We left Soldiers Point Marina at 4.30am in preparation for a long day sail down to Pittwater north of Sydney, some 75 nautical miles. The wind looked promising hopefully 10 to 15 knots from the north east which would see us covering the distance fairly quickly. The sun shone red as it rose above the horizon due to the amount of dust and smoke in the atmosphere and in fact the day remained hazy for most of the journey. The wind came and went and finally arrived again for a last puff allowing us to pole out the head sail and make good progress. We were able to sail all the way along the length of Pittwater to the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club our final destination!
We had reached the end of our voyage up and down the east coast of Australia. Dreamweaver had safely carried us 4168 nautical miles from Melbourne to Lizard Island and back to Sydney over 6 months. In a way it's a shame we won't make the return journey to Melbourne but time has run out and work beckons for both Roger and I!!
The last two days have been spent preparing Dreamweaver for the final stage of the voyage, she will be delivered back to Melbourne when a good weather window presents itself. We are leaving her on a mooring at Palm Beach for a short while and hope all will be well!!
So it's from here that I write this final entry to our blog. Roger has attempted to prolong his long service leave several times today! He has managed to fall down and bang his hip whilst walking on a sea wall, leant on a wooden pile on a very dodgy pier which gave way and finally has fallen from the back of the Dreamweaver into the sea whilst climbing from a dingy after exploring Palm Beach! All to no avail. He remains fit and able to return to work, long service leave at an end!
We have had a marvellous time which seems to have past all to quickly. The sailing has been one of two journeys. The first with the wind behind us surfing down waves at 12+ knots, covering the miles easily. The return has been light winds with pauses in ports waiting for stronger less favourable winds from the south to pass. For now we sit this our last evening, in Pittwater supping the last bottle of red and listening to heavy rain and thunder storms! If my memory is correct the last time we were here the weather was similar and we hid in the Hawksbury for 4 days! Tomorrow we fly back to Melbourne where Jonathan and Nick will meet us at the airport.
So we raise our glasses at the end of our voyage and wish for fair winds and other happy future sailing adventures. Bon voyage Roger and Anne.
