Spring in Sydney 2023 – take 2.
This is a re-posting of our spring news, which was published without any photos!
Spring has sprung in Sydney and we are enjoying our sailing again, after a major refit of the electronics on Esprit. Weekends have been busy with the annual Jeanneau Rendezvous, where we were lucky to win a $1,500 voucher for anti fouling at the dinner. Also, sail aways with the RMYC Sail Cruising Division and the Coastal Cruising Club of Australia (CCCA).
Early in August we drove to Redfern to load Karen and Evan’s clothes and things for their move to Orange in Central west NSW. Evan would follow a week later and her Nissan Micra had limited luggage space. So, our BYD EV was loaded to the roof. EV range with a full charge should be 480 km, but with the load and topography going over the Blue Mountains, we played it safe and stopped in Lithgow for a fast charge during our lunch at the Lithgow Workers Club. We could have made the 300 km to Orange.
For her next four years as a registrar, Karen moves to a new hospital in Northern NSW every six months. Challenging, but in order to provide the country folks access to her speciality and to ease the pain for her and Evan, a fully furnished house with everything down to linen is provided free of charge. As an occupational therapist, Evan got a transfer from Sydney to Orange. They are enjoying the less hectic pace at the brand new Orange hospital, with wineries aplenty in the area and a town which is not a cultural backwater.
The 2023 FIFA women’s soccer world cup, hosted by Australia and New Zealand, had us all excited. The Matildas did quite well up to the semi-final, but more importantly, pulled the nation together in support, whilst promoting the sport to the younger generation. A lot more skill is required than women’s rugby league or union, as well as almost no concussion injuries.
My walking and cycling regime came along apace, cycling to the library and shopping errands, losing some weight in the process. This was inevitably offset by frequent dinner parties and the RMYC Sail Cruising Division weekends at various destinations. Our monthly first Friday boat owners drinks evenings are now themed with the August evening, a Miami evening. (think Miami Vice and colourful threads) Pirate and other themes to follow.
Early September, we thought Michelle was visiting various Pacific Islands for her work, but it turned out she was in the UK for a conference and a reunion hike in the Cotswolds with her British hiking group. Her flight back to Fiji was via America, so she attended the Burning Man Festival, again. Instead of the usual dust, unexpected downpours turned the event into the Burning Mud Festival!
Karen celebrated her 35th birthday on the 21st September and Evan treated her to a hot air balloon flight. The following weekend we joined the CCCA for a sail away to Dangar Island where we attended the annual Oktoberfest party, overnighting at America’s Bay with drinks on Esprit. This gave the members of the group the opportunity to check out the cut of our jib to see if we were suitable candidates for their group. We seem to have passed muster.
Australia went to the polls on the 14 th October in a referendum to say Yes or No to a Voice to Parliament for the Aboriginal peoples of Australia. A majority of 60% of voters decided that this proposal could be divisive along racial lines and that all Australians should be equal before the law.
On Sunday the 22nd October Annie did the 28 km seven bridges walk in Sydney – in aid of The Cancer Council. She finished in 8 hours looking perky and happy.
We look forward to the warmer months and sailing weekends and will post more news in due course. Cheers for now!
Dirk & Annie