Too long away from the boat! I had been counting down the days and watching the forecasts in readiness to continue up the coast. Kerry Murphy and i drove from Mount Eliza and collected Jim and Sam directly to the airport. With the crazy things going on in Jims life i was hoping he would get the same solace as i do from sailing. For the last five years we had been focused on building our childcare vision never really thinking that anything such as illness could effect either of us. The aim of this this trip was to spend the next five days cruising the coast to Coffs Harbour with stops at well.... wherever we like. 300 miles, south easterly winds predicted, looks great.
once we arrived at Cammeray marina we headed out under the spit bridge and up the coast for a three hour sail to Pittwater. We entered Pittwater and decided to tie up at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club to have hot showers and and dinner at the legendary Newport Pub.
This morning we awoke and motored up the Hawkesbury River and anchored Americas Bay. 40 degrees with family in Melbourne telling us that it was pouring rain. Spent the afternoon swimming before heading back to lion island near the entrance to Pittwater. Just watched the sun set and planning to leave at 4 am and heading to Port Stephens for tomorrow night.
From Sam Ludbey-Stynes - Today
I learnt that when you are a ‘man of the sea’, or in my case ‘a lady of the
sea’ (in training), you don’t take too much luggage on board. Actually I’ve always known this, but
chose to ignore the unwritten rules and to up-hold my grooming standards
regardless of endless, but enjoyable jokes, at my expense.
With
bags in tow (many bags!) Hugh, Kerry, Jim and I flew from Melbourne to Sydney
and jumped in a cab to Cammaray Bay. We lugged all the bags down a steep but
pretty cobble stairway surrounded by lush greenery to open out onto the
marina. The marina is situated in
a sheltered, calm and beautiful private feeling bay. The short walk reminded me of when the hypnotist instructs
you to count down from ten to one, one-step at a time and you get to the bottom
and see your sanctuary.
In the
club dingy we were kindly given a lift to Silver Lady and unloaded our
stuff. It was hot! So, we all hit the water for a much
needed and refreshing swim. Almost
immediately I, and I think it fair to speak for my friends too, we all started
to drop and relax.
Once
dried off we headed out of Sydney harbour through the heads with a 10-15 knot
easterly. It was a height of
activity in Sydney harbour with so much going on it felt exciting to be in
amongst it. Once we got the sail
up and Silver Lady settled in for the trip I sat at the tip of the bow for
hours enjoying watching as we sailed past luxury cruisers, other yachts, school
kids learning to sail on small catamarans, fishermen (and fisherwomen) fishing
off the banks, the transport ferry, jet skis, a rainbow parasail in action
etc. I love the inertia in your
body and the freedom I feel as the boat pitched and rolled in the choppy seas
whilst sitting at he bow. I have
requested a seat on the pulpit! As
Kerry stated, ‘Once people hang up at the bow, you never get them back!’ It really is true that sometimes the
simplest pleasures are the most rewarding. From this vantage point my mind settled and I relaxed as I
absorbed the wonder of Sydney Harbour.
Late
afternoon we arrived at Newport and docked at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht
Club. This yacht club houses many
beautiful and impressive boats.
Once tied up we headed for a hot shower in the clubhouse and then into
town for a meal and drink at the Newport Pub. Hugh and Kerry are experienced sailors but for Jim this is
his first (and much needed) five-night sailing adventure. With no plans, Hugh plans to casually
make a hop from here to there. We loosely
aim to reach Coffs Harbour on Wednesday.
Over dinner Jim stated that he ‘….couldn’t believe how calm and relaxed
he felt’. Sailing is like magic. Don’t really completely understand just
why it soothes the soul. It just
does. It is a wondrous and extra
special thing to do.
After
an enjoyable evening we returned to Silver Lady and retired for the night. It was a fabulous first day.
