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.

The Big Smoke - Gosford ( it seemed that way after a couple of weeks of 'wilderness')

Sat 19 Feb 2011

Gosford Sailing Club

Our non party pontoon from the BBQ

A sunny and hot 33C day started with a walk up into the 'Big Smoke' for a few more basic supplies followed by a 'lol' around the boats until a BBQ onshore with Pete and Kate, 'Las Dragonistas'.

Throughout the day a lot of sailing activity occurred with kiddies that looked as young as 5 or 6years old sailing dinghies 2 up (they start them young here). Several larger vessels tied up on the outside of the pontoon readying for a point score race and there were other dinghy class races also occurring. A very busy day on the water at a very active sailing club.

Annie and I noted some interesting names of different Laser class boats including; The Torturers Apprentice,
Pointless, Public Enema No 1 amongst others. It could be fun or not as a T Apprentice but there is not much point in sailing the second one and I think I'll give the third a wide berth to avoid getting in the poo.

Saturday night it was all hopping at the club and still blinking hot so at 2300 party animals that we are we donned our gladrags and sort out the music and dancing in the air conditioned luxury until kick out time at midnight. Back to the heat to sleep!!!!!

Los Saaremaates and Las Dragonistas Central Coast Odyssey

Friday 18 Feb 2011

The Central Coast Odyssey or Oddity

The face of Barrenjoey Head

The infamous Rip bridge looms speedily closer!

Waking early 0500 to be exact we noted that the fleet had abandoned us. Hence Pete's Dragon and Saaremaa were left as the lonely ones in the corner without any friends. As the intrepid individuals that we are we headed for Box Head and the entry channel to Brisbane Waters.

Motor sailing across Broken Bay we found the channel with an ingoing tide (planned surprisingly enough) and enjoyed the exciting ride around the first set of green markers (a bit dodgy here). The pleasure and excitement only grew as we passed under the Rip Bridge at 9.4 knots. It was a pity it was such a misery guts day as it would have been very pretty as the houses flashed by going up channel.

Saaremaa comfortably ensconced.

Avoiding running aground anywhere soon Brisbane Waters opened up to us.Heading up to Gosford we sort out the 2 courtesy moorings near the Gosford Sailing Club, one was occupied so we continued up to the harbour nearby was "Don't you know who I am?" Iguana Joes (sadly closed down). Gosford Sailing Club jetty looked welcoming so we tied and waited for the club to open. A very reasonable fee was involved for 2 pens for 2 nights.

Pete's Dragon also very comfortable. Iguana Joes white sails in the background.

As can be seen from the photos Saaremaa and Pete's Dragon were at separate ends of the finger (obviously to stop any wild party shenanigans going on).

The GSC people were very hospitable and the club is only a 15 min walk to town for supplies. Club member Stefan of Penzance an Adams 31 even drove Pete and I to the service station to fill our jerry cans with diesel, many thanks Stefan.

Cruising Division LMYC, Pittwater IX (Last Day)

Thurs 17Feb 2011

Lunch at Royal Motor Yacht Club Pittwater

Sundowner, Weatherorknot, Catatonic and Walkabout at sunrise.

Awaking to a tranquil sunrise and a beautiful day revellers that we are and with need to pace ourselves a lazy breakfast was enjoyed before we donned our glad rags for lunch.

Delivering John and Marion.

The final delivery.

All seated then lets go!

Dreamcatcher, Double fun and Walkabout were the three assigned vessels to ferry us to RMYC. Tony Austin our ferrymaster duly collected his charges and gave us the safety lesson, ie "Life jackets are in here if we need them." Then we set off.

Annie steps ashore.

Three CD beauties grace the dock.

Arrival and dock inspection showed that all seemed to be in order at RMYC dock and on further inspection the club itself was rather magnificent, (in some ways similar to CBSC, in that we have a dock and a clubhouse).












Lunch was enjoyed and then it was off again to our floating homes to spend the last night at Coasters Retreat.

Another fine luncheon group!

Passing Walkabout.

A visitor to Coasters, sorry the moorings are so small!

Maureen waves goodbye or hello.

Cruising Division LMYC, Pittwater VIIIa

Wed 16 Feb 2011 'Afternoon Shift'

A Trim Sail and Presentation Nibblies on the Shore at Towlers

Lots of heads, hats and backs of the CD crew abound.

After recovering from dinghy wars, without the aid of a defibrillator (is that correct Docs?) or heart starter for the rest of us, the afternoon promised a cat sail.
"Do you know my mate Pete?" took the CD cruisers aboard his 40ft cat Trim for an afternoon sail.

As can be seen from the photo Trim is fairly roomy on deck and zips along nicely in 10 - 15 kts of breeze.

Thanks to Pete for a great afternoon sail from all the CD cruisers.

"Has anyone met my mate Ray?" I must introduce you sometime.


Presentation Nibblies

Maureen Presents and Fred does the honours.

Maureen and Fred Stoked gathered the swashbucklers on shore at Towlers Bay for our last nibbly time and cruise presentations. Every child wins a prize in this event, Saaremaa surviving without incident this year, Catatonic received the 'kindness award' for sailing services to young backpackers, The Wizard pirate outfits also received an award whose name escapes me plus many other awards too numerous to mention.

 Ray and Helen receive The Wanda Hitchcock Trophy from Fred.

The 'Wanda Hitchcock Trophy' for continuing to cruise in less than ideal circumstances was awarded to long term Pittwater Cruise participants Helen and Ray from Dreamcatcher. Ray was even wore his cruise T-shirt from 2000 on a few occasions. Very worthy recipients indeed.

Pete the Pirates Poet in full flight.

After presentation Pete from Pete's Dragon gave a pirates rendition of the cruise in what we believe to be 'Pirate Verse'. A rhymer to be sure with his Purple and Myrtle.

A NOT unruly mob

Ray and Helen with trophy.

Another full day is over.

Cruising Division LMYC, Pittwater VIII

Loading for battle with buckets and water guns.

Wed 16 Feb 2011

Towlers Bay dinghy race and battle

Race boats are assembling.

At 1100 a race was called and dinghies were set to row around the buoys. It became clear early on that foul play was afoot and the rule book went overboard along with any demeanor that true gentlefolk pirates would aspire to.
The 'Dawks' interfered  early with 'Los Saaremaates' and very quickly were wet through. Meanwhile the 'Dragon' boat, Pete's Dragon,  was playing for keeps and heading for the finish line.

Round 2 saw many a boat pushed and pulled around the course with Little Stoked being stuffed as it was alternately pushed and pulled.

Let the race begin.

A fine Oxford/Cambridge row was put in by the Little Dreamcatchers with Helen & Ray rowing their arms off. Cheating seemed to be the order of the day with many a boat taking on too much water which was splashed liberally around.

A champion rowing team Little Dreamcatcher.

Emptying the dinghy fleet became a necessity.

Still emptying and readying for battle.

 Pirates v Navy was a push over for the naval brigade who all seemed to have better gotcha skills than we unkempt and unruly pirate mob.