Thankfully, the plan for sailing, socialising and Sequence challenge eventuated!

It was if the Weather Gods decided that SYCC members deserved some time out with sailing and socialising. It had been a while.

The week preceding the event saw horrendous weather conditions, with huge seas, strong winds and temperatures that BOM described as an “Arctic Blast”.  The organisers were preparing for a land based event as an alternative, then miraculously, by Friday, the conditions began to ease and by Saturday conditions were just right.

A long awaited sail around the corner for many

Perroquet, Taranaki, Kemara, Silver Cloud and Bucket of Vyno set sails from Towlers and left for Refuge. Sadly, Sweet Love experienced engine problems and was forced to return to RMYC. We were joined enroute by Coromandel and Rendezvous. We enjoyed NW winds, with some rather strong gusts at times, making for a great, long awaited sail. 

Rafting at Refuge proved to be a little tricky with some very strong gusts coming through at just the wrong times but with good team effort we all rafted safely. Sundowners were shared across Perroquet and Silver Cloud, before we adjourned for our shared curry feast. Idle chat the next day revealed enjoyment of the variety that was served with very little doubling up. 

Sunday morning and we had sunshine. Gregg coordinated boats and crew for our joint sail to Patonga and re organisation of rafts once we returned. It was a little like completing a Rubik’s cube but we got there in the end. 

Fish and chips at Patonga

With allocated crew on board, Silver Cloud and Perroquet set off under headsail for Patonga. Coming into anchor, we had a pleasant surprise with Hombre joining us for lunch. It was a beautiful Winter’s Day and we were expecting it to be busy, but not quite as busy as it was. The queue for fish and chips was lengthy but our patience was rewarded with scoring two tables, in the sun, under the shelter. Our long hike to Warra Lookout was abandoned to be re scheduled for another day but some strolled along the foreshore enjoying the sunshine before heading back to Refuge.

The inaugural “Sequence” challenge was a great success, ably won by the ladies!

Rafted on our new rafts, Gregg presented another “Rubik’s cube” type organisation for our Sequence Challenge. Bucket of Vyno & Perroquet were the host boats for the game series. It was girls against boys for both rounds. 

Round One……… Girls won!

We had a short interval on board Perroquet , where we all shared some delectable finger food, before commencing Round Two. Again Gregg explained the moving parts.

Round Two……Girls won!

We concluded the series on board Perroquet, with dessert & coffee, where there were lots of excuses being thrown around about poor glasses, the cards being too small, missing turns …. you get the drift.  The boys didn’t like losing!

Monday morning and we had sunshine again. Some set off early and others of us took our time. There was a little bit of breeze but not enough to sail all the way home.

We are grateful that the weather Gods behaved and allowed us to enjoy a good sail, some great camaraderie and a chance to use our boats the way we enjoy. 

Many thanks to all those who attended and to Silver Cloud and Bucket of Vyno for sharing the hosting of sundowners and the games challenge. 

PS……There is a request for a Sequence Re Match, and a request for a future date for our Warra Lookout walk. All will be considered.

Ann & Gregg

Perroquet

Blustery conditions didn’t deter 7 boats from heading around the corner

For the first time in a while the weather forecast was quite accurate in predicting that the weekend would bring strong winds on the Saturday with Sunday fine, with no rain and light winds.

Taranaki had been on anchor on Friday night in Jerusalem Bay and reported that the conditions weren’t ideal for anchoring on Saturday night. As such, everyone decided that Refuge would be a better option.

We had a wind of around 15 knots from the SW on Saturday blowing up Pittwater, giving Rendezvous a quick sail up the centre of the  bay with only a headsail. We were sailing at close to 7 knots and catching up to Masquerade who was off West Head. On rounding West Head the wind had increased to 28 knots from the west and was going with a run out tide, so it was quickly down with the head sail, on with the motor and make for Refuge and seek the SYCC moorings to provide shelter. We all took up the spare buoys nearby and settled down out of the windy conditions.  

We gathered for early sundowners with a talk by Derek on what to keep in your tool kit to take care of any problems that can happen when on a cruise. There was great input from everyone and a tasty selection of the usual nibbles and camaraderie made for a good evening.

We were happy with the number of boats that took part, and everyone commented on how they handled the windy conditions which I think has raised their confidence in how to handle the strong winds common at this time of year. Everyone had a quiet night and woke to sunny and mild conditions on Sunday. Most of the boats left before midday with a motor sail back to Pittwater.

A great weekend and to all taking part our thanks for your company.

The Tool Kit tips will be posted separately.

Derek & Cathy, Rendezvous

Boats attending: Masquerade, Taranaki, Hombre, Scallywag, Eternity, Viva la Vita and Rendezvous.

Light winds on the way down, but the return trip was magic for Scallywag!

In February 2021 four boats attended the cruise to Sydney Harbour, Taranaki, Hombre, Rendezvous and Scallywag.

We left Barrenjoey as planned and mostly motored to Sydney Harbour, as the wind was light and then anchored in Manly Cove on Friday night.

On Saturday we headed for our moorings at Drummoyne Sailing Club and celebrated a member’s birthday at the DSC restaurant/bistro.

On Sunday, the Scallywag crew walked to the ferry stop and caught a ride up Parramatta River to Parramatta and back. It really is interesting, if you have a few hours, a great thing to do. Rendezvous headed to Chinaman’s Beach for a family gathering.

Monday saw Rendezvous and Taranaki head slowly back home under very light winds.  

Blackwattle Bay is great for anchoring and lots to do

Hombre and Scallywag found a very vacant Blackwattle Bay to anchor in and walked around to the fish markets. There is just so much to choose from seafood wise. The anchorage is really very good. Yes, there are the fish markets to go to but there is also a great variety or restaurants that you can easily walk to in the Glebe area. Probably a good trip to run for all the foodies. Very pleasant walks too along the foreshore.

On Wednesday, Hombre and Scallywag parted ways with Hombre staying another night in Blackwattle Bay and then headed home on Thursday. Scallywag made it into Sugar Loaf Bay (Middle Harbor) just in time to be smashed by thunder, lightning and heaps of rain. 

Scallywag stayed in Manly Cove again Thursday night and then had just the best sail home to Pittwater on Friday. We only had the headsail up but after setting it once around North Head, we didn't touch it again until we arrived at Barrenjoey and averaged 7 kts.

All in all, a great trip. If you ever get a chance, contact the DSC and take advantage of their facilities, from the $20 per night mooring to the location, their club facilities and great showers. The folk there are very nice.

From my perspective, it was soooooooo easy to run the trip and the time had with fellow club members was worth every minute of the effort .Run a trip guys, you will enjoy it 

Special thanks to Scallywag for leading the trip

Sailing past Barrangaroo

Anchored in Blackwattle Bay

Moored at Drummoyne Sailing Club

Misty Sugarloaf Bay

“Weather dependent” is always the covenant over all SYCC events and it certainly dictated play on the Australia Day weekend.

Saturday’s Innings

Sweet Love had planned a sail quiz but light winds and sloppy seas interrupted play, despite the great determination of some to keep the wind in their sails.  Perroquet was up next for a champagne twilight sail around Cowan but the wind would not come out to play and the humidity scale climbed.  Team decision… early sundowners on Perroquet.

Sunday’s Innings

Heat dominated play yet again.  Play commenced on Gunyah Beach and spirits were initially high to meet the challenges ahead; kayak racing, the shoe game, and a beer bottle toss.  Despite the heat, competitors endured with some breaking a PB.  As the temperature gauge rose, the team’s energy flagged and the umpire called it a day.  The teams retired and enjoyed a shared lunch with the local wildlife.

Engrossed in conversation and camaraderie, the impending threatening weather slipped in unnoticed.  The weather alert was raised and any onlookers would have thought that packing up and raising anchors was part of the race schedule for the day.  Gunyah Beach was cleared in minutes.

The weather reared its head but then behaved in time for everyone to enjoy a BBQ shared dinner.  The umpire congratulated the ‘closest’ winner of the VB, Tony Gaborit, who was quick to share his Aussie ale with anyone who would have it.

The umpire announced that a decider needs to be set to determine the winner of the kayak challenge, which was cut short due to the building black clouds.

Monday’s Innings

Many players retired early this day with most returning to Pittwater before lunch.  Valhalla and Perroquet remained in.  The conditions on the filed were perfect for a friendly sail home.

“Weather dependent” dictated play for the entire Australia Day match but SYCC tenacity endured and a great time was had by all.  Score….. 100 and not out.

Thank you to Valhalla and Blue Tattoo for sharing the hosting of sundowners and dinner both nights.

Boats attending:  Valhalla, Bucket of Vyno, Silver Cloud, Scallywag, Pamela J, Coromandel, Blue Tattoo, Hombre.

Trip leaders:  Sweet Love and Perroquet.

Island Fiesta Progressive Dinner, Castle Lagoon,

The good weather gods shone favourably upon us this year, thank goodness!   Coromandel arrived early at Castle Lagoon on the Thursday afternoon to claim the only location that would accommodate the 12 participating boats. Scallywag arrived early evening, followed by several boats throughout the day on Friday, ably assisted by Ken J and Rick Brown to reverse into their spot and take lines ashore.  The remaining boats arrived on Saturday.  It was impressive to see how well all boats either anchored or simply reversed into line, and as is usual, members were on hand each time a boat arrived to assist. 

The smoky atmosphere from the bushfires was quite unpleasant on Saturday morning and took most of the day to clear.  Bustling activity however was noticed on many of the boats, cleaning and decorating cockpits and saloons for the night's festivities.  Solar lights festooned many of the boats, making it a pretty sight once darkness fell.  

Most boats interpreted the Island theme as 'tropical', with a few out of the box who interpreted 'island' in their own way - Bucket of Vyno cleverly basing their theme on Ireland, and Sweet Love taking advantage of their Danish heritage, using the Danish islands as their theme.  Perroquet and Blue Tattoo competed for the largest blow up tropical tree (Blue Tattoo won!).  Other boats used their paraphernalia gathered from overseas sailing experiences, including Coromandel who had recently visited New Caledonia.   Charles and Sue had a tough job judging the most creative interpretation of the Island Fiesta theme, and finally awarded the prize of a soft esky to Bjarne & Annette from Sweet Love. 

Sundowners were served on the decks of Perroquet with spillover to the neighbouring boats.  It was a colourful sight with most members attired in tropical dress, including plenty of leis.  The merrymakers then departed to their allocated boats for entree, main course and dessert.  Reports the next day were glowing about the delicious meals prepared by the chefs.  It's amazing how well we eat from small galleys and limited equipment!

Sunday morning saw most boats departing, heading homeward.  Coromandel, Perroquet, Silver Cloud and Bucket of Vyno were fortunate to stay another night, by which time all other boats had departed, so we had a mooring each for the night. 

Boats attending:  Coromandel, Scallywag, Perroquet, Bucket of Vyno, Another Storey, Pamela J, Silver Cloud, Sweet Love, Rendezvous, Viva la Vita, Blue Tattoo, Sabi Star.  

It was a Mystery all right!

A very convivial Sundowners was held on Coromandel on Friday night, joined by Bucket of Vyno, Silver Cloud and Another Storey.  Just in time everyone got back to their boats, before it literally bucketed down, complete with thunder and lightning.  The dinghies were so full on Saturday morning, it was extremely difficult to empty them out! Contents of the two Mystery boxes were distributed on Saturday morning, together with allocation of rafts for the evening meal.  The two rafts consisted of A - Bucket of Vyno, Kemara and Rendezvous and B -  Valhalla, Silver Cloud and Masquerade. 

The Sail
After a week of changeable weather, again, it was decided to tackle Lion Island for the triangle sail, given that the latest forecast available Saturday morning was a Norwester to start, with a work to commence in a clockwise direction. Followed by, perhaps a downwind run and hopefully then an East-South Easterly change would have kicked in. This would allow for a reach back south towards Barrenjoey o West Head.  
Nope! The wind was NE to kick us off, followed by nothing, at the western end of the island. Then a touch of NW, then nothing, then a hint of E, then nothing, then Southerly, then nothing, then a change was brewing, SSW which saw a gust of 28 knots before arrival at Refuge Bay.  
Variety, that's why we love to sail here. Kemara led the way, so well done Ken and Mary.  At least it was good to see 6 boats sailing in company, sort of!

Mystery Box Chefs Challenge
On arrival at Refuge, the two rafts reconnoitered to devise and prepare their 2 course mystery menu. Key ingredients were chicken tenders, fennel, chilli, pomegranate, lemon plus various herbs and salad ingredients.  Chefs could supplement their meal preparation with any ingredients found lurking in their boat pantries, hopefully without any critters attached.  Both rafts prepared delicious meals, enjoyed with suitable beverages and much laughter. 
At coffee on Sunday morning,  a diplomatic decision was made by the judges to award all the lady chefs a prize, consisting of home made items from Sue & Ken's garden.  Ken Wallace summed up the deliciousness of the meal very eloquently - "the flavours danced on the tongue, and made love in your mouth" or words to that effect!

Thanks to Valhalla, Silver Cloud, Masquerade, Bucket of Vyno, Kemara and Rendezvous for your enthusiastic participation of the weekend activities.

Sue & Ken Johnston,
Coromandel