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Lexington - Restoration Island and David Glasheen



We met a couple in the Marlin Bar on Lizard Island. As usual they had recommendations for us. Actually another couple had seen our buddy boat (Cesarina, classic look) elsewhere and alerted the next couple to keep an eye out for us. That couple recognized the boat at Lizard Island and struck up a conversation. In doing so, they recommended stopping at Restoration Island to meet a friend of theirs called Dave Glasheen, who likes to entertain visitors. From that information Cesarina and Lexington headed out for an overnight sail to Restoration Island where we met up with Dave. We had excellent wind and sailing. Dave and his dingo met us on the beach and entertained us for the next several hours. He is a non stop talker. He jumps from subject to subject with extreme ease. He and a partner, with whom he does not get along, have a lease on the island. They have big plans. Dave wants to create a resort for people who need mental health care and non conventional medicine. The partner wants to make it look good for an investor and sell out for a big profit. From Dave's side that it is very complicated with numerous lawyers, Australian government and the aboriginal people involved in what will eventually happen and who has what rights to the island. Dave is 74 year old yesterday. He has been there about 20 years. By his story he lost 10 million dollars in the downturn of the stock market in 1997. His wife left him and he has been happier ever since. He has big plans on everything he wants for the island when he gets rid of his partner. He wants to put a wind generator on top of the hill behind the beach to power everything. He wants to put in a gondola to the top of the hill and cottages off to the sides hidden in the trees. He wants to cater to people who need "restoration ". He wants to dig a 175 foot deep well that would give him access to an unlimited source of water that comes from Papua New Guinea. To fund all this he is in contact with numerous wealthy people with whom he would like to partner. He says he has a publicist. He says he has had and will have more documentary film crews coming to his island to help publicize his plan. He says he recently had the top 20 executives from McDonalds having a retreat sleeping in tents on the island for 10 days while flying in people by helicopter. He has satellite and cell internet access. We had a pleasant and unbelievable visit with Dave. Emma and Karen brought rice, salad makings, makings for a curry sauce for the prawns that Dave provided. I collected oysters from the exposed rocks at low tide. We brought beer and rum. We cooked all this over an open fire in a nice fire pit that Dave has. The food turned out great. We brought a candle and brownies for Dave's birthday. He had a bottle of champagne for the celebration. I can attest we had no weed or mushrooms. We did not even drink that much. We will strive to learn the real story. The only thing I believe for sure is when he says he is happier since his wife left. That is a very understandable thing to say even if it is just a rationalization. I will send photos. The first is of Dave's permanent friends in his home.  The next photo is our group gathered with Dave in his entertainment area near the beach. The next photo is the fire pit.  May fair winds fill your sails with unbelievable adventures, no pun intended!




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