Cabarita Marina 17th June

Today we decided it was time to move on up the Parramatta River. As we slowly chugged west past many small bays chocked full with moored craft and acres of suburbia, we decided to look into the possibility of securing a marina berth for the night. After more than two weeks out on the anchor we had used most of our water and were at the stage where a soak in the shower would be a good idea. There is a lot to be said for the old bucket bath and we have practised it down to a fine art, but eventually the yearning for a shower cannot be denied. Greg had told us about Cabarita Marina and we contacted them to find they had room for us, showers, laundry, kiosk etc.

An oil tanker leaves Gore Bay as we arrived in Balls Head Bay

Cabarita Marina is located on Cabarita Point and near the entrance to Hen and Chickens Bay. We were instructed to tie up at the fuel jetty next to the marina while paper work was completed. This is an interesting experience as there are some unforgiving looking rocks just to the north and front of this jetty. Luckily for us there was no ferry steaming past at the time we berthed as we didn't realise the effect the bow waves had on this area. We do now, after observing one of the fast ferries travelling upstream at a rate of knots, leaving us bouncing about like drunks staggering and stumbling up the pontoon. Our pen is on the inner most pontoon and is quite protected from the surge. Unfortunately the cost is $70 per night, but we are after all in Sydney Harbour and the facilities here are new and clean and the staff very friendly and helpful.

Our trip up the beautiful Parramatta River from Balls Head Bay was most enjoyable. The weather was superb, sunny, warm and the river sparkling in the sunshine. This afternoon we walked for about 8 kms up river and back around Breakfast Point and the newish housing development there. This is high density living, but well planned with attractive apartments and acres of open space and native gardens lining the river. The water bags are full, laundry is done, Peter and I are showered (hair washed, oh bliss!!) and we are looking forward to another couple of weeks out on the water.