tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108590246705867722024-03-13T13:52:33.376+11:00I'm a Jess-a-holicA meeting place for Jess-a-friends from around the worldJonathan Castelinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01026218857806984649noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610859024670586772.post-19673471261585963722011-09-24T20:33:00.000+10:002011-09-24T20:33:00.312+10:00Jessaholics Luncheon in Historic Bendigo, Saturday 27 August 2011<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Hello Everyone Around the World,<br />
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Our fourth Jessaholics luncheon was held in Bendigo, a historic town in the state of Victoria, Australia. Bendigo is considered one of the leading provincial towns in the state and has a history spanning more than 150 years. Bendigo was built on the foundation of its key industry - gold production and deep reef mining.<br />
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As a group, we had another good reason to choose Bendigo. Evie, who has been through a lot lately, lives there and we all wanted her to be a big part of this, yet another, special day.<br />
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The group converged on Bendigo on Saturday the 27th of August by various means of transportation, including a "private air charter" (Clint and Jonathan). Brian flew in from Tasmania and Faye, Max, Ailsa, Sally, Collette, Pete and a very special couple from South Australia drove up to Bendigo for the weekend. We even had Evie's daughter, son-in-law and grandson join us.<br />
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Evie organised a private room at the Bendigo RSL (Returned Services League) Club and it turned out to be a great location. The courtyard of the club even had an old WWII Spitfire on display amongst other vintage hardware.<br />
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Ailsa had a nice surprise for us by bringing and playing her banjo and accompanied by the groups varying vocal skills, we managed to belt out a few old tunes.<br />
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Good food and great conversation made it a very enjoyable afternoon. Even the notoriously fickle weather in these parts was kind to us and we had sunshine and mild temperatures.<br />
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The atmosphere was one of warmth, friendship, happiness and familiarity. It continues to fascinate that a singular common interest, young Jess, has created a strong and enduring bond within the group. And we are just getting warmed up ! There is much more to come !<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJjDlU3YFxoUVxRK-YzZ9iwIM9wSUiDGHRwZ4oKfLf0J8Mwj-Mee2dRZsFV7SVR0bKoUIbq0Ny0T6nA_DGdBBP-jIgcq-dl0bcDox0BUYeqdSnJ_x1-_CN4CExP3LIjMu6ED5XT1p6wg/s1600/Bendigo_9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJjDlU3YFxoUVxRK-YzZ9iwIM9wSUiDGHRwZ4oKfLf0J8Mwj-Mee2dRZsFV7SVR0bKoUIbq0Ny0T6nA_DGdBBP-jIgcq-dl0bcDox0BUYeqdSnJ_x1-_CN4CExP3LIjMu6ED5XT1p6wg/s320/Bendigo_9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Evie and Ailsa<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinUCsbNEDhaf3OGQPbamGE6wO0QQ3LL_FIoSEwHZwnR6TS_20UQMwSzhlBSSGeLSgJ2GK7ywB85FfCeBM5b5prT6dcslxoPjqYtLr3Ci5xsp17oXqMCytEJEobiw_z_bLfcglnr1QYe58/s1600/Bendigo_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinUCsbNEDhaf3OGQPbamGE6wO0QQ3LL_FIoSEwHZwnR6TS_20UQMwSzhlBSSGeLSgJ2GK7ywB85FfCeBM5b5prT6dcslxoPjqYtLr3Ci5xsp17oXqMCytEJEobiw_z_bLfcglnr1QYe58/s320/Bendigo_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Ailsa, Faye and Clint<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2vrSARwM4ADGZjk-gdEc2mCqkR7gHF0K1tIqHMdBXRrVNp4S_i0RrbX5TL8DKcnigEjJYo3hK9HefwofUJhQbaSeq7b6qNoGQYAUEd76bZayZU9RnEQmcMmPEWl1rwPKt0x69xcsHQu8/s1600/Bendigo_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2vrSARwM4ADGZjk-gdEc2mCqkR7gHF0K1tIqHMdBXRrVNp4S_i0RrbX5TL8DKcnigEjJYo3hK9HefwofUJhQbaSeq7b6qNoGQYAUEd76bZayZU9RnEQmcMmPEWl1rwPKt0x69xcsHQu8/s320/Bendigo_4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Standing L-R : Max, Faye, Ailsa, Clint, Colette<br />
Pete, Evie's daughter and son-in-law<br />
Seated L-R : Brian, Evie, Sally, Jonathan<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvRi90m1b7_pSanNT1_yCpKgXkxpataFdkd39nxVHKKZ6_QkHBejmdAMZhUYYiYsK6oonCaDHVxb3wp1aFUp09KYBYdWKjAUVNNvhO4Oq4DKPhyCYEj_SED46wizJTC8W8fXTt74CBCOI/s1600/Ailsa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvRi90m1b7_pSanNT1_yCpKgXkxpataFdkd39nxVHKKZ6_QkHBejmdAMZhUYYiYsK6oonCaDHVxb3wp1aFUp09KYBYdWKjAUVNNvhO4Oq4DKPhyCYEj_SED46wizJTC8W8fXTt74CBCOI/s320/Ailsa.jpg" width="213" /></a></div> Ailsa !<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTygStEiEQOKyuy997FbVdmEkvTZpHjvNd5NEkFlle3gsSp_2ik5bfFOreUMWSrN1b2P9lthlJTvCvr2F1xhZ8bovt_Pp8_DoKr03QuqXoDsEiLMM_uMRZ3n7V84r8IiC2cCmdNqSqDI/s1600/Bendigo_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTygStEiEQOKyuy997FbVdmEkvTZpHjvNd5NEkFlle3gsSp_2ik5bfFOreUMWSrN1b2P9lthlJTvCvr2F1xhZ8bovt_Pp8_DoKr03QuqXoDsEiLMM_uMRZ3n7V84r8IiC2cCmdNqSqDI/s320/Bendigo_6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Relaxing and enjoying each others company<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkHOxf_IbCvM-NQkQzNzWeECh9RZ-JRuTAFb21VfxCCrtgwZhyolUzk0CaO8eAAg4bkP7hxspwyoJglODoD0KCJCPPPe2XxBum_9uTFw4Wmh3j-_huKDZGJvCcd3vFSXHCRGCEhSprlTg/s1600/Bendigo_11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkHOxf_IbCvM-NQkQzNzWeECh9RZ-JRuTAFb21VfxCCrtgwZhyolUzk0CaO8eAAg4bkP7hxspwyoJglODoD0KCJCPPPe2XxBum_9uTFw4Wmh3j-_huKDZGJvCcd3vFSXHCRGCEhSprlTg/s320/Bendigo_11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Varying vocal talent !<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0tlqSqDzBINwF8I4fr7kqhs4d3Qosu45o7lETR5KHCGqeZI_bWW58XLiZt_G-q29E06QnSmvHTnDRhVJ9fPCFfF8JOtMlrW10JC_uq587ePrq4ziwmkM_6oWtHOKZwIiW7eLo0rbfSw/s1600/Arriving+at+Bendigo+27Aug11_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0tlqSqDzBINwF8I4fr7kqhs4d3Qosu45o7lETR5KHCGqeZI_bWW58XLiZt_G-q29E06QnSmvHTnDRhVJ9fPCFfF8JOtMlrW10JC_uq587ePrq4ziwmkM_6oWtHOKZwIiW7eLo0rbfSw/s320/Arriving+at+Bendigo+27Aug11_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Clint and Jonathan arriving on "private charter"<br />
(Jonathan flew in with Clint)<br />
Cheers<br />
Jonathan</div>Jonathan Castelinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01026218857806984649noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610859024670586772.post-41369853878705033562011-05-21T10:29:00.001+10:002011-05-26T23:06:11.953+10:00Follow Up - Queensland Floods<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Hello Fellow Jessaholics,<br />
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I must apologise for not visiting here for such a long time. No real excuses but the fact that quality time has been a commodity in very short supply due to the business taking up most of my waking hours. Anyway, its really good to be back and I thought I would share with all of you some very confronting, yet life changing experiences I had on a little trip I made up to Queensland.<br />
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Just watching the pain and suffering being experienced by my fellow Aussie's got the better of me so I started making enquiries with a number of organisations including local councils and government departments in an attempt to get to flood affected families directly. I did not have much success but kept on trying anyway.<br />
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One day, I happened to be watching A Current Affair on Channel 9 (a program I very rarely watch) and there was a segment on a small FM radio station that had set up a website to connect flood victims who either did not have any insurance or were done in by their insurance carriers to individuals or organisations who could help them directly.<br />
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I immediately wrote them an email and received a response within 24 hours. Long story short, Juice FM on the Gold Coast connected me directly with four families who were completely devastated by the floods and either had no insurance or were not being paid out.<br />
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I cashed in some frequent flyer miles and headed up to Queensland in March and had the honour and privilege of meeting all four families. Two of these families were very young and just starting out in life. The third was from Grantham which was "ground zero" (worst affected). The fourth was a lady who had lost her husband only nine months ago and now this.<br />
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I took each one of them to the local Good Guys, Retravision etc and purchased for them things like cooktops, rangehoods, ovens, split aircon units, fridges, dryers, lawnmowers etc. Anything that was needed immediately by these families. I could not begin to tell you how this touched my heart. All these families were initially reluctant to impose on me but I insisted. It was a big expense but I just had to do it. Money never really meant too much to me anyway. At this stage of my life, its about fulfillment.<br />
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I have attached some pictures of Grantham just to give you an idea of just how terrible the floods were there. Houses were pulled off their foundation slabs and transported up to 300 metres away. Look closely at the pictures - the brown spots are where the houses were originally.<br />
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I had a tough time choking back the tears and when I saw a particular home where a young mother was fleeing the rising waters with her infant and while tripping on a log lost her grip on her baby..........I can't say any more. This was in the news.<br />
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I was initially hesitant in sharing this with you but I thought I would simply because there is a much larger picture - people in this world suffering to no fault of their own. We need to be grateful for what we have.<br />
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Love to All<br />
Jonathan<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUuEgv9IjtBrytlzzJ1FcOF9k0JTl34pmxkmYIuxMchpcpy3O6ATre21s9cjlsXjSV_FMkdl1RsWdKytD_YmkBisCoMQUfAtYWytQu1BXg-_CRiQ0mp5Rm7FPUfRnruGHCulNn9tWseg4/s1600/Grantham_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUuEgv9IjtBrytlzzJ1FcOF9k0JTl34pmxkmYIuxMchpcpy3O6ATre21s9cjlsXjSV_FMkdl1RsWdKytD_YmkBisCoMQUfAtYWytQu1BXg-_CRiQ0mp5Rm7FPUfRnruGHCulNn9tWseg4/s320/Grantham_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-PHuNWgDmPlRE0e6wjHBD7_FBEHFLkn7lCnxwHmDFcLUb6TuP8hhXi6W0TnY7dEc5xs5UD6qHvFyogwsOS0heK_d4LENHqyvtCBqfG1LRhUKx1gqRnGUZETLl8APkOAKq3PEfjjBSwP4/s1600/Grantham_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-PHuNWgDmPlRE0e6wjHBD7_FBEHFLkn7lCnxwHmDFcLUb6TuP8hhXi6W0TnY7dEc5xs5UD6qHvFyogwsOS0heK_d4LENHqyvtCBqfG1LRhUKx1gqRnGUZETLl8APkOAKq3PEfjjBSwP4/s320/Grantham_3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div>Jonathan Castelinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01026218857806984649noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610859024670586772.post-32245335218321266712010-12-05T20:26:00.008+11:002010-12-06T20:42:10.314+11:00Jessaholics Luncheon #4 - The Best Yet !<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyKz5VSPnWlCOgisLQiCfU9KGH8t9uoDyDHLvkV-Ks62oa-Zz4wE62nsoQCmwodSvYkqq5xLmOdoYQXDnNYTsSy81oIXKKY9xJ2Pua-RrzGzhC5a0VBKjGkYy9sxKDN-Ojed7JznbJwyM/s1600/JW+Lunch+Group.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyKz5VSPnWlCOgisLQiCfU9KGH8t9uoDyDHLvkV-Ks62oa-Zz4wE62nsoQCmwodSvYkqq5xLmOdoYQXDnNYTsSy81oIXKKY9xJ2Pua-RrzGzhC5a0VBKjGkYy9sxKDN-Ojed7JznbJwyM/s320/JW+Lunch+Group.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547493362879860434" /></a> L to R : Greg, Annie, Clint, Brian, Jonathan, Chris,<div> Max, Faye, Sally, Pete and Collette</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBKvGKS0-4WLFW-iovsPE2UJjU5mNZoFdVEds0W0JcdKZXfFDfi6yzN-XsoXncM07Pwf4gi_eEL3rVJ1dTrRSxeZ2vf3IJLHtFPlmoQpjXf5rqFzHyZFVmEiOMrvbKyWTBn46RqoV1i7g/s1600/JW+Lunch+27Nov10.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBKvGKS0-4WLFW-iovsPE2UJjU5mNZoFdVEds0W0JcdKZXfFDfi6yzN-XsoXncM07Pwf4gi_eEL3rVJ1dTrRSxeZ2vf3IJLHtFPlmoQpjXf5rqFzHyZFVmEiOMrvbKyWTBn46RqoV1i7g/s320/JW+Lunch+27Nov10.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547493353214246498" /></a> Collette and Miley !</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd06J7V68NSkjJT6iBoXKzVbtLkmqT7HrunSvYgt0Jrv96s3N4jsFlGB5wGVVAfcmnvq__4iiuZARnM2auTH8_CiNUVYia0WQNQweunquzoMU-Bx6roiwnreAiNQi6p9G7YRtT2fotYC4/s320/JW+Lunch+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547493341010895522" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Miley mingling with us mere mortals !</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9MgnOqmwm4NAVf_wcbEMPj3Cu1j9W7_nH3x0q1Tl1nQMOC1C27C1XRFsWkrq_b-vOHDHd7oSPb-TMX5QjmlqHml_WqpTxZGPNuQpqmKIfCAlwup5fS_DTedQ9fcuSDaBf1xfE3FFmcgs/s1600/JW+Lunch+3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9MgnOqmwm4NAVf_wcbEMPj3Cu1j9W7_nH3x0q1Tl1nQMOC1C27C1XRFsWkrq_b-vOHDHd7oSPb-TMX5QjmlqHml_WqpTxZGPNuQpqmKIfCAlwup5fS_DTedQ9fcuSDaBf1xfE3FFmcgs/s320/JW+Lunch+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547493349894127154" /></a> Miley belting out an impromptu tune !</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFTUFfTtCrsNZTwg_g83SwXr9SDW18nDaFfk8_xyBBuvHGAhEapotQmczwuH5i0ETBmxadbF3kkQFRq08rm5IIHmVplf-BvpCKbfGnadJeuv1bYcScyO4acLs24zFxJ0IxRF1JPkIwss/s1600/JW+Lunch+18.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFTUFfTtCrsNZTwg_g83SwXr9SDW18nDaFfk8_xyBBuvHGAhEapotQmczwuH5i0ETBmxadbF3kkQFRq08rm5IIHmVplf-BvpCKbfGnadJeuv1bYcScyO4acLs24zFxJ0IxRF1JPkIwss/s320/JW+Lunch+18.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547493347059056946" /></a> Chatting with our friends and fellow Jessaholics</div><div> from across the pond</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI1IzPdcWkGnlUHNCa-O0SNRi0s9XzKQJzVoemm-2JfmCJCDV-YWH-HIKjUbyc_wsLjNmDEhSE5eZNLRk0ZjqqAUAkXnXvarLc6xjPMR97LSe4XgLugtXYR45DaKfBH-jJo1vXToIkkmA/s1600/JW+Lunch+20.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI1IzPdcWkGnlUHNCa-O0SNRi0s9XzKQJzVoemm-2JfmCJCDV-YWH-HIKjUbyc_wsLjNmDEhSE5eZNLRk0ZjqqAUAkXnXvarLc6xjPMR97LSe4XgLugtXYR45DaKfBH-jJo1vXToIkkmA/s320/JW+Lunch+20.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547491542294997202" /></a> Clint having a grand old chat with "The Lady</div><div> from Across the Border"</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMjWRCNxPNJDyvhSHDQOIPlL_B7U-MAf3P2j4g3FPnBNUrMNzKks5r0ZtbfLuhcn04idKP3gxXOh2xstKPRjOcaKK8hsTJcEYke3yChjiRdpAW-mGFNvDXawtl2h5ZuXgpqKgpQAXLCZ8/s1600/JW+Lunch+12.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMjWRCNxPNJDyvhSHDQOIPlL_B7U-MAf3P2j4g3FPnBNUrMNzKks5r0ZtbfLuhcn04idKP3gxXOh2xstKPRjOcaKK8hsTJcEYke3yChjiRdpAW-mGFNvDXawtl2h5ZuXgpqKgpQAXLCZ8/s320/JW+Lunch+12.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547491535340352546" /></a> Jess' personal video message to all of us !</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbSKcpBUJj3COkLvYy9T9-boCYZXg_AuFyH-U_HdhjlHeUPfljF3h8msR5j5I2TS67Przzz2ti2EzDEko5fdupHhH9E__NWbsC6qzYGDFRpU2nHPMwU6jrd_yd-vt30T0gl2s6OP9g6lE/s1600/JW+Lunch+8.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbSKcpBUJj3COkLvYy9T9-boCYZXg_AuFyH-U_HdhjlHeUPfljF3h8msR5j5I2TS67Przzz2ti2EzDEko5fdupHhH9E__NWbsC6qzYGDFRpU2nHPMwU6jrd_yd-vt30T0gl2s6OP9g6lE/s320/JW+Lunch+8.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547491519769529970" /></a> Greg and Annie</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGGNQzks15sRGjkJ2EL-yKh9EVVsYyRoP8JvxW5zR1zu1dENkka769m7g4DGVpD2XElfhViGByMcETj2vvO9M5dB3HlFeoEjtQ37u3v8CqK2pvg0s6mbLY8a8VQTFTiBrRFyLWbtw5F8/s1600/JW+Lunch+19.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGGNQzks15sRGjkJ2EL-yKh9EVVsYyRoP8JvxW5zR1zu1dENkka769m7g4DGVpD2XElfhViGByMcETj2vvO9M5dB3HlFeoEjtQ37u3v8CqK2pvg0s6mbLY8a8VQTFTiBrRFyLWbtw5F8/s320/JW+Lunch+19.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547491516578570578" /></a> Collette with her Jess-a-cupcakes</div><div><br /></div><div><br />Hello fellow Jessaholics around the world,<div><br /></div><div>The fourth Victorian Jessaholics luncheon was held last Saturday 27 Nov 2010 at Fishermans Pier restaurant, right on the waterfront in the city of Geelong (for our friends overseas, pronounced je-long) . </div><div><br /></div><div>My word ! We all agreed that it was the best ever ! Now before I go any further, this is no longer just a Victorian event. We actually had our wonderful friends Annie, Greg and Brian travel in from Queensland and Tasmania respectively adding to all the usual suspects. We did miss Ailsa and Tony.</div><div><br /></div><div>Collette did all the planning for the luncheon including picking the venue which was just perfect. This little collaborative gem by Clint, Max and Annie encapsulates our very special Collette :</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; line-height: normal; "><i><span style=" color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">There was once a girl from Geelong<br />Collette was her name for so long</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; "><span style=" line-height: 20px; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Though blond may she be<br />Just between you and me</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-left: 0px; line-height: normal; "><span style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">To organize, she can do no wrong !!!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-left: 0px; line-height: normal; "><span style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:arial, sans-serif;"></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; line-height: normal; "><span style=" color: rgb(255, 0, 128); font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">She followed Jess every step of the way,</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; line-height: normal; "><span style=" color: rgb(255, 0, 128); font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Through high seas and gales, Collette never missed a day.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; line-height: normal; "><span style=" color: rgb(255, 0, 128); font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">As a loyal Jessaholic she really is a wonder,</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; line-height: normal; "><span style=" color: rgb(255, 0, 128); font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">(Although packing her suitcase she really made a blunder!)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; line-height: normal; "><span style=" color: rgb(255, 0, 128); font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">That’s our Collette, our blond bombshell from Down Under!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; line-height: normal; "><span style=" color: rgb(255, 0, 128); font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">and then this one from Brian :</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"></span></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; line-height: normal; "><b><span style="font-family:'Comic Sans MS';color:fuchsia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">There was a lady named Collette</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; line-height: normal; "><b><span style="font-family:'Comic Sans MS';color:fuchsia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">who to Queensland was all set to jet,</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; line-height: normal; "><b><span style="font-family:'Comic Sans MS';color:fuchsia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But her plans soon came asunder</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; line-height: normal; "><b><span style="font-family:'Comic Sans MS';color:fuchsia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">. . . it was only ONE </span></span></b><span style="font-family:'Comic Sans MS';color:fuchsia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">small</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> blunder!</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; line-height: normal; "><b><span style="font-family:'Comic Sans MS';color:fuchsia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">That brought her on to fret.</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; line-height: normal; "><b><span style="font-family:'Comic Sans MS';color:fuchsia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; line-height: normal; "><b><span style="font-family:'Comic Sans MS';color:fuchsia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; line-height: normal; "><b><span style="font-family:'Comic Sans MS';color:fuchsia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So what was the cause</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; line-height: normal; "><b><span style="font-family:'Comic Sans MS';color:fuchsia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">that made her there to pause,</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; line-height: normal; "><b><span style="font-family:'Comic Sans MS';color:fuchsia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">When the friendly staff at check in</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; line-height: normal; "><b><span style="font-family:'Comic Sans MS';color:fuchsia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">refused some extra mass in,</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; line-height: normal; "><b><span style="font-family:'Comic Sans MS';color:fuchsia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And stopped her at the doors.</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; line-height: normal; "><b><span style="font-family:'Comic Sans MS';color:fuchsia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; line-height: normal; "><b><span style="font-family:'Comic Sans MS';color:fuchsia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; line-height: normal; "><b><span style="font-family:'Comic Sans MS';color:fuchsia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">In packing at her home,</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; line-height: normal; "><b><span style="font-family:'Comic Sans MS';color:fuchsia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">somewhat more than just a comb,</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; line-height: normal; "><b><span style="font-family:'Comic Sans MS';color:fuchsia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Twelve pairs of shoes</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; line-height: normal; "><b><span style="font-family:'Comic Sans MS';color:fuchsia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">…it’s oh so difficult to choose!!</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; line-height: normal; "><b><span style="font-family:'Comic Sans MS';color:fuchsia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Too late now to bemoan......................(truncated as the rest could not pass by the censors scissors !!)</span></span></b></p></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></span><p></p><p></p></div><div>........however, there were darker forces at work hatching and scheming a big surprise at the luncheon..........</div><div><br /></div><div>A plan was afoot to smuggle all sorts of technological contraptions into the Pier without attracting any suspicion. Clandestine and coded communications were burning the airwaves and as the afternoon unfolded, we first had an unexpected and surprise whirlwind visit from another vivacious blonde......yes ! Miley Cyrus graced our Jessaholics luncheon with her presence, if not for a few minutes.</div><div><br /></div><div>Next thing we hear behind us is a very familiar voice greeting all of us and telling us to enjoy our luncheon. We all jumped as we collectively recognised young Jess' voice and there she was on Max's widescreen monitor in a video shot especially for us. What a thrill ! Between Max and Frase (Andrew Fraser) and a tight schedule, this was pulled off in the nick of time !</div><div><br /></div><div>The story does not end there..........the screen comes alive again and this time we have Bill (Georgia Guy) on Skype all the way from America ! The gods of bandwidth were taking a catnap because we lost audio with Bill but with the help of a notepad and pencil, we muddled on. </div><div><br /></div><div>Then, it was such a pleasure to chat with Janell from Oklahoma and then Mark (Salty Dog) from the Pacific North West.</div><div><br /></div><div>After that, the secret was out and it all came together for the rest of us when we connected with Soldiers Mum, the last link in the chain of the Sorcerers Apprentices who were the masterminds behind this scheme. </div><div><br /></div><div>What an afternoon ! Once again, the best yet ! Just like everyone else, I can't wait for the 5th !</div><div><br /></div><div>A very special "Sally by the Bay" trophy was presented to Max.......</div><div><br /></div><div>quote</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div><span><span style="color:#D99694;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">To Max especially....I believe he has a trophy owing to him for ......not 1, not 2 but 3 firsts on the blog!!!!!!!</span></span></span></div><div><span><span style="color:#D99694;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So drum roll please for.......Marvellous,<wbr>Methodical,Memorable and Meritorious</span></span></span><span><span style="color:#D99694;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> ...Max.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span><span style="color:#D99694;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">...\</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><img src="http://gfx1.hotmail.com/mail/w4/pr04/ltr/emo/ids_emoticon_star.gif" title="Star" alt="Star" width="19" height="19" style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; vertical-align: text-bottom; " /><img src="http://gfx1.hotmail.com/mail/w4/pr04/ltr/emo/ids_emoticon_star.gif" title="Star" alt="Star" width="19" height="19" style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; vertical-align: text-bottom; " /><img src="http://gfx1.hotmail.com/mail/w4/pr04/ltr/emo/ids_emoticon_star.gif" title="Star" alt="Star" width="19" height="19" style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; vertical-align: text-bottom; " /><img src="http://gfx1.hotmail.com/mail/w4/pr04/ltr/emo/ids_emoticon_star.gif" title="Star" alt="Star" width="19" height="19" style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; vertical-align: text-bottom; " /></span><span style="color:#D99694;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">/</span></span></span><span style=" color: rgb(217, 150, 148); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">..</span></span></div><div><span><span style="color:#D99694;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">..<\MMMMM/>.</span></span></span></div><div><span><span style="color:#D99694;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">......\AAAA/......</span></span></span></div><div><span><span style="color:#D99694;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.......\XXX/.......</span></span></span></div><div><span><span style="color:#D99694;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">..........V..........</span></span></span></div><div><span><span style="color:#D99694;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">..........is..........</span></span></span></div><div><span><span style="color:#D99694;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">..........A..........</span></span></span></div><div><span><span style="color:#D99694;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">....../STAR\......</span></span></span></div><div><span><span style="color:#D99694;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">...../XX3XXX\....</span></span></span></div><div><span><span style="color:#D99694;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.......................</span></span></span></div></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">unquote</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">......and it still did not end there.....</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Brian had quite an adventure getting home to Tassie...here's an excerpt ...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span style="font-family:Arial;color:navy;"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:navy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">A delayed departure from Tullamarine (1 hr), a fog-bound Burnie/Wynyard airport, a diversion to Launceston, a tedious wait for a bus, a long and nearly disastrous (that’s another story!) trip back to B/W airport with diversions to debus various passengers. Then to double back from the airport, now in my own car, I pulled into my driveway at 1:05am!!</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span style="font-family:Arial;color:navy;"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:navy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span style="font-family:Arial;color:navy;"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:navy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;color:#000080;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">....</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">and picture Annie and Greg looking for the seventh floor of the parking lot in Brisbane when it only had four ! To their defense it was 1 am.</span></span></span></p></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Cheers</div><div>Jonathan</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Jonathan Castelinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01026218857806984649noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610859024670586772.post-55487666684709628262010-10-03T22:38:00.004+11:002010-10-03T23:24:09.995+11:00A Few More Pictures (Belatedly)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmSp-UJnG7bBZVDYjDBcjpHWI_i6QaESoEvmk7363ROvy0Vk7xlB0dzO6QcYv25Fg2CoU7lu1e9WS9me8reDL9rpSQDcDGnnUYEl1nAfccR2_XPRVf0sUmMJgk5Ibb0IiWDhM5NwS8DjI/s1600/Ailsa+and+Jessica-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmSp-UJnG7bBZVDYjDBcjpHWI_i6QaESoEvmk7363ROvy0Vk7xlB0dzO6QcYv25Fg2CoU7lu1e9WS9me8reDL9rpSQDcDGnnUYEl1nAfccR2_XPRVf0sUmMJgk5Ibb0IiWDhM5NwS8DjI/s320/Ailsa+and+Jessica-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523794027312783042" /></a> Ailsa and Jess In Melbourne<div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNRdBzCacMgE4fWz3-IbvjZaXWNV-KtQHd8yuFxkcEoSqOOWcbOeL9kRRuxAQCaiYrMX1OwXP3ZZ4JQTk8GMYh0EAsrDX4E3F5VyQaSfRXGQoyF_uvkmxgFJLDLp4qJaVKyYgeT_NKcug/s1600/Ailsa+meets+Julie+in+front+of+EPL,+Sydney.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNRdBzCacMgE4fWz3-IbvjZaXWNV-KtQHd8yuFxkcEoSqOOWcbOeL9kRRuxAQCaiYrMX1OwXP3ZZ4JQTk8GMYh0EAsrDX4E3F5VyQaSfRXGQoyF_uvkmxgFJLDLp4qJaVKyYgeT_NKcug/s320/Ailsa+meets+Julie+in+front+of+EPL,+Sydney.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523794021129287122" /></a> Ailsa and Julie in Sydney</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_5RkG7ErD3gt-SEVYiUouNIsChl8UQcaVkLANy0-53qBdBL3LeKrk0c8US7YZDvYAo6OHmlWr63Oa7cT-Fd31wI7RgRUAdVjlPCVblpfiKhn4BS3GzpBM43gcykClq_hHmVqi-DHuec/s1600/Prom+3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_5RkG7ErD3gt-SEVYiUouNIsChl8UQcaVkLANy0-53qBdBL3LeKrk0c8US7YZDvYAo6OHmlWr63Oa7cT-Fd31wI7RgRUAdVjlPCVblpfiKhn4BS3GzpBM43gcykClq_hHmVqi-DHuec/s320/Prom+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523794018649276386" /></a> Wilsons Promontory in the distance (from Sandy Point)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBbntEySvQO1ALOouXH2TX3dzoN2Gc76B068FGAtOiRjilz05PTucA3ENk3JcuvSsYicLd1PoalQ8cW0Ek6mPdolcbwp7WYj9pL84ZsiX7XV40fqyFQDWfE67k6-jPdNgweIo-CcDi1qc/s1600/Prom+4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBbntEySvQO1ALOouXH2TX3dzoN2Gc76B068FGAtOiRjilz05PTucA3ENk3JcuvSsYicLd1PoalQ8cW0Ek6mPdolcbwp7WYj9pL84ZsiX7XV40fqyFQDWfE67k6-jPdNgweIo-CcDi1qc/s320/Prom+4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523794015149885282" /></a> Venus Bay from above the clouds (4500 ft)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuw8x9_SEYdvEctRW4gpurY0_5ByCZWc44YVHaNJuJ-xWwGmU7T9Dx-0uesxrRv_EG83pP1nddIr6Np4OhMqCwmq323yU5D3kktqVzcl9QjssnO1FVH5WsXWC4_PFVVlkphWI8JN7wdPY/s1600/Prom+6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuw8x9_SEYdvEctRW4gpurY0_5ByCZWc44YVHaNJuJ-xWwGmU7T9Dx-0uesxrRv_EG83pP1nddIr6Np4OhMqCwmq323yU5D3kktqVzcl9QjssnO1FVH5WsXWC4_PFVVlkphWI8JN7wdPY/s320/Prom+6.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523794007799213282" /></a> Inverloch<br /><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;"><br /></span>Hello Everyone,<div><br /></div><div>Business commitments and a flurry of birthdays and relo's visiting have taken me off the Jessaholic landscape for a couple of weeks.</div><div><br /></div><div>I did commit to posting these pictures of Ailsa with Jess and Julie so here they are.</div><div><br /></div><div>The lovely weekend weather was perfect for a fly across to the Prom and I thought I would attach a couple of those pictures as well. Its not too often that I get to fly above cloud (it depends on the ability to see the ground through the clouds - which I could).</div><div><br /></div><div>I look forward to hearing from all of you.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cheers</div><div>Jonathan</div></div></div>Jonathan Castelinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01026218857806984649noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610859024670586772.post-48457107080066398792010-08-28T22:15:00.003+10:002010-08-28T22:48:11.604+10:00Melbourne Jessaholics Luncheon No. 3<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmw6RHjbyYNL7Cq7FoNCFOYCV2OtEv3srIagWCutPEofi31BRDuUAjYys40ZOwq1_o7H2DymbIEgzAaZhswqKcQGxNbqe4SAdeJJ-5-k7zOeKfwhUwta4MLad943c_hxdhmnWixLqOZo4/s1600/100_3974A-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmw6RHjbyYNL7Cq7FoNCFOYCV2OtEv3srIagWCutPEofi31BRDuUAjYys40ZOwq1_o7H2DymbIEgzAaZhswqKcQGxNbqe4SAdeJJ-5-k7zOeKfwhUwta4MLad943c_hxdhmnWixLqOZo4/s320/100_3974A-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510440344429623970" /></a> Clockwise from left : Chris, Tony L, Clint, Jonathan,<div> Faye, Max, Sally and Ailsa</div><div> Don't miss the spectacular views from Kirks of</div><div> Mornington (thanks Faye and Max)<br /><div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5pZVhwUOTpOqT5eqifA0eitv4JU67T7rNeR2kUgNT23keDyTnfCiJd9iJqTHEifdOU9yzhk8Q_P2ZVUEv0nyuUw5h8NysmVyhBRcQj7qZyGrVm9i-W4x4l0gAjT23M8T42UT1rWAatw4/s1600/JW+Melb+Lunch+280810-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5pZVhwUOTpOqT5eqifA0eitv4JU67T7rNeR2kUgNT23keDyTnfCiJd9iJqTHEifdOU9yzhk8Q_P2ZVUEv0nyuUw5h8NysmVyhBRcQj7qZyGrVm9i-W4x4l0gAjT23M8T42UT1rWAatw4/s320/JW+Melb+Lunch+280810-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510440322619186722" /></a> Enjoying each others company !</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5QElN9-2Au16g5pnCex_ZgG2ZZ_pR5jeo6O0gw9KWjMSInR8FbKoEjtRlNk7IQuKN0lzli3dZj9qjLOsitqxQQnYQAK5rjioMNcmL4umCE8EFrgmQrovVbh0D-uMlDz-0W4YETMEF2k4/s1600/JW+Melb+Lunch+280810-3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5QElN9-2Au16g5pnCex_ZgG2ZZ_pR5jeo6O0gw9KWjMSInR8FbKoEjtRlNk7IQuKN0lzli3dZj9qjLOsitqxQQnYQAK5rjioMNcmL4umCE8EFrgmQrovVbh0D-uMlDz-0W4YETMEF2k4/s320/JW+Melb+Lunch+280810-3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510440316676608194" /></a> Faye and Ailsa share a light moment !</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcQIreN4uyfR-ZiPX8iagh_5997R7p73zDcOwDdkXwb_Vlsjfokb-GpPY0KTy5dRCYdZy0tg5MXoTE6BoyqfFCoacqahqw_UIQkAYaiJuwMy_ilOpHnkkhgI61PWTUutZ6cVLgWajS92U/s1600/JW+Melb+Lunch+280810-4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcQIreN4uyfR-ZiPX8iagh_5997R7p73zDcOwDdkXwb_Vlsjfokb-GpPY0KTy5dRCYdZy0tg5MXoTE6BoyqfFCoacqahqw_UIQkAYaiJuwMy_ilOpHnkkhgI61PWTUutZ6cVLgWajS92U/s320/JW+Melb+Lunch+280810-4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510440308249173650" /></a> Faye, Max and Sally</div><div><br />Hi Everyone,<div><br /></div><div>The Melbourne "chapter" of Jessaholics had our third luncheon today and it was a very enjoyable event.</div><div><br /></div><div>We had Faye, Max, Clint, Ailsa, Chris, Sally, Tony and Jonathan and sorely missed Collette and Peter (Collette wasn't well).</div><div><br /></div><div>Sally made pink Jessaholic badges for all of us and lots of pictures, DVDs and stories were exchanged by all. </div><div><br /></div><div>We are already talking about our next luncheon and it looks like we are all going to Geelong, perhaps a little further out to Torquay.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here are a few pictures of todays event.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cheers</div><div>Jonathan</div></div></div></div>Jonathan Castelinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01026218857806984649noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610859024670586772.post-38796206874191382112010-08-20T18:40:00.003+10:002010-08-20T19:00:52.883+10:00Jessica - Gold Coast Book Signing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJG1Wn1-ZhrBrLyT-3k_CtiYkhNQ1d7cx4CxzZl3k7yNNKnnuMaN1Z1iaaCDJeE3BMfviEK8irlJkDo2E29nA_HdZXBgd7b8xQWC4lM6cxLQyQvR-eqCQ1ofc0z0wTOt0d4X3t1Q3GpTw/s1600/JWGoldCoast+4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJG1Wn1-ZhrBrLyT-3k_CtiYkhNQ1d7cx4CxzZl3k7yNNKnnuMaN1Z1iaaCDJeE3BMfviEK8irlJkDo2E29nA_HdZXBgd7b8xQWC4lM6cxLQyQvR-eqCQ1ofc0z0wTOt0d4X3t1Q3GpTw/s320/JWGoldCoast+4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507413897297652162" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAz9SQTdivdYGHXpNnKrqh_ZOolJAmJZk9DuM-ngJMOEnqIGQZh1BGcF9vbT_vTl3N4oVnlcxNe6_pjgYB-HmfY1swmDK1ZlKaKFFjMDFbb2Hyx1NNBdBvZA-khyphenhyphenUZ2KAEfmf54p_Lka0/s1600/JWGoldCoast+3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAz9SQTdivdYGHXpNnKrqh_ZOolJAmJZk9DuM-ngJMOEnqIGQZh1BGcF9vbT_vTl3N4oVnlcxNe6_pjgYB-HmfY1swmDK1ZlKaKFFjMDFbb2Hyx1NNBdBvZA-khyphenhyphenUZ2KAEfmf54p_Lka0/s320/JWGoldCoast+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507413889892878370" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJG4w8jUbxulVLCpOFnEb4KNTNaSV7FtPwQfpB3Hi5gGGJP-cmLeK6bslSYMwYvhPmnaFzZQGlKVPE96QAI7To55xwM5A5FI7q1yPmfOzPpXyW4ITZ7OqVxj_8DQQsDUjGChNRaxxBcTo/s1600/JWGoldCoast+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJG4w8jUbxulVLCpOFnEb4KNTNaSV7FtPwQfpB3Hi5gGGJP-cmLeK6bslSYMwYvhPmnaFzZQGlKVPE96QAI7To55xwM5A5FI7q1yPmfOzPpXyW4ITZ7OqVxj_8DQQsDUjGChNRaxxBcTo/s320/JWGoldCoast+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507413879156777074" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxulfmbUpRy21wFUp2hUXrzFo3XrdjhNF6uobTZ7asNml9UoxI5Bao3WSt32PRUpGnSHGW00wb6nxtlglfmv_5Xkv9wAl3oZmbMLVobokXAZJebAhWFZbqTFV-UNZ0RBXQxYjcYCrnqY/s1600/JWGoldCoast+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxulfmbUpRy21wFUp2hUXrzFo3XrdjhNF6uobTZ7asNml9UoxI5Bao3WSt32PRUpGnSHGW00wb6nxtlglfmv_5Xkv9wAl3oZmbMLVobokXAZJebAhWFZbqTFV-UNZ0RBXQxYjcYCrnqY/s320/JWGoldCoast+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507413872024623906" /></a><br />Hi All,<div><br /></div><div>Fay (HomeSweetBoat) from The Gold Coast sent some really nice pictures of the book signing event there. It also puts a face to the name of another Jessaholic.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here they are !</div><div><br /></div><div>Looks like Jess' brother Tom is sitting behind her in the third picture.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cheers</div><div>Jonathan</div>Jonathan Castelinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01026218857806984649noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610859024670586772.post-16799228624598356082010-08-08T20:10:00.010+10:002010-08-09T23:49:18.282+10:00Jessica - Melbourne Book Signing<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL9l9OCUslJeNk33MWtr6lPYl3dGeDygybIZd4A3saHIRWfJCWDCqLFtDhsmQLnRMZNFYvSF_1oRAodCHPGPZ3hJYAVukuSpR8ZA6iYxo_XKGrWdAwZgubvqOvI1MnH5Y03wVENGg2DRY/s1600/Jesse1%5B1%5D.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503309992443446642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 212px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL9l9OCUslJeNk33MWtr6lPYl3dGeDygybIZd4A3saHIRWfJCWDCqLFtDhsmQLnRMZNFYvSF_1oRAodCHPGPZ3hJYAVukuSpR8ZA6iYxo_XKGrWdAwZgubvqOvI1MnH5Y03wVENGg2DRY/s320/Jesse1%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" /></a> Clint, Jonathan, Faye, Jess and Max<br /><div> </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYbLwKBydzPHUJFu49wZIghlGG-vcF9jNz1fUjsLPHZOHgsAxQi7etufPNFEOmwTyKKoeobgsGtE4ADeWx2zvH4jIFLTE5Qw6QYi0MkQGFPVyxNrviLRyyEKys5JWIK-sWQ5n0liMmnMo/s1600/JW080810-14.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502985504565523730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYbLwKBydzPHUJFu49wZIghlGG-vcF9jNz1fUjsLPHZOHgsAxQi7etufPNFEOmwTyKKoeobgsGtE4ADeWx2zvH4jIFLTE5Qw6QYi0MkQGFPVyxNrviLRyyEKys5JWIK-sWQ5n0liMmnMo/s320/JW080810-14.jpg" border="0" /></a> A Beaming Clint with Faye's and Max's grand daughter and Faye looking on !</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLYi4-wJZRG2ETCO3kvF22nH-46X3nRATt9RNbfvpBBbaPNqaE-gjmViyZItwQLLEaMIxkWxWtzu2BLYzs-VKt-t4-upMHpJGRgjQVCjw0io5mUEOZIB-XPUawHcoQOD3JPld3SSAtDZ0/s1600/JW080810-11.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502985503881406866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLYi4-wJZRG2ETCO3kvF22nH-46X3nRATt9RNbfvpBBbaPNqaE-gjmViyZItwQLLEaMIxkWxWtzu2BLYzs-VKt-t4-upMHpJGRgjQVCjw0io5mUEOZIB-XPUawHcoQOD3JPld3SSAtDZ0/s320/JW080810-11.jpg" border="0" /></a> Max with Jess</div><div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><br /></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw2b50EUbiT58K1d8Gdoxon7cyrGfZxRvHrTviFoBcChzLa-qSjOUo2bO4OWqpEhhcEJIUo4fbjBMaRlZPA2KIiT9s9_30FElqS7JqTueUeommknskQkaqWe9cI0ay97mDl-C-YXk-hJA/s1600/JW080810-8.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502985489673906418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw2b50EUbiT58K1d8Gdoxon7cyrGfZxRvHrTviFoBcChzLa-qSjOUo2bO4OWqpEhhcEJIUo4fbjBMaRlZPA2KIiT9s9_30FElqS7JqTueUeommknskQkaqWe9cI0ay97mDl-C-YXk-hJA/s320/JW080810-8.jpg" border="0" /></a> Jonathan with Jess (Louisa Dear from Hachette Publishing looking on)</div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><br />Hi All,<br /><div><br /></div><div>Faye, Max, Clint and I were at Knox City Shopping Centre, in Melbourne's South East this afternoon to get our copies of Jess' book signed. </div><div><br /></div><div>Andrew Fraser from 5Oceans Media assisted with giving all of us the opportunity to spend a few minutes exclusively with Jessica. </div><div><br /></div><div>After the event, we all adjourned to The Coffee Club to debrief and generally enjoy each others company. Here are a few pictures. </div><div><br /></div><div>Cheers</div><br /><div>Jonathan</div></div>Jonathan Castelinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01026218857806984649noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610859024670586772.post-69165634644529421822010-07-11T12:18:00.007+10:002010-07-11T16:24:40.279+10:00Witnessing Natural History<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> Picture chronological order is from the bottom up</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyRx4zYExAgIpf2J3rTsHawW36YKxA3015znd8n9LR3NuLQ7bFwkrck3sWfZAAdlJNB1mfcFKT3uumsd7d6QpkzqbzLMX2vustZ6cQq6YcpHNveguMgPinHqwVU7eLjuXOz85zrWYJjxI/s1600/Fogged+in+at+Shepp.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyRx4zYExAgIpf2J3rTsHawW36YKxA3015znd8n9LR3NuLQ7bFwkrck3sWfZAAdlJNB1mfcFKT3uumsd7d6QpkzqbzLMX2vustZ6cQq6YcpHNveguMgPinHqwVU7eLjuXOz85zrWYJjxI/s320/Fogged+in+at+Shepp.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492528246960244594" /></a> Fogged in at Shepparton (our two aircraft are at the far end)<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6iuQuJzu_Z5H0JFbDdVt42hsImodWtUqX7uEMjjpUu6sPZ-7jDcatiKNNdXgO6nDehRO_ZTr3JWm3ihLvAX1z0GoyLcMI0cm4yLIp3ACvQAIeabDKxszTK9Xnh1-hHMukywe8-L55PJc/s1600/58nm+S+of+KBHI.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6iuQuJzu_Z5H0JFbDdVt42hsImodWtUqX7uEMjjpUu6sPZ-7jDcatiKNNdXgO6nDehRO_ZTr3JWm3ihLvAX1z0GoyLcMI0cm4yLIp3ACvQAIeabDKxszTK9Xnh1-hHMukywe8-L55PJc/s320/58nm+S+of+KBHI.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492528233136211010" /></a> Flight line (our aircraft is in the foreground) at the disused airstrip</div><div> (unserviceable aircraft is on right being tied down)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFYJj-wWol89nkGDozLK6goedH46RWNNmP2rLoGenLvVA0KrnUBa20sCH63HoUkQeAGRHv20-b3rsJegycUDuZCvG3VQoOP7CjpsG1P5rhMZE8rdORSbaFNbjhYB79LddHS7X1nfD45M/s1600/Wilcannia+Strip.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFYJj-wWol89nkGDozLK6goedH46RWNNmP2rLoGenLvVA0KrnUBa20sCH63HoUkQeAGRHv20-b3rsJegycUDuZCvG3VQoOP7CjpsG1P5rhMZE8rdORSbaFNbjhYB79LddHS7X1nfD45M/s320/Wilcannia+Strip.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492528223553388018" /></a> Approaching Wilcannia NSW just North of the Darling River (on the</div><div> way back to Broken Hill from the Paroo River)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-rX3qhcuHBAHH1i-qmDEYQVkBBmi6fuqtz5h3FguDLXMHD05TjdedpFY2JGbo39HOUT_DUDzWSbkAD8QsQNr7FEW_GG6Wy3l8YcWgnPF28DAsxJUijyeVK3VRa3G719VU56tKapfMba0/s1600/Flying+Over+the+Paroo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-rX3qhcuHBAHH1i-qmDEYQVkBBmi6fuqtz5h3FguDLXMHD05TjdedpFY2JGbo39HOUT_DUDzWSbkAD8QsQNr7FEW_GG6Wy3l8YcWgnPF28DAsxJUijyeVK3VRa3G719VU56tKapfMba0/s320/Flying+Over+the+Paroo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492528215004028226" /></a> Flying Over the Paroo River</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG2tTma-r5MMliG7XtosAEkUMu-loQNmaZOp5Fj3LYeuV0oc8eS_EnjcJqM69puJzrT8JBTvFTFE_Gi7qJ7sggn4dx-IgBwGFSGxsLLB_ud4DF_ayiwf3V7tIGOTuz5xQqkg_qV46wrGY/s1600/Paroo+Wetlands.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG2tTma-r5MMliG7XtosAEkUMu-loQNmaZOp5Fj3LYeuV0oc8eS_EnjcJqM69puJzrT8JBTvFTFE_Gi7qJ7sggn4dx-IgBwGFSGxsLLB_ud4DF_ayiwf3V7tIGOTuz5xQqkg_qV46wrGY/s320/Paroo+Wetlands.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492525307945307202" /></a> Paroo River Wetlands<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2oQX_sbnyqbwkFVfoWUMXqpjpIm0p5EXhVEm60DWFezTrbGn6AINzCxgSDEFunprPowLlKhc__dh0LgiRCBKFejOMZaKR1Zy2cFnnDHERuzKV-nbbinEDSx3jye92m94ULKhyphenhyphenE0tCkWQ/s1600/Paroo+River+System+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2oQX_sbnyqbwkFVfoWUMXqpjpIm0p5EXhVEm60DWFezTrbGn6AINzCxgSDEFunprPowLlKhc__dh0LgiRCBKFejOMZaKR1Zy2cFnnDHERuzKV-nbbinEDSx3jye92m94ULKhyphenhyphenE0tCkWQ/s320/Paroo+River+System+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492525300976039970" /></a> Paroo River System<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFmcQHHhuY1GoCsQpkYOzOmzOmpukT8EuN1bXXuGZi5AHNOjWsyrn2TT2Fwyoy3Fw5OakuFFNuRrB2jPxF33p0V2HboVMBVXpNFA8ck-BwHa54rGzu0YQNrFU4l2ahDDHJ6nqEW2WH_jY/s1600/Outbound+to+Paroo+River.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFmcQHHhuY1GoCsQpkYOzOmzOmpukT8EuN1bXXuGZi5AHNOjWsyrn2TT2Fwyoy3Fw5OakuFFNuRrB2jPxF33p0V2HboVMBVXpNFA8ck-BwHa54rGzu0YQNrFU4l2ahDDHJ6nqEW2WH_jY/s320/Outbound+to+Paroo+River.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492525285527667042" /></a> "Back o' Bourke" (on the way to the Paroo River)<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqmaCzGIF6dwh5JmnkdbepMr99qaCNQPAPT0swsKAIECRm9fU3p4fHo2K41wS0WTK7sjxXE1gPLChiPg4u6urCimL9xhMJ8yp3I2CBYsUDIHAeCYO7eoS1IsYUZ0qC2yx402hm30qR7MY/s1600/White+Cliffs.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqmaCzGIF6dwh5JmnkdbepMr99qaCNQPAPT0swsKAIECRm9fU3p4fHo2K41wS0WTK7sjxXE1gPLChiPg4u6urCimL9xhMJ8yp3I2CBYsUDIHAeCYO7eoS1IsYUZ0qC2yx402hm30qR7MY/s320/White+Cliffs.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492525277034164290" /></a> White Cliffs Opal Mining Town (on the way to the Paroo River)<div><br /></div><div><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPcFgq1LWFmOF5ZqLl0XHsmE5M9AMiJPIvUq0DkODzwz1U6CuF7iU1LTpjq9LQyabVU_kmVxjtgJ5zNf2b6mISkzHSBQa6HI1c7P7beZgiqtV1hm8g6VCeKJB_MFyFIsbji5J-IqNq-1Y/s1600/Swan+Hill.jpg"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPcFgq1LWFmOF5ZqLl0XHsmE5M9AMiJPIvUq0DkODzwz1U6CuF7iU1LTpjq9LQyabVU_kmVxjtgJ5zNf2b6mISkzHSBQa6HI1c7P7beZgiqtV1hm8g6VCeKJB_MFyFIsbji5J-IqNq-1Y/s320/Swan+Hill.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492525264032353298" /></a> Glenn and I at Swan Hill, Victoria<div><br /></div><div>Hello Everyone,<div><br /></div><div>Firstly, I would like to say that our Jess continues to inspire and evoke memories of an incredible few months. This inspiration led me to embark on a little adventure of my own.</div><div><br /></div><div>When my flying club out at Tooradin, Victoria invited a bunch of us to fly up to Broken Hill NSW, I was thrilled to bits and accepted. So Friday before last, Glenn (a pilot mate of mine) and I were the first to get off the ground at Tooradin and tracked due North over the Cardinia and Sylvan dams past Lilydale and then on to Kilmore on a generally North Westerly track to Swan Hill and Broken Hill. We decided that I would fly up and Glenn would fly back. </div><div><br /></div><div>It was at Kilmore that we met our first challenge in the form of a lowering cloud base and a rising ground - net effect is cloud on ground so there was no way we could have gone through that ! I decided to do a 180 and head back to Lilydale where I thought we would land and wait for the weather to clear. </div><div><br /></div><div>It so happened that when I looked over my shoulder, there was a brilliant ray of sunshine right in the centre of the weather system. I doubled back to Kilmore and headed straight for the hole and managed to get around the weather and as we continued to Swan Hill where we decided to stop for a leg stretch and catch up with other flyers, the weather became progressively better.</div><div><br /></div><div>The rest of the flight up to Broken Hill was reasonably eventful, dodging isolated rain showers and low cloud but nothing too daunting.</div><div><br /></div><div>The highlight of the trip was the next day when we flew North East of Broken Hill to have a look at the Paroo River and its series of drain lakes. It was on our return that we were advised that this vast catchment has had water in it only twice in the last 200 years ! This is only the third time in 200 years that it has literally flooded ! See attached pictures.</div><div><br /></div><div>The trip up saw one of our club aeroplanes make an emergency landing at a disused strip about 60 miles south of Broken Hill. This was due to an engine failure. The two pilots on board did an incredible job, not only staying in one piece but also keeping the aeroplane intact. All the emergency training kicked in and literally saved them from possible serious harm.</div><div><br /></div><div>On our way back, the lot of us decided to visit the disused strip and help tie down the unserviceable aircraft and marvel at the true "Back o' Bourke". This resulted in us not having enough daylight to make it all the way back to Tooradin the same evening so two aeroplanes (Glenn and I included) decided to divert to Shepparton for the night. </div><div><br /></div><div>We woke up the next morning to thick fog and 2degC temp. Long story short, we only left Shepp at 2:30pm and finally landed back at Tooradin just before 4 pm. What an adventure !</div><div><br /></div><div>I am attaching a few pics. I hope you like them.</div><div><br /></div><div>Again I say this - this pales in comparison to what Jess had to go through but I just loved it. The various challenges, flying over vast desolate areas, marveling at the incredible landscape in the floodplain and just the sheer joy of being in the air was a one of a kind experience.</div><div><br /></div><div>Have a great weekend everyone</div><div><br /></div><div>Jonathan</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Jonathan Castelinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01026218857806984649noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610859024670586772.post-63667065602628490952010-05-30T22:09:00.003+10:002010-05-30T22:25:38.388+10:00Coping With Post Jessaholic Euphoria<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHIzqhhjkhgiMgwuMfoq6zZ52Am8xl6KJkWnl-TVU406CVXpqMICSyxaM3hhkqEs4d4uAwilNQDw8YwpssmqktqCjJ3yvUN38MvWNBPkeSeZc-AQGdZAh5JIuOTBKWZg_tBL2gCS9yWKs/s1600/Clint+and+Jonathan.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHIzqhhjkhgiMgwuMfoq6zZ52Am8xl6KJkWnl-TVU406CVXpqMICSyxaM3hhkqEs4d4uAwilNQDw8YwpssmqktqCjJ3yvUN38MvWNBPkeSeZc-AQGdZAh5JIuOTBKWZg_tBL2gCS9yWKs/s320/Clint+and+Jonathan.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477037783204298130" /></a><br />Hello Everyone,<div><br /></div><div>The number of emails in my inbox over the last few weeks reminds me of my days (or shall we say decades !) in the corporate world. Except for the fact that in those days, more emails meant more stress and pressure. Here more emails translate to more positive energy. So, I say we continue to stay positive and in doing so, continue to focus on Jess' great achievement. The best thing we can do is totally ignore the naysayers and detractors and not even bother mentioning them. </div><div><br /></div><div>I had the distinct pleasure of catching up with Clint last Saturday and spending an hour and a half chatting with him about our experiences and journeys. Here's a picture of the two of us having coffee and muffins.</div><div><br /></div><div>I hope the Vics can get together sometime soon for another catch up session.</div><div><br /></div><div>Good luck everyone,</div><div><br /></div><div>Jonathan</div>Jonathan Castelinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01026218857806984649noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610859024670586772.post-46361934605480706922010-05-20T18:17:00.002+10:002010-05-20T18:39:59.468+10:00Forging New Friendships - Thanks to "One Tough Cookie"Hello All,<div><br /></div><div>I must apologise for disappearing off the radar for a while - running a business essentially means the buck stops with me (hear that Kev?!) and amongst other reasons, it was just too difficult to get away.</div><div><br /></div><div>The moment that touched me the most was when Jess stepped on to land for the first time in 8 months and wept in the embrace of her family. I think it reminds us all of how important the people near and dear to us are and how we should treasure them.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, I have read each and every email and blog entry with avid interest and it is truly amazing how much goodwill and positive energy there is amongst all of you who travelled to Sydney and all of us who could not. </div><div><br /></div><div>Janell, I am really happy that you made it to Sydney and that you had a good time with everyone there.</div><div><br /></div><div>Hi Collette, you were a stunner in that interview - took it in your stride and looked like you had been doing TV interviews all your life ! Same for Janell and Sam. </div><div><br /></div><div>I will be more than happy to continue this blog as a meeting place for all of you who wish to continue to share thoughts and experiences and enjoy each others company. Who knows, maybe someday, we could write a book based on this blog !</div><div><br /></div><div>Have a great weekend everyone.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cheers</div><div>Jonathan</div>Jonathan Castelinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01026218857806984649noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610859024670586772.post-84456348810961230032010-05-10T18:35:00.002+10:002010-05-10T18:39:25.636+10:00Converging on Sydney for Jessica's ArrivalHello Everyone,<div><br /></div><div>Looks like its all coming together. Travel safe everyone and have a wonderful time in Sydney.</div><div><br /></div><div>You couldn't want for better weather, especially up in Sydney, so make the most of it !</div><div><br /></div><div>Cheers and Good Times</div><div><br /></div><div>Jonathan</div>Jonathan Castelinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01026218857806984649noreply@blogger.com135tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610859024670586772.post-13767863629596901242010-04-24T17:02:00.002+10:002010-04-24T17:30:27.117+10:00Heres to Amazing Progress by Jess (and Amazing Sunrises !)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_p4LFvyhrP6ZbAS8fJdkpQrCr3_OqxUQ_zr1rS9xBqh8L1Z7GT7NR5-P_0OllhNmxsNJtZS47cQVZdtb4V5geVOodoMXQNN0JIkDPpoYC4K0caZSHH-v9zUMnkxo_esmcfvBN_Ygsg3E/s1600/Sunrise+on+22+April+10.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_p4LFvyhrP6ZbAS8fJdkpQrCr3_OqxUQ_zr1rS9xBqh8L1Z7GT7NR5-P_0OllhNmxsNJtZS47cQVZdtb4V5geVOodoMXQNN0JIkDPpoYC4K0caZSHH-v9zUMnkxo_esmcfvBN_Ygsg3E/s320/Sunrise+on+22+April+10.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463603013499557938" /></a><br />Hello All Jessaholics, and I mean ALL Jessaholics,<div><br /></div><div>Our Jess is more than halfway across the Bight and before you know it she will round Tassie.......I'll leave it at that for now as we need to start rationing out the excitement lest we go overboard (cliche ! cliche !). What !!?? Who am I kidding ??!! We were overboard from day one of this voyage !!</div><div><br /></div><div>What strikes me about this community is how much positive energy everyone has and more importantly shares with everyone else. Just think about it......if it were not for Jessica, none of us would know each other or have the opportunity to share experiences of all kinds with each other. One of the really special things about this community is how well we respond with words of comfort and encouragement if needed ! </div><div><br /></div><div>On a personal note, please forgive me for not checking in more often than I should. My warehouse move got put back by a couple of weeks due to my ankle injury and since I got back on my feet, I have been pushing myself very hard to get everything set up the way I want it. The good news is that its almost done and consequently, you will see me more often here.</div><div><br /></div><div>Lastly, I have included a picture of sunrise in Melbourne on 22 April 2010. I just happened to lift the blinds on my kitchen window at the perfect time.....ran to get my camera and squeezed off about 10 shots....this is the best one. I hope you enjoy it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Good luck and warm wishes to all,</div><div><br /></div><div>Jonathan</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Jonathan Castelinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01026218857806984649noreply@blogger.com136tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610859024670586772.post-15608037817754014112010-04-18T19:20:00.007+10:002010-04-18T22:53:05.904+10:00<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJrsILnk3zADXYH7J3Em0rJG1bALEnclIeiCTGdV-Al9GL2i1Zq2lgcA5exdMfChYe6pKxJcxV5KY5qS6RU97fxYLD_TgZgptDfJSBfFS2LnDLYZUgXBU56ug3mI0QfjNQkLPw_bkMmHQ/s1600/Melbourne+-+Team+Jesse+039.jpg"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh14TmyBvtvyf7UMYguKM90UBRFrYm8RnvH9pJXi6I0OYnOuLg1E0Kp_aNir3DjSh_KxnDhnjzFbtOFrtTFEytQcDyNIbZugcDX2y_PuCoFMsHl3Zwlau5o0Pz2QWPm-GxonUEfKlDYGyo/s1600/Perth+-+Starboard+tack.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsAVVWp2kXhj-FRNRZoQgsB4ucMPfBV2RyH6HzAtrCVZZcgGuIZpDKj1cBjcb4WYPtLIIctuDDRyTzaQoUUVNphKTWFgp3WoB1KtC7U4JtbdnWmH36M84_oCCbQAkjCfDdlKJf8FYIV2E/s1600/Melbourne+Lunch+170410.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsAVVWp2kXhj-FRNRZoQgsB4ucMPfBV2RyH6HzAtrCVZZcgGuIZpDKj1cBjcb4WYPtLIIctuDDRyTzaQoUUVNphKTWFgp3WoB1KtC7U4JtbdnWmH36M84_oCCbQAkjCfDdlKJf8FYIV2E/s320/Melbourne+Lunch+170410.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461410875499322354" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJrsILnk3zADXYH7J3Em0rJG1bALEnclIeiCTGdV-Al9GL2i1Zq2lgcA5exdMfChYe6pKxJcxV5KY5qS6RU97fxYLD_TgZgptDfJSBfFS2LnDLYZUgXBU56ug3mI0QfjNQkLPw_bkMmHQ/s320/Melbourne+-+Team+Jesse+039.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461414362568369890" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPLdLQbUcfLjlWFdwlE4WtrbjT2t2-6YC9orgCVQHrPfCTirmF9o_hBd58Y1wavqSnZ1pJ2fg25H0wNzuL2IWIObc-eoTzTE8s03F6mEfSHW-QzJTv_2VQIOC3hG2XkL-xPRIludiDBMY/s1600/Perth+-+Tony,+Sam,+Jo+%26+Paul.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPLdLQbUcfLjlWFdwlE4WtrbjT2t2-6YC9orgCVQHrPfCTirmF9o_hBd58Y1wavqSnZ1pJ2fg25H0wNzuL2IWIObc-eoTzTE8s03F6mEfSHW-QzJTv_2VQIOC3hG2XkL-xPRIludiDBMY/s320/Perth+-+Tony,+Sam,+Jo+%26+Paul.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461409017731239650" /></a><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh14TmyBvtvyf7UMYguKM90UBRFrYm8RnvH9pJXi6I0OYnOuLg1E0Kp_aNir3DjSh_KxnDhnjzFbtOFrtTFEytQcDyNIbZugcDX2y_PuCoFMsHl3Zwlau5o0Pz2QWPm-GxonUEfKlDYGyo/s320/Perth+-+Starboard+tack.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461413462449020562" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div>Hi Everyone,<div><br /></div><div>I've just had a look at Jess' latest post and it looks like she's quite the fixer-upper and has done so well to get Ella's Pink Lady shipshape for the last and exciting leg of this incredible adventure.</div><div><br /></div><div>It looks like all of us Jessaholic landlubbers have been busy as well - getting to know each other and celebrating Jessica's adventure by meeting for lunches and dinners. This is number two luncheon for the Vics and although, much to my regret, I was unable to make it, I was thrilled to see that the Vics have grown in numbers.</div><div><br /></div><div>Back west, Sam organised dinner for Jessaholics in the Perth area and they look like they had a ton of fun !</div><div><br /></div><div>Here are pictures of the two groups.</div><div><br /></div><div>Vics Luncheon Picture 1 : L-R Chris and Sally by the Bay, Bruce, Ailsa, Faye, Tony L, Max, Peter, Collette and Clint.</div><div>Vics Luncheon Picture 2 : Jessica's crew </div><div><br /></div><div>WA Dinner Picture 1 : L-R Tony, Sam, Jo and Paul. </div><div>WA Dinner Picture 2 : "Starboard Tack"</div><div><br /></div><div>Good luck everyone.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cheers</div><div>Jonathan</div></div></div>Jonathan Castelinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01026218857806984649noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610859024670586772.post-21959412835948482642010-04-12T22:27:00.004+10:002010-04-12T22:34:24.840+10:00The Excitement Grows (Project Tony L - the Latest and Greatest !)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNVLaqWfYI4MOskw8Advv3T4kKvnzEGFBRSuu9gVPuZMT5SDQUXU_rbjCUr13tImI5aAJVtOZ38CvMn0hbg1fEz0wA-wdsRdY3BpZ8krRKy-i3f7nYtfv5jVvAT-MNTQsGHG6Y_I8DQc4/s1600/The+model+11.4.2010+B+IMG_1527.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNVLaqWfYI4MOskw8Advv3T4kKvnzEGFBRSuu9gVPuZMT5SDQUXU_rbjCUr13tImI5aAJVtOZ38CvMn0hbg1fEz0wA-wdsRdY3BpZ8krRKy-i3f7nYtfv5jVvAT-MNTQsGHG6Y_I8DQc4/s320/The+model+11.4.2010+B+IMG_1527.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459228271221395314" /></a><br />Hello Everyone,<div><br /></div><div>Our amazing Jess is in Aussie waters ! The excitement grows ! Lots of speculation as to her arrival date which adds to the suspense of it all.</div><div><br /></div><div>More exciting news : Here's the latest picture of Tony's project. Its so real that its unreal ! I can't wait to see mini EPL with mast and all !</div><div><br /></div><div>Good luck all !</div><div><br /></div><div>Jonathan</div>Jonathan Castelinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01026218857806984649noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610859024670586772.post-57661424907159270442010-03-24T22:20:00.004+11:002010-03-25T22:25:52.395+11:00Jessica - Less Than Three Weeks to Cape Leeuwin !<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXaiExMhuLyzvtL-GO1EDxuOY2X1sEWu9qraEYZ0jDp26kXWsoD33XQZyhg_6f-zFVtyae8Y1Zd_joC-wxAd9iRHeZPiAruz2Bc5NyRyam2fv3nuWXeuL-PcqOCc9xJH5Cpwh_UwsbLaQ/s1600/EPL+Model+Cabin+and+Dodger+24+March+2010+IMG+1512.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXaiExMhuLyzvtL-GO1EDxuOY2X1sEWu9qraEYZ0jDp26kXWsoD33XQZyhg_6f-zFVtyae8Y1Zd_joC-wxAd9iRHeZPiAruz2Bc5NyRyam2fv3nuWXeuL-PcqOCc9xJH5Cpwh_UwsbLaQ/s320/EPL+Model+Cabin+and+Dodger+24+March+2010+IMG+1512.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452530641316946226" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvWeo6t-qMqWj-QoWvpCIeCC6u5BhmMg0hy5hVswzfzuslTacikZryypO4mM1JHDwzXhlKea3qoRKKpFyQW5vA-UrrYB4aw4zoZSz5zXNUCqGZKmf4CdzxYGn5Q2qiUrS640WVV77Mi5U/s1600/EPL+cabin+and+dodger+rough+painted+19+March+2010+B-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvWeo6t-qMqWj-QoWvpCIeCC6u5BhmMg0hy5hVswzfzuslTacikZryypO4mM1JHDwzXhlKea3qoRKKpFyQW5vA-UrrYB4aw4zoZSz5zXNUCqGZKmf4CdzxYGn5Q2qiUrS640WVV77Mi5U/s320/EPL+cabin+and+dodger+rough+painted+19+March+2010+B-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452162483196563586" /></a><br />Hello Everyone,<div><br /></div><div>Its nice to be back to see the tremendous progress Jess has made. By all accounts she should be passing Cape Leeuwin about the second week of April and consequently, passing the heads at Sydney around the second week of May (Tony, you are correct).</div><div><br /></div><div>Here is a picture of Tony's EPL project and it looks just fabulous (even though Tony says it is a rough paint job) ! I can't wait to see it with sails and all. Well done Tony !</div><div><br /></div><div>I will be finally taking this weekend off for some R&R. </div><div><br /></div><div>Cheers</div><div>Jonathan</div><div><br /></div><div>PS Tony sent me another updated picture and requested I replace the one above with the new one but Tony, please indulge me if I just add it in as opposed to replacing it. We can then see how much amazing progress you have made with the model ! You can now see Jess' Toughbook, her Nav station and other little bits and pieces. Well done !</div>Jonathan Castelinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01026218857806984649noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610859024670586772.post-45084660216352752802010-03-16T21:01:00.003+11:002010-03-16T21:51:09.142+11:00A Pause for Respite and Catching Up with the JessaholicsHello All,<div><br /></div><div>Its nice to be able to step back (temporarily) after a very intense fortnight, working through two weekends and late into the night ! Its all good though and very exciting setting up the new facility exactly how I want to. Another two weeks to go before the set up is complete.</div><div><br /></div><div>Jessica is making excellent progress and is a third of the way across the Indian Ocean. I'm already thinking past April when she passes through the heads at Sydney and wondering how we are all going to cope. Its been one of the most memorable experiences I have had in recent times and one that I will personally treasure for a long time to come. I'm sure all of you feel the same way.</div><div><br /></div><div>Good luck everyone and keep those posts coming !</div><div><br /></div><div>Cheers</div><div>Jonathan</div>Jonathan Castelinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01026218857806984649noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610859024670586772.post-57519922397164580182010-03-06T17:20:00.005+11:002010-03-06T18:19:38.750+11:00New Friendships - Inspired by Jessica<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE3ROQ80l-UdruGV7tJBhcqhuH2tc_nDUBojD2bSNKP3eZO-DB-V1mDbGF36QVMx79jDNcFYX309cjeOwu5sNH_4IMlZnwANUXmMPpucc1NKG3Oxsqy1jBJMP1f6kECycj4MyexeUnIOw/s1600-h/Jessaholics.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE3ROQ80l-UdruGV7tJBhcqhuH2tc_nDUBojD2bSNKP3eZO-DB-V1mDbGF36QVMx79jDNcFYX309cjeOwu5sNH_4IMlZnwANUXmMPpucc1NKG3Oxsqy1jBJMP1f6kECycj4MyexeUnIOw/s320/Jessaholics.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445411277373715170" /></a><br />Hello All,<div><br /></div><div>Jessica's latest blog is as good as it can get. On one hand she speaks of "nothing glamorous or exciting to report" but on the other, the description of her "non routine" is so interesting and educational that I for one (not being a sailor), always thought that light winds and calmer seas meant having the opportunity to sit back and get some downtime. Little did I know that the frequently shifting, albeit light winds, required constant adjustment to maintain heading and track ! </div><div><br /></div><div>The picture of her dinner is as cute as it can get. If she ever decided to stop sailing (I think the moon will turn green before that happens !) she can manifest her skills in the culinary arts. Excellent presentation !</div><div><br /></div><div>The Vics got together for lunch today and we had a wonderful time getting to know each other and enjoying each others company. During the time we were at the restaurant, we could see this massive storm cell move in and in a few minutes, the sea built up and we were all thinking of Jessica and how incredibly brave she is. </div><div><br /></div><div>To Ailsa, Tony, Collette and your partner Peter, thank you for a very nice time. Each of you in your own way exude positive energy and most of all you are very interesting people. I for one, look forward to Sydney. Bruce, we did miss you.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have included a picture of the Vics at todays lunch. Left to right : Tony, Ailsa, Peter, Collette, Jonathan. Oh, and I almost forgot ! Jessica's First Mate - Teddy (thank you Ailsa) ! </div><div><br /></div><div>Cheers</div><div>Jonathan</div>Jonathan Castelinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01026218857806984649noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610859024670586772.post-36186580981470468652010-02-25T23:22:00.002+11:002010-02-26T00:13:14.164+11:00Jessica on the Home Stretch (These Interesting Times)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFoxbAFVu1qQf2vDRT9XRKgCRHOL9yhb63F11I9VOGnVE_prB7W9FWPXvzQE2UWn93aGs1oH3rRLZDKsSQVFnlkRRCEbQ0kPOgm9CQ2yAG9L7zQJ7t0x8hpC0Z9VHratKmpG52bNLo48/s1600-h/B747-400+vs+A380.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFoxbAFVu1qQf2vDRT9XRKgCRHOL9yhb63F11I9VOGnVE_prB7W9FWPXvzQE2UWn93aGs1oH3rRLZDKsSQVFnlkRRCEbQ0kPOgm9CQ2yAG9L7zQJ7t0x8hpC0Z9VHratKmpG52bNLo48/s320/B747-400+vs+A380.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442168319288206194" /></a><br />Hello Jessaholics,<div><br /></div><div>I'm thrilled to bits to see Jess powering on into the home stretch ! I know all of you share this excitement and anticipation to see her edging ever closer home. This is a very special young lady who has been consummately professional, demonstrated incredible mental fortitude and yet in many ways is your everyday teenager who likes teenage "stuff" but what really grabs me is her simplicity and humility. I reckon, thats what sets her apart.</div><div><br /></div><div>The one common thing that comes out of all our comments is how strongly we feel for and support Jessica. In doing so, we have formed a very interesting and colourful community. To this end, once again, anyone is welcome to comment on this blog. It was originally set up as a common area of communication for a group of people that are traveling to Sydney to welcome Jess home but it appears that it is attracting a wider audience. </div><div><br /></div><div>I wish all of you near and far good luck and happiness.</div><div><br /></div><div>Jonathan</div><div><br /></div><div>PS I have attached a picture I took at Melbourne Airport recently. On the left is a Boeing 747 Jumbo and on the right is the new Airbus A380 Super Jumbo. Compare the wingspans, the engines and everything else. Its amazing how large the A380 is compared to what was originally the largest airliner in the world for decades. I thought I would slip that in as a bit of trivia that I hope you enjoy.</div>Jonathan Castelinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01026218857806984649noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610859024670586772.post-2151276135084289612010-02-15T21:36:00.002+11:002010-02-15T21:43:40.849+11:00EPL WIP (Work In Progress) Part II<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg464WLI56FwTR5otg7RVt0EQAycqYt4CJzJ_AtiM7pZgcnNHYel3Z8J0Mv7CsXjqj5XnN5HLrvVq1HptJDQXYyDGBPzdS8q6hbgggfL06RJUqNfWZKK3WE2pTYFIfQVuxwFA0G0Vz7_GA/s1600-h/EPL+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg464WLI56FwTR5otg7RVt0EQAycqYt4CJzJ_AtiM7pZgcnNHYel3Z8J0Mv7CsXjqj5XnN5HLrvVq1HptJDQXYyDGBPzdS8q6hbgggfL06RJUqNfWZKK3WE2pTYFIfQVuxwFA0G0Vz7_GA/s320/EPL+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438418970289509586" /></a><br />Hi Everyone,<div><br /></div><div>Tony has been kind enough to share another picture, this time showing the now completed interior with cushions on the bunk bed and Jessica's pink and white "coconut ice" box over the methylated spirits container (for the stove). </div><div><br /></div><div>So far, Colette has confirmed 6 March for the dinner. If any of you do have a problem with this date, I am sure we can work around it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cheers</div><div>Jonathan</div>Jonathan Castelinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01026218857806984649noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610859024670586772.post-70656094902044245212010-02-14T23:08:00.003+11:002010-02-14T23:21:55.948+11:00Jessica's EPL Immortalised !<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQm72wgFFkO-qgBkbOtP24RQk-8tySzLRD1s3Vrgfai9KAIDmSs1mY6WOhDWiqxr8dDMXMxDnjh_JeGA1Ca02R8bcRTXdCGskxZUlNhi2AOzw-U_HJvH_g76IZt4hy23R1QYcwapwjNI/s1600-h/Jessica+Model+Deck+and+Interior.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 247px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQm72wgFFkO-qgBkbOtP24RQk-8tySzLRD1s3Vrgfai9KAIDmSs1mY6WOhDWiqxr8dDMXMxDnjh_JeGA1Ca02R8bcRTXdCGskxZUlNhi2AOzw-U_HJvH_g76IZt4hy23R1QYcwapwjNI/s320/Jessica+Model+Deck+and+Interior.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438073187289950930" /></a><br />Hello All,<div><br /></div><div>I am very excited to share this picture with all of you. Tony passed it along and with his permission, I am posting it.</div><div><br /></div><div>This picture shows you how far Tony has progressed with the EPL model. Notice how detailed it is. Tony has even made a tiny stove replica and he has said that although the cabin will be enclosed in the finished product, he will still complete the inside down to the last detail. </div><div><br /></div><div>I can tell you that this model will be absolutely top class. It will be all the more meaningful given that Tony has built it from scratch (not a kit from a model store). </div><div><br /></div><div>Re the Vics dinner, lets firm up a date. May I suggest the 6th of March. If everyone is agreeable, we can decide on a venue.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cheers</div><div>Jonathan</div>Jonathan Castelinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01026218857806984649noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610859024670586772.post-12007646549081606822010-02-13T22:38:00.003+11:002010-02-13T23:37:24.935+11:00Jessica's Drive Through Car Wash - Entry Price? Two Bluefins !Hello Everyone,<div><br /></div><div>I thoroughly enjoyed Jessica's blog today and had a chuckle at her car wash analogy. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm guessing that prevailing winds are slowing her down somewhat and at a leisurely 3 kt ground speed, she travels 30-40 kts less than her average 112 kts per day. Additionally, she's a bit off track, so really, its still hard to get a decent ETA.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was flying over Westernport Bay this morning and was fascinated with the mirror calm water. You could actually see a very clear and detailed reflection of the sky (or in this case, clouds). I know Jess experienced something similar near the Equator. Of course, this area is protected by that large chunk of rock called French Island ! French Island is actually quite pretty and if you ever want to have some alone time, thats where you go. The resident population is said to be less than 100 people.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm looking forward to the Vics get together.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cheers (and beers)</div><div>Jonathan</div>Jonathan Castelinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01026218857806984649noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610859024670586772.post-12108225090033314502010-02-10T00:09:00.005+11:002010-02-10T00:41:52.946+11:00There's No Stopping the Jess-a-holics (and some more Dubai Pics) !<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Vv3TTnwgiRKQIHnyFUdWk5ORqcQifnRIll-N8AtAxSbTqVyDsQkE9od65qXFTn0TOZSKXEDUlwEJmCiWojHrHBxslyFynQfvp3NPWbnzVbC2tANy43sJpV9UHfOOSRmq64HNRYfa0Gs/s1600-h/Dubai+Mall.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Vv3TTnwgiRKQIHnyFUdWk5ORqcQifnRIll-N8AtAxSbTqVyDsQkE9od65qXFTn0TOZSKXEDUlwEJmCiWojHrHBxslyFynQfvp3NPWbnzVbC2tANy43sJpV9UHfOOSRmq64HNRYfa0Gs/s320/Dubai+Mall.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436238201472532402" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP5CRNZN6kQnfXOcxLu_mPBN67s_Nb6Zzlc6MESlh0ShNnTtGLBwi_f3Oba06lulVzPJmqiqSr0xreAL1LekHdjBRPFqlqFSg5YCeJRvrJNN9DHvmApFaNAVL42L-mmWj1tqqDxT7G9H4/s1600-h/Burj+Khalifa+View+West.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP5CRNZN6kQnfXOcxLu_mPBN67s_Nb6Zzlc6MESlh0ShNnTtGLBwi_f3Oba06lulVzPJmqiqSr0xreAL1LekHdjBRPFqlqFSg5YCeJRvrJNN9DHvmApFaNAVL42L-mmWj1tqqDxT7G9H4/s320/Burj+Khalifa+View+West.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436236487873694994" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm29n0ze1TVOeM72LZPzXj6WRhKhx07eZ3O51uDxPGE2YNX9X6m9rWvyaymXQfofjRbzH9kdve1aKPG0iqa7xomgYkGPxZ8YbhJi4VZfLU7-cQ-88Iv7e4G1V8KU8M9o_yBDInCta-FD8/s1600-h/Burj+Khalifa+View+East.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm29n0ze1TVOeM72LZPzXj6WRhKhx07eZ3O51uDxPGE2YNX9X6m9rWvyaymXQfofjRbzH9kdve1aKPG0iqa7xomgYkGPxZ8YbhJi4VZfLU7-cQ-88Iv7e4G1V8KU8M9o_yBDInCta-FD8/s320/Burj+Khalifa+View+East.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436236477643023890" /></a><br />Hello All,<div><br /></div><div>I arrived late last night from Dubai and its great to be home to the Land of the Blue Skies and Puffy White Clouds !</div><div><br /></div><div>I got stuck into work today and had no time at all until I got home to find that things have changed on Jess' site. After looking at all the comms from Andrew, I believe that the "blackout" is only technical and that it will be fixed by tomorrow our time (or today if some of us read this the next day) and that all will be well.</div><div><br /></div><div>Its incredible how close all of us are to this wonderful young lady and like most worrying parents, aunties and uncles, a day of no communication gets our heart rates up and our worry hats on. </div><div><br /></div><div>So to get us into a more relaxed frame of mind (vertigo sufferers excluded !), please indulge me while I post a few more pictures of Dubai, this time taken from the "Burj Khalifa", the worlds tallest building. We were only 2/3 up at about 600m (~2000ft) at the observation deck.</div><div><br /></div><div>Some of us have been communicating with each other as well as writing on this blog and its good to know that there are bonds of friendship crystalising and if not anything else, we certainly are enjoying each others company.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cheers</div><div>Jonathan</div>Jonathan Castelinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01026218857806984649noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610859024670586772.post-75896783336847017032010-02-01T15:34:00.003+11:002010-02-01T16:19:00.186+11:00Jessica Officially Homeward Bound (....and Some Images of New and Old Dubai)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSk6ls4fLpz8eqq94n4fB4d058QMv-NTns65btQ7HlFW_GbtHJAtN82ly4HjbNjl1IMdLO3sYszXvwoS-b_TCBknRXCoauXBW3BVPJffgULD4jevf-zskccoN-zKnGeFCKB6qo5XQXzg/s1600-h/Rulers+Original+Home.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSk6ls4fLpz8eqq94n4fB4d058QMv-NTns65btQ7HlFW_GbtHJAtN82ly4HjbNjl1IMdLO3sYszXvwoS-b_TCBknRXCoauXBW3BVPJffgULD4jevf-zskccoN-zKnGeFCKB6qo5XQXzg/s320/Rulers+Original+Home.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433139154495414370" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVTQY-KlOgxzq526lFRwv9GcjcrcvTGRsfyk4MNS1EpeIIglFZt5TudCDp94fiqgMBW0wfqdCghL-TFDsjYmacgySCg0qHYnEqspxk6qQOOtqVZcBK7kwesuXALTGPNkZCSkC3L3D2GW0/s1600-h/Old+Dubai.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVTQY-KlOgxzq526lFRwv9GcjcrcvTGRsfyk4MNS1EpeIIglFZt5TudCDp94fiqgMBW0wfqdCghL-TFDsjYmacgySCg0qHYnEqspxk6qQOOtqVZcBK7kwesuXALTGPNkZCSkC3L3D2GW0/s320/Old+Dubai.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433139147525648242" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE5ErAgjwMJl-SG0TxjfDXFEDWcrjS3mB0oYgBuJH3dJj4AGP3JJgj8-SogrfAx1SVJHGyOkP4525lBwb9lawF0j7JayEUKS-eMYzx6JorwHac8HFEMLW4g0LcHS19cflxRT21J9wVK1g/s1600-h/Burj+Khalifa.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE5ErAgjwMJl-SG0TxjfDXFEDWcrjS3mB0oYgBuJH3dJj4AGP3JJgj8-SogrfAx1SVJHGyOkP4525lBwb9lawF0j7JayEUKS-eMYzx6JorwHac8HFEMLW4g0LcHS19cflxRT21J9wVK1g/s320/Burj+Khalifa.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433139140527493186" /></a><br />Hello Everyone,<div><br /></div><div>I can't believe how quickly Jess has reached midway up the Atlantic, or is it just the days passing by quickly? It just occurred to me that at the very start of Jessica's adventure, I knew next to nothing about sailing, although I was always fascinated by it. Talk about flying and you can't stop me ! After meeting some of you experts, I now have a rudimentary understanding of what its all about.</div><div><br /></div><div>It is such a pleasure to see how well organised we are and how nicely the trip is taking shape. </div><div><br /></div><div>By the looks of it, Jessica will be back in Sydney early to mid May so nailing down accommodation and flight bookings looks like being a moving target until possibly March. Any thoughts on how best to get an ETA window? </div><div><br /></div><div>Cheers</div><div>Jonathan</div><div><br /></div><div>PS : Here are some images of new and old Dubai. The picture showing the Burj Khalifa, the worlds tallest building is against other buildings about a mile in front of the BK. These buildings are about the height of the Rialto or Eureka Tower in Melbourne so that gives you some perspective. The BK is about 2,800 ft tall ! The other pics are taken in a historic section of Dubai showing the original desert architecture.</div>Jonathan Castelinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01026218857806984649noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610859024670586772.post-31619342939833485132010-01-29T18:35:00.002+11:002010-01-29T18:52:08.534+11:00Jessica - Half Way Across the Atlantic !Hello from sunny but cool Dubai,<div><br /></div><div>I have read with interest comments from most of you and its really great that we are so protective over Jess. The good news is that we are all in a positive realm and moving forward with the very exciting Sydney trip.</div><div><br /></div><div>To all first timers on this blog from near and far, a very warm welcome. We hope to see all of you in Sydney.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sam, that spa idea sounds great but could be expensive in Sydney. I will have a talk to my wife who I am visiting in Dubai at the moment (she is here on a consultancy contract with a large hotel chain). I know she has an associate in Sydney who can point us in the right direction. </div><div><br /></div><div>Tony, when I return on 8 Feb, I would like to meet you somewhere on the peninsula and Sam, I am in Perth on 11 Feb for the day only (on business) and if you have a bit of time, I would like to catch up to have a chat about the trip.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cheers</div><div>Jonathan</div>Jonathan Castelinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01026218857806984649noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610859024670586772.post-5801246805528426642010-01-25T18:04:00.002+11:002010-01-25T18:34:43.790+11:00Australian of the Year?? What about Australian of the decade, or even the century !G'Day to All My Fellow Jess-a-holics,<div><br /></div><div>I couldn't be feeling any prouder of our intrepid, courageous and incredible Jessica Watson. I have this great sense that we are living history. </div><div><br /></div><div>Jess has not only caught our imagination but has entered our lives in an incredibly profound way. She is the girl next door, an everyday Australian with extraordinary capabilities who not just thought and dreamt about doing something, she is actually doing it. </div><div><br /></div><div>At age 52, I am a strong believer in the fact that life's too short and from a personal point of view, I have embarked on a few much delayed things that I have always wanted to do. But it pales in comparison to what this young lady is accomplishing. </div><div><br /></div><div>I thought I would start a new string in tribute to Jess' accomplishments to date and I would like all of you to join me in paying tribute to Jess in your own personal and special way.</div><div><br /></div><div>Bruce (Watt), Thank you for watching over Jess the way that you are. I am glad Andrew has responded well and deleted the negative responses. </div><div><br /></div><div>As to some progress with the Sydney trip, I have a T Shirt supplier already engaged and will receive a quote in a few days. By all estimates, each T will cost no more than $10 each after printing on the designs and names/tags. You can imagine the retail margins on similar quality T shirts that sell for upto $50 and sometimes even go into the 3 figures if it is branded !</div><div><br /></div><div>I understand some of the challenges we may face getting on a boat to greet her at the heads but lets continue to keep that idea alive and look at various ways to approach the issues.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am travelling overseas from this Thursday until 4 Feb. Not that that will prevent me from checking in here and on Jess' blog every day ! I'll find a a way !</div><div><br /></div><div>Cheers</div><div>Jonathan</div>Jonathan Castelinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01026218857806984649noreply@blogger.com38