Position: 33 52.17 S 151 14.0 E
Moored Rushcutters Bay, Port Jackson
Wind: N, F3 - gentle breeze
Sea: slight Swell: nil
Weather: overcast, mild
Day’s Run: 114 nm

We carried the fair breeze until 1930 when dark clouds ahead, broken by flashes of lightning, and spots of rain suggested that reducing sail might be a good idea. I dropped the pole and furled the jib as the wind was shifting into the West followed by a warm blast of air. I put two reefs in the main allowing it to luff while the worst of the squall passed. Fifteen minutes later conditions had settled again, but now with the breeze from the NW. I shook a reef out of the main and set the jib, close reaching to the SW, being by this time on the final leg for Sydney having rounded Point Stevens late in the afternoon.

We continued thus until 0330 this morning when the wind fell light and fickle. I persisted in trying to sail for a while but by 0415 there was no wind at all and Sylph was rolling about in the low North swell. With a muttered curse I started the engine and we motored for some three hours until enough breeze returned to allow us to sail once more.

The morning breeze was light but sufficient to carry us the remaining few miles to the Sydney Heads. We sailed up the harbour but as we approached Bradleys Head the wind abandoned us again so it was down sail and on motor for the final mile into Rushcutters Bay where we picked up a RANSA mooring that my friend, Chris, had kindly organised for us.

We will be staying in Sydney for about two weeks. I have agreed to crew in the Tollgate Island Race on the weekend 17-19th on Sumatra, a lovely Swan 48; so preparing for the race will keep me busy until then. After the race we (Sylph and I) will continue on our way to Adelaide as soon as the weather permits.

All is well.