As many of our fellow club members headed west to Rottnest Island in Western Australia, I had the opportunity to travel to the east coast for a fantastic visit to Nelson Bay. My trip took me to Newcastle via Melbourne, with a 30 min drive northeast to the bay where I caught up with good friends Dave and Fonny Ewart, and of course their new arrival Lochie, on board their Clipper Power Boat, Enigma.

Dave and Fonny have made Enigma home, she is a new take on the classic clipper, very comfortable and well appointed. Their journey back to WA will soon begin.

I spent six days docked at the d’Albora Marina Dalbora and I can honestly say that this part of Australia is very different to what we are used to back home in the west. The weather was tropical, 30 degrees, with higher than usual humidity, but it made it comfortable to unwind. It was a wonderful escape, where we had plenty of time to talk, catch up, meet some interesting characters, enjoy Fonny’s cooking whilst sitting back and enjoy a few drinks.

A true highlight of the trip was catching up with Kris and Amy Townend aboard their stunning new vessel, Spirit of Ulysses—a Nordhavn 76. Let me tell you, Woah, what a ship! Seeing Kris and Amy living their dream, after having heard Kris talk about this for year, it was truly inspiring. They’ve been planning this adventure for a long time, and it’s heartwarming to see it come to fruition.

Kris, having sold his business, and with only a few months to go, using the vessel as his office, is now fully committed to cruising the world with his family. Over the past few months, Kris, Amy, and their four youngest children have been living aboard Spirit of Ulysses, with plans to explore Australia’s coasts, venture up through Southeast Asia, Japan, and eventually make their way to Alaska. After that, the voyage could continue, but eventually they plan to sell the boat and return home, having experienced a lifetime of adventure in just a few years. I am excited for them, and proud to say that I’ve been made an honorary crew member, Should I join them at any point during their journey, I know I’ll be well taken care of and very, very comfortable with my own stateroom bigger than my own boat!

If you ever want a tour of Newcastle and the surrounding area, Kris is your guide.

This trip to Nelson Bay was more than just a getaway or holiday for me, it was a reset, a refocus, rest and recharge. Having a lot of free time, post Commodore-ship, I was able to focus and relax and it reminded me of how passionate and determined many of our fellow yacht club members are, pursuing their dreams, and creating stories of adventure all over this big blue globe that we call, Earth.

Immediate Past Commodore SoPYC
Troy Dalglish

If you would like to read Kris' article, please click here