December 2006 – Sydney to Broken Bay

Thank goodness, we have left Sydney.  Not that it’s not a nice place to visit, but 7 months is enough. Although I have to say (because he is now on the email list ha ha!!) that working with the brilliant heart surgeons at St Vincent's Hospital was a pleasure and a privilege and I will miss the job - just a bit.

While we were in Sydney, the skipper studied and passed his exams and is now a Master V - congratulations.  We have met some lovely people (other cruisers) while here and spent significant time exploring the harbour's many bays and beaches when we have time to get away from Sundowners (drinks at 5pm) and Dinners on various cruiser's boats (It's tough but someone has to do it! - may as well be us).  We have had a few anxious moments while in our little bay as a nasty southerly change came through one evening (at 40 knots) and a yacht just in from overseas began to drag its anchor.  No-one was on board as the lone sailor had gone into town for the evening.  Neil and Ian (another cruiser) to the rescue - in our dinghy and onto the dragging vessel desperately trying to let out more chain in a bid to stop the yacht from running into the Anzac bridge – while I was calling the Coast Guard on the radio and being told that is was a Police matter but they would pass on the message, meanwhile the wind relentlessly increasing speed.  Eventually the Police arrive and proceed to tow the boat to the nearest jetty and one anxious captain returned soon after to where he thought he'd left the yacht!  What a night!  All ended well thank goodness and we became firm friends with the skipper.  In fact, a few fellow cruisers have had troubles with anchors not holding in strong winds and as you will see from one of the photos, they decided we were the best yacht to tie up to while re-assessing the anchoring situation.  Mind you, they were still tied up to us a couple of days later - must have had a good time I think.  It's hard being popular you know.

Raft up in Blackwattle Bay

I think the NSW Maritime are glad we have left though.  They are getting sick of seeing us 'hanging around'. Dubbed the 'gestapo' by those cruisers who neighboured us for the past few months, they don't take kindly to long term liveaboards or overseas visitors it seems.  Especially if you quote legislation and regulations to them (that they themselves should know).   

We have included a photo of the Anzac bridge which spans the entrance to Black Wattle bay and also one of the seaplanes that set our hearts racing when they decided to land in amongst us while we were anchored in Rose Bay.  He headed straight for us then veered at the last minute to get the best use of the water space to land.  Agile little things they are.  But someone could have warned us!

Top: Bluestone and Anzac Bridge

&

Seaplane landing

We are now in beautiful Hawkesbury River/Pittwater/Broken Bay and have found some extremely pretty anchorages.  They know how to cater for boats up here.  Everywhere you go there are moorings to use - much more boat friendly than Sydney.  We will stay up here for a couple of weeks then head back down to Sydney for Christmas Day (as we are not flying back for Christmas this year) and also to take in the start of the Sydney to Hobart Race and New Years Eve.  Several other cruisers are having Christmas breakfast/lunch/dinner in Cammeray and we have been invited.  So we hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and New Year and we will be in touch soon.