Time in Sydney (27th April - 2nd May)

We arrived on a rather wet day in Sydney and it continued that way for the next 5 days.  During out stay we arranged for a new battery charger as the one we had decided to stop working.  The new one is now installed and seems to be working fine *fingers crossed*.



Leapy Lynda joined us on Friday morning and we had a great time over at the Sydney Fish Markets.  As had been mentioned a few times we went to watch the footie on Friday night and much to our pleasure Carlton WON - GO BLUES!!.  To add an extra treat the players came around the boundary and gave us all high fives and also a nice towel which has gone straight to the pool room!

Lunch at Sydney Fish Market

GO BLUES!!







On Saturday Graheme had to leave the boat which was all a bit sad.  We saw him off in a taxi and he is now home and has already started the move into their new abode.  We has left us in custody of the now famous fish killing rod and lure so lets hope we can keep up the good work

We caught up with ones of Mark's old school friend, Simon Rawson, which was lots of fun and then turned in for an early night.

 



After a few chores on Sunday morning we headed down to Bondi for a swim at the Icebergs followed by lunch which was all rather nice.  To make it even better the sun has been out all day which also allowed us to dry out a bit of stuff!





The new crew has already started to arrive - Phil's gear is on the boat so we know he is here and Leapy will be arriving a bit later tonight.



We will be heading up to the Pittwater tomorrow for a few days before heading off to Newcastle















Jervis Bay to Sydney (25th April to 27th April)

Left our anchorage at Jervis Bay and headed on our way to Crookhaven (thanks to Kevin and Elaine from Eureka for the recommendation).  Caught 2 fish on the way out of the Jervis Bay entrance which was pretty exciting and also made sure we were well covered for lunch!

The next day we headed up to RMYC at Port Hacking (thanks again to Kevin and Elaine - especially for the use of their mooring for the night)  We wandered in on the dinghy despite a rather choppy sea and plenty of rain about.  Had a lovely shower and meal at the RMYC. 

This morning we had a leisurely start as it is only around 18NM to the Sydney Heads and headed around to our usual berthing at CYCA and are about to wander up to the club for a meal!

We are planning to spend a few days in Sydney and are getting a visit from Leapy Lynda on Friday who is coming up to go and watch Carlton V Sydney at the SCG.  Also looking forward to catching up with my nephew during our visit and are planning a visit to see the Hunter dealer on the way to the fish markets on Friday.

We have to say farewell to our excellent crew member Grahame (aka Roger) who is heading home on Saturday and will be joined by Leapy and Phil Johnson who will be coming on board on Sunday and we are hoping to head off on the next part of our voyage to the Pitt Water on Monday morning.

Time at Jervis Bay 22nd -25th April

BBQ Lunch on the Afte Deck

We had an excellent sail from Ulladulla to Jervis Bay and dropped the pick at a gorgeous little anchorage called "Hole in the Wall".  We had a fairly lazy first day apart from some swimming and some BBQ prawns on the aft deck for lunch - Roger did well yet again!!

Hole in the Wall

Murray Trail Walk

We headed ashore on  the 23rd and went for a bit of walk down to Murray's Beach and then along the Murray Trail.  The highlight of this walk included the sighting of a small brown snake which made us a little tentative as we continued.  More swimming was the order of the afternoon.

Green Patch Beach

The 24th was greeted with a blue sky morning so the only way to start the day was with a dip off the back of the boat.  On our way to the beach we dropped into see a couple up from Port Hacking on a boat called "Eureka".  Elaine and Kevin invited us on-board from coffee and by the time we departed we ended up going back to the boat for a spot of lunch before we headed off for our afternoon walk to Green Patch.  Unlike Hole in the Wall this beach is a bit like Burke Street.  The highlight of the afternoon was swimming with a couple of dolphins that decided to go past the back of the boat and where almost within touching distance of us in the water - awesome!!!!

We are now getting ready to head up to the Crookhaven River (about 15NM North) for the night.

Broulee Island to Jervis Bay (20th-22nd April 2011)

Again we were up early and on our way from Broulee Island to Ulladulla.  Arrived at the port around lunch time to find a very busy harbour and not many places to park but did end up tying up next to a trawler.  Apparently this Sunday they have the blessing of the fleet so most of the fisho's are staying in port for Easter.  We had a lovely walk around the town and the fishing on board is getting so keen that we even bought the latest in filleting knives.

The night in Ulladula was pretty uneventful and again we were up early on our way to Jervis Bay.  This is only a really small hop of around 20NM so we were parked up by 11:00H.  On the way the rod was out again with the score of 1 tuna landed but was a lucky one and was returned to the sea.  We managed to hook another 2 but somehow they were able to escape the clutches of the fish killers.

Currently we are tied up to a mooring at a little place called "hole in the wall" in Jervis Bay.  There are plenty of other yachts around and it seems like a popular place for the long weekend.  We had a lovely feed of prawns for lunch followed by a bit of a swim. Now most of the crew seem to be having a nap so think I will pull out the book and have a read on the aft deck!!

The plan will be to spend a few days here before we head off to Kiama

Eden to Broulee Island (18th - 20th April)

After a good nights sleep at East Boyd in Two Fold Bay we headed over to the Pier.
We tied up to a big steel cruiser know as 'Little One' only to find out that they are also have plans to do the Louisiades Rally (How Bizarre).  We got to know Mark and Lisa a bit better and had them over for an after dinner port and cheese that night.  Naturally we look forward to catching up with them along the way up to Cairns.

After spending the day in Eden, a bit of re-stocking and a well needed shower we got up early on the 19th with the destination being Bermagui.  We tied up at the pier at Berma about 14:00H and went for a wander around the very pretty little town and ended up having a sun downer at the pub looking over the bay - very noice!!

Another early morning and we were out of Bermagui just on sunrise to be welcomed by gentle warm breezes and very calm seas.  No sooner had we finished breakie we put out the new rod and line (thanks to Roger (aka Grahame) and before you knew it the first tuna was on the line (much to the surprise of Di who just happened to be hanging on to the rod at the time!)  After a bit of a fight we got him on board again thanks to Roger who seems to be the fish killing guru on the boat.  After a bit of chopping the first tuna was in the fridge and the line was out again and after a bit of time Grahame hooked another one.  This one put in quite a fight but was no match for Grahame.  As I type he is sorting out the second tuna which is also going into the fridge.  We figured this is enough of fish killing so the rod is now safely tucked up. 

We are all now looking for a swim when we get to Broulee Island (ETA 13:00H) and BBQ tuna for dinner

Martha Cove to Eden

We kept to plan and left Martha Cove on Tuesday 12th April and spent the night at Queenscliff and had a lovely meal at the Espy Hotel!

Left Queenscliff early on Wednesday morning heading to Refuge Cove on Wilson's Prom.  It was a grey, wet and a blustery day but the wind was in the right direction so we made good progress to Refuge and dropped our anchor in the cove around 11.00pm that night (17hour crossing which is not too bad for a cruising yacht!!).

We woke to a lovely sunny day in Wilson's Prom and decided to head ashore to put up our obligatory boat plaque and also ressurect the Windward II plaque.  We also met Alan & Lynnie from Svanika who are an inspiration to all budding cruisers as they have now spent 21years cruising with at least 1 circumnavigation of the globe.

Refuge Cove

We left the Prom early on Saturday morning

(16th April) heading to Eden (220NM).  We were greeted by gentle breezes, plenty of sun and again in the right direction :).  We ended up motor sailing most of the way to Eden and dropped anchor at around 19:30 on Sunday evening.  Have attached a couple of photos from the trip including lunch in the cockpit and the Gabo Island Light House.

Gabo Light House



Attempted Fish Killing!!



















Only 4 Sleeps to go "We hope"

Well it is now looking like we have 4 sleeps before we head out of the heads and turn left!  This is all very much weather dependant but at this stage this is looking like the best window for us to get down to the Prom.

If all goes to plan then we will throw the lines off at Martha Cove on Tuesday arvo and head over to Queenscliff for the evening and get an early start on Wednesday morning and hopefully make it into Refuge Cove either last Wednesday night or very early on Thursday morning.

Last night Gary Morland kindly organised a Bon Voyage at Safety Beach Sailing Club party to celebrate our pending departure next week.  We both had a great night and were thrilled to see so many people make it down for the event including a number of members that we don't often see and also some friends from Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron.  Thanks everyone for making the effort to come down as it certainly made the evening very special for Mark and I.

We are going to make excellent use of the steps provided for us 'vertically challenged folk' The cook book is also going to come in handy as well as the home made jam and I was very pleased to end up winning prize in the Bon Bon.

For the next post will endeavour to take some photos to make it a bit more interesting.  We have both got to get into this habit as it is certainly not natural to either of us!!