08/06/2009, Newcastle
We had a fantastic sail up to Newcastle over the QB long weekend. W/NW 15-18 knots, board flat seas, 6.5 hours from Palm beach mooring to Nobby's, 7.5-8.5 kts, even had time for a cappuccino on route. Excellent.
Diomedea sailed in company with Reliance (Chris and Susan Daly). A nice night in the marina at the very new Newcastle CYC.
Check out the video.
| 14. In Sydney |
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19/06/2009 | shauna (johnandshauna dott delauney att gmail dott com)
We just had a coffee crisis here in new cal. Luckily there's a nespresso shop right here so we were able to have a service done. The thought of cruising without coffee is just too horrible. Glad you enjoyed Newcastle!!
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20/04/2009, Sydney
There's nothing so much fun as messing about in boats, eh? Hmm. Obviously the author, Kenneth Graham, never had to redo the plumbing and valves for a boat's toilet and blackwater holding tank system. Which is exactly what we did this weekend. I have not taken pictures you will be pleased to know. Suffice it to say that after the valves were installed, I found that the outflow was completely blocked. After a lot of manipulation involving the removal of the sewerage version of atherosclerotic plaque and embolic material, the impending "stroke" was averted so that the circulation was re-perfused.
Then it was onto the removal of the head of the diesel engine. A constant problem with overheating had been on our mind for a while. Despite many maneouvres to overcome this it remained. Eventually it was tracked down to a leaking head gasket. This is probably the legacy of the three episodes of water entry into the cylinders some years ago. This was the result of an exhaust system that freely admitted salt water into the engine when the boat was sailing downwind in medium following seas. Water would enter the exhaust and run forward into the engine. The engine "hydraulics" and attempts to start it cause the starter motor to burn out, as well as other mechanical disasters. We replaced the exhaust system with a swan neck arrangement and a big rubber bung. No problems since. So the head is off and the corroded valves are being reground. There is some pitting on the tops of the pistons as a result of corrosion but this is not deemed to be an issue.
Kerching.
| 17. Maintenance |
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13/04/2009, Sydney
We timed our exit from Sydney harbour for the peak wind velocities of the afternoon. Sadly, these peaks were only about 7 kts. Thus Diomedea motored north to Broken Bay along with many other yachts for Easter. Our motoring speed is down due to a leaking head gasket, keeping our revs down. We arrived at Hallet's beach for a CCCA BBQ, only to find that it was drinks, and they were over! We had a quiet meal on board. Saturday saw us enjoying the delights of Dangar island and the absolutely sumptuous bread and butter pudding for which the island is justifiably famous. (Also famous for the bowling club, lifestyle, and idyllic location). We made an impromptu rendezvous with Three Ships and Alaban whose northward cruising had progressed only this far and spent a wonderful time with them on Saturday night at Akuna Bay. There we also bumped into the RPAYC cruise (thought they were going to Sydney harbour!) and John and De from Tara 2 out of Kettering, TAS. From Akuna bay it was around to Houseboat bay near Bobbin head for a walk and another fantastic evening. Our steel boat proved magnetic and the bay was soon crowded with many other vessels. Saw XtoSea at the marina - Hi Rob. Too soon it was time to return to Sydney and Diomedea sailed back slowly in a very light S-Se breeze. A heavy rain squall gave us a nice wash once back at the mooring. The yacht was washed too.
Photos in the Easter09 album.
| 14. In Sydney |
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07/04/2009, Sydney
Diomedea cruised all the way to Blackwattle Bay to rendezvous with friends from the South Pacific. The crews of Three Ships, Chris and Fiona, and Alaban, Dave and Liz were there to greet us. We had a great meal on board Three Ships (No, not the carol. It is actually a brand of rum in South Africa) and then morning tea (cappuccino) on Diomedea. Andrea and I enjoyed a short walk around Glebe and stumbled into a very old ?Confucian temple buried amongst the terraces. Still very actively in use.
Sadly, Three Ships and Alaban are both soon to head north to join the Darwin Ambon rally and have more adventures.
After our farewells, Diomedea enjoyed an excellent sail in 12-15 kt NE breeze up the harbour and back.
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07/04/2009, Florida, USA
We steered course 757 on the good ship Virgin Australia all of the 7000nm to Los Angeles before joining Captain America to Miami. A short landcruising session ensued with our daughter. We visited South Beach, the Everglades, and various cafes, restaurants etc. Respectively, lots of babes, no surf, alligators, hopeless coffee, huge portions, and dismal wine. We stayed at the relentlessly 3 star Hotel Habana Libre. We had a delightful 21st birthday party for Hannah with her friends from uni. Then, back on the plane and the excellent movie selection.
See the pix in Miami cruising
| 16. Landcruising |
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08/03/2009, Port Hacking
It was a rush. I just finished in surgery at 5.30 and was due to be in Newport to give our presentation on last years Sth Pacific cruise. We made it and had a great night at the Alfreds. Thank you to Peter and Maurice for the arrangements. Very positive comments on the talk. I need to thank Jen, Charles, and Geoff for the use of the photos and video.
Saturday saw us leave Sydney harbour in a dying breeze to sail the 12nm south to Port Hacking to join the CCCA rally. We had to motor sail for a while but then fortuitously the wind backed enough to get the Code Zero up and we were away. We closely inspected Seafox 6 just south of Botany bay. Presumably for the desalination plant outfall. The anchor went down at Jibbon beach just after sunset. We missed sundowner drinks but celebrated instead with a riesling, a crystal clear sky and a gorgeous moon. During the evening a change came through with bigger winds from the south and some rain. The morning was clear enough for a walk with crews from the various yachts. Following this was cappuccino time on Diomedea and we had a lovely hour or two with everyone from the club. Thank you to all who came to visit. The rally was staying in Port Hacking for a week but for us it was back to Sydney. Diomedea sailed beautifully back up the coast in 12-18 kts of breeze, being at Bradleys head 2.5hrs after leaving Jibbon. Fantastic. Sadly the rain came in full strength but at least the boat got a wash. See the photos in the album called Cruising around Sydney.
| 14. In Sydney |
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08/03/2009 | David V (imipl att bigpond dott net dott au)
Hi there, David & Andrea.... was DIOMEDEA formerly FLOWERDAZE... I seem to recall meeting her orig-owner builder here in Airlie Beach several years ago... In the circumstances, I was impressed with her build. Cheers from DV
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09/03/2009 | Al (almckay8 att bigpond dott net dott au)
Now I've seen it all. Talk about having one bigger than all the other yachties, eh? That desalination plant could not possibly fit on Diomedea and it must have cost a motza. Strange place to take delivery just off the Sydney sewerage treatment plant.
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