Author name: Karen

The rain drizzled most of Australia Day, and Pittwater was full of weekend sailors, and campers at Coasters Retreat being ferried back to shore with camping equipment and loads of kids, by the numerous Water Taxis and Hire Barges. We picked up Graham and Marguarite (Barquita – Sistership) up for the day and headed off […]

T’was a overcast day, wind SSE 20- 22 knts and we did a big sweep of Belmont Bay before heading for the channel. A sweeping turn took us into the channel and watching the depth sounder I progressed toward the bridge. It took a bit longer as the tide was running in at 1.5 knts,

The very hectic last few days at Lake Macquarie Yacht Club have left us very weary but it will be all worth it when we get to Tassie. Tomorrow afternoon will be our Christening Party and the chance for all to have a look around. Today the fuel tanks had a big drink, all 3940

The night was eventful, a 45′ yacht without sufficient nav lights, no radar reflector came very close before we were able to see it, we then we shone our huge spot light on it and altered course to avert a collision! Three faces pearing out over the stable door of the pilothouse must have looked

Cloud cover and gentle NNW breezes were still present when the sun rose at 5.05am this morning, Alan is off watch, Dad just got up after sleeping since midnight and I will retire after I have the hot cuppa that Dad has just made me! We are 20nm East of Coffs Harbour, and just gone

Bacon and eggs, good friends and a picture perfect day made a wonderful start to our day 2. It was 7 am, the motor started and everything stowed ready for sea, a quick stop at Southport Yacht Club to drop Brian and Judy at the wharf before Dad started to clean the thick layer of

Alan applied the name to the stern, Dad arrived and Brian and Judy picked me up from the supermarket then the lines were thrown and off down the Brisbane river! Read the front page of the website and new photos were posted in the last few days.

Well after an extremely hectic week with a few dramas, we are almost ready to depart. Apologies for the lack of updates but a gremlin got to the internet and is now finally been removed. A few last minute touches tomorrow, plus put the tender up on the boat deck, all the food is on,

We have spent the last 3 days aboard Opal Lady wrapping and protecting the timberwork and the stainless hand rails so we don’t have little accidents this week!! Also finding all the bits and pieces stored everywhere, the lazarette is full of numbered boxes containing the remaining components to complete Opal Lady. For three days she

We arrived at the Port, 8.30am and had a long agonizing wait in a small demountable airconditioned office/ container, before Peter received the call at 1.30pm for us to head down to the ship ready for the offloading. Peter and David from Nordhavn, Don the professional skipper, Alan and Myself hopped aboard the Brisbane Port Launches workboat