REFLECTION & REVELATIONS (wkoa)

 G'day All, Last entry I mentioned "FAMILY" and how I thought we had turned a corner as a "family unit". Well, we've not only turned a corner, but spun out and rolled into a crash barrier.
I received a call from Brother Andrew this week that turned all of our lives upside down!
Just when everything was looking positive!
I won't disclose his ailment but suffice to say itz serious enuf for most of us to re-assess life plans, goals and timelines. Thoughts this week turned to the family and  especially My Son Cameron!

The foto opposite was during our trip across the top of Australia at a thyme I thought my life was at itz lowest if not near itz end. Depression can B an evil master! (How long ago that seems now)
I mentioned we don't play very well together as a unit but when 1 family member puts out a help call we all rally to the task with dedicated focus.
The fone has been running hot with calls between family members and I've even started another letter (snail mail).
Itz also had me rethinking my goals and time-lines both in a negative and now positive light. It seem's whenever guest's leave the Yot all I can focus on is the Negatives! We had a few drama's with the Yot while Dad and Brother Mark were here that had me heading downwards into a dangerous spiral. Then Andrew rang and after the initial shock wore off I realized
 I've got "no problems"!
Well none worthy of major concern anyway.
The little issue's that creep up in my effort to get this Yot to sea are in actual fact what make the task so enjoyable and "They are all issues I can fix" I don't need a surgeon or doctor to repair a broken rudder or service a generator.
Revelation 1!
I mentioned the rain began just as Dad and Mark left Townsville. Well rain it did, in an unseasonal downpour that dropped 120mm over the entire area cutting roads, flash flooding and reminding me just how close the "WET" is!
Revelation 2!
So with a new found enthusiasm itz "Balls to the wall" in a big push to get the Yot ready to head South in the next few months.
With the rainy weather comes the idle hours and when the going getz tough, this chef turns to food for both solace and comfort. I found these Supa-Mushrooms at Lamberts this week (Huge 8" across). So on went the stereo KBW!(Nigel) out came the Fellixer and I set about making a beautiful Thai chicken soup for entree follow by a sensational mushroom pizza for main. With the pizza base being the mushrooms themselves -fresh basil, capsicum,olives, fetta, bacon, garlic, olive oil and Parmesan cheese were all placed into the mushroom caps then B.B.Q'd for 25mins to reveal a true taste sensation.
Revelation 3!
I can always count on good food to lift my spirits (if I'm not drinking them) Gr8 food, Gr8 Music and Above average company (crazy Canadian) Turn the night into a roaring success with all problems forgotten or at least pushed into the sub-conscious 4 a while.
As of this morning I'm back onto Yot worx with the new hydraulic steering system ordered! 2 steering stations now- 1 inside and 1 on the rear deck. I've also begun the task of removing the old console and control area inside the main cabin. This will allow 4 the new refrigeration (wkoa) and  console area to be fitted over the next few weeks (another challenge I'll embrace) This is really the last area of the Yot that needs work besides the Bathroom (head) but I figure I can sail south with the current Bathroom, I can't sail without Steering or adequate refrigeration! So you'll hear Lotz of complaining/whingeing about fibreglass and hydraulics over the coming week but itz all part of the process that'll get me sailing sooner.
On a pleasant note Miss Mermaid is on the mend and looking 4ward to Her trip downunder!
If only the Irish govt would sort out a few currency issue's, but I'm sure Amanda will get here eventually! Make sure they fuel the plane!
Also I've managed to save "All" the plants in the garden bedz after they received a rite drenching with salt water during our trip back from the reef. This is Gr8 news as I was under the mistaken impression that once they got salt water on them they'd die in record thyme! As these plants will be a MAJOR source of food and vitamins during my journey itz good to know they can B saved should they get salt water on them.,not that I'd recommend salt as a fertilizer.
So that'z the news from Galleycat for this week,
Good luck Andrew! My thortz are with you!
Your Big Brother,
Captain Felix

ALL REVVED UP!!! Wiv no place 2 go!

 G'day BOOTIFUL Peoples!
Lotz has happened since I last switched this blog on, had a read and reflected on just how lucky I am 2 realize "I enjoy my life!"
This foto " Steamed cod and vegies served on a bed of fluffy jasmine rice with a fusion reduction of ginger, chilli and soy and  just a squeeze of lime at the end! Veree Tastee!
 Have I mentioned how much the food on this Yot is shocking!
Dad and Brother Mark have just left Town!, I've had a nap!, poured a Fellixer and will now attempt to relay 2 you, life aboard Galleycat this week.
The main purpose(little dolfin) of this week was
always really about the V8's!
Itz all over and done with now, and upon reflection!
 "LIFE SUX!"
We've just had a week of fishing, excellent food, and V8 racing! plus a spattering of mudcrabs, Moto GP, Nascar and Formula 1.
Itz also been a week of Family!
 We as a family tend to not get on terribly well when we are in confined spaces for long periods of thyme. (in fact as we originally drove from Perth to Townsville , I'm sure bets were on  we'd kill each other B4 the end of a 7000km+   road trip) We didn't ! By the weigh.
Upon reflection, I think Life has turned a corner 4 the whole family. As the main topic of concern and conversation during the last week was "Family!"
Both (near and far / past and present).
Not a bad weigh (notice the yoghurt link,Dad?) 2 spend a week!, really.
Back to the V8's !!!!!!!!
What an experience! I'm a fan of V8 racing as sum of you mite know by now !
2 sit trackside waz a whole Nu experience 4 me. As I've neva actually bean 2 a race.
Jamie Whincup won the races! But the whole package was Gr8!
 The sound, was what blew me a weigh!(thatz twice) The televised version can "neva" re-create the level of "noise intensity" that is an actual race! Somehow the cleva bastardz in television land have workd out how to get rid of the incredible BACKFIRE!
The other fact was how the promoters have managed 2 keep the track interesting 4 3 whole dayz! Support categories were at thymez more interesting than the main event!
Especially when a car inciner8ated itself in front of  us after doing an incredible Burnout ,"that bought bak a few memories of 'Cortina'-land.com.au"
I've a new found respect 4 the role my "V8 Hero's" play in the over-all scheme of thingz I call Life! These  CRAZY bastardz fly around a trak at an unbelievable speed! side by side while 4 uther carz are smashing into them! Not 4 me.com! But I take my "choice chips" hat off to them.! Now that I've finally got my new hat from Mr Micheal and his family.(with many thanx)
The guy's that drive these cars are simply insane !
I can only hope I have the chance to meet Mark, Craig or Jamie in person and ask them "WHY". And I hope they answer "FOR THE FANS!"
Itz really Gr8 entertainment!
The action on track made the visit worthwhile with sum of the closest V8 racing I've ever scene.
We chose our seating position for the 3 dai event, right next 2 pit entry on the hair-pin into the main straight. This meant you could literally touch the cars as they rolled past into the pit area.Over-all it was a fantastic experience that wetz my appetite for this years visit 2 "THE MOUNTAIN" in early October. Even Dad seemed to enjoy himself.

We returned to the Yot on the Sunday Afternoon, settled down to a hearty feed of Singapore style chilli mudcrab and waited for the Moto Gp and Formula 1 races later in the evening. It was a struggle for all to stay awake to watch Mark Webber take out the British Grand Prix. But we managed and what a race that was. Unfortunately Cassie Stoner came off his Moto Gp bike 2 corners from the end while battling for the lead.
Truly a gr8 week was had by all and as the rain begins to fall on not so sunny Townsville itz thyme for this little black duck to get sum shut eye!
So itz Ciao 4 now from Captain Felix