After breakfast at Roger and Carols we opted for a tour of Toronto town and morning coffee at one of their favourite haunts. We discussed options for staying out as the weather forecast was for two more westerly, strong wind warning days. Somewhere along the way we all decided it was a good idea for Peter and I to join the Royal Motor Yacht Club of Toronto. It is quick and simple to join and very reasonable at $80 for a full boating membership and $15 for an associate membership. This also means we can use the facilities (toilets, showers etc) and have one free night per week tied up to the yacht club jetty where power and water are available. We spent the day ambling around town, doing some unavoidable jobs. One was to sort out medications for the next few months until we got back to Albany. This was done at the friendly Priceline Pharmacy and now we have six months supply and won't need to worry about that until we arrive back home.
While we were looking for Woolies we came across the local council voting station. Peter went in and enquired about absentee voting and lo and behold that was fixed up too. While all this was happening we had the bright idea of finding out about the availability of mooring Rene at Toronto YC over the summer while we go home. There were moorings available and we booked one for six months at $224 per month. This is an inland waterway and we feel sure Rene will be OK while we are away. It is a reasonably straightforward and very cheap process to bus and train to Sydney to see Greg and Leisha's new baby and also to catch the plane home. Another advantage is that the mooring is $700 cheaper than the one in Sydney and we are a little closer to Townsville for next year.
Wangi Workers Club from our anchorage
On Friday we motored down the west side of the lake to Wangi Wangi. Of course there was another strong wind warning so we anchored up in the corner of Wangi Bay right in front of the Worker's Club in 4.0m of water. This position was directly under the shelter of some tall sheoks and although we could see the wind tossing the branches about we were very protected with just a small ruffle breezing across the water. We were able to sign in to the club for the day and use the facilities there. I discovered that a Quilt Show was being held and went for a look. There were some gorgeous quilts Bev and I am starting to get motivated in that direction again.
On Saturday we decided some serious exercise was in order so we set out early and walked the Wangi Peninsular. What a lovely walk, partly on parkland between the houses and the lake and partly in the Lake Macquarie State Conservation area. By the time we arrived back at the Wangi shopping area it was well past coffee time. There is a very lovely caravan park on the peninsular called The Wangi Holiday and Camping Area for those of you who are interested. Lots of beautiful tall gum trees and grass on a hill overlooking the western bays and side of Lake Macquarie. Some people had one of the open fires going, cooking breakfast and Peter and I nearly gate-crashed.
Now it is Sunday and we decided that as the weather is absolutely superb we would motor over to the eastern side of the lake to Belmont. Recently the strongest wind has been from the west so we thought we would take advantage of this quiet time to explore the other side. We are now anchored between the Belmont Public Jetty and the swimming baths in about 3m of water. It is only a short row ashore to all the usual shops including a Bias Marine chandlery where we will no doubt spend some $$. Peter is sitting out on the cockpit seat watching the 16' Skiffs race across the bay. Apparently the World Champions came from the club here so the racing is worth watching. It doesn't get much better than this!!!
Orchids on Wangi Peninsular
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