Sunday, October 4, 2009

One Week in Fremantle

It has been little over a week that Mhadei sailed into the Fremantle Sailing Club escorted by a powerboat bigger than herself with the wind blowing over 35 kts. She was well received by representatives of the club, the Australian Navy, the Boat's agents and the mandatory Customs & Quarantine officials who finished off their inspections in no time and made us feel at home. Mr Jon Sanders, with four Solo Circumnavigations under his belt dropped by to check us out. Next afternoon we had a little reception at the club with the Hon Counsel General of India, the Indian Naval Attache, CO HMAS Stirling and a host of retierd Indian Naval & Army Offrs in attendance. My crew & lone support team Lt Cdr Abhilash Tomy fetched up the next day by air. Mhadei had beaten Air India by a good two days! Giving a link to an article published in the main newspaper in Western Australia.
 http://thewest.smedia.com.au/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=V0FOLzIwMDkvMDkvMzAjQXIwMjgwMg==&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom 

We are presently enjoying the hospitality of the club & the City of Fremantle with Mhadei at a secure alongside berth and self at a serviced appartment not too far away. The club is planning to have their Opening season event on 11 Oct and we are invited for the sail past. Probably the first time an Indian boat will be taking part! Started working on the boat, cleaning up, changing chaffed lines, sending sails to the loft for minor repairs, a mast climb to check the fittings on top and a dive to check the bottom. Like the old adage,"a housewife's work is never over", the work on a boat is never over either, you always find something that needs to be done!

Apart from working on the boat there are small pleasures to be enjoyed! Like sleeping on a bed for the entire night instead of a bunk & a sleeping bag, making a cup of coffee and breakfast in the morning without bracing yourself for the next roll, having a hot water bath daily without having to worry about the watermaker, going to a vegetable market and buying fresh fruit, taking a long brisk walk without running out of walking space and the list goes on.........! Funny how many things we take for granted on land! Staying in a serviced appartment means I can mess around in the kitchen and my crew is the only & obvious guinea pig who eats whatever is served to him with a smile including some juicy Kangaroo steaks two days back!

     Looking forward to attending a concert by Jagjit Singh in the evening at the invitation of the Hon Counsel General!
 



17 comments:

Vivek said...

Good to hear from you after a very long time !

Vivek.

Anonymous said...

Deeelighted to read about your stay at Fremantle. We had been looking forward to some news about you and Mhadei on your blog.
With best wishes to you and your crew.
Anootai, Kalyani and Anand.

Tonmoy Dutta Roy said...

Hi

Am based in Perth and would love to come and visit you and the crew. Please do let me know if it is possible or if you have an open day?

Thanks
Tonmoy

Mandar Karmarkar said...

Great to hear from you! The bird pics are fantastic!

MAN D R said...

Hi Dileep,
Great to read abt ur trip so far. Wish U a safe and happy journey ahead.

warm regards,
Mandar Narvekar

nilma said...

:-) Hi Dilip,
Belated Birthday wishes to you..... think you had a very memorable birthday in Fremantle Sailing Club.
You are rite about us taking many things in life for granted.... but it goes on without much change.

My regards to Abhilash too....
looks like he too is having equal fun like you...
bye, take care,
cheers.

The Veteran said...

HI Dilip!!

Great going keep it up.....n keep in touch.
Devdutt patankar.

Unknown said...

Hi Dilip

After a long time heard from yoy. Was missing your events at the blog.

Gud to know that you are enjoying yourself . Yeah but one sincere request. Please shave your white beard You look like an old man.!!

Take care and best wishes to you and Abhilash !!

SUBIR said...

Hi,
You have started resembling Admiral Awati.

Have Fun.

Unknown said...

hello
dilip
good to see that you made it to down under. at this we shopuld expect you back much sooner
fiar winds and following seas
venky

DS Pathania said...

Hi sir, Good to see u supporting that great look of 'Sea Dog' with white beard. Your write up does make one feel how lucky we are with land under feet. Any way sir u must make most out of u r land halt (jagjit and plus). All the best for future. will keep following u.

Atty said...

Sir,
Its great that you are ashore for Diwali.Also wish you a belated happy birthday.We pray to the almighty for your continued success and mission achievement.Hope you get to have some chaklis and laddoos there at Freemantle.
Yogesh Athawale

Unknown said...

Like the lamp that radiates light silently , let the new year bring you bigger achievements quietly.

Happy Diwali from Mumbai!!

kodasrivatsa said...

dear skipper, greetings from t66. gr8 to hear from you and that you are ashore. must surely be a very uncomfortable feeling. take care sir and keep the blog on. hi to AT. regards from T66.

chatty said...

hey start your blogging again

Unknown said...

Pls start writing again . Waiting for it

Vishrut said...

hello thr!!!
its amazing to learn that you have sailed for so long alone to australia....
i was aghast at learning that dad and u had sailed for 22 days on tarangini

but that is nothing compared to this

btw now that ur in port u could consider getting a shave ;)

will keep commenting

Vishrut