Who goes where?

Monday, 26 January 2015

Hobart Heroes

It was by chance that I was walking past the harbour in Hobart and spotted a commotion. The morning paper had estimated that the winner of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race would cross the finish line about 7pm; but she was early!

It was 3.03pm when Wild Oats passed the marker bouys in the Derwent River and won the 2014 Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. This was her record 8th win in 10 years. After leaving Sydney on 26th December it took her 2 days, 2 hours and 3 minutes to travel 628 nautical miles. She held out a late challenge from American super-maxi Comanche in its race debut.

Wild Oats mast towered above the other yachts as she came into the harbour basin. About 50 minutes later Comanche arrived. Wow, what a big boat!

It was spellbinding to be on the quay watching the most famous southern hemisphere race fastest craft arrive. You could say we were "sitting in the dock of the bay with Wild Otis Reading" (cue music).

Wild Oats and crew receiving a rapturous welcome at Hobart harbour

The Derwent contains a flotilla of boats waiting for the mega yachts to arrive

Second place Comanche arrives, it looks like it might struggle to fit in the harbour

Comanche lead the start of the race but halfway through experiences 12 hours of light winds allowing the sprightly Wild Oats to overtake and just hold on to its lead

The boats dwarf the other yachts and even the buildings around the wharf

She finds a place to moor right next to us on the quay side

Weary bodies finally reach the shore to a very welcoming Tasmanian crowd

Friday, 23 January 2015

Swealtering Sydney

We finished our little road trip with Tom at Sydney airport and with a teary fellwell bade him a safe return to the UK. It made us a little homesick to see him head off back to God’s Own Country but we applied our stiff upper lips and headed into the Big City.

Sydney is a lot smaller than I imagined, with a handful of skyscrapers and a compact CBD and accessible, charming waterfront. We spent a great day exploring the Botanical gardens, a PopArt exhibition at the Modern art Museum of NSW (a relief to get out of the midday sun), down and along the waterfront to the striking Opera House and classic Harbour Bridge.

During our first night we headed to the Capitol Theatre to see Wicked, our equivalent of a Boxing Day pantomime. It was a great show, funny, intense and beautifully produced.

We stayed with an old friend of Sarah’s and her family, our third Aussie family, and were made to feel so welcome! Kate and Greg were the perfect hosts, great food, location and awesome tour guides!

I took Sarah to the first day of the Australia v India Sydney test at the SCG. A great excuse for a day in the sun with a glass of beer and a couple of newspapers! Well worth the $100 pricetag!

The Anzac memorial and ever burning flame of remembrance

Hercules wrestles the Minotaur outside Sydney cathedral

Every Sunday afternoon for over 130 years, Speakers Corner has been the stage for impassioned free speech and public debate

Now the Modern Art Gallery of NSW which had an amazing Pop Art display

Seeing the sights at Sydney's harbour - spot the tourist!

Fantastic shapes when you get up close

Storm clouds hang over the bustling CBD

Tourist selfie with Harbour Bridge

Sarah take on a bit of free lance work whilst we're here

Opening day of the 4th Australia India Test. The first international held at the SCG since the tragic death of Phil Hughes

A flat pitch and an average India bowling line up mean Australia cruise ahead scoring over 340 in the opening day - very impressive!

Very hot in the New South Wales sunshine

Our neighbours kept us amused - He is Sparticus! or maybe he's a Trojan??! Either way he ate the whole melon during the morning session and then carved it out, with a biro - good effort!!

Taking the ferry home to a beautiful moon rise over the CBD

Greg waiting for a teenage mutant ninja Felix to appear! Isn't cardboard amazing?!

Here he is with mummy Kate

And he's hiding again, replaced by Rufus with mummy

East Coast New Year

During our Franklin River adventure we were very kindly invited (probably during a week moment) by Michael and Jenny to spend New Year at their “beach shack” near Sydney. Always looking for a free ride we of course leapt at the opportunity and they very gallantly kept their word.

We flew to Melbourne, were met by our British rafting buddy Tom and spent the next few days exploring the east coast on route to Sydney. The shack, was not so much shack as very comfortable beach side living in a beautiful spot with 6 beaches within a few minutes drive and a couple within a few minutes walk. Nestled amongst towering gum trees, miles from the main roads and tourist traps you could see what had drawn people to this cosy, peaceful hideaway. We were so warmly welcomed by Michael and Jenny and their daughter Anna and family friend Mike that we felt we had found our second Aussie family!

We were put up in the shed, literally, a very comfortable chalet-type room with enough space for a few more if needed and spent many happy hours swimming, surfing, crosswording, bouling and even playing croquet. Although the Ashes croquet matches were anything but relaxing!! We were 2-1 down, best of 5, when we left so the series still hangs in the balance!

All the neighbours were close friends and would wander over for a chat, cup of tea, or spot of lunch. Traditionally Michael and Jenny hosted New Year’s Eve on their deck, but this year it was their friends’ turn, boasting a newly refurbed shack and “bigger deck”!

So to Jenny’s delight the catering and cleaning was taken care of and we just had to supply the wine. We had a fantastic evening with around 30 neighbours and friends on a huge deck overlooking the Tasman Sea with the possums playing in the surrounding trees and the wine flowing a little too well.

Thank you so much to Michael and Jenny for a wonderful time. Happy New Year.

Beautiful east coast beaches at Mallacoota