A Boat Builder's Notebook

After surviving the Second World War, and a less than ideal relationship with his father, Christian Menge decided to take himself as far away from that world as possible. Christian's training as a boat builder in post war Germany gave him the skills he needed to survive as he created a new life in Australia, a place where he could do things very much been on his own terms. Christian has often sought solitude but it has always been his strength of character that has seen him through the tough times. His ability to make friends easily and keep true to his word has been invaluable as Christian faced the challenges he met.



As well as being the story of a man displaying a pioneer spirit, this is also a story of adventure. As he moved from one opportunity to the next in a young country, whatever he achieved, he was motivated by a desire to be an honest and good man, and underlying everything, a desire to be self sufficient.



After building up a life on a tiny island far from home, the world gradually pulled him back. After all, no man is an island, even if he lives on one. But despite this he still held on to his dream, of building his own boat, so he could enjoy the one pass time that he loved so much as a young man in Germany: to sail.