Nordlys in Middle Harbour

NORDLYS
David and Annette Ridout
Sun 18 Dec 2005 05:21
    Sydney Harbour
 
 
Sailors Bay
Middle Harbour
Sydney
18th December 2005
 
As I write we are tied to the buoy off the house of some kind Sydney friends, Vaughan and Jill Wellington.  Annette and I have been driving round North Sydney visiting old haunts, noting that the four flats we lived in whilst on our British Airways postings are still there.  The high water pool that the children learnt to swim in is also there.  So is the Stynes, one of Manley's watering holes although I am sure it is no longer a de facto men only place!  Some things do change.
 
We have purchased an Australian gas cylinder as they will not fill our American or British ones.  Interestingly because they have no bleed screw.  Australia is the only country we have come across that fills bottles by flow and not by pumping the gas and weighing the cylinder as it fills.  The result is that having ones bottles filled here is a rather terrifying experience as the vapour bleeds out while the liquid goes in.  How they make sure that the bottles have the 20% empty safety margin I have no idea.  Any of the attendants I have spoken to cannot believe that it is done differently in other countries or that we have had our bottles filled everywhere except Australia.  I say no more.
 
Last night the creek we are in was enlivened as the local water safelty organisation organised a procession of fairy lights lit boats that went round the whole of Middle Harbour calling in to all the creeks.  An idea I have put into the back of my mind for Lymington in future years.
 
Today a minor tragedy struck when I dropped my faithful Nokia into the water.  Snorkelled and recovered it from fifteen feet but despite there being no water behind the screen and after some hours in the sun the item is dead.  Lost all my phone numbers.  A nasty and expensive way to learn a lesson.
 
Well may we again wish our readers a very Happy Christmas and a Happy New  Year.
 
David and Annette 
 
Our Christmas mooring off Vaughan's house, Sailor's Creek, Middle Harbour
 
First view through the heads, car transport went in just in front of us.
 
The smallest of the maxis believe it or not.  A great sight however.
 
Nordlys approaches the Opera house and Bridge.
 
Finally made it 1530hrs on Thursday 15th December 2005