Crossing the Ditch

The Tasman Sea has for many years been referred to as "The Ditch" by Australians and New Zealanders. When traveling between Australia and New Zealand, it is commonly referred to as "crossing the ditch".

So this happened:
7 sunsets, 7 sunrises, 1 green flash.
Starry starry nights, the super bright “stars” of Venus and Jupiter, the brilliant milkyway, moonshine on the sea.
Spotted 2 whales about 2 hours apart on World Whale Day (Feb 18, 2nd Sunday in Feb) Sadly, the 1st one was floating along way past its expiration date. The 2nd one came close to check us out, gave a quick blow and then disappeared to who knows where.

Read 8 books: The Last Rhinos, Freedom Train North, Murder in Black and White, The Women of the Copper Country, The Secret River, The Invisible Thread, Killers of the Flower Moon, In the Heart of the Sea. Enjoyed them ALL. (But REALLY enjoyed Murder in Black and White – by our friend Dr. Marilyn Thomas – would highly recommend it!)

Most days we motored in calm waters with gentle swells.
Half mostly sunny days, half mostly cloudy days with some gentle rains and some heavy rains and winds about 12 hours out from Sydney.

Max hoisted the yellow quarantine flag and the Australian flag to the sound of the Australian National Anthem as we arrived in Sydney Harbour at daybreak on Saturday – one week after leaving New Zealand. Though Whitey is from Perth, and lived in Sydney back in the early 70's (way before his sailing days), this is his first time to sail into Sydney Harbour. Under the overcast sky we followed the channel to get a good view of the iconic Sydney Opera House and the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge while the rest of the city was waking up. We cleared immigration (the quarantine guy took all our eggs, chicken and pork along with our fresh fruits and vegetables). Finally, we went under the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Gladesville Bridge and got settled into our slip at the Gladesville Bridge Marina.

Welcome home, Whitey!
XOXOXOXO
Gma & Gpa