Journey Jottings

“Up at 7.30. Another fine day with good breeze. Did from 8 to 10 knots all day. Had another bed making day which must last for some time now as it is too hot a job to be done often. I find that last voyage ...

“Fishing all the morning for Joey. Salt junk for dinner; the cook says eating this is very much like kissing one’s sister, very tame work & not much flavour. Today they had the donkey-engine alight to make some fresh water, as that which was remaining was very rusty. ...

“Up at 5.30 for a cold bath; after which Arthur & I took a hand at the pumps while the men washed down the poop. To-day we all miss the familiar cry of “Please to remember the 5th of November”. I ...

“Up at 7.30. Still a calm & very hot. In the afternoon we sighted a French mail “steamer” (the only one during the voyage) & nine other vessels, also a shark & a whale.

DISCOVER: THE TAMBORINE RAINFOREST SKYWALK AND ECO CENTRE at Tamborine Mountain, Queensland, Australia. A new eco-adventure exploring the beautiful rainforest canopies and habitat in a different and thrilling way.

“Joey and the second mate have been amusing themselves by throwing pailfuls of water over each other as their clothes were too dry so that these two young parties are slightly damp. Peter (our cat & ...

She is going to Sydney but we could not make out her name for she is not on the books, being a new ship most likely. Joey trying to catch birds by hook & has at last succeeded in catching 2 which made a capital meal for the cats. Had another rainwater bath this evening. Bed at 11”

“Up at 7 & find our companion still in the neighbourhood (about 4 miles off) & during the day 2 more were sighted so that we have plenty of company. Arthur has been making a net all day to catch his fish in but I’m afraid he will not land much in them it. ...

“Up at 5.30 for a cold bath which was OK. Plenty of fishing but no fish. Spoke the vessel we sighted on Tuesday & with the following results. She is the ‘Roxburgshire’ of Glasgow 929 tons (flag No. for the same is PLDF) from Cardiff (BDWL) for Zanzibar (BKQR) 22 days out (WBN).

“Up at 7 for a cold bath which is the best thing we get on board. After breakfast Arthur began a new trade that of washing his dirty clothes of which he did a goodish quantity. However he found it rather warm work. ...

“Another fine day but we are not making much headway as the wind is contrary. Made a raid on a small nest of cockers & demolished the lot. We are saving some to send to England as they are fine specimens about one and a half to 2 inches long.

The sun is getting very hot & it is now as hot as on any day we had during the summer. I have left off my coat & collar & if it continues to get much hotter I shall go about in bathing drawers only. ...

Judy Baypungala | Wurlaki people NT b.1941 | Circular mat (detail) 2004 | Twined pandanus palm leaf with natural dyes | 307cm (diam.) | Purchased 2005. Queensland Art | Gallery Foundation Grant | Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | &copy Judy Baypungala 2004. ...