Weather looks good. Departed CYCA at 1140 this morning. Dino, BJ and Paul on board. Looking forward to the next few days heading up the east coast to Southport.
On the Road Again
19 April 2017, 1200
Sydney Heads
Happy Easter
16 April 2017
Sydney
Apologies to all my followers for not posting any updates for the past week or so. I appreciate both of you for your interest in our adventures.
Catherine and I have had a good break since arriving in Sydney from our long voyage from Melbourne. Big thanks to the crew: David, Steve, Jane and Andrew did a great job getting us here safely. Sharing three watches on the Bass Strait sector made it an easier voyage. Although weary, we weren’t “wrecked” by five days of non-stop travel. We enjoyed having you on board for the start of our adventure.
For those who want the numbers, the trip was 585 nautical miles (over 1,000 km) and took 101 hours. Not fast but economical, burning only 311 L of diesel. For those not into numbers, I’ll leave the stats there and move on.
Catherine and I had a few days in Sydney to ourselves at first. Although we had a spell of cold, wet weather, it didn’t matter as we spent a lot of the time tidying up the boat, restocking provisions, doing the laundry and tending to repairs (nothing serious, just minor repairs, like replacing the toilet door handle that fell off; I guess it must have had a workout en route). Looking through photos of the voyage to Sydney, I was shocked to see the state of my hair, so a visit to the barber was also a top priority.
Our kids and their friends joined us for the Easter long weekend. Alex, Cam, Dan, Gigi and Grace all stayed on board, so it was cosy but terrific spending time together. Apart from sailing, they’ve been shopping in the city, walking around Rushcutters Bay and Potts Point, swimming at Bondi, going out to night clubs and staying in to play cards.
We’ve been on several Harbour cruises with different groups of friends. First, Trudi and Warren spent a day on the water with us. All was well until Warren took us on a white-knuckle ride across The Heads through the rolling ocean swell. His look is of genuine thrill; Trudi was more shrill!
Then we took Emma and Alice for a sail. Emma also brought her friends Gus and Ken along for the cruise. Earlier in the week we had dinner at Emma’s delightful apartment in Lavender Bay. It was so delicious we did not hesitate in accepting Emma’s offer to provide lunch for the cruise, and she did not disappoint the passengers and crew with her gourmet chicken rolls.
Alex also had her friends Justin, Ben and Sydney on board for a pleasant twilight sail. Thanks for the awesome photo, Justin!
As you can see from all the blue track lines in the map below, we’ve sailed around a lot of Sydney Harbour since we’ve arrived!
Just a couple more days in Sydney. We plan to leave on Wednesday for Southport on the Gold Coast.
The Harbour City
Thursday, 6 April 2017
Rushcutters Bay, Sydney
Arrived safely in Sydney after a relaxing cruise up the coast from Eden. Entering the Heads at sunset made it a dramatic end to this stage of our trip. We had a great view of the city, Harbour Bridge and Opera House.
We are securely moored at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia. After a hot shower, we had dinner with the crew of Carpe Diem and celebrated our voyage. All off to bed now for a good night’s sleep.
Rest & Relaxation
Wednesday, 5 April 2017, 16:00
Sapphire Coast north of Eden
Very pleasant cruise today with plenty of time for R&R.
David was busy taking GoPro footage from a kite.
Jane did yoga on the aft deck.
And others read books or just enjoyed the view.
Good News
Wednesday, 5 April 2017, 2:30
Eden
Arrived in Eden at 2:30 this morning and met Carpe Diem which arrived earlier in the night.
Carpe Diem is skippered by our good friend Paul. Over the years we have shared many sailing adventures and enjoy a friendly rivalry racing against each other. He was the genesis for this tandem voyage and so it seems fitting to mention this now that we are at Eden.
Eden is a safe harbour on the south coast of NSW Australia. It was a whaling village a long time ago and today it is important for timber and fishing. We will refuel here and depart for Sydney first thing in the morning.
And the good news is that Catherine won’t be buying a bus ticket home!
Land’oh
Tuesday, 4 April 2017, 14:00
Point Hicks
On Sunday, 1st April 1770, Captain Cook left New Zealand in search of the great southern land. Dutch explorers had already discovered parts of New Holland, including Van Diemans Land, but the east coast was still a mystery. Cook planned to start where Tasman left Van Diemans. Storms, however, prevented him sailing that for south.
On 19 April 1770 they sighted land and named it Point Hicks because Lieutenant Hicks was the first to see it. From there Cook began his great exploration of the east coast of Australia.
Now, almost 247 years later, we are on our own journey following the wake of Cook’s ship Endeavour. Having crossed Bass Strait, this afternoon we joined the same coastline Cook explored all those years ago.
Blue skies, shining at Steve
Tuesday, 4 April 2017, 09:30
20nm south of Orbost, Victoria
We went among the Bass Strait oil and gas platforms last night. As we left the “oil patch” the sun rose to a calm Bass Strait. Very light breeze, gentle swell about 1m. Much better conditions so we are progressing faster.
Come and get it!
Monday, 3 April 2017, 17:30
Bass Strait, 38°50S, 147°09E
The sun will be down soon so time to get dinner ready. Tonight we’re in for a treat: lasagne!
Slow progress for much of today, heading straight onto the wind and waves. The weather was much better in the afternoon and with flatter seas and fair winds. Even so, it will be another 24 hours or so to reach Gabo Island and turn up the east coast.
Looks like it will be a clear night filled with beautiful stars.
Wilsons Promontory
Monday, 3 April 2017, 07:45
Wilsons Prom
Almost at The Prom! A good milestone after 24 hours. Seas 1-2m but closer together so boat is pitching around a bit.
Nobody seasick, all well and rested.
Plenty of dolphins. They glowed in the water, beautiful phosphorescence!
Into the Night
Sunday, 2 April 2017
Off Phillip Island
We’ve settled into our watches and in sync with the rhythm of the sea. The sun will set soon so we’re getting ready for our first night at sea. Dinner is in the oven: chicken casserole with rice. Delicious!
There’s a chill in the air so those on deck are rugging up. All crew happy and well.
Should be at The Prom by sunrise.
Not sure how much longer we will have mobile reception so, until then, “Débonnaire out”.
Debonnaire 