Friday 2/4: Arrived at the boat 9.30, unpacked and then had coffee with a friend at the club. They were to join us for the Easter cruise but had to change plans. We sailed off with RaRa at 13.00 and headed south. The wind was SE with a top of 10 knots. Started off with a boat speed of 2 knots under full sails but got up to 6 knots at one point, averaging 4-5 knots for the trip. Arrived at Port Botany at 16.00 and the sailed West into the bay towards the airport. It was a slow but lovely sail to the anchorage outside Brighton-Le-sands, at only 3 meters depth. Had a lovely evening watching he sunset colours of the sky and the airplanes taking off and landing. Due to the times we have with COVID there are not as many as normally but still lots to see.
About the water state: Due to the heavy rains and flooding last weekend and week in Sydney and surrounding areas, the water quality in the harbour has been very bad. Not only muddy and brown but also a lot of pollution and debris. We avoided sailing up to Pittwater as there were warnings about floating debris, such as water tanks, fridges, furniture and big trees…. Therefore we headed south and the ocean was a lot cleaner and we did not encounter any floating large objects. Botany Bay was dirty and murky in the inner parts but much clearer to the east.
Saturday 3/4: After a lovely and still night we had breakfast and watched the planes. When we left we motored further in the channel next to the airport to check out the anchorage there. Closer to the runway is a possibility but there is a river coming out here and there might be more swell from the fishing boats in the early mornings.
We kept going east past the runways and the big port. Anchored outside little Congwong beach where the water was almost as clear as last time and at 22c we had some lovely swims from the boat.
Our friends arrived in their boat Flo and we had dinner together with them.
Sunday 4/4: Woke up to a lovely morning. The water clearer today and we swam a lot during the day. Went ashore for a coffee at the Boat shed with our friends and then for a walk around La Perouse and Bare island.
Back on the boat we did some more swimming and had lunch as well as waves Flo off as she sailed back to Sydney harbour. We motored across the bay to check the Port Solander side but the wind was strong and we went back to the sheltered North side of the bay. Anchored in French bay. The afternoon got exciting as there was a 3 meter shark in distress near the beach. It seemed troubled. Police, marine rescue and lifeguards attended. Not sure what happened to it at the end but no more swimming for me here.
Enjoyed the most amazing sunset colours as the night set.
Monday 5/5: After a lovely breakfast and morning swim we picked up Fredrik who arrived by bus to the beach. We then left to sail north ba k to Sydney. The waves were larger than predicted and from the south, so the sail was a little bumpy. Wind S to SE and around 10 knots and we sailed all the way to South head before starting the engine to make it back to the marina as the wind died down. A lovely and sunny day with the boys onboard.
