We organised two sending off parties for ourselves. One at the Marina on Friday night, where we supplied the champagne and our mates on the Marina supplied more of what they give so freely: advice on cruising, and their wonderful company. The second on the Saturday night was at a trendy restaurant in east Sydney, with land-lubber friends (Well, mostly land-lubbers. Sorry Ken.)
On Sunday afternoon, we left in good order just in time to get the 2.30pm lift of the Spit Bridge. Cheers from the marina dock followed us out. Our first day of ‘real cruising’ covered 3 nautical miles as we anchored in the lee of North head in Quarantine Bay, a well-known ‘jumping off point’ for cruisers going north or south. The plan was to get a really early start on the Monday. The weather was perfect for Moonraker (i.e. a bit much for us) but my new heavy duty wet weather gear got a good work out. It was cool, raining and 25 knots gusting to 33 knots, making for a very rollie anchorage, not idyllic at all, and we were the only ones there.
The next morning the stiff breeze and thundery skies held, and we had to motor right into it to get out through the heads. A huge naval vessel with big guns took us through the heads. Very nice of the government to acknowledge us like that.
The next morning the stiff breeze and thundery skies held, and we had to motor right into it to get out through the heads. A huge naval vessel with big guns took us through the heads. Very nice of the government to acknowledge us like that.
The first two hours that day, however, turned out to be my least enjoyable yet on Moonraker. My hearty breakfast of rolled oats was lost after a half-hour stint on the pitching foredeck attempting to fix frozen hanks for the jib. I forgot to look up the whole time so ended up as sick as a dog.
Only two positive memories from that stretch of water. First Moonraker took her first green water over the bow (about 3 inches, but still green), and it was thrilling to see. Second, I managed to be sick right on top of a huge dolphin as it skimmed past. I laughed out loud even in my misery.
Just as I was vowing never to sail again, we got the wind in our sails, seasickness evaporated and we surged towards Broken Bay, arriving at Refuge Bay in good time for afternoon tea. And Refuge Bay is one of the most beautiful anchorages in the world. A nearly full moon, a balmy evening, a sip of champagne, and I was back on for cruising.
Poor Flipper!
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