It goes without saying...

People often ask me how I came to Australia and why I am still here!

Well I cam to Australia by chance in 1975. I was in England at the time and was only 17 going on 21. Back then I was young naive and full of the spirit of adventure. Nothing much has changed really. Oops except the young part. But like every one else I cling to the fountain of youth sometimes desperately.

Way back in 1975 as I just said I was a naive wayward teenager having split from my parent & step parents I ventured into migrating to Australia without so much as seeing the place on glossy brochures and magazines.

When I arrived in Melbourne on 1st Day of May 1975 I was greeted by clear blue sky and sunshine. Something rather novel from a boy used to seeing drizzle cloud after drizzle cloud 12 month's of the year in Northern England.

The place reminded me of America, there seemed to be plenty of space and long wide freeways that went on forever. In that early day I ventured no further than the borders of Victoria, Australia's most southern state.

On one trip we went down the great ocean road where Surfing is the sport to get into at places such as Lorne. The view was spectacular. Especially the magnificent view west to the 12 Apostles. The surf well truly amazingly spectacular to witness the sound and strength of crashing surf...

About a year after settling in Australia. I made my first very long trip by road up the Hume Highway to Sydney about 12 hours driving non-stop. I did stop or course for petrol and a rest  at the many varied and interesting townships on the way such as Beechworth. The town  of Beechworth is historic, it has an interesting past some lovely colonial building's  and one cannot help but get the feelings of what life might have been like in Australia in the  mid 1800's Unfortunately the area was ravaged by Bushfire back in February.  I’m happy to say that the central township of Beechworth was saved.

Sydney of course has without doubt got the greatest harbour in the world. Between 1980 and 1984 I had the privilege of living in a unit facing the Sydney Opera House at the Suburb of Cremorne. With a giant window night after night day after day I could gaze out of the window at wonderment that is the city of Sydney. Each day I could catch harbour ferry to work in the city. Each and every day I would look forward to the trip. It was not long before I got into the sport of sailing on Sydney harbour. Every Sunday I would venture down top the Sydney Cruising Yacht Club or the Mosman rowers club to share my passion for sailing with others. Unfortunately to day I have not completed a Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race but is definitely right up there on my to do list before I die. I have help deliver a yacht though by sea from Sydney to Brisbane. The trip took 4 of us four days sailing time. 4 hours on 4 hours off being on watch on deck.

Australia of course! To be continued next Hub...