Leg 56 - A Line on a Map

Executing Plan C, began with the usual preparation - closely studying the weather predictions. At this time of year there is little with an 'S' in it and when it's evident it is for a brief period. It's a southerly change and often quite brief and violent unless it's a low lurking in the Tasman and that too is generally pretty potent. A cracking opportunity was presenting at the tail end of the cool change we'd witnessed the arrival of a few days previously. Sunday, 10-15 knots S - SE. Monday, lighter and variable but mostly southerly before swinging through to the North again; the predominant pattern. Cancel everything! Time to head out to sea again. After months of inaction we could hardly wait.

 Being led out of Broken Bay at dawn by a handsome wooden yacht named 'Seawife'.

Lying bastards dot com sucked us in again with an attractive forecast but the weather was having none of it and we finished up with 5-8 knots of breeze that visited us from every direction possible. The sea state was just as disorganised and made for a disgusting motor-sail up the coast with only the headsail up. We became very excited for about 20 minutes and deployed the mainsail. The wind had chirped up to 12knots and the sea state immediately improved but alas that died off as quickly as it came and we were back to switching tacks to accommodate the fluky wind directions. Only the 7 or 8 tankers anchored at 1nm intervals from the entrance to Lake Macquarie upwards to Newcastle, were pointing in the forecast direction. The Winch Bitch (me) got a proper workout, but to be fair, The Bloke helped out too. It became very evident that we are not 'match fit', so our 8 hour shift became a bit of a slog. We did however, put a new line on our map.

  

Nobby's Head at the entrance to the Hunter River.

Hello Newcastle!

A port channel marker almost like a Mum, hands on hips, wondering when you'll come in for tea.

   

Approach to Newcastle up the river. Apartments, hotels, alfresco dinning, paths and civic art.

A welcoming sight.

 Goody! There's a pen in there somewhere that's going to be 'home' for the week!