1. 10:01 1st Nov 2011

    Sailing in Sydney

    Hi there folks. Encouraged by Peter Anderson, I thought I’d give this new Blog thing a try. I’ve just enjoyed two weeks in Sydney, ( “..Australia”, as our USA cousins would no doubt qualify it !) In addition to my son’s wedding I managed some sailing on the harbour, courtesy of the Blues Point Yacht Club and the Royal Australian Navy Sailing Association. Also a great welcome in the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia club-house (home of the Sydney-Hobart) where we enjoyed celebrating my ??th Birthday. My hosts John and Margaret provided lunch in the garden of their apartment and a crewing opportunity in the Sunday race on their Cole 43. In moderate winds a great boat to sail - a cruising boat weighing in at 12-1/2 tons! We managed second over the line and first on handicap - perhaps by my doing what I was told for a change, when trimming the Genoa. Wednesday’s race in an unknown 28ft boat was a different story. Like most boats on the harbour she had minimum fittings (and I mean MINIMUM!) - no bilge covers, no locker lids, bare GRP interior and a tiny outboard to get her to the line. Weighing just 1-1/2 tons she went like Kangaroo poop off a shovel, but we were still well down the rankings! Oh well - somebody has to do it ! Shortly I’m off to Port St Louis to winterise Mary’s Catalac, then have a week in Istanbul. Who knows, maybe I’ll be able to sail from Europe to Asia? Martin