So after a quiet night at anchor beside the historic finger pier at Coffs Harbour, we then weighed anchor to fuel and then go alongside at the marina. What a saga!! We had to wait for about 2 hours going around in small circles until the ‘fishermen’ were kind enough to make space for us to fuel. That said – once started it all was easy, and then over to the marina – where we were welcomed like long lost friends.
The day was mainly a job day – a few checks to do on the engine, washing (us and the laundry), defrosting the fridge (a big job), and then grocery shopping for fresh milk and bread.
Then we were off again first thing Wed 3, to be escorted to Sydney by our whale friends, that seemed now to be heading southwards.
The way to Sydney is this way !!
Because of the weather forecast showing that another east coast low pressure system might form off the coast we decided not to stop for sight seeing visits on the way south, lest we get stuck somewhere, rather push on and then have a bit longer in Sydney. So late afternoon on Wed 4 we anchored for an overnight rest stop at Fingal Bay outside Port Stephens, before continuing south early the next morning.
As we approached the heads to Broken Bay we sighted the Sail Train Ship Young Endeavour and had a bit of a chat – only to find that one of the crew was from Kettering (where our sailing club is) and another from Coningham (where Peter’s Parks office manages a nature reserve) – very Tasmanian !!
STS Young Endeavour
Darkness just after sunset on Fri 5 was upon us as we entered Broken Bay, to find the second last mooring buoy in Morning Bay – a very pretty little bay just down and across from Palm Beach.
On Saturday evening we met friends Tony and Barb at the Royal Motor Yacht Club for dinner (so Peter could watch the Wallabys put up a brave face against the All Blacks) which was really nice. Apart from the footy – a pleasant evening was had by all; good food, wine and company.
The next day our friend Wendy joined us again (last time Good Friday) with her grand-daughter Monique for a lunch sail RMYC where we had subsequently organised a mooring for the week.
- Monique and Nandy on the water
The following day we had a free day around the Pittwater and spotted a couple of Swanson 38s- sisters to SEQUOIA
Sequoia’s sisters
On Tue 9, another friend Penny joined us for a day sail to Palm Beach, an exciting dinghy transfer, and yummy lunch ashore. A lovely relaxing day. Then the following morning we were picked up by Wendy and taken to the big smoke. Wendy had kindly offered for us to stay a few days. So we were able to do all those big city things; Wed night at Cirque Du Soleil – amazing, a visit to the Navy’s premier officer’s mess at HMAS WATSON on the end of South Head for lunch on Thursday before a cliffside walk near Bronte.
Mess mates
On Friday Peter’s girls joined us for dinner, so we went to our favourite Thai restaurant. The verdict was the food was as good as ever – and the desserts are still very yummy !
Desserts at Simple and Irresistible
Carolyn, Rennae & Ramiro
sailingsequoia 
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