Explore Earth with Jack and Jude
September Article – Macquarie Harbor films – Two’s a Crew book
About Us ~ the long and short of it
Jack and Jude
The short version says we met and travelled then built a boat while having two super kids, then travelled forevermore.
Magic some say. Maybe fate.
Here’s a little more of our story.
Jack began life in an American mega-city during the topsy-turvy time following WWII. He grew up amongst skyscrapers and super highways, smog and streetlights, so he rarely saw the stars and had few escapes from city life except for sandy beaches and beautiful surf. One memorable escape came when his parents took him on a donkey ride down into the gloriously carved Grand Canyon in a scary ride that awakened his love for the great outdoors.
Judith, aka Jude, had a completely different upbringing in a quiet north England town. Her family often explored the green hills overlooking the North Sea, fished for tiddlers in streams, and experienced thick North Sea fog and wild gales.
So how did these two extremely different people meet? What forces brought them together? Some say fate takes us through life while others believe karma brings good fortune to those doing good for Earth and her creatures.
Did karma weave the intricate plan that sent Jack overseas at the precise moment Jude was celebrating her graduation as a registered nurse? Did it send him lonely and disheartened into a Frankfurt Pub looking for joyful laughter and have him see two bubbly blonds radiant with mirth. Being a bit shy, did karma then cause him to do something quite uncharacteristic. Ordering a round of drinks, fidgeting he approached then stammered in his rather poor German, “Hi, my name is Jack.” Can you imagine, both girls burst into wild giggles.
African Honeymoon
Our honeymoon was a road trip through Africa, north to south, in a derelict VW van resurrected from a Scottish field. From South Africa, we came to Australia intending to earn enough to make it to Japan for Expo 1970. But once in the sunburnt country, finding space everywhere with a feeling of ‘she’ll be right’, we were encouraged to not only start a family, but to also start the construction of a 12 metre yacht that we christened Banyandah, meaning “home on the water” She became our family’s first home.
After those strenuous, stressful years of construction, with little sailing experience and sons just two and three, we began a voyage into the unknown. Thinking about it now, baby-steps comes to mind. Frightened and unsure, lacking skills, with mountainous obstacles to overcome, in baby steps that grew into a sea roving life taking the four of us around the world in ever-increasing circles on “voyages of education”. Pretty corals and shells and fishes, and people from all cultures filled our active minds, which focused our thoughts that this special planet is to be cherished. In addition to thousands of sea miles, we touched eighty countries, and experienced an amazing adventure in an odyssey that lasted not the one year first imagined, instead, on and on for the next sixteen.
Still hear the call of the wild
Going round n’round the world fending for ourselves left us with heaps of knowledge and skills, with few assets other than one well used boat. There followed another sixteen years carving out a modest recluse on the land rebuilding the very same vessel we home-built in Sydney, before we relaunched Banyandah and then set sail in 2007 to circumnavigate Australia just to see what had changed.
In 2007 we had three grandchildren and today they number ten! We are exceptionally fit for our age, which is a tribute to actually using our bodies, but they are changing, diminishing our abilities and confidence. Nevertheless we will always hear the call of the wild and are delighted when connected to Earth, and her topsy-turvy seas and winds, her rivers and mountains..
In our lifetime we have witnessed man take what it wants from the wild kingdom, leaving less for every creature, and we have noted that the balance of Nature is being greatly upset. With the creation being all we see feel taste and imagine, Earth is unique with humans the greatest power. As such we are the dominant carers of the creation.
During our two year odyssey around Australia we wrote many stories peppered with historical notes that were set within the matrix of two grandparents sailing a powerful craft through some of the world’s most dangerous waters. Adding maps and photographs, this became our first book, “Two’s a Crew”
To help publicize “Two’s a Crew,” we fashioned a film from the 200 hours of video recorded during that voyage. This grew our skills just that little bit more and illuminated a new direction. Being so very grateful to the many who have assisted us, and with Earth needing strong voices to inspire a new direction, we dedicate our energies to sharing the goodness of our life afloat.
We have now produced six films highlighting Australia’s “Off the Tourist Track.” As well as four volumes of true stories and practical suggestions acquired while sailing those miles.
And then after seeing a need for Cruising Guides downloadable from the internet, we packaged our anchorage information around this magnificent island continent into electronic guides suitable for most devices .
In 2010, as a means to share this information, we established this website that has grown into another positive reason to continue sailing and exploring. Please enjoy our blogs and short stories, our online videos as well as our drone footage from around Australia. You may also download our books in electronic format for the cost of a cup of coffee. Question gladly answered. Also, please join our Newsletter mailing list to be kept informed of new adventures, anchorage information, and practical tips.
Welcome on Board, Jack and Jude.
BLOG: “Our Life Afloat”
Visitors’ Comments ~
Excellent yarn, Lovely ending, Really enjoyed reading it.
It’s a fantastic book that warrants a second and third read. Chock full of tips and hints for the not so experienced, history woven through in an interesting way, and a great story. Sailing story, love story, history, travel – what more could a reader want?
Petrea.
nspiring. Quite clearly you told us about the importance of having routines in place, who does what, what to watch for. We purchased all three of your books and reading them has given our confidence a big boost. Thank you.
Where Wild Winds Blow has changed my life. I read your dedication from a copy in the library and immediately bought your book even though I have never sailed and may never step on a boat. The thought scares me. But through you two, I have vicariously experienced true love and known the courage Earth’s great explorers must have had. God Bless.
SINGLE DVDs also available on USB Flash Memory
Dear Jack & Jude,
You names and great experiences in your adventure in life to date, were drawn to my attention by John Turpie who, I understand met up with you in Yamba or Ballina a couple of weeks ago.
I met John and his brother Steve when they sailed a Mottle 33 down from Brisbane in January this year to Lake Macquarie. I also have a Mark 2 High Sides Mottle 33 and, by sheer fluke, welcome them to the LMYC as we both came up to the Club’s marine where my yacht is housed.
I have no doubt you will have already ascertained what a great, very interesting ,talented fascinating character John is. Wait till you meet his wife Syv. Equally fascinating …as are Steve and his wife Libby.
[Edited for length]
It would seem that as you two and I oved in parallel lives over the decades and, if per chance we get the time to meet, there would be many adventures to catch up. Best regards ( and fair sailing ), Paul Kennedy
Hello Paul, Yes indeed, two extraordinary men, and you seem quite unique as well. If we get down to Lake Macquarie we must meet, or if you get up this way let’s get together to spin a few high seas tales. Cheers, J&J