Wattamolla - ‘The Shift in the Wind’
I woke to the morning’s cacophony of kookaburras, knowing that this day would be filled with purpose and adventure because today was… destination Wattamolla!!
Wattamolla, (Providential Cove), albeit pristine and picturesque has three submerged reefs that should be carefully negotiated when approached by sea.
While we had a vastly experienced group among us to help navigate the reefs and been told to approach Wattamolla from the southeast, I was still curious to see what obstacles lay head.
On opening up my Garmin Boating app and scrolling to Wattamolla, it seemed to provide very little navigational value.
That was until I changed two setting. I switch from Nautical Chart to Sonar Chart and then hit Satellite Imagery.
Suddenly all is revealed!
Our plan is to drop anchor at Wattamolla Bay by lunch, toast our achievement with a chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc while feasting on our freshly made wraps and verify the proof of our journey with a team photo on the beach.
Under high cloud of grey skies against the incoming tide, I gently throttled forward into the funnelling chill of channel breeze heading towards our rendezvous point Jibbon.
Bill Dickson's photo of conditions near Wattamolla
Seconds later the crackle of VHF radio rattles around the cockpit. A vibration in my pocket, momentarily startles me as my mobile begins to ring. Both forms of communication are meant for me. Both are from Bill Dickson as he relays his findings.
It wasn’t the news I wanted to hear but it became clear that the southerly swell and wind direction would likely compromise safe anchoring and at best leave us anchored wallowing in a mostly unpleasant motion.
Special thanks to Alistair for his reconnoitrer of Wattamolla the day before hand. He was kind and diligent enough to make an initial assessment that gave us a degree of hope that the trip might still be possible.
Unfavourable weather telemetry radioed in that morning from two seasoned campaigners' courtesy of Bill Dickson and Richard Stock on Reve, who had already made their way towards our destination, confirmed our decision to postpone our trip.
A big thank you to all the boats that came along to join us with special mention to Dave Cartmer who had a record of nine POB.
Team photo on Jibbon Beach
Congratulations is also in order to all involved for making the very best of it despite the trip postponement, as Jibbon became the new hot lunch spot for marri nuwi, Mach1, Etre Jeune, Reve and Tobruk.
L'attitude and Navigator rafted up at Gooseberry Bay.
What felt like a compromise slowly became something special — the sun appeared, the breeze eased, and I was afforded such wonderful hospitality onboard L'attitude sharing time with JB’s family.
Thank you again to all for your support and thank you for joining us.
'In victory, you deserve Champagne;'
Stayed tuned for news of the next trip which will be Whale Watching, coming shortly!
Good sailing!
Peter Corbett
L'attitude, Navigator, marri nuwi, Mach1, Etre Jeune, Reve and Tobruk.
Lunch at Boat Harbour
By Peter Corbett
Blessed with good weather, flat seas and in the company of sailing royalty, today was an excellent day to be at Boat Harbour!!
My sincere thanks to Bill and Lynden for their company, their insightful advice and snap shots a their sailing adventures.
The couple that also need no introduction were John and Jo Zagame, who totally spoilt us with their generous and magnificent hospitality onboard their sleek lined and well-appointed catamaran Koh Racha.
To top the day off, I made a new best friend! Her name is ‘Ollie’, a beautiful black Portuguese water dog who completely stole my heart with her affection.
Debs and I are most grateful to you all for taking the time and making the effort to be there. It truely made our day!
Thank you again for such a wonderful time!!
Peter
Want to join in for next month’s Port Hacking Cruise Event?
The destination: Wattamolla, Day trip, anchor for lunch.
All are welcome!
Look forward to seeing you there!
Yachts Interested: Navigator (2), L'attitude (2), Koh Racha (3), Etre Jeune (2), Reve (2).
Yarra Bay
By Peter Corbett
A big thank you to all those that joined us at Yarra Bay on Saturday 22nd February.
With ringside seats overlooking the bay, Yarra Bay Sailing Club provided us with a delicious choice for lunch.
Lobster and seafood platters seemed to be a popular choice.
Special thanks to those that came by car and made the extra effort to be there, including Ken and Libby, Pete Rochiax and his wife Lesley.
It was a pleasure have Paul & Jane Kelly from Cronulla Sailing Club join us too. Mooring their boat at Frenchman’s Bay, keeping Rich & Rosslyn company on Etre Jeune overnight.
Margaritaville anchored overnight at Yarra bay with Navigator keeping her company.
Jude on Achtung Baby were delayed but still managed against the odds, to sail to the club just in time to miss us for lunch. So close yet so far. We’ll make it up to you next year Lisa!
The northeasterly winds picked up and L’attitude headed home after lunch with Margaret on the helm and JB setting up the spinnaker. I imagine it would have been a quick run home!
Special thanks to JB for tendering me in and Paul Kelly for tendering me out.
Back onboard, I busied myself with familiarising the undiscovered parts of my newly acquired boat. The time quickly disappeared as sunset approached and finally to bed onboard for the first time, kept company with the reassuring loom of lights from the Container Terminal.
In the morning, I awoke to the distinct sound of outboard engines nearby. I popped my head up out of the companion way hatch to see crowd of young lads dressed in the colours of South Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club busily jostling for position on Yarra beach during their Nippers training. It was a beautiful sight to see the ‘old hands’ passing their knowledge and skills on to a younger generation.
A light breakfast of cheese on a buttered roll washed down with hot tea.
So time to head home to test out this strange looking Simrad tiller auto helm I found in the saloon locker last night! Peter
Text message received from Libby & Ken Teiffel
Hi Peter thank you for organising the luncheon. I felt there should be acknowledgement on the RMYC Site...
" On Saturday, 22nd, February, Ken and I boarded our Land Yacht "Possible Dream" and under blue skies motored to Yarra Bay.
The people who had sailed in all met up at the Yarra Bay Sailing Club.
With wonderful views of the beautiful beach we all enjoyed a couple of drinks and the excellent food from a quite extensive menu.
Having enjoyed the excellent company Ken and I boarded or Land Yacht to head for home.
It was a very enjoyable day and we Thank Peter Corbett for organising it.”
Yachts Interested: Navigator (3), L'attitude (5), Possible Dream (2), Etre Jeune (2), Margaritaville (2), Chinook (4), Tripple T, Attung Baby (2) ... Total people (22)
Can't make it this time: Jazz Bar, Excentric (2)
Audley Postponed for 2024
Timing this year conspired against us for the following reasons.
- Too close to Christmas for many with all the other committments.
- Tides too early in the morning for some skippers.
- Close to the last Twilight race and after race party.
- Clash with Carols by Cruisers.
- Response not sufficient as we need reasonable numbers to be successful.
We are bound by tides.
In hindsight this should have been planned for tides a month earlier where the tides are also latter.
This would also avoid the clash with so many other activities so close the Christmas.
It will be planned for November next year.
Wildflowers October 2024 – A slice of Heaven by Peter Corbett (Completed)
I’ve often found that life’s ‘little surprises’ tend to be unexpected and mostly unpleasant. 
How refreshing then to be suddenly struck in awe with the beauty of something that you never knew was there and even more surprisingly, it had been at your doorstep all this time.
I’d been assigned the illustrious task of organising this event, albeit with most of the help coming from you know who.
Suitably attired with tenders, lovingly packed picnic hampers stowed with a selective range of various delicious beverages at hand and we were off! Leading people to a place I’d never been before, betraying a suitable manner of calm disposition, I became a frenzied iPhone camera button pushing tourist.
The expansive bay we anchored in, curls into a shoreline bordered with an abundance of bright green mangroves.
Moments later, we are idling up into shallow calm waters of purest crystal. The westerly winds pulsed to a slow respiratory rhythmic wave of a sleeping giant.
Enclosed from all sides by the National Park, instantly you’re away from the world, a palpable calm serenity envelops you.
Mysterious and meandering, the waters shimmer to a warm copper glow.
This hidden oasis is bordered with curiously constructed precipitous perpendicular cliffs, unbroken vertical ledges of stone towering aloft. The opposing river bank is a canopy of olive green and grey eucalypts erupting through the undulating elevations.
Gentle sloped clearings appear to invite you to their sandy shore meeting patches of what appears to be finely manicured lawn. The wading shallows are peppered with shoal smooth stone.
We sit on a giant fallen log eating our scrumptious picnic in the scent of eucalyptus embers.
It’s a revelation! In short, this is one of the best ‘wholesome’ things I’ve done in ages. So guess what…I’m going to it again next year!! I hope you can too!
Wildflowers Picnic Collage and Slideshow
Interested: Tobruk, Excentric, L’attitude-1, Margaritaville, marri nuwi, Imogen, L’attitude-2
Can’t make it this time: Cordelia, Possible Dream, Regatta, Sirocco, Reve, Jazz Bar, Free Spirit, Majella, Amazing Grace, Excelsior, Aeolus, Koh Racha