Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Hawkesbury River-NSW
7 March
Took the dingy up the river and went food shopping at Woy Woy. The dingy was very laden on return as we could not get it out on a plan. Got the boat ready for open water as we are leaving for Lake Macquarie tomorrow.
6th March
Woke late and decided to explore Pittwater went around the bay and Scotland Island. We passed Palm Beach where Home and Away is filmed. We put the Asymetric up and as we passed by the headland we got caught in strong winds so pulled it down agan. Brisbane Waters entrance is very narrow and very shallow in spots. We got stuck on the bottom, grounded, thank goodness for motors. The channel is not correct, the ferry actually travels outside it so we followed it in with the dingy in front checking the depths. Took a mooring at Hardy's Bay. Had a well deserved glass of wine.
5 March
We had an appointment in Sydney CBD and caught the train into the city, we stopped to see sunrise being filmed in Martin place and then spent the rest of the day at the American Embassy organising our visas. As there was a severe wind storm expected decided to head to Pittwater and picked a mooring up in Coasters Retreat. Very windy and lots of rain.
4 March
A huge luxury motor cruiser had anchored off Cottage point so we sailed around her on the way back to Brooklyn. The cruiser was called Boadicea and belonged to Reg Grundy. Dropping Gene and Cate off we decided to have dinner ashore and met up with Ella and Alan whom we had met
on Texas Lady in Sydney. We than had coffee back on board.
Thunder and lighting and strong winds during the night.
3 March
After picking Gene and Cate up we took a mooring at Refuge Bay. We all swam ashore and all went under the waterfall before taking off to Castle Bay sailing with a good 15-20 knot breeze behind us. Had a BBQ aboard and played a game of 500's.
2 March
Motored taking mooring at Refuge Bay where the waterfall was running. We took the dingy ashore and had a shower under the waterfall. Had drinks aboard Kiwiriwa III before motoring back to Brooklyn for dinner ashore. We were picking up Gene and Cate for the weekend.
28 February
Woke up with eggs and Bacon on the back deck. Mist is low on the hills and the water very very still. We motored to the end of Smith's Creek before heading back up into Cowan Creek on way to Bobbin Head (home of the Halvorsen). We were able to see where the fire had raged through previously. We refueled and restocked with water before heading off to Lord's Bay. Heavy rain cover came over as we picked a mooring up. There were lots of huge jelly fish in the water.
Coco is getting braver exploring in the boom and right back out to the solar panels, she still won't go back on the backboard as she has had too many bad experiences, but she keeps in touch with the oracle of the plughole (inside joke).
27 February
Rain stopped so motored to next bay. It is again a beautiful bay with water streaming off the cliffs. Picked up a mooring and took the surf ski for a paddle, We had a lovely peaceful relaxing day. There is mist up on the hills and the water is very still and reflective.
26 February
Yesterday I dropped Paul off at Jeruselum Bay so he could walk to the train and catch it to Sydney as we require bearings for the motor water pump. Bildge pump is working overtime. Paul stayed overnight and returned the next morning. the pump was fixed and then went to Brooklym.
We needed to be at Brooklyn so we could collect the surf ski purchased. We had a drink at the local Angler's Club while we waited for the truck.
We then took the boat to Stingray Bay. Raining, visibility poor as there was little wind we motored and picked up a mooring.
23 Frebruary
After taking dingy ashore and walking part of the Great North Walk we returned and headed down Coal and Candle Creek finally taking a mooring at Yeoman's Bay just up from Castle Bay. Insatiable III is here as well. They are an American couple which we met in Tasmania, thier sister Alison is on board as well. Had a sundowner and a BBQ dinner on board.
22 February
Took the dingy ashore to look at waterfall, it was not running due to lack of rain. Then we moved onto to Pinta Bay, one bay down from Jeuselum Bay. We put the shades up as it is a hot day. We swam, Paul put Coco in the dingy and did a bombie off the back of the boat which scared her and she leapt of the dingy trying to get back to the boat and missed falling into the water.
21 Frebruary
Motored as I had my art all over the table. We had a lovely trip across to American Bay and took a mooring right at the end in 4 metres of water. Tomorrow we will go ashore and check out the waterfall. There are two eagles soaring near the water, one a baby. Paul replaced the impella in the generator.
20 February
Castle Bay to Brooklyn, we explored the Jeuselum Bay area and took the slow trip to Brooklyn. w
We had Steve and Leanne from Brooklyn aboard for a BBQ dinner.
We think this area reminds us of the Gordon River, with woodland rightdown to the water.
17 February
After a beautiful day swimming, eating, drinking and exploring. Enjoying everyones company we saddly headed back to Brooklyn to drop the Whalley's off.
After they leave we sailed back to Castle Bay. We had the bay to ourselves as all the other boats returned home to go to work.
We had been missing Coco, assumed she was hiding from Savannah but she had actually climbed into the bildge and locked herself in. She was covered in grease so she was washed.
16 February
We motored across the river to Brooklyn to pick up our guests for the weekend being the Whalley family also the gen set needed a new impeller so Paul went looking to see if he could source a new impeller. We have picked up a courtesy mooring. Expecting Peter, Rene and kids to stay over tonight.
Stitched zip at rear sail cover (sun damage) and also the bilmni plastic zip (small tear). It is a hot day and there are boats galore out on the water.
Peter, Rene and kids arrived late afternoon and we motor sailed back to Catle Bay/Lagoon. We anchored and tied the stern to a tree. We had a beautiful BBQ on board. I forgot how fast young children can move, Savannah is nearly two. She was standing at the top of the steps and I thought she was going to fall so I leapt up. caught my foot on the cushion banged my head on the cockpit and still saved Savannah. Kyle is only three weeks old and is such a gorgeous baby.
15 February
After Battery chargers arrived we left Port Jackson at 11.45am for the Hawkesbury. We had a hot day with 15-20 knots coming from the N-NE with all sails up we where sailing as close to the wind as we could to save the tacks at times we motorsailed to keep the boat speed up at over 5 knots. We had a few waves of water over the deck as the swell was running at about 2 metres but all in all it was a very pleasant trip. Arriving at 4.25pm we took a courtesy mooring at Refuge Bay. Upon entry into the bay and as we where about to drop the main the boom jibbed and Tracy forgot to duck got the boom across the head , splitting her ear it was lucky that there was no power in the sails at the time as we where basicaly into the wind.
Lots of boats and power boats in the bay, bush down to the water, very pleasant, a lovely nights sleep.
Took the dingy up the river and went food shopping at Woy Woy. The dingy was very laden on return as we could not get it out on a plan. Got the boat ready for open water as we are leaving for Lake Macquarie tomorrow.
6th March
Woke late and decided to explore Pittwater went around the bay and Scotland Island. We passed Palm Beach where Home and Away is filmed. We put the Asymetric up and as we passed by the headland we got caught in strong winds so pulled it down agan. Brisbane Waters entrance is very narrow and very shallow in spots. We got stuck on the bottom, grounded, thank goodness for motors. The channel is not correct, the ferry actually travels outside it so we followed it in with the dingy in front checking the depths. Took a mooring at Hardy's Bay. Had a well deserved glass of wine.
5 March
We had an appointment in Sydney CBD and caught the train into the city, we stopped to see sunrise being filmed in Martin place and then spent the rest of the day at the American Embassy organising our visas. As there was a severe wind storm expected decided to head to Pittwater and picked a mooring up in Coasters Retreat. Very windy and lots of rain.
4 March
A huge luxury motor cruiser had anchored off Cottage point so we sailed around her on the way back to Brooklyn. The cruiser was called Boadicea and belonged to Reg Grundy. Dropping Gene and Cate off we decided to have dinner ashore and met up with Ella and Alan whom we had met
on Texas Lady in Sydney. We than had coffee back on board.
Thunder and lighting and strong winds during the night.
3 March
After picking Gene and Cate up we took a mooring at Refuge Bay. We all swam ashore and all went under the waterfall before taking off to Castle Bay sailing with a good 15-20 knot breeze behind us. Had a BBQ aboard and played a game of 500's.
2 March
Motored taking mooring at Refuge Bay where the waterfall was running. We took the dingy ashore and had a shower under the waterfall. Had drinks aboard Kiwiriwa III before motoring back to Brooklyn for dinner ashore. We were picking up Gene and Cate for the weekend.
28 February
Woke up with eggs and Bacon on the back deck. Mist is low on the hills and the water very very still. We motored to the end of Smith's Creek before heading back up into Cowan Creek on way to Bobbin Head (home of the Halvorsen). We were able to see where the fire had raged through previously. We refueled and restocked with water before heading off to Lord's Bay. Heavy rain cover came over as we picked a mooring up. There were lots of huge jelly fish in the water.
Coco is getting braver exploring in the boom and right back out to the solar panels, she still won't go back on the backboard as she has had too many bad experiences, but she keeps in touch with the oracle of the plughole (inside joke).
27 February
Rain stopped so motored to next bay. It is again a beautiful bay with water streaming off the cliffs. Picked up a mooring and took the surf ski for a paddle, We had a lovely peaceful relaxing day. There is mist up on the hills and the water is very still and reflective.
26 February
Yesterday I dropped Paul off at Jeruselum Bay so he could walk to the train and catch it to Sydney as we require bearings for the motor water pump. Bildge pump is working overtime. Paul stayed overnight and returned the next morning. the pump was fixed and then went to Brooklym.
We needed to be at Brooklyn so we could collect the surf ski purchased. We had a drink at the local Angler's Club while we waited for the truck.
We then took the boat to Stingray Bay. Raining, visibility poor as there was little wind we motored and picked up a mooring.
23 Frebruary
After taking dingy ashore and walking part of the Great North Walk we returned and headed down Coal and Candle Creek finally taking a mooring at Yeoman's Bay just up from Castle Bay. Insatiable III is here as well. They are an American couple which we met in Tasmania, thier sister Alison is on board as well. Had a sundowner and a BBQ dinner on board.
22 February
Took the dingy ashore to look at waterfall, it was not running due to lack of rain. Then we moved onto to Pinta Bay, one bay down from Jeuselum Bay. We put the shades up as it is a hot day. We swam, Paul put Coco in the dingy and did a bombie off the back of the boat which scared her and she leapt of the dingy trying to get back to the boat and missed falling into the water.
21 Frebruary
Motored as I had my art all over the table. We had a lovely trip across to American Bay and took a mooring right at the end in 4 metres of water. Tomorrow we will go ashore and check out the waterfall. There are two eagles soaring near the water, one a baby. Paul replaced the impella in the generator.
20 February
Castle Bay to Brooklyn, we explored the Jeuselum Bay area and took the slow trip to Brooklyn. w
We had Steve and Leanne from Brooklyn aboard for a BBQ dinner.
We think this area reminds us of the Gordon River, with woodland rightdown to the water.
17 February
After a beautiful day swimming, eating, drinking and exploring. Enjoying everyones company we saddly headed back to Brooklyn to drop the Whalley's off.
After they leave we sailed back to Castle Bay. We had the bay to ourselves as all the other boats returned home to go to work.
We had been missing Coco, assumed she was hiding from Savannah but she had actually climbed into the bildge and locked herself in. She was covered in grease so she was washed.
16 February
We motored across the river to Brooklyn to pick up our guests for the weekend being the Whalley family also the gen set needed a new impeller so Paul went looking to see if he could source a new impeller. We have picked up a courtesy mooring. Expecting Peter, Rene and kids to stay over tonight.
Stitched zip at rear sail cover (sun damage) and also the bilmni plastic zip (small tear). It is a hot day and there are boats galore out on the water.
Peter, Rene and kids arrived late afternoon and we motor sailed back to Catle Bay/Lagoon. We anchored and tied the stern to a tree. We had a beautiful BBQ on board. I forgot how fast young children can move, Savannah is nearly two. She was standing at the top of the steps and I thought she was going to fall so I leapt up. caught my foot on the cushion banged my head on the cockpit and still saved Savannah. Kyle is only three weeks old and is such a gorgeous baby.
15 February
After Battery chargers arrived we left Port Jackson at 11.45am for the Hawkesbury. We had a hot day with 15-20 knots coming from the N-NE with all sails up we where sailing as close to the wind as we could to save the tacks at times we motorsailed to keep the boat speed up at over 5 knots. We had a few waves of water over the deck as the swell was running at about 2 metres but all in all it was a very pleasant trip. Arriving at 4.25pm we took a courtesy mooring at Refuge Bay. Upon entry into the bay and as we where about to drop the main the boom jibbed and Tracy forgot to duck got the boom across the head , splitting her ear it was lucky that there was no power in the sails at the time as we where basicaly into the wind.
Lots of boats and power boats in the bay, bush down to the water, very pleasant, a lovely nights sleep.
