Brisbane - Moolooaba

Hello One And All

Well I can see Christmas is upon us once again as some of the shops in Brisbane are starting to put their trees and decorations up, and I am so far behind with it this year that I can see it passing before I have caught up. Me who never misses putting up a tree and doing something festive, is going to completely miss out this year. But in saying that I would not change this for all the world.

Coffs Harbour - Gold Coast - Brisbane

Hello Again

We are now sitting in Coffs Harbour

I have just arrived back to the boat from a visit ashore to find Alex and a mechanic aboard still working on the engines. Murray your cabin which houses the starboard engine under the bed [and which we have nick-named “the garage” as it houses everything that has not got a home yet and maybe never will so your double bed might be a very slim single by the time you join us!] was in a sorry state. Everything had been emptied out and is all over the place. We look like real sea gypsies, not Ann’s organised state!!!!

Pittwater to Coffs Harbour

Hello Again

Another update of our progress up the New South Wales Coast 

On the 29th Oct around mid day we left Pittwater for Port Stephens.  That was a day – night sail arriving in Nelson Bay-Port Stephens at 8.00a.m. 72nm. We were to get jobs done including the 50 hour engine service but it was far too-ooooo expensive, and the people were not very helpful.  The marina fees were a killer at just over $100 per night, but we found we could stay in the marina from 8.00a.m. till 5.00p.m. on the guest berth free of charge.  So we would arrive at the berth each morning, and then make sure we were back on the boat before 5.00pm and then motor out of the marina and pick up a free guest mooring bouy for the night. Helen and David were able to catch up with friends there which was great.  We stayed till the 2nd Nov exploring around the area which included a bus trip back to Newcastle which we had passed by on the way up.  We then headed off to Coffs Harbour. That was a day – night – day sail. 116nm.

We got no work done on SHAMAL here as the winds got up and we were unable to be hauled out for the sail drive oil to be changed. In fact we got into the Habbour just before a cold front passed through.  The next day I was quite happy to be in port watching the seas breaking over the break water, and not having to be out at sea.  We explored the township, went for walks, did loads of washing and stocked up again with supplies and fuel, and in the evening found somewhere to eat.  It sounds like we do nothing but eat.  I find we can buy fresh which is always nicer than tinned stuff.

Ok will sign out for this post

Lots of love

Ann and Alec 

Sydney to Pittwater

Hello To You All

Many thanks to all who have sent us an email. Always good to hear from you. Not sure when you will get this as Alex has not yet fixed up our Sail Mail but if need be I will go ashore somewhere to send it on.

Tonight – Sat 20th Oct we are moored up an inlet in Pittwater. We are about eight miles inland from the open sea. It is just the most beautiful place. We left the Birkenhead Marina in Sydney on Thursday. A little later than we thought we would but it is good not having to stick to a timetable. Helen needed a visit to the Dr with an infection in her toe plus there are still odd jobs than need to be done aboard. Some we will do as we go up the coast at different ports of call. We still need things fitted like a radar reflector etc. Thursday was fine and warm but the winds were coming from the wrong direction. We motored down the harbour under the bridge past the opera house and out to the heads. We rounded North Head straight into a head wind so we just kept on motoring. We did hoist the jib for a time but that was taken down again after a few miles as it was of no help. Still it was a good trip up and gave Alex plenty of time to set the instruments up. We saw a couple of whales at different times broaching which was fantastic. Once we had rounded the headland and into Pittwater we had the wind behind us and we able to put up the sails and had a beautiful run for about half an hour heading back the way we had come on an inland waterway. We moored for the night at the Royal Motor Yacht Club and took the tender over to another Seawind for drinks. I tell you one can get use to this way of life quite easily.

Before leaving Sydney we spent quite a bit of time with Helen and David’s daughter Wendy who was great. She let us use her car so we were able to do lots of job. We also visited local markets, visited IKEA and Howards Storage about three times [great shops with tons of practical goodies in them] had a running GST exempt account at Whitworths – a chandlery which Alex and David have nearly cleaned out - and had meals out all over the place. Helen and I did the food stores and have enough food on board to do the Tasman crossing twice I think.

Sun 21st. It is around 3.00pm and we have moored up in a bay so Alex and David can watch the final of the rugby. Hot and sunny. We have been exploring all the inlets this morning. Also found a place to fill our water tank. Helen and I did three loads of washing in the machine on board. We are not missing out on too many of the luxuries of life.

Ok will sign off and send this as soon as I am able. Love to you all

Ann and Alex