Moved to Hungry Bay
09 January 2019 | Hungry Bay
Helen/Mark
The wind picked up from the South to over 20 knots and the boats all changed direction last evening. We were feeling the wind and rocky water bouncing us, especially when the fast ferry boats left the dock at Manly. We were both exhausted. Did not even watch any movies or tv series last night. I ended up heading to bed at 8 pm. Mark stayed up to keep an eye on the weather and nearby boats, he watched one Horatio Hornblower episode. The winds settled and shifted. None of the boats were too close to us, so that was good. Both of us slept well. Mark informs me he didn't sleep as long, as we were up around 6:30. After breakfast, we hauled anchor by 7:30. Motored around the fast ferries thru the channel. Added the jib sail and we motor/sailed out the Sydney Harbour channel. Made a few phone calls. Motor/sailed on the ocean, with favorable wind but not very strong. Eventually we shut one engine off. We were making 4-5 knots. Started the water maker around 10. Thought we would be in Pittwater Bay by 1 pm. The winds increased and Mark shut off the other engine. Then the winds lightened and the engine went back on. The winds picked up as we approached the entrance to Pittwater. The first anchorage was very shallow and rocky with the southern winds. Then the winds increased over 20 knots as we headed to the next bay. There were too many boats and too many submarine cables to attempt to anchor off the moored boats. No open mooring balls. Many boats on the ocean as well as in this bay. We decided to sail back towards the entrance and head up the Hawkesbury River looking for a sheltered anchorage. We found one off Hungry Beach in Hungry Bay. This area is part of the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, which we toured when we had our rental. There was one power boat and two sailboats here when we arrived. The power boat left soon after we anchored. Then the smaller sailboat, with a man and three kids, hauled anchor, with the kids driving the boat. It was quite the sight. I took their picture and they all waved. We enjoyed a lovely hot lunch underway. By the time we anchored at 2 pm, we were both exhausted. Mark shut down the water maker and changed one filter. My stomach didn't like the ocean rocking, so I had to take a Stugeron to settle it. We both took an hour's rest. When we woke up the last sailboat was also gone. We are 100 yards off the beautiful rocky shoreline. There is a small beach in the middle. We plan to do some exploring tomorrow. If we climb up the hill, there is a spot with a WWII bunker. Mark enjoyed a well deserved sg&t. The wind settled to 5 knots as we are protected by the hills in front of us. The water is moving with the tide, but flat and only gently rocking us. Lots of strange shapes in the clouds. Now, it's more overcast and looks like we could get some rain. Again, the forecast was not correct. Mark found us a very beautiful spot. We can hear crickets or cicadas making a racket onshore, but that's about it. Took a few minutes around sunset to enjoy a lovely meditation out on deck. The breeze was cool and there was a lovely vibration from the cicadas to guide me. Had dinner and plan to watch some more Justified tonight. Very peaceful and quiet. Thanks for your communications today. We are happy to be sheltered from the wind and waves. We love having this bay all to ourselves and rate this place highly!!