Port Jackson

Arrived Sydney heads after another motor boat journey up from Jervis Bay on Thursday and took a berth at CYCA. Instruments played up on the way here, tri data and wind displays not doing their job. Making a lot of noise and generally misbehaving so shopped around for assistance. Bloke from Aquatronics came to the rescue and he currently has the offending items in his care for repair. So we wait. Have been sailing the harbour from the Parramatta River to middle harbour keeping a watchful eye out for ferries and sea planes - pretty easy to get run over here!

Walked around Rose Bay and Edgecliffe and gawked at point Piper/Vaucluse from the water. Didn't spot Malcolm but I bet he was watching us. "Charlene" sipped champagne on a yacht, as you can see below and we were mistaken for boat people (I guess we are boat people) and the navy pulled up along side us. There's this funny looking building and a bloody great bridge thats worth looking at too.

The plan from here (such as it is) is to get the boat back together and head up to Brokrn Bay and Pittwater for a few days. Have to make sure we get TV reception so we can watch the Bloods on Saturday. After Pittwater we'll head to Port Stephens, probably grab a hire car and head up into Hunter Valley for a couple of days.

Sydney

Pulled into Sydney yesterday about 10.30am and it feels like the trip starts now. You find yourself thinking about those poor bastards sailing out in the first fleet. Six months or whatever at sea and so excited to pull into Botany Bay and get off the bloody boat only to find this spots no good, so back on board and up to Port Jackson. Magnificent spot but your troubles only beginning. We tied up and broke out the G&T's and I stopped thinking about the convicts!

650 miles from MeLbourne (about the same as by road) and it's taken us two weeks - Cliffy Young was faster than us and I read once where they walked Archer from Sydney to Melbourne for the cup in less time, but he WAS a racehorse. Anyway it's not about the time but the experience and we are taking it slow on purpose. Called into Jervis Bay for a couple of days and it would be a good spot to spend a bit of time, particularly in the SE corner (Darling Roads, pictured)where there are 5 public moorings (rated to 40 tonnes) and from which you could explore the bush at your leisure. It rained on us so we got going. Instruments didn't like the rain and wind data as well as Telemachus the auto pilot played up for a while. Seemed to sort itself out to a degree so not as bad as it could have been. Electronics bloke coming tomorrow with mask on and gun in hand to rob us blind, we're in Sydney!

I replaced Nav lights with LED's today. What's the only mistake you can make with Port and Stbd lights? CORRECT, and I did, so take em off and get red to port and green to the right this time. I was facing astern when I did it first time!

Aside from cleaning and maintenance today it was too windy to sail so we plan to sail up to Opera house and under the bridge etc tomorrow pm when the weather looks a little kinder. The BOM's been having a little trouble lately getting it right. I think everything's moving a bit faster the the models allow so we're relying on looking out the window and we're doing pretty well so far.

From here I think it gets a bit easier. Shorter hops and day sailing mostly which will make for a nice change - hard to get used to night sailing with the three on three off routine. Around Sydney Harbour for a few days then up to the Hawkesbury for another two or three (depending on how many pubs we can tie up to) then to Newcastle and Port Stephens. Perhaps a car to the Hunter Valley to replenish the vitals. 

All going well thus far, no mutinies, no dummy spits so we're pretty happy with ourselves, and it's getting warmer!  Go Swannies

North from Bermagui

Left Bermagui on a flooding tide at about 7.30 pm after skipper performed a classic "spring off" maneuver to get us out from between the fishing boats (after having, on arrival, slid into a tight spot under the watchful gaze of the local fishos - very helpful). Those same fishos cheered our departing efforts too.

Rolly SE swell and no real breeze made for an uncomfortable overnight ride towards Jervis Bay. Motor's had a good workout since we rounded the corner! At least we are now north of the 38th parallel so, whilst it's not hot it is getting warmer.

After having seen enough whales between Eden and Berma to make a Japanese fisho salivate we saw none on this leg - must be all south of us. No fish for me but I did catch an albatross - another first. He wasn't happy as I reeled him back to the boat. Dug his heels in and ski'd all the way. Anyway, we got him close enough to get a pair of pliers on the hook and free him. He'll look twice at the next thing on the surface that looks like a squid.

Arrived in Jervis Bay about 2.00 pm Tuesday and picked up a public mooring off Huskisson and took Penelope the dingy into town. Nice enough spot and the pub has a great view. The creek didn't look navigable to us so we stayed on the mooring overnight (we're just about done with Game of Thrones).

Bit of a clean up today and we'll go for a sail around Jervis Bay before heading for Sydney in time to find a pub to watch the Swannies.

We've covered over 500 miles thus far (about 1500 more to go before we turn around and do it all in reverse!) with no dramas thus far, touch wood. We don't really have enough generating capacity so will need to address that at some stage but otherwise all ok with boat.

For those of you who might be planning to sail this way I would highly recommend Bermagui. The Fishermans co-op has great facilities and helpful staff. The only drawback is the need tie up to the working wharf which has no ladders, so rigging a low tide climbing device is a necessity. You can request a berth at the new floating marina but you need to contact the lands department for that. Course you do, it's a marina so the lands dept is logical! There's an equipment hire joint in the marina complex and the bloke there has a old commodore hire car. There's also a small chandlery which had none of what I wanted ("everything's overnight mate"). Lots of eating places and watering holes and the fish and chip joint is for sale - "me fishin boat's been sittin in the yard too long mate." All in all a top spot and the fishos do provide great entertainment.

For now, an overnighter to Sydney and thereafter a bit more day sailing with, hopefully a bit more breeze.

Cheers dears

Eden to Bermagui

We arrived in Bermagui on Friday evening after nine hours motors sailing- so much for the strong wind warnings from the bureau. We had a following sea which made for a rolly ride but insufficient breeze to sail. We were entertained by whales breaching further offshore and plenty of dolphins.

Yesterday, Nick removed the pulpit to replace a broken staunchion base, all part of cruising-taking your boat to exotic locations to do maintenance!

There was plenty of activity around the wharf as the Water Police and Marine Rescue Services had a combined training exercise.

We have wandered around the town and enjoyed the marina facilities and are planning our next move, somewhere with sufficient reception to catch the footy next weekend- Go swannies!

Berthed between the fishing boats- the view from the Wine Bar.

Lakes to Eden

We left Lakes early Wednesday morning. Great to catch up with our good friend Luke Smeaton who gave us all the local tips. For the record, we couldn't make it to the new fuel wharf on Bullock Island. We were about an hour after high tide on the ebb and our 1.95m draft precluded us, so it was back to the service station for some early morning exercise!

The run up the coast held a little bit of everything, good sailing in some moderate easterlies, rain, variable breezes and some motor sailing. Lots of dolphins and bird activity but sadly no fish.

We motored into Bittangabe Bay to see where some of the family sheltered during the 1998 Sydney Hobart race. A navigational feat considering it was late at night and the weather conditions were horrendous.

We arrived at Eden early afternoon and tied up to the wharf. Gin and tonic time for me, leisurely stroll around the wharf, Steak on the BBQ for dinner and a quiet night before our next leg.

And for the record, here are some shots from beautiful Refuge Cove.

Fresh whiting on the menu

A glimpse of Odysseus from Kersops Peak.

Morning constitution

RBYC to Lakes

On our way. Left Brighton middayish 7th September, down the bay, out the heads and tacked. Just like the Sydney Hobart, one tack and sit on the rail for 24 hours.
Beaut sail to the Prom apart from a couple of hours under motor during the night. Got ahead of schedule so missed an encounter with a couple of Tarwin natives at Cape Liptrap However, great sail as we wandered through the Glennies and the Anser group then past the point that puts all other "Souths" in perspective (apart from the Tasmanians) and into Refuge Cove. The whiting were waiting and a couple of feeds were soon in the fridge. I'd add a photo but I can't work out how to yet.

There cannot be a better spot anywhere that Wilsons Prom. Bugger the Whitsundays, they can't be as good as this - warmer maybe, Christ it was cold. Got to climb Kersops, well most of it anyway and did a bit of bushwalking as well.

Couple of days in Refuge and then up to Sealers and Rabbit island for a squiz before heading east once again, this time for Lakes Entrance. This time the weather wasn't so kind and we needed to fire up the Yanmar sail for 12 hours. Uneventful passage through the notorious entrance and tied up at Cunninghame Arm, right outside the pub!

Leaving tomorrow morning (Wed 14th) bound for Thursday lunch in Bittangabea Bay before continuing to Bermagui for some of fisho Scotts egg and bacon rolls. Then the plan is Ulladulla or Jervis bay prior to Sydney maybe in time for the prelim finals.

Spent a while today with my head in the engine room trying to fix a squealing shaft bearing. Found that the water cooling mechanism was blocked. Cleaned that all out and hopefully the problem is fixed - we'll see out in Bass Strait.