2/3/2017

4 Comments

 

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. 
Picture
At first she was shy, it took her a while to trust us.
Picture
However, soon, she had me wrapped around her paws.
Picture
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!
Picture
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!
Picture
​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.
4 Comments
<<Previous
Forward>>
    Picture
    Follow us on FB to
    receive new blog posts 

    Further Reading

    Read more on our sailing, horse, barge and bike escapades here

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Archives

    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by
✕