Apart from having my children with me, this Christmas I had the most exciting and unique Christmas present EVER!! I can’t imagine that J will ever be able to top this (but therin is the challenge)…..
Boxing Day in Sydney sees the start of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race, and my present was a yacht charter for the day in Sydney Harbour!! As those of you who are conscientious blog readers will know, I love boats and the water (a true pisces), so this was truly a special present. The yacht could take eight so we were able to invite Joel (Rory’s friend from Vietnam) and two of his family so his Dad and younger brother joined us.
We boarded the boat at 11.00 am and sailed around the harbour in and among the yachts taking part in the race – including seven super yachts – and ofcourse all the spectator boats such as ourselves. Our captain was a merchant seaman from Southgate originally, via Cornwall, who had been in Oz since 1969. He had also worked most of his adult life as a type of marine policeman in the harbour enforcing the rules, so all in all we were in very capable hands. Although apparently it was a lot less crowded than most years because of the weather, it was still dauntingly busy, though Graham was able to turn the boat seemingly on a pinhead.
It was the coldest day we had had in Oz, 17C and grey and raining, but the rain was more drizzle than heavy rain so it didn’t spoil the day. I had worn shorts thinking that if my legs were going to get wet I wouldn’t want to be wearing trousers, but hadn’t anticipated the cold. Luckily Graham had some spare trakkie bottoms and jackets.
The news helicopters were circling overhead too – adding to the general excitement. The race started at 1.00pm and it was fantastically exciting to see them all gathering by the start line, adjusting their sails, and then once the race started putting up their spinakers and sailing off literally like the wind. The biggest yachts can make the race in two days or less, the little ones can take up to two weeks. Graham had done it once 15 years ago and said although he had sailed all over the world, it was the most terrifying thing he had ever done and he would never, ever, repeat the experience. Five years ago big storms sunk a number of boats, one with 11 crew members on board. No trace of it was ever found again. So this was serious stuff, the super yachts have 26 or so crew on board! Their wet weather gear costs $1,200 or so per person. Did you read about the yacht whose mast broke before the race and who had a replacement one made in France, and flown out for $200,000? They had ‘rigging issues’ and had to return within five minutes of starting the race. They passed by right next to us on their way into harbour. Although J asked them what was wrong, they didn’t answer and not surprisingly just looked very glum.
Once the race had started the restrictions on where you could sail were lifted and Graham put all the sails up and we sped around the harbour, loving the experience and soaking it all in. When we were younger (before kids), J and I both took our elementary sailing certificate – on the Lea Valley reservoir, surrounded by gas tanks, incinerator plants and concrete. If we had our house on Watson’s Bay (see earlier post), then naturally I would have my yacht moored just outside. I could even sail into work each day, although apparently there are mooring problems. Joel’s family live not far from the coast in Greenwich, and their neighbour has a sea plane and flies out to their country house every weekend – as you would. (BTW – celebrity gossip – Nicole Kidman’s parents live a few doors away from Joel’s family, and her sister…and Joel’s girlfriend even baby sat Isabella and Connor many years ago….). AND she was in town when we were there…but we didn’t bump into her…..
Here are some photos of this wonderful day. I would like to point out that my jacket puffed up in the wind, it isn’t all me! Honest…..
One of the super yachts
The police! They even had police in full black wetsuits (with hoods) on jet skis! Very James Bond.
Joel wrestling with the flag!
Thomas, well protected against the weather…we agreed that if it had been 30+C and full sun we would have not have been able to be out on the boat and would have had to have sheltered from the sun! But a few degrees warmer would have been nice…
Another competition boat
This was after the start when all the sails were up and the spectator boats had to keep their distance.
Thomas and I loving it…
Graham, our captain, waving good bye.
On shore we headed for a cafe for a warming hot chocolate. Not part of the stereotypical Australian experience, but the end of a spectacular, unrepeatable and unforgettable day. A fitting end to our Australian adventure as this was our last day before leaving for New Zealand. Thank you J x
