Sydney Nov – Dec 2025
Since our last post at the end of October, I have had a relaxed time in the run-up to Christmas. In a large measure, this was due to me going through a physiotherapy rehabilitation period for my damaged left Achilles tendon.
Annie, on the other hand, threw herself back into daily gym classes and pickle ball games with friends. The frustrating part for me, was not being allowed to cycle or sail.
Pickle ball ladies, Robyn, Sandy and Jody.
During the month of November I took on a side gig in smash repairs. Karen’s Nissan Micra which she has driven for 16 years, was parked in our guest parking bay while she is working in Portland. A red kangaroo struck the Micra in Orange, NSW five years ago, followed by severe hail damage a month later. She loves the car and refuses to part with it.
I straightened the front sub assembly with her car’s scissor jack and bought a new bonnet online, only available in black undercoat. Also bought the 3 coats of spray paint (white base coat, pearlescent second coat and final clear coat) and after spraying the bonnet, refitted it. The hail dents on the roof, I pulled out with a new tool costing $8 online. The result speaks for itself.
Quietly however, I snuck in a number of social sailing events with our Sail Cruising Division, taking due care in getting on and off the boat. We had a brisk sail around Lion Island with young friends Reece and Astrid.
I was also Officer of the Day for a cruise to Smith’s Creek, which has only four public moorings. Those of us who couldn’t grab a mooring, including Esprit, had a difficult time getting secure anchorage on the grass covered bottom of the creek.
With me and Jim Parsons assisting a solo member to anchor, I didn’t notice the fast outgoing tide. The result was a grounding on a sandbar (our sixth) continuing our chequered history, going back to our first grounding in the Whitsundays in July 2016.
The party continued on Jim Parson’s Knot Again, before re-floating Esprit at 11pm. We had a pleasant dinghy trip the following morning to the upper reaches of the creek.
An event worth mentioning, was the annual RMYC festival of lights event where the Sail Cruising Division joined the Timber Boat Division on the Pearl, the club’s floating party barge for live music, dinner and drinks. Michelle recently arrived from Fiji, joined our group.
The SCD Christmas lunch at Coasters Retreat was again a well attended event, resulting in Annie and I spending two additional days moored at Towlers Bay, after which Michelle our daughter, joined us to take six friends out on Esprit until Christmas, when we will join them for the day.
Finally, a few pics of Karen, Evan and Nina in the USA. They are having a good time and we are looking forward to welcome them back in Sydney beginning of February 2026.
From Michelle, we only have one photo to share – at her office in Fiji. She is working hard and when not working, surfing and diving.
May 2026 be a fabulous year for all our friends and family. We will update you quarterly with our news.
Cheers,
Annie and Dirk