Long Weekend

I was feeling a little tired and stiff this morning and didn't realise why until after I wrote this email to Vic:
Had Friday off; a one hour run, a surf on some nice clean 1 m waves at Torquay in the morning with a coffee to follow then did a couple of buckets of balls on the range in the afternoon. Ran for an hour on Saturday, Sailed on Peregrine in a gusty 10 to 32 k rain squally NorWester in the afternoon – lots of hard work on the winches, it not like helming. Could only manage one hours brisk walk on Sunday, but got 2 hours windsurfing in on a sweet 20 knot SouWester in the afternoon. I’ve still got it - cracked a PB of 27.01 knots for the nautical mile. I sooked on getting a decent bike ride in. Life is good.

Madeleine does her first Glam Photo Shoot

courtesy of Vic and John's next door neighbour. See http://www.csmithphotography.com/

Steves Birthday...

...on the 19th .... and the honey eaters return... and the apple tree is producing. What more can you want for a November in 2009?

Some Rain for November

You can hear the garden growing. Last night we got 35 mm rain and followed up with another 20mm thismorning. Thats a wacking 55 mm and is eqivalent to the expected total fro the month of November. Any rain at all these days is an unusual occurance.

Madeleine's Grand Uncle says "seriously cute"

Proud Grandparents and Auntie

Paparazzi Win Today

After 6 long days waiting outside the Hutchison Mansion, the Paparazzi were finally rewarded today when they captured the family taking baby Madeleine Grace for her first outing. It didn't all go well for the Paparazzi however, the proud parents refused to allow the eager photographers any glimpse of the the baby. It is understood from reliable sources within the family that young Madeleine Grace is so gorgeous that the family are refusing photographs so as to not upset other young couples, mothers and parents. Negotiations are proceeding with top managers at New Idea.

Saw Madeleine Today

I saw Madeleine for the first time today. Gaye has been up in Sydney these past couple of weeks during the lead up to Vic having her baby. I travelled up on the Friday afternoon Jetstar flight. It will be a big week end for Madeleine. Both Jeff and Jill (John's Dad and Mom) are here for the week end as too is Susan. All here to give Madeleine a cuddle. Here are a couple of the numerous pics taken of Madeleine in the hospital by Gaye. I will get some of my pics up when I get them off the camera.

Happy Birthday Madeleine Grace Hutchison

Madeleine Grace was born a little after 3:00am Tuesady 10th November 2009, weighing in at 7lb 3oz x 50.3 cm. Mom and baby doing well.
Pics to follow

Baby Doll Takes Shape

After exploring options for running gear for Baby Doll whilst in Sydney, Ratty and I had a coffee meeting to discuss the best way ahead. But first the photos. Ratty brought Baby Doll over for the obligatory construction inspection. She passed with flying colours. Here are the pics...

Just love the detail - right down to hand made steering wheel and the gauges. I forgot to check the speed and RPM. Must do so at next inspection.

The parts decision needs to take into account aesthetics and cost and boils down to two options.

1. Buy a completed off the shelf boat and strip out the parts we need. The benefit here is that all the parts will be matched, like motor, propeller, radio frequencies etc. And I can get a Joysway Red Off-Shore Warrior for $319.95. It has a B2445 (30 AMPS) water cooled motor and ESC. This is cheaper than the combined parts purchased separately. but aesthetically not too good, as all the running gear is hanging off the back of the boat.

2. Buy the parts we need separately. With begged, and borrowed parts, mainly from Laurie, this will definitely work out to be the most rewarding option. Down side is matching the bits correctly.

We decided that the most important thing to do right now to keep construction going was to buy the motor and propeller shaft assembly. I can get this from the Northern Beaches Hobby Center.

Come out, come out, Minnie..

....we are waiting and ready to play...