Year 2 –18 January 2024 -Sydney - Hankering Down in the Storm

The wind continued to howl all night and we moved around a little from side to side as Stormbird held at anchor. We had poached eggs for breakfast on toast which was nice. The rain kept coming and the wind continued to gust hard (about 40kts) although the underlying wind was a little less. Each time we thought it may have calmed we went outside and the gusts continued.

We therefore thought we would leave it and read or did jobs. The ladder had some damage so that was repaired. I charged the batteries and I also had communication from the Cruising Associations representative for Sydney -called an HLR about where I could go to fill up with water and fuel and also I needed to get the Tricolour (navigation light at the top of the mast) and anchor light fixed. I think it is an electrical problem.

We rested all morning and had a light snack. We then decided to try and get ashore. The wind was still quite strong and there were white horses in the bay. We wound the dinghy down from the davits and I jumped in, put in the bung and then we put our rubbish and laundry in the dinghy and we were off. With just 3 of us we were able to keep the weight at the back so the splashing from the front was reduced. We slowly motored ashore and got rid of the rubbish and walked into Rose Bay again and dumped our washing at the launderette.

We tried to find a book shop but without success and had a beer at the Sports Bar. We then decided to walk the other way round Rose Bay toward the city as there was a marina there but it only had one yacht and was mostly motorboats. The walk was pleasant and it seemed so sheltered ashore compared to the anchorage. We came across a few restaurants and then the marina -whose office was closed. We think we saw where their fuel berth was. We therefore decided to go to a restaurant called the Boathouse which had great views across the bay and we had a good meal. It felt good to be ashore and away from the boat having been a bit stuck for a day or so on board.

After the meal we walked back and came back on board and watched a film. We intended getting the ferry to the centre tomorrow and seeing some of central Sydney.     

The picture of the day is the distance sign from the old Flying boat station. Apparently they used to fly to London from here and it took 9 days.

It is also Tom’s birthday who has just got off so Happy Birthday Tom.

Need/Opportunity Year Two

I am in need of more crew from April to September so if of interest do email me at  hine.nick9@gmail.com  

In year two I will be going from New Zealand to Sydney and hen up the Eastern Australian Coast, Indonesia and then through Bali, Singapore and on to Thailand to end year two about the end of November 2025.

The blog will continue as we continue the journey. If you have any comments or suggestions about the blog then do email me on hine.nick9@gmail.com