Given the circumstances, March has been a great month for the crew of Amandla.
After three rounds of chemo, The Captain had mid-treatment scans which were CLEAR. The treatment is working!!! Better news than either of us expected. He celebrated with a fourth round of chemo for good measure. It knocked him back a bit initially, but now he is recovering nicely.
The Captain has been feeling well enough this month to make some significant improvements to Amandla including replacing her coach house roof window (no easy job) and sewing additional rain shields so that the cockpit is now almost completely protected from the elements. Our friend Ray, a sailor and talented electronics expert, provided a much welcomed helping hand by installing a battery monitor, connecting an engine extractor pump, repairing the autopilot and trouble shooting a problem with the radar.
And I chipped in by cleaning Amandla’s bilges and floorboards. But I also managed to enjoy a bit of sight seeing.
One day, I took the three-hour round-trip commute from Sydney to The Blue Mountains for a visit. While my time was limited, I did manage to hike from the Echo Point to the Katoomba Cascades and was treated to delightful scenery.
Another day, I mustered up the courage to cross the Sydney Harbor Bridge as a pedestrian. While I’ve traveled across it many times in a car, a train and a bus, and have sailed under it often, walking it is another thing altogether as I have a terrible fear of heights.
But after a bit of meditative contemplation in the peaceful setting of Wendy’s Secret Garden, I thought ‘I can do this!’ So with a lot of deep breathing, and my camera to distract me, I did.
Image title inspired by the Joanna Newsom song of the same name (click here for visual lyrics)
As expected, the views were spectacular. I even managed to climb the South Pylon to have a better look.
My brave friend Sue from Travel Tales of Life is encouraging me to follow in her footsteps and do the Bridge Climb as a next step in facing my fears. We shall see. No promises.
I also continued to look for work in Australia but no offers yet.
So The Captain and I have come up with a compromise. If I can not find a suitable role here soon, we will sail to Singapore via Indonesia in the upcoming season, dipping our toes / Amandla’s keel into the Indian Ocean, continuing on with the circumnavigation and heading to a place where I am more likely to find the role I want.
As I said near the end of my February post, all things are possible!
Submitted For Cardinal Guzman’s ‘The Changing Seasons’ and The Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge: Half-Light
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Jobs are boring. I’d definitely sail away if I could.
I love that “Unicorns And Street Rainbows” photo!
I may be living on fumes at the moment, but I am happy. A lucky girl indeed.
Thanks so much for the compliment on the Unicorns and Rainbows photo. When I first arrived to photograph the artwork, I was disappointed because the shadows would not allow me capture it in its entirety evenly. But in the end, it was the shadows that made the photograph. I love when that happens….when what I get is better than what I intended.
Yes, the shadows makes it look like a sail, so I’m glad that they are there. Also, forgot to saya that I’m glad to hear The Captain is feeling better. Health comes first! Ship o’hoy!
??⛵️
I am so glad that the chemo has worked for the Captain! These photos are wonderful. Love the way you have the black & white photo but still with coloured balloons. How do you do that I wonder?
My husband has convinced me that we need to live on a boat and we have put an offer on one here in Southampton. We are in the middle of trying to sell everything and letting go of all nearly all our items that have memories. It is hard and time consuming. Mostly we will just be living on the boat here taking small calls to ports around the UK and Ireland. Can’t help thinking that we are mad at our age. My husband will be 80 later this year.
I am so totally excited that you are moving onto a boat. What a grand adventure. I loved sailing in your neck of the woods. Can’t wait to see which places you visit. And I know how hard it is to let go of all that ‘stuff’ but I hope you’ll find as freeing as I did in the end. Thanks for your compliments on the photos. For the BW one, I used an application called ColorSplash. It is so much fun!
All cheers for good news!
Thank you so very much. We were happily surprised by the results.
Excellent news on the captain, and GOOD LAWD the views and pictures are spectacular! Good luck on finding some work down there I would hate not to see more “down under” photography!
Thank you for your support and very kind compliments Gary! The great news is that whether I stay here or sail onward, there will be so many interesting things to photograph. Truth be told, I think I am ready to head to Singapore. I have very much enjoyed my time here, but I am a girl with a goal (circumnavigation) and don’t like to keep my anchor down too long ⚓️⛵️???.
Wonderful news and beautiful photos, Lisa!
Thank you Lisa for your support and lovely compliment ?
Lisa so much fabulous news in this post! We are so happy to hear of the good reports for the Captain and your plans for sailing on. Thank you for the kind shout out about the bridge. Look at you gathering up courage and doing things you thought not possible. Your photos as always are completely stunning. The diversity of your talent from street photography to landscape is inspiring. Sending hugs across the miles my friend. Looking forward to more updates.
Thank you for your positivity, encouragement, compliments, hugs and friendship Sue! All greatly appreciated.
Oh, Lisa, we are so glad Fabio is doing so well.
Your photos are superb! They definitely are awe inspiring and deserve a big ‘wow!’
Love to you and Fabio,
Steve and Margo
Ahoy there Margo! Fabio’s results were definitely an answered prayer.
We miss you and Steve and hope there is another visit to Amandla in your (near) future! Thank you so much for your generous compliments on the photos. It seems like just the other day that we were taking pictures together in French Polynesia. Time has flown far too fast.
I just had a brilliant idea. When I get home (and have four walls once again), I am going to hire you to turn a few of my favorite pictures into paintings!
Sounds like you all are getting back to it and that the Captain has more energy! Gorgeous photos, my friend…forget the bridge, you owe me (and yourself) a SUP session !!
Your comment made me roar with laughter Terri. I do indeed owe you (and me) a SUP session. And I find that option far less scary than a bridge climb. Perhaps I can even convince The Captain to come join me (anything is possible). Just found a place nearby that has boards and lessons for a decent price. We are starting to shift into ‘lifting the anchor mode’ and are scrambling to ready ourselves, so it may have to wait until we get to Queensland, but I promise that there is an SUP lesson in my future. Thanks for your support and compliments.
Very pleased about the Captain. We did the Bridge Climb and it’s not nearly as scary as that picture makes it look! We did an evening club and the lights were wonderful.
Climb!
Thank you for your support and encouragement Anabel! I actually think your suggestion of an evening climb is a great one. If I do it (again no promises) I am going to do it in the evening as you did. I may have to use ‘too busy’ as an excuse as we are now scrambling to prepare for our next sailing season, but really, if I want to do it, I will do it.
I’m very happy to hear that the captain’s health is improving. That’s the most important.
The job hasn’t happened yet but the bright side is that you’re really getting to know the country well, and having fantastic experiences, which otherwise you’d have missed.
Plan B sounds also great and I truly wish you always the best experiences, the best of luck and plenty of energy and health, to live your adventures to the maximum.
Believe me, we all have all reasons to envy you!
And how about these gorgeous photos? And how about working on your fears? This is hard work, Lisa! Brava! If you ever decide to climb the bridge, don’t forget to ask someone to make your photos.
You always know just how to say the right thing to make me feel GREAT Lucile. Thank you. There has definitely been a bright side to unemployment. I have been having a great time getting to know Sydney (with a bit of Melbourne thrown in) and had time to focus on The Captain’s health, which really was a blessing (even if I burned through more savings). And I am thrilled by Plan B as it gets me closer to my goal of circumnavigation. I am sad to miss Vanuatu, PNG and The Solomons, but so very excited to see Indonesia and head to Asia. Still not 100% sure that a bridge climb is in my future, but if I do it, I will be sure to have someone document it with photos :-). Sorry you didn’t get to visit while I was here in Sydney, but maybe I can interest you with other ports in our future. Or I’ll see you when I sail back into The Netherlands ⛵️
Sometimes, I just recognize experiences I once had, Lisa. I had been through a career transition and suddenly had time to do all I never had time for before, and more importantly, I could spend more time to support my brother who was battling cancer.
No coincidence.
Your plan b sounds great. I’ll meet you either in Asia or here, for sure! It was unfortunate to not be able to go to Australia while you are there. But we’ll meet, no doubts! ?
It is funny how life works out. I am glad that you had the time you wanted with your brother. And I am lucky to have been able to have ‘been there’ for The Captain as well as enjoy Sydney. I am really starting to look forward to Plan B.
And, I am so excited for the day we meet, whenever and wherever that will be ?
So good to hear that The Captain is getting better! Wonderful news and I am so happy for all of your. Your boat also sounds like it is joining in the happy party too getting fixed up and all clean 🙂
Congratulations no walking across the Sydney Harbour Bridge. That is such a lovely shot of the girl and the balloon. Well done and I love the composition. As usual, brilliant street photography.
Good luck on the job front. Hopefully you get something soon. If not, another adventures awaits and I am sure it won’t be dull at all. Best wishes, Lisa 🙂 xoxo
Feeling the love Mabel! Thank you so much for your support and compliments. They’ve really made my day.
That girl with the balloon was what really got me over the bridge. I had just started my crossing, and was feeling quite apprehensive when I spied a series of girls with their balloons walking toward me. I snapped several photos, thinking of one of my favorite songs, and the fear just slipped away. I post processed with color splash to make the balloons and sky colors really stand out as they did that day for me on the bridge crossing.
I feel confident that I will find work when I am meant to find work. In the meantime, I get to enjoy touring about and sailing onward. Life is good.
And if I had Mr Wobbles in my backpack, I would be far more likely to do that bridge climb ?. I have continued to keep a look out for a suitable Mrs Wobbles for him. If I find her, I’ll send him your way ?.
You did very well with your shots. Focus on the moment, camera at ready, and everything else will fall away and fall into place.
Good luck with work once again. Mr Wobbles would love to be on your backpack – he loves being in mine all wrapped up and snug so he won’t bounce about 😉 Mrs Wobbles is still out there. The hunt is on <3
Lisa!
Congratulations for the captain – we were so happy and relieved to hear about the all clear (we wish him strength during the last round)- and for you, walking the Harbour Bridge. I read Sue’s post about climbing the bridge and she had the most amazing time. It will be an adventure with an even more awesome view, but you will have to decide whether you are up for it. I seem to remember from Sue that you are not allowed to take your camera up, though, for safety reasons. So glad to read that Singapore is in your near future. When it is time to move on, the excitement and adventure grow! Good luck planning the trip and finding a job down the line, west. Also, I really loved the “bridges and balloons” photo. Extraordinary! Love from us both! xx
Liesbet @ Roaming About – A Life Less Ordinary
Well it is certainly happy times here on Amandla Liesbet, both with The Captain’s scans and our decision to head westward. Loving life! And I know it is time to leave when I want to cling to shore. Am a bit too comfortable in Sydney these days :-). Still haven’t decided whether to do the bridge climb (???) but if I do, the facilitators will have cameras to capture me in all my glory. Right now we are scrambling to prepare for the Singapore trip. We are meeting with the doctor tomorrow to see if Fabio can forgo the 5th cycle and to understand what other appointments are needed prior to departure. If possible, The Captain would like to start heading north the first week in May. I am delighted that you liked the Bridges and Balloons photo. I love when great scenes present themselves to me on the streets. It was a good moment.
🙂
It’s so great to wake up today and see a post by you! Especially a post full of nearly all good news. Most important, I’m glad the Captain is doing better and that you have a (very exciting) back-up plan – sometimes the Plan Bs end up being much better than the original ones. I’m happy you made it into the Blue Mountains and crossed the bridge, at least on foot! I have a dear friend who’s been in Australia for the last 5 weeks or so (she was the reason we went there years ago), so I’ve had Oz in my head a lot – fun to see some photos of that brilliant sun, the beach, and the color in general, as our changing seasons here have not fully taken hold yet. Hope everything continues on its upward trajectory for you!
Thank you for your love and support Lexi. The Captain’s results were truly an unexpected blessing. And I think out Plan B is going to be amazing. I am sad that we are going to miss Vanuatu and The Solomons (and likely PNG as well) but am really looking forward to sailing Indonesia and entering Asia. So excited.
I will miss Sydney, but we still have a month left here, and although we will be running around madly preparing for our journey, I think I will still manage to get some adventure in. The weather remains glorious for the most part with fall feeling like early summer. But I do have ‘early spring envy’ reading about the changing seasons in the northern hemisphere. Your cherry blossom story made me very homesick.
Oh, no – sorry to make you homesick! Rest assured that along with those pretty blossoms came the dreaded spring frost and cold snap, so we are not really home free yet! I hope you can make the most of your final month in lovely Sydney – I’ll be keeping an eye out for your bridge climb photos! 🙂
Lisa what fantastic news! After being there with my dad I remember I cried when we heard he was clear. The relief is unbelievable because you don’t realize how much pain you are holding inside. Lovely photos! I went to the Blue Mountains with my dad when we were in Sydney. It was my birthday that day and will never forget. Take care! Xoxo
Thank you Nicole. The good news was way beyond our expectations. I was totally relieved but The Captain was a bit depressed the day we got the news. We weren’t quite sure why, but the feeling you describe of relief/release might explain it. I think he had stored up so much stress preparing for bad news that he was exhausted and needed to release all that stress before he could feel happy again. Of course, the day after we heard the news, he was completely elated. I don’t think I have seen him this happy since we were in Hawaii (the last place he felt 100% physically). Think of all the wonderful places that you have visited with your dad. The Blue Mountains would have been a great place to celebrate a birthday. I wish I could have spent more time there. Perhaps when we finishing readying ourselves for our next voyage, I will take The Captain there for a visit.
Thanks for your support and kind compliments.
Lisa, As always these are amazing photos. Your photos always make me wish my daughter had taken that trip to Australia.
I am super happy for you that the captain is doing great. That in it self is a challenging trip. God Bless you all.
It is never too late for a visit to Australia! Perhaps you and your daughter will get to visit here sometime in the future. Thank you for your support, blessings and compliments. All very welcome. I hope you had a nice visit with your daughter and I look forward to hearing how you enjoy your new course.
What wonderful news! I was a bit worried since we haven’t heard from you in a while. Your pictures make me want to hop on a plane! Good for you to conquer your fears and walk across the bridge – and lucky for us that you did! I wish you luck finding work so you can stay and post more beautiful images.
Ahoy there Janis! If you ever want to hop on a plane, there is alway room for you and your hubby aboard Amandla! Thank you so much for your support and compliments. I am actually getting quite keen on the Plan B. I am sad to leave Sydney but I am looking forward to seeing more of Australia’s East Coast as we sail up and over to Darwin. I am also sad to bypass Vanuatu and The Solomons but I am really excited to see Indonesia and head to Asia. I know it is time to move on when I don’t want to leave.
Good news about the Captain- it makes the struggle with chemo worth it! Those blue mountains are gorgeous- giving me wanderlust! Congrats on walking over that bridge. I think bridges are beautiful, but they always scare me. I used to drive over the Mississippi River every day for years and I loved the view but hated the bridge!
One of my favorite sailing memories was sailing on a windjammer in Maine and we crossed under a bridge-the 19 year old mate climbed up and lowered the tip of the mast and we scaled under by inches. it was very exciting and everyone cheered- including people on the bridge and in other boats!
OMG how I wish I had been on that Windjammer or on the bridge when the Windjammer sailed under it! That would have been totally cool.
Thank you so much for your support and compliments Michele. Greatly appreciated. Coming over to your place now
Can I reach you by phone, my friend? I’d love to catch up with live voice, but I owe you a good long email nonetheless. You are so often in my thoughts.
You can. I am lisa.dorenfest on Skype if you’d like to chat. Would be nice to catch up.
It’s great to hear that The Captain is responding well to the chemo.
The Unicorn and Rainbow photo is stunning. Love the shadows.
Good luck with the job hunt. One ocean at a time. Quite!
Thank you! It was the BEST NEWS EVER. And I am delighted that you liked the Unicorn and Rainbow photo. How are things with you?
Good health including mental health and inner peace are priceless.
The lyrics, Give me one moment in time sung by Whitney Houston fits the occasion.
Looking forward to hearing about your journey to the East. Food, glorious food?
Indeed!
And that in itself, lifting anchor to move on, just fills me with green envy and so much happiness for you as you embark on the next journey! I am sure you will give it a try at the time right for you! (Had to paste in this comment, it wouldn’t let me from my blog)…in response to your comment about you owing me a SUP sesh.
Beautiful water fall.
Thank you Karen Kaylen! Mother Nature delivers again 🙂
Such a positive post, Lisa. Happy to hear that The captain is doing so well. Love your photos. Your sightseeing yielded some beautiful images. Well done on crossing the bridge on foot. 🙂 xx
You are lovely to say so Sylvia. We are certainly delighted by The Captain’s unexpected good news. Hoping to get in a bit more sight seeing before we sail off from Sydney, but now we are in passage preparation mode which is taking most of our time. Health permitting, we plan to start sailing northward on May 1.
Super Glad to hear that the Captain’s is doing well. I hope you find a job whether it be in Australia or somewhere else. I think you can leave the climb–you need a reason to come back??? Loved the photos! You are really improving–keep it up. Everyone had such beautiful nature shots on their blogs recently–makes me want to go somewhere.
Thank you so very much for your well wishes and generous compliments. I hope you have lots of nature in your future. I’d love to see what images you would capture.
Keeping my fingers crossed for you and Captain that everything will work out well. Stunning pictures indeed!
Thank you so much for your prayers and your kind feedback. Both greatly appreciated.
Good for the Cap’! Onward everyone!
Thank you for your support and good wishes Allan!
Wow! took forever to find the bottom of this list Lisa! Wonderful pic’s!! I hope you can find a job but the trip to Indonesia sounds a lot better! Just be safe!
Cheers!
T.
? I think the trip to Indonesia sounds better too! Thank you for your generous compliments on the photos❣
All is SO possible! You just need a little love and faith in each other… see, dreams almost come true 🙂 Doing a happy dance up and down our stairs for you! Oh, my aching calves 🙂 🙂 Super, super photos, Lisa! Love that secret garden. I need me a view like that! Or the Blue Mountains. I remember Jude going there on her visit. Happy sailing sweetheart!
How ’bout it Jo – dreams do come true (albeit with a couple of caveats/twists/turns). Thank you so much for the compliments on the photos. I thought of you when visiting the secret garden and The Blue Mountains. Both perfect places for your ‘Monday Walk’ but I sadly ran out of time 🙁
Great news about the treatment.
Glad you went to the top of the South Pylon of the Bridge for the views. The Bridge climb is not too scary. Those are very wide steps and arches. You couldn’t fall down them if you tried. 😉
The news was a blessing indeed Dragon. We are now busily preparing for our Singapore journey so I may not have time for that Bridge Climb (???) but your words make it seem less scary and keep it in the realm of possibility for me.
I am happy to read the positive progress on your side, Lisa! I wish speedy recovery and continuously strength for the Captain. I hope you will find the job soon but sailing to Singapore via Indonesia sounds really appealing!
Wonderful images! Why not making a coffee table book of your images in this between jobs period? I feel like I speak it to myself too, I have been trying to do so but I haven’t managed to complete one 😀
Thank you for the well wishes Indah. The chemo is now done. He has five radio treatments coming up to remove a suspicious nodule but the doctors said The Captain should be good to sail away on May 1. We have all but decided to head to Singapore at this point and we are both SO excited. We may have your beloved Ambon in our future. Passage planning to be finalized by July. Need to focus on getting to Darwin first.
And I love your idea of a coffee table book! I’m going to have a look into that.
PS – Thank you for your kind compliment on the images ?
Lisa, your photos are amazing! I especially love the one on the bridge with the girl with the balloons. Stunning! Well done on conquering your fears and getting across (and up!). That’s great news about the Captain. Good luck with the job hunting or sailing on – it all sounds good!
Thank you for the lovely compliment on the photos Heather. That girl on the bridge was like the universe saying to me ‘come on up, you’ll be just fine’. Once I had street photo opportunities to distract me, I never looked back. With The Captain now done with chemo and only 5 rounds of (minor) radiotherapy to go, the doctors have given us the thumbs up to sail onward from May 1…Singapore here we come. So excited.
Thank you for sharing the great news with us, Lisa! 🙂 Amazing photo captures!
Thank you for your support and compliments Amy! Greatly appreciated ?
I was in Sydney years ago, and didn’t know you could climb that bridge. I would have loved that!! That SUE…she’ll have you climbing Everest if you listen to her too long.
Let me guess: you leave every morning, and tell the Captain you’re going job hunting, but you sit in Starbucks for a few hours, and return without a job offer.
Ha! Actually, my failure to land a role was a mixture of management changes, hiring freezes, hiring from within, engagement letters not being signed, term, scope, fit, visa status, holidays (apparently, Australia only works between March and November), and possibly one employer who didn’t get how awesome I am. But in the end, the disappointment of not finding a role turned out to be a blessing because Amandla is headed to Singapore – 48 degrees and a few minutes of longitude closer to my circumnavigation goal. Yay me!
I’ve been trying for over two hours to respond from my site…now I’m on yours. This is what I’ve been trying to send (we’ll see if goes from here???)
Wait. Wait. How could anyone not get how awesome you are, even in a short interview? I don’t get it. But, it feels right to me that you are back in the sea, and headed toward your 360!!! Would your choice be south around Africa, or the Suez Canal? The canal is very expensive isn’t it?
OK…looks like it went…looks like it’s my site that has an issue with your site??? You must be a Capricorn?
? I am a Cancer ♋️
? Really, it’s true, I am awesome. But the universe had other plans for me (yay universe✨). My preference would be the Suez but piracy makes South Africa the better option right now. But then who knows what the future holds
Love the photos especially the Rainbows and Unicorn one.
Ha ha you couldn’t pay me a million bucks to climb that bridge!
Thank you so much Peta for your lovely compliment. Sorry for my delayed response. It has been a whirlwind of activity here lately as we are preparing the boat for our next long sailing adventure. In the end, our business has given me a good excuse to avoid the bridge climb ???
You continue to be an inspiration, Lisa. I have to single out the photo of bridge with selective editing. Well done! Sending best wishes and warm hugs your way. (see you Sunday 🙂 )
Wishes, hugs, and compliments received and welcome Paula! Looking forward to Sunday ?
So inspiring… 🙂
Thank you Drake! We are so happy with the way the story is unfolding!
What a fantastic post and wonderful photos. My husband always says that once we’ve put the kids through school he wants to sell up, buy a boat and live a simpler lifestyle! We’ll see.
Well I certainly hope that a boat is in your future. It is the best way to travel….wherever you go, you are home. And in the Pacific, there are tons of families sailing about and home schooling their children. The boat kids we meet are the most mature, well educated, and open minded children I have ever met.
Wow Lisa, so much happening for you and your wonderful Captain . . .. onwards and upwards with all best wishes. Look forward to keeping up with your adventures and more great shots, wherever you are!
Thank you Patti for your support and compliments. Crazy busy here at the moment preparing to set sail but looking forward to new adventures!
The composition of the “It’s Unicorns And Street Rainbows For The Crew Of Amanda” photo is just fantastic. The light and shadows and how they play in the photo is just wonderful.
? Thank you! Initially, I was disappointed that the shadows were blocking the full view of the mural but in the end, the shadows were what made the image ?