Well finally things are looking promising for a Wednesday departure (11^th May)

We haven’t wasted our time in Sydney and have done plenty of exploring while we have been here.

Since our last report we have had a trip to Cronulla or ‘The Shire’ as it is known in these parts – mind you there was not one hobbit to be seen!.

We had a lovely walk around the retail precinct and along the beach before heading to the local RSL for a spot of lunch and the RSL definitely has the best views in town.

Cronulla Foreshore

View from the Cronulla RSL

We were lucky enough to be asked back onto Superfine to do the second of the CYCA winter series races.  This one was a bit different to Race 1 as we had very very light winds for most of the race.  We did experience something totally new as the use of fenders seemed to be prolific amongst most of the yachts.  Sounds quite odd but when you are in tight confines with 120 other yachts in the same race plus all the other harbour traffic, no wind and plenty of boat wake it seems inevitable that boats come together in light breezes so fenders are deployed to keep everyone apart with minimal angst it would seem.  During the course of the day we ended up having to fend off at least six boats and everyone seemed pretty happy about it although some negotiations were entered into about which direction to push each other in!!!!  Don’t think this practice will catch on for racing on Port Phillip Bay or at least I hope not.

Anyhow despite the lack of wind we ended up third in our division mainly due to the tenacity and stubbornness of both our skipper, George, and the crew although it did mean we were out on the water for around six hours but was lots of fun so no complaints here.  Naturally there was a bit of celebrating to be done but as the rest of the crew wandered off it ended up with Mark and I holding up the bar on behalf of the boat.

We have plenty of jobs to keep us busy today in preparation for tomorrow’s departure. We have already been down to change over gas bottles, next is the shopping and then we have customs arriving at 3pm to clear us out yet again but hopefully the weather gods are kind to us this time and all goes well for our departure tomorrow. 

At this stage we are not sure how long we will be at Lord Howe Island as our stay is very much weather dependant but we should be arriving some time on Saturday and will just have to see what happens after that.  If all goes well we are then planning to head up to Middleton Reef (approx. 100NM north of LHI) for a few days before heading to Noumea. 

Will keep you posted.