Kindle Edition Amazon Voyage of a Lifetime Bookdepository FC Productions Category:  Family Publisher: FC Productions ISBN-10:  1925023915 Type: Non-Fiction Pages: 286 Copyright: Aug 21, 2013 ISBN-13: 9781925023916 Price: $5.00 (eBook) True account of truck driver and his family who sailed from England to Australia in an old fishing boat. When they left England they had little or no knowledge of sailing or navigation. Voyage of a Lifetime is the authentic account of a sea voyage from Southampton, England, to Fremantle in Western Australia, as told to the author by Don Caisley. The voyage was undertaken by one man and his family, none of whom had any previous experience of sailing, navigation or the sea. The man, Donald Caisley, purchased an old North Sea trawler – more commonly known as an MFV or Motor Fishing vessel, and spent a full year renovating and fitting it out. During which time he sold his one man trucking business and his house and contents. Don, his Italian born wife Lena, eldest son Peter and young son Jonathan set out from Southampton on May 18th 1973, and arrived in Fremantle one year later - almost to the day, after more excitement and adventure than most people would experience in a lifetime. The voyage took them first to Falmouth, via Weymouth and Brixham, for a trial run of the crew and the trawler. From Falmouth to Oporto in Portugal they sailed, then to Gibraltar, Casablanca and the Canary Islands. Across the Atlantic Ocean to Trinidad, Grenada and on to La Guaira in Venezuela, then to Cartagena in Colombia, through the Panama Canal to Esmereldas in Equador. From Esmereldas to the Galapagos Islands, then to the South Sea islands of Marquesas, Tahiti and Raratonga and on to Auckland, New Zealand. The first Australian landfall was at Eden in New South Wales, then around the coast of Australia to Queenscliff, Portland, Albany and finally, their destination in Fremantle. Through fair weather and storms they sailed on - although many people with knowledge of the sea and sailing had said they were crazy and would never complete the voyage. The family's trust in Don never wavered, although disaster came very close to ending the venture on several occasions. After their arrival in Western Australia, the trawler was sold and the family settled down in Perth. Don is now an Australian citizen and although he swears he would never make such a voyage again, is glad he came to Australia the way he did. Excerpt That night as Lena made her way to the upper deck to do the middle watch, an incident occurred that she will never forget. The seas were mountainous, and Beth was plunging around like something tormented. As Lena opened the hatch to get to the upper deck, rain and wind driven sea spray whipped at her face, causing her to duck for cover momentarily. The wind was screaming through the rigging and Lena hooked her harness around her waist - as soon as she was out on the upper deck the harness would have to be clipped to the lifeline Don had rigged. Before she had time to secure the harness to the lifeline, a gust of wind whipped her off her feet and blew her along the deck towards the stern! Was this to be the end of the voyage for Lena - being washed overboard in the middle of the night? It had happened so quickly. Lena uttered a short scream as she was swept along the deck, but the sound was lost in the raging of the wind and was not heard by any of the crew.

Voyage of a Lifetime
Have just finished reading the wonderful 'Voyage of a Lifetime', just wanted to let you know that I absolutely loved it! So interesting, light & easy to read as well as being a wealth of information. I love a true story and this is most definitely now one of my favorites, can't wait to start reading your children's books with my son tonight.
Thank you for writing such inspiring books. Looking forward to the next one.
Emma A NSW Australia

Knights of Bonalla Vol One
I bought this book after seeing the author at the library doing a book launch for the third book in the series. It Is a marvelous old fashioned adventure story, about two boys who discover so many things in the course of the book. What I particularly liked about it is that they rely on their knowledge, and if they do not know something, they research it and keep trying until they achieve their goals.
Its so refreshing to read a new book with all these qualities, which sadly seem to be lacking today.
I really enjoyed reading the book to my young grandsons, who may yet be still too young to appreciate all of it, but will in time,apart from loving the illustrations enjoy reading about these adventurous boys. I absolutely recommend it to anyone with children/grandchildren, as a lovely way to keep your child's imagination alive..
I am looking forward to reading the other two books in the series now, and aim to set the time aside to retreat into my own boyhood.

John L Mildura Vic Australia

Knights of Bonalla Vol One
I read this book to my daughter when she was just 9 years old and she remembers it to this day. A great fictional story about Lee and his mate Brad doing typical boy things like building a billy cart and riding Bmx bikes. They also find themselves in a very unusual circumstance that they have to keep a secret despite there enemies trying to find out and them wishing they could tell their parents. Paul England has captured not only my daughter’s imagination but also my own leaving us with many bedside discussions after each chapter. I love that the book is written in a proper well mannered way always making Paul a very trusted Author on my children’s bookshelf.

Shannon W Hoppers Crossing VIC Australia