June 2008 Archives

Breakaway is heading North for the rest of the winter. First stop Mackay. Te Moana is going along in a virtual sense.

Will they get to MacKay before Bounty Child's parts arrive?

Diomedea is still having lots of fun in the Pacific

Alfie is still enveloped in a cloud of fibreglass dust, but is getting good press.

Evening Star is exploring Magnetic North... or was it Magnetic Island?

And you know who is you know where.

And if you know of someone else who is somewhere else, be sure to let us know by leaving a comment or by dropping me (Marius) a line.

Misty Blue - Catalina 42 Mk2

Around the marina, you find boats being used, boats not being used, neglected boats and well cared for boats. The worst ones are well cared for friends' boats which are for sale.

You'll be missed, Ian and Sharon.

Here's an idea for a weekend with a difference! For a number of years now a 24 hour race has been held on Lake Macquarie over the October Long Weekend.

Sunrise on Lake Macquarie

The Heaven Can Wait 24 hour race was conceived and promoted by Lake Macquarie resident, keen sailor and cancer survivor Shaun Lewicki as a major annual sailing event on the lake, to promote sailing, the Lake Macquarie/Newcastle/Hunter region - and to raise funds for cancer research.

Is anyone interested in going down for the race? It might be interesting for some of us to join forces, perhaps crewing together.

You can read more about the race on the Heaven Can Wait web site.

Many of our friends are enjoying their sailing well away from Pittwater and sharing the fun by writing about it (hint: click the boat names).

• Diomedea is exploring Fiji on their South Pacific cruise.
• Bounty Child has started to make her way back South from North Queensland.
• Chrystal Blues is still wondering around Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.
• Evening Star, meanwhile is about to leave Airlie Beach to sail further North.
• When last heard of, Friendship III was still berthed in Bundaberg

Leave a comment if you know of anyone else who is sharing their adventures by writing about it.

We moved Rob's Passage Planner to a new high profile spot at http://skipr.net/notebook/east-coast/robs-passage-planner.html

Progressively through the week, the weather gods decided that a group of boats sailing to Dangar Island for a rendezvous would not be a good idea.  However, that would not dampen the spirits of the 32 bodies that decided that the planned dinner at The Anglers Rest was not to be missed.

David and his team did us proud with a menu fit for kings (and queens) whilst Gary entertained us with songs from the 60's 70's and 80's and a few ditties and some of his, tongue in cheek, poetry, which kept us all amused well into the night. Many stories were told, acquaintances revisited and friendships explored and we all headed for home with the few designated drivers that chauffeured us whilst further tall tales were regaled.

A great night was had by all, excellent company, food and entertainment and a desire to do it again in the next season. The full Photo Album is here. Maybe we can actually get to Dangar next time.

Jim Cormack

You have to admire the generosity of spirit and commitment that Kevin Dunn is showing by taking on the restoration of Alfreds II for the benefit of Nimowa Island in the Louisiades. It was good to see the support he received at the May meeting. I have started an Alfie Website to track progress on the project and to encourage us all to contribute.