Out and about in Sydney: Manly

During the last few months I've made several trips to Manly, just a short ferry ride from central Sydney. Granted the main beach can get jammed backed, at night time the atmosphere can turn a little sour and the main street shouts 'g'day tourists,' I'm pretty fond of this little spot. If you ever get a chance to come here, this is what I suggest...

The ferry over is a great way to see the harbour, but if your bored of looking out at the shoreline and boats, make use of the free wi-fi on board.
Once the ferry is docked, walk to the small beach by the wharf. You might even be in the mood to buy something from the  ice cream stand,  However this is not the best beach Manly has to offer.

walk along the main street to manly main beach front, but still, this is not the best beach.
keep walking right along the 'cabbage tree park' area.  Along this stretch  of walk way you'll find water dragons, signs telling you not to take water dragons home, a salt water swimming pool, a cute little coffee shop and at low tide, flat rocks to sun bathe on.

Then you'll find one of my favourite little coves; Shelley beach.  From here you can snorkel, swim and laze.

But if you're still wanting more, walk up the hill to a small amount of bushland set aside.  There you'll get excellent views of the sea and during the right time of year, its whale spotting galore.

Learning to sail

Before September, I'd hear the word sailing and think yacht clubs, jersey shirts, around the world sagas, record breaking and Olympic gold medals.  Mention the word tall ship and I'd say something stupid about pirates.  Start talking about lines, clues and bunts and I'd guess you were talking about the rules to a board game.  Five months on since I stepper aboard the Southern Swan and things have definitely changed.
Some how I've ended up working on a beautiful ship, in an environment I  never imagined.  The only previous experience I'd had was manning a small sailing boat in the lake district.  It was a school trip and I was thirteen. By the end my sailing partner was in tears and I was amazed I hadn't  crashed.  After that I didn't go out of my way to give it another go.

When the job started, I remember being shown the different lines (fact of the day, on a ship all rope, except that on the bell, is called line whether its used for mooring,  pulling or throwing) and thinking;

a) what language is he speaking? is it English? if so I think I've lost the ability to speak it!.
b) how will I remember where each line is kept,  maybe I should keep a diagram in my pocket.
c) who made up these names and what were they on?  Did he really just say 'c*&#t line'?
d) Knots? but I never did that badge in Guides!!!!

There was a little part of me (i.e a booming voice) that kept saying 'you think you can do this, really? REALLY???!!!'

Strangely, I found climbing the mast and working out on the yards one of the easiest things. I just took my time and worked up my confidence. Then slowly things started to sink in. I now feel pretty confident with the sails and the only mooring line I need to master is the main (as this entails throwing a heaving line to shore when coming in, my muscle power needs to improve).

And then this mean mistress showed up. Meet the Soren Larsen, another Danish ship that the company has taken on.

 Between April and October she can be found touring the pacific islands, but for this Ozzy summer she has been doing charters in the harbour.  She's a beast compared to the Southern Swan. Her lines are heavy and her Fore mast is a hell of a lot taller.  But due of my time on the swan, its easier to make sense of it all.  I can remember quickly where the sheets, clues and bunts are, I can shout the distances on headline and help bring her safely alongside.  Sure, I'm no hardened sailor and know very little about sea life, but at least I can say, five months on from my first day

a) He's speaking maritime English. don't worry I have my phrase book.
b) you'll take note of subtle differences and remember which is line is which. If in doubt give a little tug and see where it leads.
c) very bored (and lonely) sailors made up the names.
d) Knots are there to be learnt. even if you don't get a badge.

New Years in Sydney

 Welcome to 2012 everybody! And I have to say 2011's new years eve was definitely the most exciting one I've ever had.  In the past new years has always been a bit of a let down; its expensive, you drink too much too soon, everybody is so desperate for it to be great that it just doesn't cut it.  its only been when the expectations have been taken away that you begin to have fun.  Previously, the best new years had been playing boards with my family back in Kent.

It may not have been my first new years in Oz, but it was in Sydney, crowned the new years eve capital of the world.  Sure I would be working, but I'd be on a tall ship, front row in the harbour over looking the bridge as the fireworks went off.   There was a lot of prep for the occasion, putting up the spectacular light ropes on not only the southern swan, but also two others vessels in the company's fleet.

Over two days we worked to get the ship ready for its big night and then at 6:30pm, headed to Campbell's cove to pick up the passengers for a 7:15 departure. There were so many people crammed onto the wharf I did not envy anyone there!

So for 5 hours the ship stayed in the harbour, I cooked food, the ship went in a parade with the heritage fleet, at nine a pre-fireworks display got under way and the the rope lights went on all ships.

                                                                          The southern swan's sister ship - the Soren Larsen.

                                                   The swan's light rope 'sails'

As I was working in the galley, all my work was done but 11 (although I still ended up on the bar)  which meant at 12am 1st Jan 2012, I was on the mast (sorry no pictures of this, for the first 5 minutes  i was awe struck) as the fireworks began, - wow. Sure, I've seen fireworks before, but nothing to such scale.  10 solid minutes of jammed packed explosion.

After all the passengers were safely back on land, it was time to have a first drink for some, but not me.  Because instead of going out and partying with the rest of Sydney, my stomach decided it didn't like me anymore and I'd have to be bed bound. But even with the sickness, Sydney, you gave me the best new years, ever.

Guys, I hope your was a good one. Happy new year. x

* The initial photo is the  James Craig, also in the heritage fleet.

2011: The best of

I really can't believe that 2012 is upon us and one year has past by yet again!  Wasn't  it October just the other day?

This year in Australia has been pretty amazing and has taken me places I never thought possible. I started 2011 in Melbourne, crammed in the Ethiad stadium dancing like a lunatic to Armin Van Buuren. The next day was an interesting one working reception at the hostel.

Then for my birthday I headed on the great ocean road, sighting Koalas for the first time and the majestic 12 apostles.

Before I knew it, we were in late March and it was time for me to leave Melbourne for the northern territory. I started work on a cattle station, giving me a completely new insight into ozzy culture.

After saving some money and getting my three months agricultural work out the way, my roaad trip with two of my besties made my year. I dived, droved, snorkelled and walked my way down the East coast.

And then I ended up in Sydney, working on a timber tall ship.  

So thank you world for a pretty special year.  Lets see what 2012 brings!

      

Outpost at Cockatoo Island

On a rare day when both me and the tall one had a day off together, we headed to Cockatoo Island to see the 'Outpost: Art from the streets' exhibition. Held on Cockatoo Island, this free event celebrated street art in all different shapes and sizes.

One of the fun surprises was this interactive piece of art, where a simple grid fence and plastic cups allows the public to make their own statements.

I just wrote my nephews name....and a smiley face

With a whole Island to explore, there was a lot of variety. One of the highlights was the Oi! collection featuring Famed Graffiti artist Banksy.

But for me, the haunted house was a definite highlight

An Orphan's Christmas

The second non-Christmas in a row. I refer to it this way because having the holiday period in the sun, away from your family and not watching a 'Muppets Christmas Carol' just doesn't feel right. A friend of mine described it as an Orphan's Christmas. But the plus side is your not alone in the orphanage. There are others away from their family and old friends.  Together you make the most of it and work your way through this bizarre scenario.

 
 I woke up in my Cabin alone. My boyfriend had gone to spend the holidays with his family in Western Australia and for a few moments I was regretting my decision to stay behind. It would be at least ten hours until I could Skype my family and I started the day feeling sorry for myself.
By the time I was dressed, others had started to surface and soon things were on the up.  For a start the rain had stopped and the sun shone out. For the first time I wore a bikini on Christmas day.   Instead of going to the beach (public transport became too much effort for what it was worth) we stayed on the Ships; For the moment the Swan is berthing next to its sister vessel the Soren whilst a super yacht is using our usual wharf.

So on this Christmas day I drank a little, ate a lot, opened my secret Santa present ( a  CD from one of Circular quay's didgeridoo players, thank you Santa!) and enjoyed the company of some great people.

At at the end of the day I could Skype my family. And although knowing all my siblings, parents and baby nephew would be seeing the day without me, I couldn't of wished for a better Orphans' Christmas.

The Blue Mountains

A few months back I went on a camping trip to the Blue mountains with friends from the ship. As two of them were experienced rock-climbers, I also attempted some climbing.

Getting there was a little bit stressful; we left late after a full days work. However, a couple of guys were amazing driving at night and putting the tent up. Luckily two of the guys had a van and we could  borrow another from a friend.  Our home for the night was a free camp site up on mount York. In the morning we had breakfast and then it was time to climb. Have to say I fell off more than once, thank god I had a rope attached to me! As the guys were a little bit more hardcore than me, while they went on climbing, me and Zim went for a bush walk.

If you ever come to New South Wales, do not miss the blue mountains. I think the picture below says why.

These are the three sisters. Legend has it that a sorcerer  turned his daughters to stone so no one could 'mishandle' them. However, he died before he could turn them back, and there they stand watching over the mountains. We stopped at this view point before heading back to the city.

     Yep, definitely coming back here again.