Sydney-Blue Mountains-Broken Bay

Sorry about the delay folks...computer hard drive died and needed replacing by the lovely Mac men in Newcastle!

Now.. we arrived in Sydney on the 31st March. We picked up Peter, John's brother, at Watson's Bay and headed around to Drummoyne to pick up our mooring we had already organised. There we were met by John's younger brother David and John's parents, Michael and Marion. No sooner had we landed and the prawns and champagne were laid out in celebration of our arrival. It was fantastic coming through the heads and heading down the Harbour under the bridge-this is something John had mentioned to me years ago..."one day we'll sail under this bridge in our own boat". Well, there we are!
After celebrations we headed back to Westleigh to John's parents home and spent the next 2 weeks catching up. The following day we popped back to Drummoyne to pick up Jed and Jude to give them lunch and deliver them to the train station to get their flight to NZ. We were going our own way for a week or two. 'GlenshielVII' and 'Sorcerer' were having a well earned rest!

Houses perched on South Head at the entrance into the Sydney Harbour

Sydney Harbour

Vintage 18ft skiffs on the Harbour

We finally made it!

The brothers Fry-Peter (above) and David

John getting down and dirty at Peters place in the Blue Mountains

After spending a few days at Westleigh, we headed up to the Blue Mountains to stay with Peter, Jen and Josh to throw a bit of mud around on the walls of his shed. It was a great change and we had lots of fun.

Handing up a shovelful of mud to Josh and friend

I planted some beans in their garden(nice to get my hands in some yummy organic soil-its been a while!). We also had fun with our great friends Bruce and Alison and their children Bradley and Molly. It was great to see Ben and we had a lovely meal at the Grand View Hotel at Wentworth Falls with Jules and Paola.  Next day we headed back to Westleigh for the night and then back to Sorcerer to continue on our way.

A beautiful day for a climb at Mt York, Blue Mountains.

I have always said he looks good in a hat!

Josh showing us how it is done!

Our dear friends Jules and Paola living now in the Blueys

Kay Cottee's 'First Lady'-I can't believe I went on board and stood behind the wheel!

One of the first books I ever read about sailing was Kay Cottee's 'First Lady'. It was very inspiring and I was able to go on board her boat here in the museum. Kay was the first woman to complete a solo, non-stop and unassisted circumnavigation of the globe on June 5th 1988. She took 189 days to sail more than 22,000 nautical miles in 'First Lady'. We had a great day checking out the Museum of Contemporary Art, Art Gallery of NSW(unfortunately missed seeing the Archibald Exhibition), Maritime Museum(where we had lunch with John's brother Dave, Tatiana and all the children) and the Botanical Gardens.

Henry Moore's 'Reclining Figure'-AGNSW

Frederic, Lord Leighton-1877, 'Athlete Wrestling Python' AGNSW

Following our touristy day in Sydney,  we jumped on board Sorcerer and headed to Broken Bay and into Cowan Creek. The waterfalls were fantastic after all the rain. I managed to pick up some big, fat juicy tiger leeches on my walk to the Rangers Station. Jed, Jude and I had a lovely time picking them off in the outdoor coffee shop after the walk. 3 weeks later they are still itching!

After large amounts of rain, the waterfalls were everywhere. America Bay, Cowan Creek

Refuge Bay, Cowan Creek

Skink on Scribbly Gum, Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park

Busy scribbles by busy moth larvae

Wollemi Pine, Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park

Just outside Ku-Ring-Gai Nat. Park information centre.

Angophora costata with Xanthorrhoea semiplana(or australis?)

A lovely anchorage in Cowan Creek

Cowan Creek

Beautiful specimens of bottlebrush (Callistemon or Banksia...anyone?) on the way to Brooklyn.

Jerusalem Bay(Sorcerer is 2nd yacht on the left)

Me and Old Man Angophora

 Stand of Spotted Gum (Eucalyptus maculata) of state significance in Towlers Bay, Pittwater

View from youth hostel in Towlers Bay, Pittwater

After farewelling Broken Bay we headed off to Newcastle on 25th April, Anzac Day at 0600hrs with Jed and Jude. Had a great sail in 20-30kn WNW, 50 nautical miles. Tied up with Glenshiel at the public jetty. Newcastle...now thats another story.

Eden to Port Hacking

Well, hello folks. Now lets see...where were we...

We left Eden at 0700 on Sunday 18th March and arrived in Bermagui at the previously mentioned respectable hour of 1445. Good sail in 5-15kn SSE picking up to 20kn an hour from Bermagui. Lovely goose wing for half the journey and nestled in comfortably next to Glenshiel at the wharf. Next day we met up with the first of John's great family, Jane(Johns aunty) and her friend Trish. Had a lovely lunch at the Co-op cafe and some interesting and stimulating conversation as well as some Bowen Therapy and Emmett Technique for me. The waiter wanted to line up for some treatment as well!

Sorcerer rafted up to Glenshiel at Bermagui Fishermans Wharf

John and I with Trish and Jane

That afternoon John and I walked to Blue Pool, the beautiful ocean baths at the other end of town. As I got in, some locals told me to be very careful as the waves that break over the side can easily suck you back out. I very sensibly hung onto the handrail and only just got out in time!

...hang on to that handrail...

...phew...just in time! Ocean Baths at Bermagui

Next day we caught up with John's cousin Adriene and Eric, who live nearby, and with Jed and Jude had a morning cuppa at 'Mr Jones' Cafe where the coffee was excellent and the seating was rudimentary and relaxed.

Coffee at Mr Jones'

This was followed by a drive (funny being in a car again!) through picturesque rolling farmland to Central Tilba in the foothills of Mt Gulaga (Mt Dromedary) for lunch and a casual stroll amongst the colourful and interesting shops and historic buildings. The caretaker of 'Pams Store' was very excited to talk to us about his upcoming wedding anniversary holiday to Tasmania when he heard where we were from. We especially like this little place because our very good friends Karen, David, Hannah and Alice have a dog named Tilba who we dearly love as well.

Central Tilba Town Hall

The Dromedary Pub, Central Tilba

Temporary caretaker of 'Pams Store'

Teapots on the gate inform  you of the Tilba Teapot Cafe

Restored milking sheds

Shops above and lunch spot in Tilba

En route to Jervis Bay (home of HMAS Creswell Naval Base).  Jervis Bay is a funny combination of National Park, Naval Base and artillery range.  Left on Friday 23rd March. Had a beautiful sail up the coast, past some old favourite stomping(surfing and bushwalking)grounds of Johns. Years ago when we first met, John introduced me to the beautiful Budawangs and showed me North Durras where he spent many family holidays. It was great to see them from the sea.

Pigeon House and the beautiful Budawangs

North Durras with Point Upright

Grasshopper Island off Depot Beach

...someone has to do it!

Point Perpendicular from Hole in The Wall-Jervis Bay

Pristine beaches and deliciously warm water for swimming

The beautiful beach with  Hole in the Wall at the end of it

Honeymoon Bay, don't be fooled...just keep an eye on the kids!

Campers...cash...caution...parking...(read the fine print)...Live Bombs and Laser Hazard!

We departed for Port Hacking at first light on Friday the 30th March. Arrived at Jibbon Beach at sunset and settled in for the night in preparation for our arrival in Sydney. Our stay in Jervis Bay would not have been so easy if it had not been for Tony who showed us around and made us feel very welcome. Good luck with your boat finding Tony and thankyou very much for your hospitality.

Other ocean users off Wollongong. These were spread out along 15 miles!

En route to Port Hacking, just south of Wollongong...it was just one of those days.