WELCOME TO SAILING RENE APRIL TO OCTOBER 2015

Goodbye Albany! Hello Sydney April 2015

We rumbled out of Albany on 29th March, aboard the TransWA bus, bound for Perth and two days with Karin, Paul and our delightful little granddaughter Isabelle. It was a quick stopover but lovely to catch up with them before we departed for our third year on the water in Rene, our trusty ocean home, for six more months. At present Rene is berthed at the Nelly Bay Marina on Magnetic Island and it will be interesting to find out how she has fared without our constant care and attention.

Peter and Isabelle

 



After our two days in Perth we flew to Sydney to have some time with Greg, Leisha and our first granddaughter, Jessica. We were looking forward to spending some time with them in Neutral Bay and also on their new yacht, Ocean Street. She is an Island Packet 37, perfect for cruising with a family. The plan was for a relaxing Easter break sailing to Broken Bay and Cowan Creek for five days. The first night was spent on a mooring at Quarantine Bay just inside North Head, Sydney Harbour as the wind was in the north and it would have been an unpleasant bouncy trip heading off into the wind.

Good Friday dawned clear and fresh as the southerly had arrived during the night and we were off as soon as everything was organised. With the 10 knot south easterly we made good progress and arrived in Broken Bay in time to  make sandwiches for lunch. Peter contacted Ric and Val from Arkaydes, who we met and sailed with in 2014, and they were tied up to a mooring in front of the waterfall in Refuge Bay. Greg motored Ocean Street in close and Ric offered to have us raft up with them for a night or two. What a magic position! Right in front of the waterfall and small beach. Perfect for trips ashore exploring and swimming and splashing in the little stream with Jessica.

 

 



Ocean Street rafted up with Arkaydes

 

 

 

Jessica collects seaweed at Refuge Cove

 

 



During Friday night the rain started and kept pouring down for the whole of Saturday. Everything seemed to be wet or damp and Greg and Leisha discovered a leak or two they did not previously know they had. By late afternoon we had all had enough of being confined to the boat so decided to sacrifice some clothes to the weather and take a dinghy ride ashore in the rain to see the waterfall which was now pounding over the cliff, swollen with the constant rain. We all got wet and cold and thoroughly enjoyed our little sojourn ashore.

 

Waterfall, Refuge Cove

 

 

 



Contemplating the view in the rain

 



Ric and Val invited us all over to Arkaydes for dinner. Ric made his Mexican special which everyone enjoyed punctuated with sailing tales from us all. Thanks Ric and Val - it was great to catch up with you and Tiger. Sunday saw us motor over to Brooklyn to put some of the wet towels in the laundry there and take advantage of the café for our morning coffee. The day was beautiful and after a motor around Dangar Island we made for Patonga Beach to anchor for the night. Jessica had a wonderful time playing on the beach with the strands of seaweed which she collected and made into a pile.

Monday dawned fresh and clear and after a quick trip to stretch our legs on the beach we motored off south towards Sydney. With very little wind we motored all the way and managed to be in time for the 2.15pm opening of Spit Bridge and were tied up to the mooring at Cammeray soon afterwards.
What a fantastic weekend! Thank you very much Greg and Leisha for a lovely weekend.

 

 

Greg, Jessica, Liz and Peter on Ocean Street in Refuge Cove