Cruising Division LMYC, Pittwater VI

Instructions are given out. Why are Ray & Beth laughing???

Mon 14 Feb 2011

Coasters Retreat Treasure Hunt

Romantic Treasure Hunting on Valentines Day.

Waking to a slightly overcast but otherwise clear day The brigands assembled onshore for Beth & Ray's, The Wizard, treasure hunt. Armed with compass and a sheet of instructions of bearings with pacing the motley lot ranged all over Coasters but none neared the black stump (which did not exist, hence a tree root sufficed) closer than Ted & Trish, Halcyon, who gained the Treasure Trunk.



Heinz & Eva, Anya II, were unsuccessful even with a length of string: Tony & Cath, Double Fun, had no luck at all using true bearings rather than magnetic. All were within 50 paces or metres (not really close enough) which just goes to show that CD members of LMYC are not going to make a living as treasure hunters.

A steady hand is needed here at Genja.

Even the joey popped out its head to see all the fun.

Games and Shopping

Not a steady enough hand for James.

A mean bowl from Kate.

Games were played ashore in the afternoon while the shoppers went on the ferry across to Palm Beach to find bread, milk and newspapers. Hint on the ferry look old and ask for a single to get the concession.
Games ashore included genja, cubes, dominoes and bocci. Few if any champions were evident but John, Warialda, threw a mean stick in the cubes section.

Genja was enjoyed by an English couple Kiuma and James but alas no success for young James.

John goes for it, beware the stick!!

Kate, Pete's Dragon, chucked a lovely bocci ball as the court ranged around Coasters.

Dominoes was an interesting game where the rules seemed to change each hand until Debbie, Walkabout, finally read and worked out the rules.

The concentration at the dominoes was palpable.

Cruising Division LMYC, Pittwater V

Sun 13 Feb 2011

Coasters Retreat

The Pirates Barrrrr is now open.

Motor sailing around to Coasters Retreat with a little excursion to the lumpy ocean swell off Barrenjoey Head in the fresh breeze cleared our heads and recharged our batteries.

The odd concoction ready to sample.

Dinner is almost ready says Heinz.

Coasters is a top spot for the rainy weather due to the covered BBQ area with picnic tables thoughtfully provided by the NSW Parks & Wildlife people.
The Pirates Barrrr opened at 1730 and many a spendid concoction was available to sample and guess the ingredients of. Rum and whatever ..........!!!!!

Winners of the cocktails by popular vote were Marion & John, Catatonic, with a delight Catatonic Molotov which goes off when consumed.
Winner of the guess the ingredients was Anne, Saaremaa, who has extensive personal knowledge of many a drink (an unfair advantage really)!!

Tony's sum up of the drinks was an entertaining interlude before the more serious work of BBQing dinner.

Dinner at last!

The even more serious matter of eating dinner was next.

Cruising Division LMYC, Pittwater IV

Sat 12 Feb 2011

Refuge Bay

Refuge Bay RatCam

Morning tea ashore and the infamous rat races occurred early in the day before the rain settled in confining cruisers to their boats. Besides which the beach disappeared ar high tide anyway.

Libby's leading rat nears the finish line.

Heinz Brill, Anya II, otherwise known as King Rat took out the overall prize once again with his exquisite risk action. Meanwhile Libby Archer, Indigo, is know to be known as 'Heat Queen Rat' for winning her heat of the ladies section with superb wrist control and lightning speed. The 'Overall Queen Rat' is Linda, Sundowner, with her unique wiggle hip style adding to the spectacle during the ratoff.

John remounts the steed.

Bob saves his beer.

On leaving the shore John, Catatonic, and Bob, Warialda, need special mention for grace in dinghy not mounting, fortunately Bob did not dilute his beer during the dunking.

Cruising Division LMYC, Pittwater III

Thursday 10Feb 2011

Hallets Beach to Dangar Island Return

Arrival of the Mottley Crew on Dangar Island

Leaving Halletts Beach the fleet motored up to the north side of Dangar Island anchoring in preparation of a raid on the coffee shop where we promptly ran the place off their feet as they met coffee and cake needs of the rampant mob.

Coffee and caking on Dangar

Anticipation

A short walk up to the Bowling Club (not open so no chance of losing out on the pokies) was undertaken by a few of us fitter folk along with Ella the scotty dog from Once More Dear Friends.

Aah that's better a full belly.

 The wind was in the right direction to unfurl some sail on the way back to Halletts. We Saaremaates were surprised to sea Dreamcatcher anchored in very close to shore where we like to go (as Sir Humphrey might say " a very courageous choice"). It was noted that later Helen & Ray upped anchor and moved Dreamcatcher further out in the bay.

The courage of Dreamcatcher at Halletts Beach

Helen takes a grog from an unruly pirate. Pirate John???

Leanne wench & Derek strongman pirat

The Pirates Feast ashore was a splendid affair with the long banquet table set up and food for thousands (well about 40 anyway).

Ross under the weather before the start.

Who have we here Pirates to be sure Ray & Beth

Harlot Pirates and Harlot Wenches abounded with swords breaking as the Sheffield Finest Steel (or plastic) gave up. Derek from Calysta managed to break both of their swords (he does not know his own strength).

Captain Ken Hook and Libby wench

After some feasting and de-thirsting a game of 'Bop the Parrot' ensued during which several tree shakers shook polly down but the only winner was Pete from Pete's Dragon.

Happy Pirates after a day of Patonga Pillage

Kate wench & Peter pirate

The Brigands of Warialda, beware world!!

The Feast over pirates are now ready for some serious de-thirsting.

Friday 11 Feb 2011


Hallets Beach to Refuge Bay via Patonga

At 1100 the fleet left Halletts sailing for Patonga, Saaremaa quickly giving up the sail and motoring most of the way. Fish and chips with a cleansing ale or bottle of plonk were welcome for lunch before the sail to Refuge Bay in rising SE winds. Patonga Beach is no place to ride out southerly!!
The calm conditions in Refuge Bay where moorings abound (even if they are not your own) were conducive to a swim and nibblies on the beach. It was not a formal do and hence Michael dressed in full black budgie smugglers while Anne sported her elegant Red Cross swimmers. Others were less formally attired we note.

Cruising Division LMYC, Pittwater II

Tuesday 8th Feb 2011

Coasters Retreat to Yeomans Bay via Lion Island

Indigo & Halcyon round Lion Island.

Saaremaa creeps up close.

Lion Island to port.

After Stoked Maureen's delightful morning sked the fleet set sail on a lovely sunny morning for a cruise to the overnight anchorage at Yeoman's Bay. A light NE wind was blowing filling the sails for our sail around Lion Island and up Cowan Creek.
 
Indigo, Halcyon and Saaremaa rounded the Island a little later than most but ahd a good sail all the same.
The wind died near Refuge Bay so motoring became the order of the day up to Yeoman's. Bugger! Arriving late means moorings are gone the anchor goes down.

The Swashbucklers Feast

Yeoman's Bay

Do you give in Annie? AAArrrrgggghhhh!!!

Anne & Michael had already arranged the draw for the Shared Swashbucklers Feast and delivered the grog to the host boats. (There were some reports of the grog not being of the highest quality but we assure all that they were all bottled last Tuesday).
 
Marauding Pirates were noted in the bay later in the evening and this pirate got a little damp from hoses that were obviously accidentally set off.


Wed 9th Feb 2011

Yeoman's Bay to Halletts Beach via Cottage Point

Leaving a rocky friend in Yeoman's Bay behind.

Another lovely morning to start with and a motor around to Cottage Point kiosk for a coffe and some supplies with a little walk ahore up to Cottage Point Restaurant. After a quick perousal of the menu it was quickly decided that prices were very effective in keeping the riff-raff out and so we riffed and raffed our way back to the boat.

Hallets Beach beckoned in the now overcast and dreary day so off we went anchoring close inshore as is our want.



Thurs 10 Feb 2011

Halletts Beach around Dangar Island return.

Off to Pittwater

Friday 4 February 2011
Saaremaa has entered the 21st century finally now that we have a good laptop navigation program 'Open CPN'and the laptop fixed to the chart table

Saaremaa enters the 21st century with a laptop chart plotting program. (only 11 years late)

Loading the boat on the Croudace Bay jetty was a warm affair that after several beers and several hours was completed. With Muhu the inflatable aboard and water tanks filled we headed off to Lake Macquarie Yacht Club for dinner and several more beers in the 38C heat. A steamy night with little breeze was spent on board.

The hot & Steamy  LMYC jetty

Saturday 5 February

The wind came up hot and strong from the NW by 0700hrs and after helping Catatonic leave the work berth with some difficulties we left the dock at 0800. We being Warialda, Indigo, Pete's Dragon, Catatonic and Saaremaa.

Saaremaa & Indigo flying south to Pittwater.

Warialda was first through the bridge and off to Pittwater as the rest of our little group were still raising the mainsail. The Swansea bar was flat and the ocean had a small swell with little wave and the wind was blowing 20-25 knotsfrom the NW. Trucking along at 6-7 knots we little boats had a great sail down to Pittwater. The 30+knots as we neared Broken Bay gave some interesting turns of speed of 7.5 knots and hard wheel work to prevent rounding up aboard Saaremaa.

Pete's Dragon flying along with us.

After entering Pittwater and sailing down to Towlers Bay with Indigo alongside it was great to pick up a mooring and jump into the water for a cooling swim (what SHARKSSS!!!!).

Indigo passes Barrenjoey Head.

It was great to meet up with Anne & Jim Cate from Insatiable II after last seeing them at Great Keppel Island back in August 2010.

Sunday 6 Feb
A forecast strong southerley change by lunch encouraged us to leave Towlers Bay for the more protected Coasters Retreat along with the rest of the cruising division fleet. here we picked up another mooring and continued to sweat out the day until welcome relief of a drop of rain and cool breezes.

Catatonic safeley tucked up at coasters Retreat.

Sundowner lazes away the morning at coasters Retreat.

 
A BBQ ashore with other LMYC Cruising Division boats included Anya II, Isis, Once More Dear Griends, Weatherorknot, Dreamcatcher, Catatonic, Warialda, Sundowner, The Wizard, Stoked, Double Fun, Indigo, Flagship, Pete's Dragon, Halcyon and Saaremaa (15 boats).

Heinz roulette, NOT reccommended for faint hearted.

 Happy Birthday to Heinz Brill, Anya II, who is 25 or thereabouts again today.

A much cooler night was conducive to a good solid sleep helped along with a drop wine and Heinz's cognac.

Maureen ROOLS the 'Crazy Whist'.

Monday 7 Feb

Cool and overcast but dry made perfect conditions for crazy whist cards onshore. The pieces of 8 were won by Bob from Warialda who may have some difficulty putting them in the poker machines to win a furthe fortune. Crazy Whist is a mad game when you get a winning hand and have to pass it on and sometimes you are not even alowed to speak. Maureen from Stoked is a tough card game leader so beware me hearties.

Tamed dinghies.

 

 

Saaremaa All Engined Up

Its been a time since the blog update what with Christmas, New Year, Parkes Elvis Festival, a visit from Alan & Jess, Basil going walkabout and all so its time to continue ready for the Pittwater Cruise with Lake Macquarie Yacht Club Cruising Division.

Saaremaa received an early Xmas present when the new Nanni 29hp engine was commissioned on 3 Nov 2010.

Put me down below I refuse to work in the cockpit!

Its a lovely sparkling blue, smoother, quieter and with more prop power. A new prop shaft removed all the vibration hence this should stop killing gearboxes on a regular basis. A new 3 blade prop gives more push and stopping grunt.

The new prop was coated with 'pellerclean' so it will be interesting to see if it works.

Aah that's more cosy

A great job performed by Bruce Theodore of Coastwide Marine.

The new and shiny beast now has nearly 20 hrs on the clock and so its time to change the oil before the Pittwater Cruise.

One interesting fact about the quietness of the new engine means we can now hear the radio when down below. This must be what its like on a real boat???

Its goodbye to the old engine which was always very reliable at starting and running. It was just a pity about the bent prop shaft that caused all the grief for so long to the gearboxes. Michael will not miss the many happy hours spent in the back of the engine bay.

Basil (now nicked) and the prop.

As for the naughty person/persons who pinched Basil, my car @#$$$****!!!! but lets not go there.
Boris has taken over.