Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Clayton's Sailing

Because three weeks is not a lot of time to see a country the size of Australia, the 'organised' part of Jeffscape's visit entails 'experiences' rather than just sight seeing with just enough down time to chill, enjoy the autumn sun, talk my socks off and generally lounge around. The beauty of not just driving incessantly through the country is that you also get to see how the other half lives and some pretty nice scenery if you time it right.

I'm fortunate enough to have good friends who own a sailing boat. Sunday saw us pack a picnic of prawns and salad, fresh bread rolls and wine as we headed down to the Barrenjoey Peninsular, clamoured into a small row boat with four people and a large standard poodle called Harry, eskies and supplies and boarded the boat. The weather at first was glorious and we pootled under motor (my friend's wife, not keen on sliding sideways under sail in a brisk wind - actually I'm not keen on sliding sideways in a brisk wind). We headed out towards Lion Island then into more sheltered waters at The Basin for a picnic, conversation, fine company and lovely views. Jeffscape took a hand at the helm, entertained us with chat about America and the Military and was invited back on the weekend to participate in a sailing race - we'll see if he takes them up on the offer. On the return trip, the weather turned, we all packed on waterproofs, (including Harry the large standard poodle) as we were beaten by driving rain (fortunately it wasn't too cold) and ended up with date scones and tea and a review of the Tropfest short film winners. Very civilised.  So what has he learned so far?

  • How to measure the length of a boat (since my explanation was totally erroneous)
  • The difference between the colours of port and starboard (nah he knew, just forgot)
  • That Supacenta is not an aboriginal word 
  • How to peel a prawn (hilarious effort there). The tender lad doesn't like to know what his food actually looked like before it was prepared.
  • How to serve tea from a tea pot without getting leaves in the cup
  • The joy of scones, jam and cream
  • Australian cigarettes taste the same as US cigarettes but the packet warnings are worth collecting like baseball cards
  • There's little use for knots on modern sailing boats, despite his being able to tie a bowline, cherry, reef, girth, prusik etc.
  • Standing up on the high seas for 50% of the time is hard on the legs
  • Aussie Merlot is pretty decent, and beer, and mohitos
Fine Weather Moving out


Strong North Westerley and the Yachties Love It


The Ship's Mate at the Helm

Lunch On Deck at The Basin (My friend Ros - not sure who the skinny guy drinking Merlot is)

Nothing Like the Slap of Rain in the Face to Make me Grimace


Harry has His Own Wet Weather Gear


    19 comments:

    Betsy Brock said...

    What a wonderful day! I love that happy exhaustion at the end of the day from the sea, wind and sun.

    Brian Miller said...

    nice sounds like a great time...love being out on the water...

    Megan said...

    Love it! Let me at that picnic!

    kj said...

    i'm LOVIN' this travelogue. i should be in bed but not before i felt the wind in my hair and the rain on my face and the fun of my friend.

    xoxoxoxoxo
    kj

    Kath Lockett said...

    Love that photo of you 'grimacing' and Harry.... I want him!

    Alan Burnett said...

    Great that you are all having such a good time. It is building up to being quite a memorable holiday by the sound of it.

    Jill from Killeny Glen said...

    What an amazing day including a bit of rain to jazz things up a bit...ya shouldof exaggerated the whole thing into a storm that almost TOOK your lives!

    Good times.

    Roy said...

    It's always great to be out on the water! And now you've made me homesick again, here in landlocked central PA. ((sigh))

    PattiKen said...

    Sounds like great fun. How cool that you had a sailing dog along for the adventure.

    This post was packed with more Aussie-speak than usual. I love that. I am a chameleon when it comes to language. In approximately three days, I change colors and begin to sound like the natives. This has happened in NZ, Paris, Texas, and Minnesota, for example. So how's Himself doing with the accent? Still sounding like a Yank?

    hokgardner said...

    As dog is my witness, some day I am coming to visit you.

    Grannymar said...

    that sounds like fun.

    Anonymous said...

    With days like that in your life you should never complain about anything ever again. You lucky girl!!!!

    Lisa said...

    Oh what a wonderful day. This is the way to experience and enjoy a travel but not always one gets this kind of opportunity.

    You looked joyous in the wind Baino. And I love the picture of the sailboats, they are beautiful.

    Guess what my word verification is - boating.b!

    nick said...

    I've never in my life been sailing. Sailors always tell me what a fantastic experience it is but somehow I've never got round to trying. I ought to, being right next to Belfast Lough.

    Anonymous said...

    Now that surely is a touch of paradise. Nothing like time on a boat with good food and friends.

    laughingwolf said...

    fun times! :)

    been years since i was on a sailboat last, my brother-in-law's, in bc....

    Mim said...

    Everyone looks great and happy and relaxed but Harry takes the cake!

    Darlene said...

    I am trying to catch up on blogging. It looks like you've been busy while I was away.

    What a splendid trip you are having. Darned if I would continue to post when having so much fun, but am glad you are so I can see your part of the world.

    Carolina said...

    Oooohkay, I definitely want a standard poodle called Harry now!