CDLMYC St Patrick's Outing Return from Newcastle.

Back to Lake Macquarie
Sunday 20 March 2011

After a very stormy night which failed to interrupt our sleep the sky looked a bit daunting but we headed off at 0840 for Swansea and home to the lake. There were no dolphins to guide our path and once more it was a motor sail the whole way, cest la vie.

Petrouchka hangs off.

Life got a bit lumpy turning into the swell out of Newcastle Harbour but it soon settled down and we were motoring along again (not enough wind) alongside Indigo and hot in pursuit of the speedsters Leanne and Derek aboard Calysta. All to no avail they crossed Swansea Bar way ahead of the fleet and awaited the 1200 bridge opening while others caught up.

Stoked  and The Wizard avoid a bow kiss.

The orderly mob proceed

what a lovely procession!!

It was a fair gathering at the bridge with Belami B, Calysta, Indigo, Isis, Pete's Dragon, Petrouchka, Saaremaa, Stoked, Sundowner and The Wizard all floating around plus 2 ring ins She's Apples II and Rock the Boat. It seemed a bit busy but with true gentlefolkly conduct all boats proceeded in an orderly fashion through 'The Gates of Safety' (aka the 'Jaws of Death' if you get squidged by them, not recommended!!!)

Welcome home Saaremaa!!

Come on Indigo back into the fold!

A quick float down the channel to the lake proper with the ingoing tide saw us met by the mother ship also known as The Wizard with Beth and Ray waving bye for now.
Lake Macquarie, no tide, no swell and a large waterway to explore and sail, wonderful, lets keep it a secret.

Floating down the channel.

The sky looks a bit ominous but its still a lovely float.

Not far now to the dropover and deep water.

Back to the mooring to tidy up and home for a sleep. ZZZZZzzzzzzzzzz!!

Stoked to be home, almost.

The Wizard awaits. (Thanks' mum and dad').

That's it until next time!!

CD LMYC St Patrick's Newcastle Cruise March 2011

Up to Newcastle (with a little bit of blarney)
Sat 19March

After a night on the LMYC jetty and being woken by the pounding of the boat against the dock when a strong SW wind came in at 0100 hrs we moved to Saarema's preferred spot near the BBQ on the southern side for a bit of peace and quiet.

Calysta leads the charge through the 'Jaws of Freedom'

 We left the dock at 0900 to give plenty of time for a 1000 bridge opening after Michael's brilliant work of 2 weeks previous where we had to motor at the full 3600 rpm to make through the bridge.
The kindly bridge operator of the day opened up a little late and allowed us to pass through. Thank you bridge man. No problems this time as Saaremaa, Calysta, Indigo, Isis, Belami B and Pete's Dragon passed though the Lake Gate (The Jaws to Freedom).

Indigo escaping to freedom.

Chomping along up the channel and over the lovely flat bar we rock and roll our way under motor sail to Newcastle.

Isis follows Belami B out and over the bar.

Out on the ocean that looks pretty flat.

Isis chomping along past the dodgy bit.

 Dolphins came to play around each boat to escort us on our way. These were black on top and tan on the lower sides. Hmmm the 'Black and Tans' not a mob noted for their hospitality. Fortunately these were Aussie dolphins who were just out for a good time.

Not the best shot but spot the dolphin anyway.

A quick trip up to Newcastle had us logging off at 1230 and tying at Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club by 1300 hrs. NCYC generously provided free overnight berthing to us and we thank them for their generosity.

Pete's Dragon and Indigo enter Newcastle harbour.

Sundowner arrives ably assisted by Derek Calysta.

Petrouchka makes it too ably assisted by Derek Calysata and Ken Indigo.

After tying up it was time for what the CD mob do best 'nibblies' and drinks. Extreme competition existed between Stoked and Sundowner for best 'nibbly' venue. Saaremaa was not a contender for this title.

Linda flashing her tatts, bejabers and begorra!!

Incognito Libby sporting an extreme Irish look.

Dinner at NCYC proved to be a filling affair after an afternoon of nibbly stuffing but as usual the meals were excellent.

The feasting begins and continues below.

Who is this bad lad??? Bill surely not!!!.

The Queens and home to Lake Macquarie. (End of blog until next time)

Tues 22 Feb 2011

Store Beach to Lake Macquarie

 Queen Elizabeth, Really!!

We were up at 0430 for a cuppa and toast then it was off to the heads as still dark at 0530 the 151,000 tonne Queen Mary II with all lights blazing made a colourful entry into the harbour followed in similar manner by the 90,000 tonne Queen Elizabeth, my pitiful photos do not capture the moment very well. Police boats with blue flashing lights kept an exclusion zone which was a long way from us.

Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary II is in front and looks smaller, Really!!

Queen Elizabeth in daylight.

Queen Lizzie leaving town.

The Queens at dawn in Sydney Harbour.

Thanks to Ray Kiely for going down harbour and taking these photos of Q Lizzie And Q Mary2 at dawn and in daylight from Warialda.
Roaring along at 6 knots it was futile to go for a royal chase so we went back put up the mainsail and headed out to sea, homeward bound. Damn royals, they come so we go, but perhaps in a little less style and comfort.

North Head at sunrise.

It was soon daylight and lumpy bouncing out of the harbour but conditions settled down to a 3m southerly swell with tiddly waves as we changed course for Moon Islet and home.

Look Ma no hands!! Benny Boy has a go at steering.

Benny Boy the Monitor wind vane had several goes at steering but could not manage the conditions without heading to NZ. I guess I should have poled out the genoa however it did not happen.

MeanwhilePete's Dragon is charging along on headsail to manage a 1500 bridge (the speedsters).

We sailed most of the way to Moon Islet at 5-6 kts arriving at the Swansea Bridge just before 1600 hence no opening until 1700 then it was off to LMYC to tie up for the night, a shower, dinner and ZZZZzzzzzzzz.

That's all for this trip!!!!!!!

PS Our laptop chartplotting program OpenCPN worked like a dream and the laptop even managed to stay on the chart table the whole way in some lumpy seas. A miracle or just big nails holding it down???

A Walk Ashore Along Glebe Point Road

Mon 21 Feb 2011

Rozelle Bay to Store Beach

Good Morning NSW Maritime and the super yachts.

It is a busy bay with Dragon Boat racers, rowers and kayakers using the waterway with lights on before dawn. Anchoring within the confines of the mooring marks the night before the southerly wind had moved us just outside hence the visit from Maritime was not unexpected as we were asked to re-anchor within the marks. Maritime Headquarters being just across the bay we thought it only judicious (and polite) to comply seeing as I was allowed to finish my cup of tea and toast.

Our Super Yacht friends and a lone paddler.

Seeing as we missed out on the chance of a super yacht berth the night before and were not invited over for coffee or tea this morning it was decided to do our own thing.

Rafting up beneath the Anzac Bridge

After anchoring closer in a trip ashore was planned for coffee and a stroll the length of Glebe Point Road passing places of my misspent youth its good to see that Glebe retains its unique flavour as a bit bohemian. Bargains are to be had in the op-shops ie a couple of Saaremaa sized wine glasses at $1 each.
I sware this road has got longer it feels like 5 kms but I know its not ( must be my age catching up).
Pete Weitzel an old friend came down to visit and stroll with us.

Kokomo the gentleman.

On leaving Kokomo followed us out in a gentlemanly way unlike the basket case the day before who flew past us making maximum wash to beat us to the swing bridge, one has to wonder!!

More royalty as we pass the Pacific Princess tied up at the 'Hungry Mile'.

 

 

Pacific Princess being 'watered'.

Pete's Dragon just squeezes under the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Pinchgut and a real sailing ship.

I think we will keep out of the way of Freshwater.

Pete's Dragon anchored at Store Beach

Warialda set for the night at Store Beach.

 It was a blustery sail up Sydney Harbour to Storm Beach at Spring Cove where Warialda and the 'Tres Amigos' are already anchored for the night.

THE BIG SMOKE - Sydney

Sun 20 Feb 2011


Gosford to Rozelle Bay, Sydney

Rip Bridge, here we go again.

Nearly there!

Duck or limbo??

Another hot and glorious day saw us heading for Sydney leaving at 1130 we motored up the channel, much prettier in the sunshine limboing under the Rip Bridge much more slowly against the tide. (Doesn't RIP mean 'rest in peace', interesting!!!!).

Motoring up the channel we noticed Pete's Dragon raise the head sail, a bold move we thought until it turned out it was to get off the mud. As Pete said thanks to Ray Hislop for the advice.


The dodgy green marks near the rocks in the channel were little problem, as little tide was flowing this time, a picnic.

Sun Princess leaving.

South Head

Motor sailing all the way to Sydney Sun Princess was leaving as we rounded North Head, (typical royals we come they go).

The' Coathanger'

Pete's Dragon is coming through - make way!!

Sundowning Annie, Pete and Kate.

Anzac Bridge at twilight.

Twilightier Anzac Bridge

Good night Sydney.

We met up with Pete's Dragon at Watsons Bay and headed down Sydney Harbour to Rozelle Bay for a comfortable and free overnight anchorage under the Anzac Bridge.

The cooler conditions were welcomed for a good nights sleep.