Kicking off our European Vacation

Reflections of a glorious summery spring day in London yesterday when we took a canal boat ride on Regent's Canal. What a wonderful start to our latest European vacation.

Welcome back Saracen

One of the delights of living on the water is being able to watch the movements of the boats that are moored in our backyard at Carey Bay in Lake Macquarie.

Boats in the Backyard 9 March 2023

There are only a few boats moored close to our home, some rarely move, some go out regularly and some like the catamaran, Saracen, disappear for months at a time. Saracen was bobbing around in March this year but disappeared some time after that. Each year when she disappears (perhaps for a warmer climate) we wonder if she will return. 

On looking out our window this morning my husband spotted Saracen back at her mooring. I grabbed my phone and snapped a few happy shots to record the occasion. 

Boats in the Backyard 8/11/2023

Disembarking

Land Ahoy

Welcome back Saracen. We've missed you. 

Saracen

Nautical Neighbour

When I looked out into the backyard this morning I saw some chaps working on a mooring and another fellow in a kayak chatting with them. I thought they were working on the mooring for a little boat named "Pearl" that has been absent for a while.

Man in kayak having a chat with the mooring workers

I went around my business for the rest of the day and didn't venture outside until the late afternoon light created some nice reflections on the Lake. Phone in hand I started taking a few photos and, when I looked right, spotted something that wasn't there this morning.

Something new in the backyard

I spotted something new in the backyard. I realised that the mooring I saw getting attention this morning was a new one, a bit closer to our home than "Pearl's". Attached to the mooring was a new little sailing boat. Perhaps it belongs to the man I saw in the kayak this morning. 

 

Lovely afternoon reflection of our new nautical neighbour

I love watching the comings and goings in our quiet corner of Lake Macquarie. There is something new that attracts my interest each day.

No name

After more than a year our boat remains nameless. 

This morning, as I was going through old photos, I came across this photo taken in 2014 at St Lucia in the Caribbean.

Tip Sea

Perhaps we should consider Tip Sea as a name for our boat.

A Ferry Ride

After checking into our hotel in Santa Margherita Ligure today we took a ferry ride to neighbouring Portofino.

While the weather was overcast we enjoyed our second visit to this charming site.

She's a little beauty

A little earlier this morning Robert called to tell me there was a really cute boat in the backyard and to grab my phone and come take a look. I did just that. 

I was so pleased that I heeded the call as the little boat was indeed quaint and beautiful. All on board appeared to enjoy their drifting and fishing before they revved up the motor and moved on. Their dog seemed to enjoy the experience more than our Paddy enjoys his boat rides.

These are a few images I captured on my phone.

She's a little beauty.

Until next year

The local weather here has been rather punk on weekends for the past couple of months. Today the sun was shining so when some of the family visited this morning we took the boat out for a spin in the backyard. It's always interesting to spot new vessels as we fly along.

Our daughter shared on Facebook some photos from our sortie this morning. I just had to share some of my pics and videos here as they are easier to find here on the blog than on Facebook.

We hope the sun shines more in 2022.