Europe

Melissa Yeomans

Funny how life changes

So a few years ago I was happy working two jobs and sailing 3 -4 days a week in Summer and 2 days a week in winter.  Then everything changed.  I got a call that changed my world and went to work for DeckHardware full-time.   It was not long after this that my family made the decision that we would like to purchase DeckHardware and that would change my life for ever.   I would end up working even more jobs to help grow the company and doing more hours and unfortunately have to sell my beautiful Animus so that we could buy more stock and bring in new brands.

As much as I miss the girl she has gone to a flat water home that she deserves after 30 years of hard racing out of Middle Harbour Yacht Club on the sound.  In an easterly she was unbeatable as one of the softer and oldest hulls still racing.   I was so lucky to be the third owner of such an awesome boat and it truly was a privilege to be allowed to drive such a fantastic yacht. It was also a sad day when she left our extended family as back in 2002 with good friends, my father and uncle aboard we had won the Adams 10m Nationals.   It was not long after that I bought her from family friends the Whites.

Owning DeckHardware has changed my life completely.  I have had the chance to travel to Europe multiple times visiting Ireland twice, London three times, Germany twice, Amsterdam Twice and Paris.  I have also had the chance to go to America several times visiting California as well as Washington DC and Annapolis.   I found myself until last year pretty much working 24/7.  Which is how I have found myself sitting here on a beautiful Saturday working away on the laptop instead of being out on the water. Seeing DeckHardware grow and change has been worth it even if it has been one hell of a ride and continues to be.  Along with all the experiences and friends I have made as a result.

I now make sure I do spend time on the water which has reminded me why we bought DeckHardware in the first place and why I love being a part of the Sailing community.

My parents tell me as a kid my personality would change as we approached my grandfathers yacht.  I was lucky growing up as one grandfather had the ocean racer and the other the 1920’s ketch with bowsprit and all which we restored.  The 1920’s yacht Thistle was kept on a mooring and apparently when I would step from the carpark to the grass to row out to the boat I would change completely in personality.  I even worked out how to go Wednesday Sailing for School sport with Adams 10 legend Pat Carroll during my teenage years acting as my coach.

For me I am at home on and near the water.

So sitting here with my laptop looking out at the ocean I better get back to work so I can enjoy it tomorrow…  Enough reminiscing and reminding myself why I push myself and work two jobs.   As my crew who are still in my life always say to me when they help out at Boat Shows and in the warehouse: one day you will own a boat again for us all to go sailing on.

In the meantime I have a pretty awesome company that I believe in and love to work for that needs all my attention to keep growing and I am proud of that.

Melissa Yeomans

Home for now

What an amazing trip. Visiting the rope factory was good for work and getting to see snow was fantastic.

Unfortunately I got sick on the way home thanks to people who were sick on the plane. Very typical really and not a great surprise.

Lots of work to do now to catch up and pay for this holiday. There are plenty of more places in the world I would like to see. I would also like to get back to Ireland as I really only got to see a small piece of a very beautiful country.

Melissa Yeomans

Liros Rope

Well I have arrived here in Germany and spent the day wandering around the Liros factory watching how they make all our rope. There really is a lot that goes into it!

The most exciting part though is the amount of snow and fog. It is also fairly cold but a nice cold unlike Paris which was just windy and very cold.

My last day in Paris was fairly typical of the tourist.. As you will see in the photo.


Melissa Yeomans

Is it snow?

My family and I once did the trip to Canberra to see snow. I know I was young but really do not remember it. So you can imagine my surpise whilst sitting on the train to Versailles I realised it was snowing outside! What made it more exciting was as I got off the train the amount increased and the sky really did look amazing. I never expected to see this in Paris. Of course this made it a little cold and wet wandering around a palace outdoors. Ok more than a little.

Versailles was amazing. Although I must say the gardens were not much after Hampton Court but I guess you can not have everything. The amount of Gold was incredible as was the hall of mirrors. Very cool indeed. Of course whilst you are there you forget to look up at the painted ceilings with all sorts of scenes from history or myth. Just to add to what you are looking at.

Never have I seen so much Gold.

Now if you do not know this place then there is something wrong. The Louvre. I only got a couple of hours to starting wandering this MASSIVE place. Yes that is the best way to describe it.

I managed to spend a bit of time with the Egyptian artifacts as I figure there are way to massive to ever visit Australia. They really are big and heavy some of those stone carvings.

I doubt I will have time but I would love to spend more time here.

Dinner tonight was lovely Brie, Lettuce and Bread. Oh so cheap after paying for the rum last night…

Melissa Yeomans

Paris Day 1

Can you believe I made it to Paris. Yet again I had to deal with a serious plane delay. This time for more oil.. What is with that!Paris is certainly interesting. I’ve managed to get use to the transport but seem to be very good at walking in circles…

Whilst walking in circles I stumbled across an Australian bar which was going to be showing the Australia V France Rugby game. So in I went and found they had Bundy! Yes they had rum which was very exciting as I go to watch the game surrounded by the french drinking rum in Paris. Now that is something I will not forget.

Oh and of course the picture is Notre-Dame. Which to me was not as impressive as Westminster at all.

Melissa Yeomans

METS 2008

What a week and what a day. The trade show is over and we have a few prospects which look ok. The best part of course was meeting Suppliers who I have been dealing with for the last couple of years. That was fantastic. Especially the Forespar guys as I have been talking to Art for years almost weekly. I was amazed at the size of the show as it is just so huge. 7 halls of stuff! So much to see it was amazing and took hours to actually work out how to get around to make sure you see everything. Or at least attempt to see everything.

Today was a nice day as I got to sleep in watching it blow about 40 knots outside then had a nice chat with people on Skype before heading out for the day around midday. Yes it was great to get a full nights sleep finally!

I headed to the post office to send the catalogues back home as they weigh 8 kilos! Yes can you believe it. It was an adventure yet again on the Trams. After around an hours I found the post office which is no-where near Central Station where I am staying. Then I find out that they will only accept Credit Cards from their Country! No I am not kidding! So 50 Euro later… Which is almost 5 cheap bad meals… So all up it took me nearly 2hours to ship back this package to avoid more excess on planes and just carrying it all around.

Then later in the day when I go to get the Canal boat I find that the new credit card which mum got us should be used with a PIN over here so I can not use it at all! Yes I am serious! So my other credit card which I used to pay for things before i left is the one to use… Not much room though…

Today I was seriously cold for the first time. Ireland was bearable but here I am not so sure how they do it. Ireland also has the benefit of being a beautiful place. Today I wore thermals properly for the first time and still I had a bit of a chill. I also wore my musto jacket over a coat to get that extra layer and to cut out the wind. COLD!










Melissa Yeomans

Amsterdam

Well I have left wonderful Ireland to head to the METS trade show. Yes the real reason I flew 24hrs to this side of the world. I was very sad to leave Ireland but it had to be done. There were so many places I wanted to go but never got to. I will just have to go back sometime hopefully soon.

The trade show is amazing. I have never seen anything like it. Unfortunatly Cameras are frowned on so you will all just have to imagine such a very big boat show.

Anyway back to work for me.

Melissa Yeomans

More of Ireland


Blue skies really do happen!


The Beautiful and haunting Kylemore Abbey.

So we are driving along when the car suddenly comes to a sudden halt (just one of many times) so that I can jump out and take a photo of something nearby.


Whilst driving along in this amazing country you can literally almost miss some of the most amazing places. You see a car stop and wonder why then realise what is happening under the bridge is an amazing amount of water rushing past.

The time here seems to be flying bye as there has been so much to see and do. Yesterday I got to see the most amazing sight in amongst the driving we came across one of the lake which looked like polished glass due to no breeze. It was surrounded by mountains and clouds. Looking just stunning as you can see.



Melissa Yeomans

The House

The little house I have mentioned is not actually that little. It is just dwarfed by the hills and water surrounding it. It is a great area. The last few days have been spent in this region and I have really enjoyed that time.

We think this house is actually over a century old.




Melissa Yeomans

The Connemara experience

What a view. I have seriously not known when to stop taking photos and video. It really is beautiful in this area. If it weren’t so cold I could live here very easily. In fact I found a place which I will have to go and take a photo of as it is in the perfect spot. On the water at the bottom of some beautiful hills. It is spectacular. Words can honestly not describe just how amazing this region is. I have also been I believe extremely lucky as we have had sunshine for most of my time here so far. I have even been briefly in short sleeve tops! That was very briefly though.

The connection here is not fantastic so I will have to upload photos at a later stage.