Boating On The Nepean River

Sunday 29th March 2009. This will probably be the last time out in the boat before the winter arrives. Not as stressful as previous times but still a few dramas.

Firstly we arrived at Windsor to find a water skiing thingy on, so we decided to go to Penrith and get on the Nepean River. This boat ramp is a lot busier than Windsor and smaller.
Anyway got the boat in, still had problems starting it but away it went until hub thought he had it in neutral and next thing I saw was the boat coming back towards me up the ramp. Woopsie.
Blondie here had to drive the Ute and trailer off to the parking area. Never reversed a boat trailer before and couldn't even see it. So after a few shunts back and forth I decided to go around the one way, past the launch ramp and back in to the car park. On the way I had to pass all the other guys waiting to launch their boats. Well one guy stopped me and this is the conversation we had.
Guy - "Can't you wait your turn"
Me - "Beg ya pardon"
Guy - "There is a queue for the launch, wait your turn"
Me - "Excuse me! Get your facts right, I was only doing a swing around to get back in the car park. I am not wanting the ramp"
Guy - "You don't have to be so rude"
Me - "Beg ya pardon. Me? Rude? Isn't accusing someone of doing something before finding out what they are actually doing rude?"

That was me stressed coz this guy had peed me off and I couldn't park the trailer. Luckily hub had hooked up the boat and come to help.
Yayyy in the boat, up the river we go. Yep bestest boat trip in a while. Found a quiet spot, dropped anchor and read my mags. Oh got sunburnt too. We must have just relaxed floating on the river for a couple of hours. Mmmm now that's what I call boating.On arriving back at the launch ramp we had to pick up a stranded jet skier and his son as their jetski was sinking. Our poor old boat couldn't steer with the jetski dead weight on it. Luckily another jet skier rescued them. Boat seemed easier this time to get back on the trailer and we set off home all cozily tired and hungry.

We have to laugh!!!

How was my Sunday? Hmmm???

Bought a boat 5 months ago and did our licenses. Took the boat out for it's first launch today. Beautiful sunshine, not too hot..........ok so far. We are not in the water yet!!

It took about an hour for the damn thing to start. Got settled, relaxed and read my book. Mmmm nice I hear you say!

Dwain (my son, last pic) drove for a while and was over zealous on the throttle leaving me screaming at him and losing my Billabong cap (it just blew off and sank). That was my favourite cap and i still had it on when the above pic was taken. Whilst trying to retrieve my cap we ended up banked and had to use the oars to push out of the mud. I decided I had had enough (heart was racing now) and they dropped me off so I could go home and left the boys carry on (Pete, a family friend came too). Anyway, they nearly ran out of fuel and had problems getting the boat back on the trailer so they all had to jump in the water (waist high). Pete had his mobile phone, digital camera and wallet in his pockets, ruined now. Barry (hubby) had his wallet in his pocket. They eventually got home and took the trailer off the car (didn't put the bricks under the wheels) and both of them couldn't hold it so the trailer and boat rolled down the drive, breaking the gate and ripping some fence panels out.

So all in all it was a great first day on the boat.

Dad has arrived

Well my Dad arrived on 2nd of Feb 08 and, inbetween work and commitments, we have been trying to show him around. Managed to spend 4 days in the Hunter Valley staying in a lovely log cabin and do the winery tours.

Also managed to look around Cessnock and the Hunter Valley Gardens. Barry took him up to Cabbage Tree to look at the views but it was too wet for some areas. And yes we had some more rain!! Sydney was the last port of call, obviously the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, a boat ride from Curcular Quay to Darling Harbour and the Chinese Gardens. Just managed to fit in a massage and coffee before it started to rain again!!

Another week before he sets back to the UK. Unfortunately we all have to get back to work on his last week. Let's hope the weather gets better and he can relax by the pool.