2002-2005 (c) GetJealous.com, All rights reserved. http://www.getjealous.com/ddawson/rss.xml In June 2004 we bought Sherbro, a 10.5m centre cockpit Jarkan yacht.. (She is hull #5 completed in 1980 by Kanga Bertels). At that stage we had learnt to sail in dinghies at Wagga Wagga and had bought a 16ft Hartley trailer sailor named Kalinka which we sailed on Lake Hume in Albury. Prior to making the decision on Sherbro we had a survey done and she got a good report. The next step was to find a mooring on the Pittwater, a beautiful protected waterway north of Sydney. We were very fortunate to be introduced to the Avalon Sailing Club (ASC) where we have received valuable advice and support in fitting the boat out for cruising. Ron was invited to crew on racing boats to learn some of the finer points of sailing while we both enjoyed and learnt so much from sailing to destinations with the ASC cruising division. We have found the sailing community extremely helpful. The skipper of a yacht moored nearby has been like a mentor to us, accompanying us on some of our early trips and introducing us to a local couple, former sailors, who have become good friends. Sherbro has already brought us much enjoyment and pleasure and we've only commenced our journey. We're excited about our future sailing adventures and look forward to sharing that through our web site. http://www.getjealous.com/ddawson http://www.getjealous.com/blog.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=2684454&go=ddawson The final week of our visit to China was very special in every way. Our friend Katie showed us her city with all its wonders: the food, the markets, world-renowned temples. We had a tour of a Traditional Chinese Medicine clinic which was fascinating. Ron had some acupuncture on his heel which had been aggravated by so much walking. Finally we spent a day at the Great Wall at Mutianyu which truly i... http://www.getjealous.com/blog.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=2684454&go=ddawson Thu, 8 Dec 2011 12:00:00 GMT http://www.getjealous.com/blog.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=2684453&go=ddawson Tianjin is close to Beijing but much smaller and with a character and history of its own. We enjoyed the outdoor markets here and the Zhou Enlai memorial. We managed to get around on the local buses here and in Qingdao.... http://www.getjealous.com/blog.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=2684453&go=ddawson Thu, 1 Dec 2011 12:00:00 GMT http://www.getjealous.com/blog.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=2684448&go=ddawson Because of our interest in sailing, although we knew winter was not ideal timing, we were keen to visit the Chinese port city of Qingdao. The overnight train from Xi'an took 23 hours but we had a compartment to ourselves. Qingdao was well worth a stop. People were very friendly and helpful. The city is famous for its beautiful parks, beaches and foreshore, has an interesting history as a retreat... http://www.getjealous.com/blog.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=2684448&go=ddawson Sat, 26 Nov 2011 12:00:00 GMT http://www.getjealous.com/blog.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=2672031&go=ddawson We spent nearly a week in Xi'an, the home city of Bruce and Emma, two students from Chatswood MTC. Bruce met us at the railway station early in the morning and treated us to a traditional breakfast of lamb soup with coriander and a bread baked on stones with a side dish of lotus roots and beans. Very nourishing and filling. This was the first of many special meals we enjoyed. At one place renowned... http://www.getjealous.com/blog.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=2672031&go=ddawson Thu, 17 Nov 2011 12:00:00 GMT http://www.getjealous.com/blog.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=2517512&go=ddawson Two students from Dolores's class in Chatswood were returning to China to visit family and encouraged us to visit while they were there. We decided this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity so, after some quick planning, we flew Hainan Air out of Sydney on the 13th November. After a 9 hour flight we stopped briefly at Shenzhen where we cleared customs and immigration before continuing on to Hangz... http://www.getjealous.com/blog.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=2517512&go=ddawson Wed, 16 Nov 2011 12:00:00 GMT http://www.getjealous.com/blog.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=2517374&go=ddawson At Cammeray fortunately Kelvin was able to find us a fore and aft mooring so that our solar panels would not need adjusting every time the tide turned. Cammeray marina is a beautiful location in north Sydney convenient to buses to the city and to Chatswood. We haven't found the steps up to the road too daunting and the marina also provides a tender service to a park near Northbridge. While at the ... http://www.getjealous.com/blog.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=2517374&go=ddawson Fri, 11 Nov 2011 12:00:00 GMT http://www.getjealous.com/blog.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=2151584&go=ddawson While in Avalon Jim and Sue Flaye arranged an evening to catch up with sailing friends which was very good of them as Jim was busy preparing Kate Kelly for its first cruise to the Whitsundays. We appreciated the comforts of having a land base at the Flayes particularly when Dolores was experiencing several weeks of back pain and being treated by a physiotherapist. Following that Dolores was fortun... http://www.getjealous.com/blog.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=2151584&go=ddawson Fri, 30 Sep 2011 12:00:00 GMT http://www.getjealous.com/blog.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=1920960&go=ddawson Sunday 19th June we were up well before dawn to prepare for the sail to Pittwater. All the conditions were right this time; high tide for exiting Gunnamatta Bay, light westerly winds and a 2 metre swell. The Sydney city skyline was prominent to the west as we sailed past the entrance to Botany Bay and then South and North Sydney Heads. Whale watching boats were cruising about and we did see signs ... http://www.getjealous.com/blog.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=1920960&go=ddawson Sun, 19 Jun 2011 12:00:00 GMT http://www.getjealous.com/blog.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=1913770&go=ddawson Today was the third time we tried to head north from Jibbon beach but still no luck with the weather. There just seems to be one low pressure after another. Looking at the forecast earlier in the week, we thought Sunday looked like it might be good enough to continue up to the Sydney northern beaches. However we woke up at 5am to a changed forecast with increased winds and higher waves now predict... http://www.getjealous.com/blog.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=1913770&go=ddawson Sat, 11 Jun 2011 12:00:00 GMT http://www.getjealous.com/blog.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=1909872&go=ddawson The NSW coast is being battered by strong southerly winds and heavy seas. These have brought about dangerous surf conditions which we can see crashing up on Cronulla beach. Luckily we arrived at Jibbon Beach on Friday 27th May and enjoyed a perfect summers day on Saturday the 28th, sitting on the beach and checking out the nearby village of Bundeena. We had hoped to continue to Botany Bay on Sunda... http://www.getjealous.com/blog.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=1909872&go=ddawson Fri, 27 May 2011 12:00:00 GMT