Last Hundred Posts

(If you want to see everything back to 2013, check out this archive).

• Tassie Men’s Shed Winter newsletter
  Read it >>here<< . As always lots of interesting (and varied) news beautifully curated by Wendy.
• Pasta, pizza, polenta for Monday night
  Yes, it is back to the Med for culinary inspiration. Bring your favourite dish, something to drink and $5 for the kitty. See you after 6pm Pic from Wikimedia
• Ocean’s birthday party
  Tom Davidson writes: ‘Dearest LBT’ers I’d like to extend a really warm and genuine thank you for enabling us to host our daughter’s birthday at the LBT. The fruits of the foreshore were all on offer as Mark warmed our bones with a bonfire, and children took delight from mixing with friends enjoying party games,… Read more: Ocean’s birthday party
• South Ozy June news
  Read ‘Crows Nest’, the newsletter of the South Australian Wooden Boat Association, >>here<<. Lots of good practical advice as well as history, gossip about the latest events and advertisements. There is an Oughtred Fulmar for sale which would be a great Raid boat.
• Monday night dinner British Nosh
  Let’s make it tucker from the British Isles this coming Monday. There is fair range of geography – from John O’Groats to Lands End (further if you count the islands) – and the cooks should be able to find a recipe in there somewhere. Come around 6pm with $5 and something to drink.
• Presidents aren’t just for presiding
  On Tuesday JP got stuck into fixing the copper sheet protecting the keel of Nancy.
• If you can’t find it at Vinnies
  Peter Laidlaw was perusing his collection of charts and noticed that ‘Provisions and Clothing Depots are established at Iles de Kergalen, Ile St Paul and Ile Amsterdam’. For directions speak to those who attended the recent screening of ‘The Great White Whale’ expedition to Heard Island.
• Latest from the AWBF
  Read the newsletter from the Australian Wooden Boat Festival >>here<< . A big feature is >>Pecha Kucha<<, a storytelling seminar from people like Cody Horgan from the Wooden Boat Centre.
• For the Iain Oughtred fans
  That would be all of us, wouldn’t it? Looks like a nice article in the most recent Wooden Boat Magazine – read the first part of it >>here<<. Pic from Wooden Boat Magazine
• Suffering for the cause
  The team taking Nancy down to the slip made the most of the occasion.
• Minutes for June Committee Meeting
  View the minutes >>here<<.
• End of month BBQ
  Yes, it has come around again, and aren’t we all glad? Bring something to sizzle for yourself, something to share, something to drink and $5 for the kitty after 6.30 pm.
• What’s going on with Viking?
  One minute Basil was happily looking after her on the verandah, the next she was wallowing in the reeds. No need for concern: it is all part of the Tuesday group’s grand plan. After Gavin and the team had stripped her out she was lifted onto the trailer and taken down to the water so… Read more: What’s going on with Viking?
• LBT in the water
  Well it will be if these high tides get any worse. We’ll need to take to the boats. It was duck time down at the campground.
• Kate on Windeward Bound
  Kate Hoorweg is the cook on Windy’s current voyage. She writes Pip and I have been having a wonderful adventure on Windeward Bound! We met on board for the third leg of the long voyage, from Brisbane to Gladstone, with a crew of ten and 15 youth sail trainees. The weather and the seas were… Read more: Kate on Windeward Bound
• Knot tying workshop with Ed 5pm Monday July 7
  Come before dinner to participate in this workshop with Ed Wykeman. To register complete >>this form<<. Loading… Pic from >>animated knots<<
• Clouds
  These long, cold evenings summon us to the fireside to enjoy a Patrick O’Brien novel and a good port. To leaven this alluring combination with some more practical on the water reading Andy Ritchie recommends >>Marine Meteorology: Clouds – Reading the Sky for Safer Sailing<< . If you like your information presented as a video… Read more: Clouds
• Peter Laidlaw and the sea
  The artificial intelligence people have been putting out demos to show off their chops. An example is this one >>here<<, called The Sailor and the Sea. The question is, did they sample Peter for the audio track?
• Monday night solstice dinner
  It might not be exactly the date, but near as dammit. We are thinking hearty soups and breads, stews and mulled wine, with hot puds to finish up. See you after 6pm, and don’t forget the usual $5 for the kitty.
• LBT’ers at large column
  When we last heard from Jen and John Avery they were at Triabunna waiting for a weather window. Sounds like they got it. Jen writes: We left from Schouten island last Wednesday & had an excellent run all the way up the east coast. The southerly then lightened up a lot & so in the… Read more: LBT’ers at large column
• Concert at the Palais June 27
  Life on Land’s Edge, 7:30pm – 8:45pm The Bowerbird Collective | Simone Slattery (violin/vocals, PhD, Churchill Fellow) & Anthony Albrecht (cello, The Juilliard School) From the creators of Where Song Began (***** Limelight Magazine) & Songs of Disappearance (#2 on the ARIA Charts), this performance takes you on an epic journey alongside migratory birds as they connect continents and… Read more: Concert at the Palais June 27
• Some of the work on Tuesday
  Sue works on the new washboards for Shannon. Dennis sharpens a scraper for working on the boards. Keith makes a strap for reinforcing a broken rudder. Phil and Des maneuver the new wood trolley into place.
• Sailing down wind
  Some good thoughts on how to prevent accidental jibes etc at Southern Wooden Boat Sailing. Read them >>here<<. We particularly paid attention to the discussion of preventers, and how to stop them causing more trouble than they are worth.
• Monday night Mediterranean meal
  There is a nautical expression to describe almost any weather condition, and ‘brass monkey’ has to be the most apposite for what we are experiencing in Franklin as we approach the winter solstice. Let’s have a hearty Mediterranean meal to help us through. Bring your spag bol (or whatever) after 6pm with something to drink… Read more: Monday night Mediterranean meal
• Windeward Bound in Bundaberg
  The electricals gave up on Windeward Bound off the Queensland coast, and she suffered the ignominy of being towed in. Fortunately they had Kate cooking for them (with Pip Stevenson as galley hand), so things weren’t too grim as they dealt with all of this.
• Lady Dot
  Lady Dot is sitting in Peter’s workshop ready for a bit of tender loving care. Pics supplied by Morgan Flower
• Thanks from the sailors
  Ed Wykeman writes: Great job by someone in repairing and restoring rudder arrangement for Huon Harmony. Thanks from the sailors.
• Concreting the floor of the Shed
  The LBT has won a grant from the Tas Men’s Shed Association to concrete the floor. See >>attached<<. Thank you to the Shedders, and congratulations to the grant writers – JP and Andy Ritchie. This is obviously going to create a fair bit of disruption in the short term before we can enjoy the benefits… Read more: Concreting the floor of the Shed
• Knot tying refresher Saturday June 14
  Ed Wykeman writes: ‘I am proposing a knot-tying refresher at LBT Saturday 14th June 10-11.30. Bring morning tea. Will cover essential knots, bends and hitches. Confirm attendance with text to me on 0407470562. ‘ If you want to practise before coming along we have always found >>Animated Knots<< to be useful.
• LBT members at large column
  Martin and Deb aren’t messing around looking at the famously pretty mountains of Slovenia: they are down at the harbour checking out the boats.
• Derwent Raider
  Roger Corrie writes: I have recently acquired a Derwent Raider which is almost complete save for the rudder, centreboard, foot braces for rowing and the mast step.I was hoping that you may be able to help me acquire the plans to complete the boat as Alan would have intended.Kind regardsrogercorrie@me.com0403115242 (The Derwent Raider is a… Read more: Derwent Raider
• Oz Skiff news June 2025
      Read the SASCRAA newsletter >>here<<. Lots of good events around Australia (and the world) to be part of.
• Requesting space on the LBT pontoon
  The LBT pontoon is doing a great job of storing some of our fleet, but there is still some space available for members to use if they need to do work on their boats. In the pic below David Pittaway can be seen to be taking advantage of this – ‘Olga’, the white motorboat, is… Read more: Requesting space on the LBT pontoon
• Monday night Pie night
  Due to unprecedented demand (from Henk) this coming Monday will be a PIE NIGHT. There is a vast range to choose from – spanakopita to apple. Bring yours to share, along with something to drink and $5 for the kitty after 6pm.
• Committee May meeting minutes
  Read them >>here<<.
• AWBF News: the Quick and Dirty
  Nice article from Ian Johston in this latest edition of the news from the Australian Wooden Boat Festival: read it >>here<<. .
• What’s Jack doing over at the WBC?
  If you guessed, looking at the picture below, you might say making fancy lampshades, but you would be wrong. We could allow more guesses but suspect coming up with the right answer is beyond most of us. What we are looking at are buoys designed to measure the flow of Antarctic pack ice. In action… Read more: What’s Jack doing over at the WBC?
• Haute cuisine anglaise on Monday night
  Bring your best British dish to share, something to drink and $5 for the kitty. After 6pm.
• BBQ Monday coming up
  Last Monday of the month and we all know what that means. Bring something for the hotplate, something to share, something to drink and $5 for the kitty. See you after 6pm.
• Plain English Workshop 11th June
  Lucy Whitehead writes: “I’m reaching out to circle back and strongly encourage you to leverage the opportunity to touch base at GeCo on June 11th, where we’ll be aligning synergies and drilling down on clear communication at our value-added 26Ten Plain English Workshop.” Or she might have written: “I do hope you will consider coming… Read more: Plain English Workshop 11th June
• Fair winds Neil Easson
  Neil came along to Monday night dinner to bid us farewell. He and Katy are headed back to NSW, family and warmer climes up around Lake Macquarie just south of Newcastle. All we can say is dang! Neil has been a great contributor and friend to the LBT, particularly to the Skiff program. And Katy… Read more: Fair winds Neil Easson
• Singin’ in the Rain at the Palais
  Step into the dazzling world of Singin’ in the Rain, a timeless 1952 musical comedy that bursts with joy, romance, and unforgettable performances. 
• Monday curry night dinner
  Do you put the Garam Marsala in when you start cooking the meal, or at the end? Come to Monday night dinner to discuss this and other fascinating topics. Also bring your dish to share, something to drink and $5 for the kitty. After 6pm
• ‘Where are they now?’ column
  Pip Stevenson is on Windward Bound in Darling Harbour, ‘deliriously happy to be alive after first ascent of lower mast‘. He is second mate for the next stage of the voyage.
• Ben’s knots
  Ben the knot man has been doing some lovely work for people – this on the pulpit of David Hart’s Bradypus.
• Leeuwin II
  Those of us who attended ‘The Great White Whale‘ movie about an early expedition to Heard Island learnt how one of the crew members was so inspired that he went on to found the sailing training organisation that built and runs Leeuwin II in Western Australia – see >>here<<. Last August Leeuwin II was dismasted… Read more: Leeuwin II
• Men’s Shed News
  Get the latest edition >>here<<. All sorts of interesting stories – no two Sheds are the same so there is a great variety of activity. One not so good bit of news that was announced is that the Carbatec Shop in Hobart is closing down. Dang!
• Monday night dinner: British nosh
  We all enjoyed our carbonara and tiramisu last Monday, but it did mean that we missed our usual British nosh, so we will remedy the situation this week before there are complaints. Bring along your pommy dish, $5 and something to drink after 6pm. The other thing that should be said about last Monday’s dinner… Read more: Monday night dinner: British nosh
• Southern Lights from Franklin
  Tom Davidson took the attached picture.
• News from Bert van Baar
  Friend of the Living Boat Trust Bert van Baar was with us whilst he supervised a team building a boat at the WBC in 2016-17, and since then has entertained a steady stream of Tasmanian visitors at his home in the Netherlands. One of Bert’s stock stories is that the first industrial revolution (at least… Read more: News from Bert van Baar
• Monday night dinner: Carbonara and Tiramisu
  A ‘leftovers’ dinner coming up – but a special one. Matt Gogarty and Deb van Velsen deliberately over catered for the Anzac Day celebrations so that we can use Monday night as a fund raiser for Legacy. Carbonara and Tiramisu! Who could ask for more? Come along with $20 and a bottle, but no need… Read more: Monday night dinner: Carbonara and Tiramisu
• April News from AWBF
  Read their newsletter >>here<<, featuring the Japanese contribution to the Festival.
• ‘The Great White Whale’ showing May 4th
  Our movie correspondent got all confused and advertised this Palais show for July the 4th (USA on the brain?). We have docked their pay. The bare details are show up at 6pm for a 6.30 start, bring a plate and $5. For more see www.franklinmovies.org
• Palais movie: The Great White Whale 4th May
  Nothing to do with Captain Ahab, Moby Dick, ‘they call me Ishmael’ and all that, but rather Heard Island with the largest mountain in Australian Territory, snow covered and looming out of the ocean. This is the story of an expedition which went there by yacht with a team intent on climbing that mountain (‘Big… Read more: Palais movie: The Great White Whale 4th May
• Monday night BBQ
  End of month BBQ coming up. Time to dig out that old Women’s Weekly cookbook for inspiration. See you after 6pm with something to share, something to drink, something for the hotplate and $5 for the kitty.
• Another Swallows and Amazons boat
  If you are a fan of the ‘Swallows and Amazons’ books then the LBT has the boats for you. Our Grebes are, according to >>The Boats of Swallows and Amazons<<, a good ‘average’ between the Swallow and the Amazon. There is, however, a new pretender on the block, the ‘Norfolk Urchin’, and Matt Conboy has… Read more: Another Swallows and Amazons boat
• SASCRAA Newsletter
  SASCRAA is the St Ayles Skiff Rowing Association of Australia, and Marguerite Porte has forwarded their newsletter which can be read >>here<<. There is a very full calendar of upcoming events, several of which may interest LBT members.
• Draft minutes for April Committee meeting
  Read them >>here<<.
• Jess and Matt to the rescue
  Shannon lost her jib halyard at the Dover Regatta, and somebody had to get up that mast. Jess Wardell was on hand, with Matt to do the hauling. Job done. Pic from Endra O’May
• Anzac Day Friday 25th April
  Dawn service (6am) at the Franklin War Memorial opposite the Palais. Breakfast afterwards. The Progress Association has organised a couple of ‘Anzac’ films to be shown during the day, starting 3pm. “Beneath Hill 60” (M) and “Kokoda” (M) will be screened. Beneath Hill 60: In 1916, the 1st Australian Tunnelling Company is tunnelling beneath German fortifications… Read more: Anzac Day Friday 25th April
• Monday night curry night
  Yippee! Curry night has come around again. If you want to bring dessert don’t feel obliged to add pepper, but there is a recipe for curry ice cream on the interweb >>here<<. There has been a request to start a little earlier at 6.30pm, so let’s try that. See you after 6pm with your plate… Read more: Monday night curry night
• Message from the Australian Wooden Boat Festival
  Paul Stephanus writes: Dear Living Boat Trust, I wanted to thank you one last time for your participation at the 2025 Australian Wooden Boat Festival. It was a such a joy to see people from across Australia, the Pacific, and the World come together to celebrate our shared maritime heritage. The atmosphere was overwhelmingly positive… Read more: Message from the Australian Wooden Boat Festival
• Reminder: Dover Regatta 18th-20th April
  From the Port Esperance Yacht Club: Join us for the Easter weekend in Dover! For more details see https://pesc.com.au/regatta-2025/
• Agenda for April Committee Meeting
  Read it >>here<<.
• April Crows Nest
  This is the newsletter of the Wooden Boat Association of South Australia. They, like us, are big ‘river’ and estuary sailors, but the Murray and Coorong are a bit different to the Huon. They are very active – read all about it >>here<<.
• The LBT needs a secretary
  If so,… Please Email J-P Scheerlinck: president@lbt.org.au or Phone J-P Scheerlinck: 0402 584 108
• Monday night dinner: Mediterranean
  Ah the call of sun and blue waters when late autumn gloom is descending. Let’s at least choose a cuisine to remind us of those happy things – a meal cooked to recipes from the Mediterranean. Bring your dish, a bottle (Chianti, Retsina?), and $5 for the kitty. See you at the Shed after 6pm.
• Huon Valley Community Survey
  Lisa Plohl from Huon Valley Council writes: ‘We have teamed up with expert consultants .ID to conduct the survey which will help us better understand what is important to our community.  Your responses will directly inform Council decisions about services and projects. After the survey, we’ll share the results through .ID’s online platform, complete with clear reports… Read more: Huon Valley Community Survey
• Minutes for March LBT Committee Meeting
  Read them >>here<<.
• Nancy’s Wheel
  Nancy’s wheel looks suitably Cap’n Sparrow and once it gets in the hands of our younger passengers it is sometimes hard to get it back. The patina of age is part of the appeal but we don’t need any further deterioration. Jen Avery has solved the issue with a very suitable cover which also protects… Read more: Nancy’s Wheel
• Nancy
  Nancy has been out with different family groups enjoying the last of the autumn weather. We even got a ‘Certificate of Appreciation’.
• Thank you Keith!
  Keith Thomas-Wurth has replaced the broken hand basin in the side toilet. Phew – another very necessary job done, and looks like it will be a big improvement.
• Leofleda
  Read a nice tribute to John and Ruth Young and their boat Leofleda from Sean Hogben in Southern Wooden Boat Sailing >>here<< in the Newsbites column.
• Monday night winter dinner from Pommyland
  The first ‘winter time’ dinner of the year, so lets celebrate with a meal for the colder climes. Lots of recipes to warm us up come from the British Isles so lets try those. See you after 6pm with a dish to share, something to drink and $5 for the kitty.
• Dover Regatta 18th-20th April
  This is one of the big events of the boating calendar in our neck of the woods. There will be keel boat and off the Beach racing, meals available Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, a band Saturday evening, and the bar will be open Friday through Sunday. Endra and Sue intend taking Shannon on the… Read more: Dover Regatta 18th-20th April
• Report from the Glenelg
  Lorrie Harrison writes: A small but enthusiastic group of rowers from the LBT spent last week enjoying the delights of rowing a St Ayles Skiffs in the company of Victorian rowers down the Glenelg River. The Glenelg is very close to the SA border, in fact we even rowed in and out of SA on… Read more: Report from the Glenelg
• More pics from the Glenelg
  Looks like a nice place to be.
• Barbecue coming up Monday evening
  How lucky are we? A long month so another barbecue. Come after 6pm with something to char, something to share and something to drink plus $5 for the kitty.
• Don’t know your gaff from your sprit sail?
  A nice guide to different small boat rigs has just been published by Wooden Boat : read it >>here<<.
• Cartela – what next?
  We have received the following message from the Cartela Trust. ‘After a successful refloating by Hurricane Marine and Elliott’s Cranes, some are asking about the next steps for Cartela. Firstly, the salvage contractors have patched the leaks which caused the water ingress and she has additional pumping capacity. The plan is to prepare Cartela for… Read more: Cartela – what next?
• Cartela lift
  First there was a little jiggle. Then some more. And finally all the way up. Great to see all the slings removed this (Tuesday) evening, and seemingly just a trickle coming from the bilge pump (prostate problems?).
• Expedition to the Glenelg river
  Nell has sent some pics of our rowers and old friends who have been wending their way through this very scenic part of Victoria.
• Cartela rubbernecker
  There are all sorts with their noses jammed up against the safety fence watching the work proceeding on Cartela. Bob Frost spotted this unusual observer. Must have gorged itself on all the salmon being chucked out and come up for a break.
• Photos from John Young’s funeral
  Thanks to Zainab Clark for supplying these. Find many more >>here<<. If you want pictures of John see >>here<<.
• Rowing at the Cygnet Regatta
  Marguerite and Lorrie write: The Port Cygnet Sailing Club held a regatta during the long weekend. Activities included a St Ayles Skiff 5K Rowing Challenge. Living Boat Trust crews participated and won two of the categories: Line Honours for the women’s crew “Legless Ladies” and for “LBTMixed”. Times were 36 minutes and 33.33 minutes respectively.
• Dinner, Monday 24th
  We are coming to the end of daylight saving, so let’s make the most of it and have a BBQ. Bring something for hot plate, a dish to share, something to drink and $5 for the kitty. After 6pm.
• Cartela news
  There has been all sorts of activity putting piles in on the foreshore next to Cartela so that a crane can safely operate there. The plan try to roll Cartela and get her upright next week Monday – Wednesday, which will mean restricted access to our pontoon, which is adjacent.
• Curry night coming up this Monday
  Everybody loves a curry. Bring your favourite one to share and demonstrate why, as well as something to drink and $5 for the kitty. See you after 6pm.
• John Young
  A reminder that the funeral for John is at the Living Boat Trust Shed, Friday 14th March at 2pm. If you can’t make it then you should be able to view it online >>here<<. The pic below is of John with Chris Burke, one of the founders of the LBT. In response to the request… Read more: John Young
• For those doing the First Aid Course
  Remember to turn up at 9.45am (finishing 12.15pm) at Huonville Library with your USI number and a pen and paper. If you are inclined to go faint without morning tea also bring a sandwich. And remember to do the online component of the course BEFORE you come.
• Missed the Wooden Boat Festival?
  Get it all in three minutes >>here<<.
• Some movement on Cartela
  Cartela was still on a precarious angle when the crew rowed past earlier in the week, but a team of divers have started work. One of their jobs (we were told) was to remove all the inflatable life jackets which were still apparently stored on board in case they decided to blow themselves up at… Read more: Some movement on Cartela
• Let’s earn our supper on Monday evening
  The best thing to work up a good appetite is … (playful) work. We need to cleanup the Shed and get the marquee erected for Friday’s funeral. Get there around 5.30pm with your dusting rag and squeegee.
• Festival Survey
  Want your say on how you felt about the Australian Wooden Boat Festival? Spit it out >>here<<.
• Monday night pasta night
  Let’s make it a spaghetti, cannelloni, lasagne, macaroni, ravioli, rigatoni, vermicelli, ziti (etc, etc) meal this week – or something else from the lands around the Mediterranean. Bring a dish to share, something to drink and $5 for the kitty.
• Eight bells John Young
  There is a good obituary for John in Southern Wooden Boat Sailing: read it >>here<<. Just a reminder that John’s funeral service will be held at 2pm on Friday 14th March at the LBT Shed.
• Heads up sailors: Port Cygnet Regatta
  ‘ ‘The Port Cygnet Regatta has been held almost annually for 132 years. It is a celebration of all that has made Cygnet and the Southern reaches of Tasmanian waters so important for both commercial and recreational users from the first years of settlement. ‘ This event will be held over the weekend starting Friday 7th.… Read more: Heads up sailors: Port Cygnet Regatta
• TN25: Matt Conboy video episode 3 and more.
  View the final installment of Matt’s trilogy >>here<<. For other great tn25 videos and reports >>see the TN25 website<<.
• Your help is needed!
  Working Bee on Billie Saturday 8th March Starting 09:30 – morning and afternoon sessions If you can spare any time, at any time of the day on Saturday, especially rowers, turn up at the LBT shed to help out with work to be done on Billie. Please let us know via WhatsApp maintenance group, when… Read more: Your help is needed!
• WhatsApp Photos attempt 2
  Try >>this link<<. Made a mess of the previous one.