Refueling in Style at the Soldier Point Marina

Having been guests for 1 week entitled us to a loyalty card. On offer was discounted fuel and food! We didn't need much encouragement and needing some water, a tiny bit of diesel and a pumpout, a visit back to Soldiers Point Marina was a 'no-brainer.'

Timing was important as a high water and a slackening in the current were ideal and these coincided with 'coffee time'. What is generally a dreary task was suddenly going to be a pleasure.

 

Flower tubs and art works.

The most attractive fuel wharf you are ever likely to visit!

 

 Bloke with the big hose, taking care of 'business'. Filling up the water and chatting to Darrell, the Marina Manager. So friendly and welcoming. We were even given the morning paper!

Fame Cove - Port Stephens

We visited this little gem multiple times. It's home to 5 well spaced public moorings with room for anchoring between. A little wrap-around cove and only open from the west, it's a great place to shelter from stronger winds from most prevailing directions. As a bonus, no swell can creep in and there is no annoyance from passing boats, water skiers or jet skis. Oh happy day!

Very reminiscent of a the bays around Pittwater and the Hawksbury River.

The Bloke ensured that our visits here would not be too lonely or isolated by at various times, inviting all the other boats to 5ers on board Zofia.

Visitor alert!

 

Xamala, a lovely aluminium yacht from Brisbane

 

 In the calmer conditions it was possible to try some water sports

On one occasion, former marina neighbours from our Soldiers Point Marina visit came to find us, bringing with them a bucket of prawns for a shared lunch! It's only a nautical mile away.

 Pam and Arthur

One of the drawbacks to this little piece of paradise is too little breeze. This is good in a storm but not so on hot days. We were sternly informed, multiple times, that this is a breeding place for bull sharks, so a cooling dip suddenly fell off our radar. Flies were not a problem during our first couple of visits but March Flies and then Sand Flies became a torment by the end of February. I needed to escape to overcome sever allergic reactions with some bites swelling to the size of a biscuit. A pity, but proof that you can have too much of a good thing!

No Movements on a Sunday

"There's no movements on a Sunday" declared the Bloke! So let's unpack that thought and reveal the truth.

Our younger son was to be in Newcastle for a week and being only a 25nm trip away, how could we not return to 'Newie' (which we like so much) to see him during his off-duty hours in the evenings! 

We timed our return to coincide with favourable winds and as usual the forecast, baseless expectations and reality were at odds and we ended up motoring most of the way. En route we made a small detour to say hello to team Casablanca who were headed for Port Stephens from Lake Macquarie.

   

Casablanca emerged first as a signal on the AIS being one of our 'favourites'.

We both diverted so we could exchange some greetings across the water.

As we neared Newcastle, the Bloke declared that we probably wouldn't be worried by too many AIS signals from shipping as it was a Sunday. We discovered, days of the week mean nothing when it comes to Port movements but the tide situation is EVERYTHING. They push a many boats in and out as they possibly can through the high tide. Day or night.

 

Zofia with the yellow arrow wind indicator.

To begin with, the dredge stood off; a sure sign they knew something that we didn't. Then the Bloke observed one of the biggest ships he'd ever seen being directed through the heads. It was soon followed by another. The Pilots were being plucked off one ship and rapidly dropped on to the next. Tugs came out to standby for incoming ships. One headed straight for us as if to nudge us out of the way. 

B I G !!

 A vessel with attitude.

We noticed one of the 10 ships anchored off-shore preparing to move in and had to make a calculation as to how fast they'd be in the heads. We reckoned that they were unlikely to reach full speed in the short distance and would be delayed slightly by the arrival of the Pilot. So we made a run for it to get up the harbour ahead of the next ship. The NCYC racing fleet seized the opportunity to get out to sea while there was the slimmest of chances. We all only just made it. It's definitely the quick and the dead around here!

One ship headed out, followed by the NCYC race fleet, ahead of the next ship inbound.

The helicopter was shuttling the Pilot between ships too.

 

 Always nice to toast the safe completion of a passage.

Back in 'Newie' for 1 week.

A Climb up Mt Tomaree

Tall headlands, gun emplacements, wartime radar stations and a walkway with viewing platforms. How can one not feel compelled to put on your shoes and get up there!

 

Let's get the safety information out the way and get started.

Linda and Gail, newly made friends through Women Who Sail Australia, embark on the walk with us.

We continue our reputation as 'pussy magnets', they both own Cats (catamarans).

 

looking West and across the expanse of water known as Port Stephens.
 Zofia, 'Catso' and '3rd Wish'on public moorings at high tide.

We draw 1.6m and there is insufficient clearance at low tide for our liking.

 

  View northwards from Tomaree Head across to Jimmy's beach (the sandy spit) and beyond.

Inspired by the lovers padlocks on the Pont des Arts in Paris, this railing proclaiming that local romance is also alive and well

After all that activity, it was off to the coffee strip ashore at Shoal Bay. It was Sunday after all and the only day of the week we acknowledge.

Why the Bow Thuster Stopped

Sailing purists will generally screw there noses up when they hear that we have a bow thruster. It's probably involuntary and sometimes it's just the barest twitch but we understand 'the look'.  Zofia had a bow thruster when we bought her and find it very useful. As with all marine equipment, you have to USE IT, OR LOOSE IT.

When we were releasing ourselves 'back to the wild' after our week long indulgence at the Soldiers Point Marina, the task was made a little more difficult by a 15-20kn breeze plus a tide ripping past at 3knots. Bow thruster to the rescue! The Bloke hit the loud button while I held onto a springer in order to push us off the jetty. Bbbbbbbrrrrrr, bbbbbrrrrrr, bbbbrrrrrrr and we were off.

We headed for Fame Cove where we had enjoyed a few days during our last brief visit to Port Stephens. We intended to pick up a mooring in still water, out of the wind and reconnect with our cruising pace. Despite the sense of relaxation whilst in the Marina, it was still a pace imposed by land timetables. Coffee and papers around 9:00am and cocktails at 16:30pm. This is by no means a complaint, rather than the element of clock-watching we are mostly excused from.

Whenever the Bloke anticipates that he might potentially want to use the bow thrusters, he'll activate them and test them with a short 'squirt' ahead of time just to be sure they will work. He doesn't want any nasty surprises, particularly if he might need to depend on them! As we approached our selected vacant mooring, the Bloke called out "Checking bow thruster!". Nothing. No sound, just a clunk. He tried again with the same clunk noise. Even reversing the direction delivered a clunk. Ooops.

We very, very seldom use the bow thruster when picking up a mooring. The Bloke has got it down pat and we generally glide up to the mooring rope into wind at under 1knot. Unless the conditions are a bit dicey I might just use a few hand signals (no forks) otherwise we wear the 'marriage saver' headphones. Shouting into a stiff breeze never sounds good and usually excites the F@*k You-reflex. Try yelling 'I love you' at maximum volume sometime. Even that sounds doubtful!

Anyway, we got connected and settled without any trouble. The Bloke immediately re-prioritised his to- do list. Top of the list: repair the bow thruster.

We began by checking the batteries and the breakers. Had we overworked things? We couldn't ever recall having given the thruster a longer burst. No joy. The bloke got into the dinghy to attempt to twirl the blades. My mop handle was useful for this. Normally the Bloke would make this a goggles and snorkel affair but we'd already been warned numerous times, from all sources, never to swim/dive in Fame Cove because it's a breeding ground for Bull Sharks. No more encouragement needed. Definitely not swimming here. Great! Anyway the broom handle proved that there wasn't anything lodged in the blades so that meant taking the for'd cabin apart to take a closer look at the motor etc... The Bloke groaned since we've never needed to give the bow thruster any attention before and therefore represented new territory. However,  having anything even 'slightly broken' aboard drives him into a frenzy. Not on his watch!

This is where the bow thruster motor is located and what it looks like when everything has been cleared to get at it.

This is what the Saloon looked like during this event.

Sleuthing the problem began in earnest. Electrical tool box, Mechanical tool box and the ever-present F*@k box, were all on standby and a certain assistant called upon to climb up and down the companionway to fetch items. Lack of current was quickly determined and voila! a solution emerged. The battery terminals had not been 'vasolined', allowing them to shake loose. A quarter turn of the thumb screws and hey-presto, we had re-established connection. No more Startrek commentary about "not having the power Capt'n". We love a happy ending.

Battery case with the terminals now 'vasolined' to prevent them vibrating loose again.

The 'Coffin Bay Suite' re-instated.

When are you visiting BTW?

The Funny Side in Funny Newcastle

Sometimes quirky stuff just leaps out to tickle our funny bone. We found a few things that amused us in Newcastle.

Fred c-Ash. 

Is this a hint about payment terms?

So you've been to the wife shop and she's not coming up to expectations....did you know you could have her re-modeled?

This Ferrari caught our eye.

The number plate is "I AM 24" but the driver was a l o n g way past needing to show proof of age at the night club. Perhaps it was stolen.

Managing Warmer Weather

We find that a week in a marina is far more beneficial than the occasional 2-3 days that we've had over the last 6 months. The shorter stay is a little frantic and only sufficient to fill up on water and fuel; get a gas bottle refilled or replaced, re-provision and do the laundry. As a result, a week is something of a luxury and the pace can be cranked back a little, a bit of sightseeing mixed in plus some boat jobs accomplished.

The recent acquisition of Tweetie Pie was agreed to on the proviso that a cover be made to conceal her 'yellowness'. The Bloke was also keen to get this kayak off the rails as it was an obstruction to safe movement around the fore deck. We see heaps of boats with all kinds of things lashed to the stanchions but perhaps they have a bit more room. The Bloke was also bothered by windage and decided that a cradle was needed to secure Tweetie Pie to the coach deck. Being in a marina with a hard stand and workshop meant our week at the Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club could be very productive.

It looks a bit like a body bag but here is Tweetie Pie all wrapped up for travel.

 

Sitting on the cradle.

 

The manufacture and installation of the cradle occupied The Bloke for most of the week and involved the usual visit to Whitworths which proved to be a 25 minute march away from the marina. It was an insanely hot day and it was a great relief to catch a bus back.

The sewing machine was working over-time, with a number of projects completed including the screen pictured below. The hatch above the head of our bunk is behind it and although this area is beneath our bimini, when it rains, this area gets wet. Unlike the climate in Perth and South Australia, it rains A LOT in the summer on the Eastern seaboard and our need for better night time ventilation was hampered by our preference to keep our heads dry in bed. As a bonus it's given our cabin a bit more privacy plus a bit of light blockout since an open hatch also means open curtains.

 

I was on a roll and a long planned for screen was also made for the companionway hatch. The idea for it was conceived in Portland and the components accumulated from many stops. The roll of Sunbrella canvass had been hauled back to the boat as excess baggage from Perth. The sail baton to provide rigidity, obtained in Port Lincoln and the fly screen was an off-cut bought in Kingscote, Kangaroo Island. I certainly can't claim to rush these jobs!

 

 Looking in and looking out. 

Eat your heart out flies and mozzies:permission denied!

The Bloke was not exempt from contributing to improvement of living conditions. We'd spotted that Whitworths had Caframo Sirrocco 12v fans on sale during one of our almost routine visits to one of their shops. On the 'take it while it's going' principle we had picked one up in Mona Vale. The Bloke ticked the installation off his 'To Do' list. He was super pleased too because he'd located a 12v wire run that he could connect into without the need to mouse it through. Phew.

Zofia is a production boat and Jeanneau produce hundreds annually. The yachts are delivered with different options according to a purchasers requirements. Some options might include water makers, electric winches, extra water tanks etc. What we have discovered is that ALL the pipes and wiring for those 'options' are installed during construction irrespective of the model so that as the yachts come through the assembly line, the workers simply clip in the extras as required. When installing the fan, the Bloke located one of the power runs intended for an electric winch and hijacked it for the fan. Super sneaky. It will be a while before I'll be allowed an electric winch. Meantime in my designated role as 'winch bitch' if I get a bit overheated winching in the sails, I guess I can pop below and switch on the fan!

 

How cool! 

OK Skipper, let's get out of this marina. We've worked like slaves. Time for a rest. Next stop: Port Stephens.

Romance is Still Alive - 2 Joker Valves, the Perfect Valentines Gift.

We had an entertaining time at the Soldiers Point Marina. They were very theatrical in their delivery of treats. Valentines Day commenced with a morning delivery of a long stemmed red rose. WOW, there is no end of fun and ways in which they impress.

So having had the morning coffee and papers delivered, then the Rose, the day stretched out ahead of us. Cocktail time wasn't until 4:30. What to do?

We'd noticed that our forward heads had suddenly stopped pumping sea water for the flush. No matter whilst in the Marina. There's plenty of fresh water that we could use. However, we have a low tolerance for  things not working aboard. The agenda being blank until 4:30 cocktail time meant there was time enough to get a chore done. How romantic. I was sent below to check out the problem - inside mostly being my domain.

 

 Assembling the tools for the task.

Heads maintenance has to be approached with forethought and planning. Once in the contamination zone, you don't want to be walking around looking for extra stuff. Screwdrivers, spare parts, rubber gloves, rags, paper towel, lubricants, de-scaling solutions and most importantly brushes were assembled. I already wear glasses so goggles weren't necessary. This is potentially a messy job so T-shirt and undies is appropriate apparel and minimises laundry. The Bloke was on standby in case anything was forgotten and on notice to head-off ANY visitors. This is something no one needs to witness. Inwardly he was probably laughing his head off that I'd agreed to this task.

The culprit was quickly found. A small piece of ribbon weed had neatly folded itself like a springy bank note and acting like a door jam, prevented one of the valves from closing. Without the possibility of creating a seal, sea water couldn't be sucked up to deliver the 'flush'.

 

While I was in situ I decided to replace the joker valve and the gasket with the flapper part. We had recently purchased a maintenance kit with all the routine spare parts. Wee already had a couple of spare joker valves. Happy Days!

The old and the new(top).

Since I was already 'set up' I thought I would top the day off  by also changing the joker valve in the 'poo heads'. We only have one holding tank so we mostly use the forward heads. We save the precious capacity of the holding tank for times when we are on anchor. In 7 years of boat ownership we've only needed to be pumped out twice and that was in Sydney Harbour a few months ago. This indicates how well we are able to manage matters!

Getting down and dirty on the tools.

On completion, I declared myself a national heroine to the Bloke and promptly plodded off to the ablutions to make use of the sauna and gleaming marble bathrooms. The Bloke took pity on me and called out after me that he would take care of lunch. Quite right too. What part of the Valentines Day dream does toilet maintenance feature?

Home delivery from the Boatshed wharfside cafe.

The Bloke knows how to treat a girl, or is that give a girl treats?

 Definitely deserved the Mango Daiquiris - all 3 of them!

Wedding Anniversary Treat - a Week at Soldiers Point Marina

Cruising mentors Carolyn and Andrew had raved about the Soldiers Point Marina. So much so, that we drove up for a preview 6 months ago. Being shown the staggeringly lovely guest bathroom facilities which additionally include a sauna, it was a 'done deal' and we'd communicated with the SPM admin since June last year with endless ETA revisions. They never gave up on the invitation to stay with them as Marina Guests, calling us at various intervals. How welcoming. No doubt people need a little encouragement and reassurance to part with $160 per night or $540 PW but it has to be said this is the 'Hilton' of marinas.

Motoring towards the Soldiers Point Marina- Port Stephens

Many cruisers abhor marinas and the costs associated but they are necessary evils. There is almost a perverse pride in being so self sufficient with water, power and laundry facilities that they boast at how rarely the call into one. Well that's not us. We don't have a water maker or washing machine just to begin with and sometimes it's just divine to not be keeping half an eye out on the weather, the tide, power and water consumption. It's not a sensory base load we even notice until we are alongside. At the Soldiers Point Marina however, the sense of relaxation was heightened and we both declared that every corpuscle seemed to have relaxed.

 Jetties adorned with baskets of petunias

The Bloke, ever the romantic, chose to coincide our sampling of this singular East Coast delight with our 39th wedding anniversary which was also the 2nd anniversary of arriving in Streaky Bay after a 5 1/2 day passage across The Great Australian Bight. So much to celebrate.

In addition to the usual facilities which were all absolutely first rate, Soldiers Point Marina offered a number of treats which were most theatrically delivered. It was so much fun staying there that we barely wanted to leave for any part of the day in case we missed out on any fun. Staff were mildly surprised that we didn't take the boat out at all. As stay-aboards we were there for a holiday. We can sail about any old time. We had arrived to have a break from all that.

 

The Bloke ready for sunset with the sundowner bubbles, yesssss!

 

 

Oh yes, and we bought some local oysters @ $10/doz un-shucked, direct from the producer.

We've used all manner of bathroom facilities in the past 2 and a bit years. They range from Eco camping ground blocks with drafty (it was mid-winter) coin-operated rainwater showers on Kangaroo Island through to concrete rainwater drum-tanks fitted out with a WC and shower booth on King Island. Until now, the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron held the top star position with respect of quality of bathrooms but floor-to-ceiling marble-clad suites are the new benchmark. You really do get what you pay for.

Could be at the Ritz!

Friendly, happy sand endlessly accommodating staff, clad in Hawaiian shirts or fun dress-ups, leave you in no doubt that you are welcome and your comfort and enjoyment is paramount to them. It's not hard to see why this Marina wins awards year after year.

 Coffee and the paper delivered every morning.

Cocktails in the afternoon.

Don't mind if I do Darrell!

 

 A petrol whipper-snipper motor drives the blender to make your Pina Colada

If it's hot, icey-poles are delivered in the middle of the day on a ride-on esky.

What a hoot!

Our routine marina chores of refueling, taking on water and re-provisioning were greatly simplified. All water is filtered. The Bloke went crazy with the water hose and hardly drowned the internals at all. Shopping at the nearby Salamander Bay shopping centre was a breeze. "Take the Lexus, we want you to be comfortable". Whooot! The Bloke trailed me with an ever fuller trolly around Aldi, Woolies, Coles, Target, Big W, the pharmacy and Post Office in 'almost' good humour while I piled in as many 'heavy items' as I could without being ridiculed. He even voted to flirt with a mystery Aldi brand of beer which we've jokingly named 'Unkel Shwester Larger' but looks hauntingly like a carton of James Boag or Cascade beer. We are $10 to the good on this purchase and it's subsequently been declared a winner by the Bloke. The week's tariff just came down!

Our new wheels - for this week anyway!