On Thu, 24 Jul 2003 15:19:56 +1000, Oz1
wrote:


Time to get yourself lottery ticket my boy!

No need. Every day I spend doing the job I wanted, living in the place
I wanted to live, going to sea every year and sailing whenever I have
time, as far as I'm concerned I've won the only lottery I care about.

Good for you Pete.
But when ya pick 4 outta 4 you're on a winner, maybe some extra cash
would help you buy a boat of your own instead of using someone elses
ship.

Got one. Bought a small old daysailer to play with; it's parked on my
front yard here in Tas, 50m from the tideline next to the kayaks. I've
got the cash for anything up to a 40 foot cruiser, what I don't have
is the time to use one. 2 of my workmates and 4 of my neighbours have
cruising yachts on moorings out the front of my place, or round the
corner at Kettering. I know how frequently they go sailing. Another
few years and I'll buy. Can't see the point in having a cruising yacht
that sits on its mooring 48 weeks of the year. Not as though boats are
an appreciating investment.

Ships are.... different. I don't like being at sea with engines
running 24/7, constant noise from the air plant and diesel smell.
However, I do like being at sea and working in odd corners of the
planet. Nobody is going to get a yacht of any description down the
eastern side of the Mertz Glacier, or into the western side polynya in
midwinter, for example. So - they pay me to play and when it gets old
- I'll buy my yacht and have the time to sail it where & when I
please. Everything's a tradeoff and I'm content with the ones I've had
to make. More money would be nice, but I don't really care.

Peter Wiley