New Year’s Day 2008. Tropical Cyclones make a mark.
January 1st, 2008.
Reveille was at 9:30am. Those who slept overnight on Vogelsang (after the new year’s eve bacchanalia) got a solid five hours sleep. Breakfast was a swim, muesli bar, cup of tea and a brushing of teeth.
We motored back to Northwood Wharf. Barbara agreed to take care of the rubbish from on-board and also to return with a bag of ice.
Vogelsang (Hood 23) approaching Northwood Wharf.
At 11am my parents (Leily and Mick) arrived at the wharf. Soon after, Barbara returned with the ice before saying goodbye.
Father and Son (Mick & Mark) Northwood Wharf - waiting for the ice.
Father and Son II. Goat Island to left. East Balmain to right. Sydney CBD in background.
Mum and Dad (Leily & Mick). Balls Head behind.
We motored down the harbour past Kiribilli before we put up the number 2 - headsail only. Mum and Dad are land lubbers so I promised them a sedate sail on the harbour.
Mum. On a port tack towards Taylor’s Bay. Bradley’s Head to right.
Mum. On a starboard tack. Chowder Bay and Georges Head in background.
We headed down the harbour. We should have stayed further away from the heads. The effects of tropical cyclones off Queensland had propagated down the coast to Sydney. Out at sea the swell was mean. This swell propagated further into the harbour around the heads. We sailed up to Camp Cove and dropped anchor there. The water was too rough to enjoy some quiet anchor time. We pulled up the anchor and motored around to Watsons Bay where it was a little quieter but still quite windy and rough.
Time for another grill up. On New Year’s Eve I prepared and brought onboard two lots of everything; one lot for NYE and one lot to have with mum and dad on new year’s day.
After lunch we had a late afternoon sail up the harbour. I motored up the Lane Cove River and to the mooring. After packing up we all rowed to shore.
Once on shore we all went over to Andrew and Monique’s to pay a new year visit and see the kids.
What a lovely way to start a new year.
