Just a Little Further in Mandurah

While we were still in Esperance a month or so ago, we received an e-mail from Tim Donkin, General Manager of the Mandurah Offshore Fishing and Sailing Club (MOFSC). He wanted to know if Nine of Cups planned to stop at the club and if so, would we be interested in making a presentation to their members. We were very flattered by the invitation. I mean, we're not famous or anything and how often do we get to talk in person to people who are really interested in the cruising lifestyle AND not have to check for rotten vegetables at the door?  

We've done several presentations in the past, but we wanted to do something a bit different, so we noodled a lot over the past month and spent some time working on a new theme espousing our philosophy of Just A Little Further. Basically, we feel it's easier to cast off the docklines and set several, smaller short-term goals that are obtainable, than to make huge commitments to long, offshore passages before you've built up the experience and confidence to head out. The goal wasn't to convert anyone, just to let them know it's do-able and cruising is a fine lifestyle.

It's been blowing hard here for the past couple of days with intermittent torrential downpours. The night of the presentation was no different and when 5:58pm rolled around, there were only a handful of hardy folks in the room. No matter … we were keen to present. Just at 6pm, in walked a large group plus Tim and nearly every chair was taken. We were psyched.

The presentation lasted about an hour and the questions following were excellent. We could have chatted with these people all night. Some were interested in cruising; some were not, but liked the dream. We had dinner together later in the club restaurant, chatting like old friends. We put several tables end to end and the conversation was lively and all-inclusive.

We've only just arrived and already we've been made to feel part of the community. People stop by to say hello and ask if we need anything … loan of a car, a lift here or there, a trip to the supermarket or the farmer's market. How wonderful to feel so welcome. This really is one of the very best things about cruising the world. Thanks, MOFSC!

Home

 

I'm home at last. Down under with David and home aboard Nine of Cups. Stepping off the plane and seeing David waiting for me at the gate was an unexpected pleasure. Since my Sydney to Adelaide flight was domestic, David could actually meet me at the gate. You can still do that in Australia!

After many hugs and kisses and collecting all my baggage, we headed home to the Crown Marina in North Haven in a fellow cruiser's borrowed car. The long walk from the marina parking lot to Nine of Cups was worth the effort. She looked fabulous in her berth. David had tied huge, welcoming yellow ribbons on her and I had to take a minute to catch my breath. My heart skipped a beat. After nearly a year, to be home in my own bed, in my own boat with David seemed almost surreal.

Cups needs some TLC, but we're more than willing to give her what she needs, so she can take us off on our next adventure. Let's get those chores started right away … after I recover from this jet lag, I mean.

Trials of Travel - Pt. 2

 

A delayed flight; a missed connection to Australia? I thought this was bad enough, but wait … there's more.

I finally boarded the delayed Boston flight for San Francisco. I was in Boarding Group 597 … read that the last group to be boarded on a packed-full flight. The gate agent asked me to check my carry-on suitcase … no room in the overhead bins. Since I already had one big duffel checked, I thought “what the heck?”. I hesitated … my camera and good stuff was in the carry-on ... but I finally succumbed. I checked the bag. Seasoned travelers know this is a mistake.

The flight was long, cramped and boring. It's what you might expect in cattle class, but it was tolerable. I was getting closer to home, I reasoned. When we arrived, the gate was occupied and we waited on the tarmac another 15 minutes before deplaning. No agent greeted the flight with information about getting hotel vouchers and only with persistence did I finally find a wandering United rep who pointed me towards the service kiosk … a mile or so away.

What I saw when I approached the Customer Service desk was utterly astonishing. The line stretched more than a city block down the terminal. Disgruntled, tired people milled, sat on the floor, grousing, texting and chatting. I made my way to the end of the line, but after 15-20 minutes I spied another wandering United rep who pointed out three supervisors standing on the sidelines, looking at the ever-growing, moving-at-a-snail's-pace line. I approached, interrupted their lively conversation (one guy had just dropped the F-bomb in a phone conversation) and explained that I was already re-booked. Couldn't I just obtain my promised hotel and meal vouchers and be on my way? Well, it seems they were short-handed (wow...that was news), but more staff was coming and it should only be another 45 minutes and yes, I had to stand in line.

Some two and half hours later, a rumor passed through the line that there were no more hotel vouchers and in fact, there hadn't been for the last couple of hours. I sought out that same supervisor. “There are no more hotel vouchers”, he confirmed. “Sorry.” Really? He was sorry? Why ever wouldn't someone have informed people that they were waiting in line at 0200 Pacific time (now 5am for us Bostonians)? WTF?

I walked the long walk down to baggage claim in a huff to find a football field full of unclaimed luggage sprawling out before me. The monitor no longer showed the arriving Boston flight and again, no agents were around. After 40 minutes, I finally located my luggage and rather than pay $5 for use of a luggage cart, I scrounged around on the sidewalk for an abandoned one and lucked out immediately. I found my new, bright turquoise carry-on suitcase immediately. The black duffel was more of a challenge. I wrestled that 50 pound monster onto the cart As I attempted to load the carry-on, however, I noticed it had been modified slightly … the pull-out handle had been totally sheared off. The line for Baggage Claim Complaints was predictably long … that complaint would have to wait.

After several calls, I found a $100 plus tax room at the local LaQuinta. Their airport shuttle had stopped at midnight, so I cabbed it a mile for another $20. Breakfast was included and they allowed me a late check-out to minimize my wait at the gate to only 8-1/2 hours. Good thing, I've got time, otherwise I wouldn't be able to stand in that Baggage Claim Complaint line today to file my claim.

BTW, I received a “Were You Satisfied With Your Flight?” survey from United this morning. Oh, my …what an opportunity. On second thought, I wonder if they bother to read them.

Since this is a 2-part blog spanning an overnight, look for the 13th Day of Christmas (yes, 12 was not quite enough) tomorrow. With any luck, 13 days should do it. I can only pray.