Report Number 2

Had some trouble understanding how to use the computer, so the following was actually written two nights ago. I will try to improve!

Ahoy, landlubbers! The intrepid duo picked up their new dinghy (Aristocraft 3.2m inflatable) on Thursday and arranged for Karen's son Ben to take us to Berowra Waters on Friday morning, leaving home around 7.45. We had somehow managed to generate another car full of items we couldn't do without, even though we had delivered heaps to the boat while it was at the jetty having the covers done. It took two trips out to Jess to shift all the stuff, but the "queen of the dinghy" didn't mind because she has fallen in love with the new one. It will almost certainly be christened Miss Jess II. On board and under weigh at 1041. Very smooth sailing to Little Patonga where we found an unused RMYC mooring and gave it and its owners the honour of having us use it overnight. Karen set about trying to find storage for everything while I rebuilt the control panel, setting the GPS and depthfinder more vertical, then celebrated with a bottle of very nice red and a special Karen dinner and went to bed with the alarm set for 5.30am.
Saturday we leapt (!!!) out of bed at 5.30, got moving at 5.55 and started our Northerly journey. Quickly decided to have alternate 30 minute turns at the wheel, and 30 minutes resting - the early start had a tiring effect. It was strange to find that at 8.30 we were ready for lunch!! Seas were mild, skies cloudy and little wind. Jess travelled beautifully and we reached the entrance to Swansea without incident. At the entrance, near Moon Islet, a pod of dolphins came to wish us well and then we entered the Swansea bar at about 12 noon. Up the channel and picked up the 1pm opening of the bridge, and into Lake Macquarie. Had good phone reception, so made contact with rels and friends, motored across to Wangi where the good book said there was a good mooring at the Workers Club (how appropriate!!!). Stopped there and then the real trip began. Met new friends, caught up with old ones, got visited by a nephew and his friend. Found that everybody knew everybody and generally got swept along in a rush of friendship. Plan to eat at the club tonight and have an early night, followed by a couple of days here at least. Then when we are ready, we will move on to Port Stephens.
Just one other thing - the phone came with a special cheap deal between 6 and 7 pm, so emails will generally be sent then.
Thanks again to everybody for their good wishes,
Love, Warwick and Karen