'Anchorphobic'.

Hello, my name is Al and I am anchorphobe.

We have never dropped Awaitea's anchor.

For this reason our overnight destinations are very limited in this harbour, with only a few pinkies* available to pick up. I was soon to discover that all my ugly traits would rear their heads again whilst attempting to anchor -

swearing
panic
yelling
panic

(not to mention the look of complete and total fear).

You see, the last time we anchored was on a 31 ft fibreglass charter boat in the Whitsundays.The first few times I convinced myself that we were still moving whilst at anchor, and obsessed about watching the distances between other yachts and ourselves -

(all night).

We got it in the end, and ended up sleeping (a bit), but a 31ft glassy is a LOT lighter than a 50ft steely.

But that is what we own, and we NEED to be confident anchorers. So, with our sailor savy friends on board last Sunday, we were (rightly) told to suck it up and give it a go! Which we did.

On Sydney Harbour.

On a Sunday.

The busiest bloody boating day of the week.

And at a very crowded spot beneath the zoo.

It all happened so quickly, Nick said 'righto', xave flicked the switch, and suddenly the anchorage was filled with the sounds of an almighty PIGGERY!!! The anchor gear hadn't been used for such a long time that it squealed excruciatingly loudly. We don't know how much chain we let out as our chain is new and we haven't marked the metres yet. Anyway, I was told to take the helm whilst Xave and Nick frigged around trying to unjam the jammed something or other. (This is when I learnt of my ugly traits resurfacing). We were floating very close to the boat behind us, the boat beside us, indeed all the boats were edging in on us, so typically I started FREAKING OUT.

Of course I'm over exaggerating (really?!), but you get the gist.

In the meantime, about 3 other boats had anchored heartbreakingly simply and beautifully (without fanfare, without fear, without raised voices from panic stricken wives) in the spot where we had intended to 'end up' and a pinkie had suddenly become available anyway so we hauled anchor and took it.

We did however have a wonderful afternoon despite all my hysteria, but WE STILL HAVE NOT SUCCESSFULLY ANCHORED OUR GIRL.

As they say, practice makes perfect. Just not on a Sunday, beneath the zoo, in Sydney harbour.


*public mooring.

Shady Lady.

Unless we intend to roast our childerbeasts, we need to get this steel girl under wraps....

Our comprehensive search only turned up one [helpful & personable] bloke who was able to provide shade prior to 2027 (!?). Unfortunately his quote sent us into an apoplectic state, and has prompted us to take matters into our own - so so - sewing hands.

Shopping List:

Sewing machine, UV resistant thread, waterproof canvas, steel or aluminium bars, clear plastic, tracks, giant zips, etc etc etc..

incidentally, when we bought the fabric, the seller laughed his head off (in joke?) at how much colourful language would be flying around the boat whilst we sewed. Humph, he has NO IDEA. We are sailors after all.

and we swear like them.

- that is, Cookie & I do. (On more than one occasion, I have heard her muttering 'frickin' hell' under her breath as she tries to tuck some toy into some too small space. I know I know, BAD MOTHER.. God it's funny tho.)

So watch this space. We'll show you our 'handy work' as it progresses, in our quest to make our lady shady.

Fulminology.

The study or science of lightning.

Last night, a fierce electrical storm hit Sydney, bringing with it a spectacular lightning display.

Now, don't get me wrong, from the confines of one's 'house' - I love a good electrical storm. It's fearsome and thrilling.

..it's just that, when you're on water, um, with a dirty great metal ROD sticking up into the sky practically inviting the strike, one tends to become, um, slightly nervous....

Travelling into the dusty crevices of my mind, I recall water and metal (and people!) being excellent conductors of electricity - a pretty shit combination for us seeing as though or boat is metal. and is floating. on water.

But, in this morning's study of fulminology, it appears that being in a metal yacht - as opposed to a timber or fibreglass one - is actually better in a lightning strike. Apparently, the metal, being such a good conductor, acts as a 'faraday cage' so that the electricity (typically a billion volts per strike) travels down the mast and around the hull to the 'ground' (in our case, the water), leaving us safe and calm inside. (?!)

Good to know.

Roo turns 5 aboard Awaitea!

Our precious Roo, happily turned 5 today, - and as is the custom, I like to fill their worlds with balloons to wake up to...


a haircut may be in order...


check out the angle of the balloons!: welcome to every hour or so in Balmain due to ferry wake - rolly polly!


our destination through the ferry window.




aboard the ferris wheel.




Luna park was followed by 'high tea' at Nanny Renee's..






76 years old and her skin is better than mine.. no wonder everyone thinks Xave is my toyboy - look at the genes he's inherited!


8pm, back on the boat and EXHAUSTED..

We had such a wonderful day.

Our ENORMOUS thanks for all the parcels, emails, phonecalls, texts, and whatsApp video messages.

Technology is a blessing when one is away!

Deep breath, we do it all again tomorrow for Xave's birthday.... x

Happy snaps.

The last couple of weeks have been spent exploring Sydney. We've caught up with friends, eaten out, and are generally endulging in everything that this spectacular city has to offer.

Recently we were so happy to be able to catch up with my mate Anna for the day in Pittwater, and then today, we were again in 7th heaven hanging with the Quayle family in Bronte & Tamarama. Roo & Louis in particular had such a wonderful time together - and it's written all over their faces.

Happy snaps.....


with Louis at Bronte.


Relaxing with the Browns at Towlers Bay.


Cookie in her element!


the beautiful AB


Rope swings - nothing better.


Quayles & Robinsons in Bronte.


Friendship personified - Roo & Louis.


Al, Eddie & Anna

being a manta ray...


and now a turtle..