Year 2 –13 January 2024 -New Zealand to Sydney- Day 7
We had the 2.00am to 5.00am watch and there were thunderstorms and rainclouds around. Mark and Grant had rain and Kevin and I could see on the screen 3 target rain clouds that Mark had set when we took over.
We watched these carefully as if you get under them not only will you get a bit wet but the likelihood is of stronger winds which may mean you have to reef quickly. We were lucky to avoid these clouds as they seemed to disappear off in different directions. It was a pleasant watch and as we went off it was beginning to get light. I had made water during the watch and charged the batteries which went well.
We were up by about 8.00am and Trevor made scrambled egg and bacon wraps which was just the right start to the day. The weather was a bit grey and the sea state a little choppy. However, we continued to make good progress and we heard from our weather man that really we should be in by early afternoon on the 15th as the winds were going to get strong and gusts could be up to 45 kts with thunderstorms from the South opposing the Eastern Australian current. This would be an environment where you would not want to be and my plan was to arrive at the heads (entrance to Sydney Harbour or Port Jackson as it is called) by 7.00am.
We will then have to go to Neutral Harbour to be checked in by customs and Biosecurity. We will have to give them any fruit and vegetables, meat and eggs we still have on board and they will inspect the boat.
We settled in for another day of sailing with marked waypoints outlining our route like cats’ eyes in the road. We went from waypoint to waypoint keeping an eye on our speed as we do not want to arrive too early. We therefore had to slow Stormbird down a bit as the wind was quite strong but as the day progressed it weakened and the sun came out and the sea state calmed. We chatted and read, slept and did jobs. Kevin did some more fishing but with the 300lb line when he tried to bring it in the line went taught as a large fish must have struck and cut his fingers a little. With a little plaster he was fine.
We made 170 nm again despite the motoring etc 24 hour run which was fine and it was good to be sailing and not have the drone of the engine.
We settled down towards the end of the day prepared for more forecast thunderstorms in the night. We had spaghetti bolognaise with broccoli for supper followed by a fruit salad. This will be our penultimate night and I get the feel of excitement in anticipation of our arrival.
The picture of the day is of some of the crew on watch and lounging about the cockpit.
Here are some facts about Australia:
Size: Australia is the world's sixth largest country by area, covering an entire continent.
Location: Australia is an island continent, meaning it's surrounded by ocean.
Climate: Australia is the driest inhabited continent on Earth.
Beaches: Australia has over 10,000 beaches, including the world-famous Bondi Beach in Sydney.
Snow: Australia gets more snow than Switzerland during winter, especially in the Australian Alps.
Capital: Canberra is the capital of Australia and was founded in 1913.
Wildlife: Australia is home to unique wildlife, including the platypus, kangaroo, echidna, and koala.
Great Barrier Reef: The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system, made up of over 3,000 coral reefs.
National parks: Australia has 516 national parks to protect its unique plants and animals.
Uluru: Uluru is the world's largest rock, rising 1,100 feet (335 meters) tall in the Red Center.
Universities: Australia has many top global universities, including the University of Melbourne, Australian National University, and the University of Sydney.
Australia Day: Australia Day is celebrated on January 26th each year, marking the day the First Fleet arrived in Australia in 1788.
Sydney is the capital city of the state of New South Wales and the most populous city in Australia and Oceania. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about 80 km (50 mi) from the Pacific Ocean in the east to the Blue Mountains in the west, and about 80 km (50 mi) from the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and the Hawkesbury River in the north and north-west, to the Royal National Park and Macarthur in the south and south-west. Greater Sydney consists of 658 suburbs, spread across 33 local government areas. Residents of the city are colloquially known as "Sydneysiders".The estimated population in June 2023 was 5,450,496, which is about 66% of the state's population. The city's nicknames include the Emerald City and the Harbour City.
During his first Pacific voyage in 1770, James Cook charted the eastern coast of Australia, making landfall at Botany Bay. In 1788, the First Fleet of convicts, led by Arthur Phillip, founded Sydney as a British penal colony, the first European settlement in Australia. After World War II, Sydney experienced mass migration and by 2021 over 40 per cent of the population was born overseas. Foreign countries of birth with the greatest representation are mainland China, India, the United Kingdom, Vietnam and the Philippines.
The city has over 1,000,000 ha (2,500,000 acres) of nature reserves and parks, and its notable natural features include Sydney Harbour and Royal National Park. The Sydney Harbour Bridge and the World Heritage-listed Sydney Opera House are major tourist attractions. Central Station is the hub of Sydney's suburban train, metro and light rail networks and longer-distance services. The main passenger airport serving the city is Kingsford Smith Airport, one of the world's oldest continually operating airports.
Need/Opportunity Year Two
I am in need of more crew from April to September so if of interest do email me at hine.nick9@gmail.com
In year two I will be going from New Zealand to Sydney and hen up the Eastern Australian Coast, Indonesia and then through Bali, Singapore and on to Thailand to end year two about the end of November 2025.
The blog will continue as we continue the journey. If you have any comments or suggestions about the blog then do email me on hine.nick9@gmail.com