Our Life Afloat


May 2025                                                   March 2025 >>
Blog of Jack and Jude
explorers, authors, photographers & videographers 

Glorious Indian Summer

We’ve just come through a glorious southern hemisphere Indian summer—unexpected warmth in April that fooled even the trees. Leaves had begun to brown, evenings were cooling, and then the sun returned for a dazzling encore. For three golden weeks, an Indian summer unfurled across our days, echoing the gentle deception I remember from my northern youth.

We spent it all in the paradise of Macquarie Harbour—anchored in quiet bays beneath gorgeous mountains, surrounded by button grass plains. No roads. No crowds. Just us—and a visiting pod of dolphins, who greeted us daily with somersaults and waving flippers. Imagine—if only we spoke their language!

Jude turned 80 while we were in paradise—finally catching up with me. Not to worry, I’ll pull ahead again soon enough. And while we haven’t crossed an ocean in a while, it’s not for lack of ambition. We’ve been busy—writing our latest book.

Creating African Honeymoon has been a real treat. And a challenge. It’s surreal, writing about an adventure that happened 57 years ago! But what a journey it was—and still is. Reliving those precious moments is like sitting down with old friends: Each memory sparks another, and soon we’re astonished by how much we dared—and how much we survived.

We married at 24 and set off down through Africa in a derelict VW van we’d rescued from a paddock—completely unaware that over thirty new nations had only recently thrown off colonial rule. Borders were fragile. Governments young. Tensions simmered beneath the surface. But we were young and hopeful. What could possibly go wrong?

African Honeymoon

Our book African Honeymoon is the first in a trilogy that continues with Around the World and ends with Two’s a Crew.

Here’s a taste from the first draft:

AFRICA

The Oldest Occupied Continent

First labelled the Dark Continent when little was known of its vast interior, Africa is in fact the cradle of humanity. Millions of years before maps gave names to its mysteries, the earliest humans shared Earth’s most spectacular land with the greatest array of wild beasts.

1969 – our third day crossing the open Serengeti Plains in our van
(Kopjes—pronounced “copies”—are ancient rock formations rising from the plains. Some are over 550 million years old.)

Not having seen lions on our first drive around the kopje, I got out to stretch my legs. Judith joined me, and together we explored the main rock, where great slabs had fractured to lay atop its side. Close up, more cracks appeared—and from one, a blue-headed lizard darted out. It froze, turned its head to study us, then bobbed up and down as if saying hello. When it scurried off, we followed—until it disappeared beneath an overhang.

That’s when we saw him. A male lion, looking down on us.

Yes, we got frightened—very frightened. But we figured these animals have plenty to eat, and don’t attack for the pleasure of killing. Only man does that.  So we bowed our heads and greeted him. 

Maybe we imagined it—but the king of beasts seemed to acknowledge us. He shook his massive mane and yawned, revealing terrifying rows of teeth—as if to say, I’m feeling lazy. But don’t forget, I could take your head off with one bite.”


Against the odds, we made it to South Africa. A year of dust, mud, breakdowns, and border crossings—yet we got through. Shaken by apartheid, we soon bought a ticket to Australia—and found the perfect place to live.

And just in case you’re wondering why we love it so much—here are our latest photos to prove it.

Underway to Birches Inlet for a two week stay

The southern end of Macquarie Harbour – our mate Trevor following our wake

There are many anchorages in Birches Inlet – Here a gaggle of swans fly overhead.

Protection is always close at hand in Birches Inlet, anchor in 3 to 12 m of water with litle tide.

Artefacts from earlier times when Birches was busy with tree harvesters.

Jude unearthed a cooking pot from before WWII

Black Swans are very shy. These three swam by while we sat quietly eating our lunch.

On the placid shores of Betsy Bay, Jude’s changing into walking boots before scaling a hill for a beautiful view.

Trevor, ex-Stormbreaker, ran a charter service for 20 years. Now he has time to join us explore the hinterland.

Walk #1 – She’s smiling knowing we’re off to climb that hill for a lunch with a spectacular view.

Up the easy part. Good exercise is good therapy – good for our souls as well.

We went up the easy route, then came down the steep slope. Off track isn’t very hard through such low growth.

Jude’s delighted with her up one way-down another way.

The second of three climbs available in Betsy Bay. This one’s steep at the start, flattens out for a long walk on open ground.

All along walk #2, views across a creek valley to the finger. Which is also a great day walk from a different starting point.

The third walk is the best. We love the views and clean fresh air. Look, no one in sight!

Late start, but we made the plateau – It’s time to start down.

We got a late start for our walk. The views just beautful.

Still plenty of light for our two kilometre paddle home.

After a 2km paddle, a clmb, and paddle return, we joined the sun for a beverage on deck.

We tramped out to Ocean Beach from the harbour. There are two tracks available. This one is 8 km round trip. Good spot for a picnic.

Along Ocean Beach, these freshets spew out polished stone of various sized, colours and patterns.

Splendid view from the anchorage behind Solider Island in Farm Cove in 3 – 5 m of water

 

Wishing you safe journeys and fond memories,
Enjoyed this story? Stay with us for more!

Jack and Jude

Subscribe
Leave a comment


 

 


Comments

Our Life Afloat — 14 Comments

  1. Hi Jack and Jude
    Glad to see your still as active as always. I very much enjoyed your latest blog ,Thank you. We are currently at Emu point slip getting some work done prior to heading east.
    Kind Regards
    Brian and Sandra
    MV Sealeaf

  2. A very enjoyable read .We appreciate and are respectful of southern ocean weather.We are heading Nth from Cairns tomorrow heading to Darwin.
    As always Warm wishes .
    Brian and Sandra
    MV Sealeaf

  3. Hi Jack and Jude
    We are in Townsville at the moment and memories of temperate Tassy are a bit appealing.Always good to hear of your trips .
    Best wishes
    Brian and Sandra
    MV Sealeaf

  4. Hi Jack and Jude,

    I am from Perth and am planning on sailing my boat from Mexico through the South Pacific and I plan to get to Bundaberg by November. From there I am not sure whether I should head south to Tasmania and then cross the Bass straight around February to get back to Perth or wait for cyclone season to pass and sail around the top end and down the West Coast. Can you offer any advice? Thanks.

    • G’day Andrew,
      Crossing Bass Strait and the Australian Bight in February is fine, and preferable to beating down the WA coast to reach Perth around the Top End.In Summer, easterlies prevail close to the southern coast, and the Southern Ocean swell is at its mildest.  Hope that helps. 

      Our book Where Wild Winds Blow records our east to west and back to the east under Australia and is filled with weather information, places of interest and historical notes. Available both in print and digital.
      Jack

      • Thanks Jack. I’ve got it on the kindle and will read it in a day or twos time when I cross from the La Paz to the Puerto Vallarta. Hope to see you guys around when I make it. CT 41 – Wastrel

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *