2013

The year started pleasantly with a few days stay at Kingfisher Bay resort having Christmas dinner, it was dry, cool and very relaxed, then with a rush in the first week of January I assisted Maryborough Woodworkers with a series of workshops for scouts attending the 2013 Jamboree at showgrounds. I was working with Jim Anstis making puzzles which the scouts assembled, it was satisfying week for me.
Fireworks and a welcoming concert launched for the 12,000 young scouts and leaders from across the world, Indonesia, Solomon Islands, Canada, Japan, China, UK, Hong Kong, New Caledonia, Switzerland, Timor Leste, Tonga and USA, NZ. The logistics were staggering. A simple meal such as sausages on bread required huge numbers. 24,000 sausages just to feed people two sausages each. Each day, 542 eskies and 1084 crates were used to deliver dinner and breakfast supplies to each troop. 300,000 poppers and muesli bars handed out over the 10 days to keep the scouts going between meals.
The chip van sold 15,800 donuts, over 6,200 drinks and 1,830 kg of hot chips.
The weather was fine and hot with a refreshing NE sea breeze that helped if you were in the shade.
Australia Day brought record flooding in the Mary River and my action plan saved all my woodworking machinery although the workshop was inundated and a skip bin brought in to clean up. Now I have less clutter in my shed. Nothing like a good flood to help decide what to save and what to bin, I can recommend it. We washed out the mud and many people came to help, the jetty slumped into the river and I craned it out and now have a larger floating pontoon instead. Clean up done then a month later and another lower flood came down the river, the river view has now opened up with all the mangroves washed away. Our lower garden looks great.
Labour Day weekend Di & I went with Deb and Mark, we spent a couple of days at 1770 and took the LARC trip to Bustard Hd Lighthouse, an enjoyable time shared for Dianne and I.
Dianne went to Victoria in June with her father Alan, brother Geoff for Aunt Vera’s 100th birthday at Max and Heather Smiths property, Deans Marsh. Vera had a wonderful birthday but collapsed a few days later and died a week after her 100th.
A spontaneous visit to Victoria in July for Lorraine’s birthday and I stayed with Greg and Catherine, and the kids. Really enjoyable and thanks to Greg and Catherine for their hospitality.
The big trip for me was on the Dutch tall ship Oosterchelde sailing from Melbourne to Hobart down the west coast of Tasmania stopping at the wilderness area of Port Davey and Bathurst Harbour. A week spent touring Tasmania by hire car topped off the experience. Snow on Cradle Mountain and on the boardwalk around Dove lake, a special experience. Slippery stuff that snow.
A few great sails along the coast Fraser Island in Pelican to finish off the year. The northern end has the most perfect white sandy beaches and creeks that flow clear and fresh.
Finished of the awning over the side of the house in November, the last section was major with a tall scaffold needed to be erected.
Well with the first six months of 2013 were really wet and the last six months really dry. Hoping not to tempt fate but we will go to Kingfisher Bay for Christmas again this year.