Category — Sea
Learning to sail in Sydney
I’ve finally started doing something that really makes me feel like I’m no longer living in London. I’ve started learning to Sail! It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, and to my delight I found that there’s a sailing school round the corner from me in Rushcutters Bay. The Pacific Sailing School has been around for 30 years, and I also discovered that a couple of my friend’s have learnt there and spoke highly of it.
The first sailing lesson was a good test of my sea legs - I occasionally struggle. After a tour of the boat by our instructor, Brian, and running through a couple of drills like tacking - changing direction when sailing into the Wind - we set sail. I have to confess to being slightly nervous at first. Sydney Harbour is a busy place to be, being novices, and not knowing all the rules of the road, felt like it might be intimidating.
Within no time, we were sailing into the wind - clever trick that one. Tacking away, starting to work well. We were sailing on the International J/24 class boat. It’s a small easy to handle boat, that’s used for racing. But it’s characteristics make it a great training boat.
Unfortunately, just as we were getting into our flow, a storm appeared on the horizon. Being out on the open water, and seeing it rolling in was really intimidating. But it was also an amazing sight. It was really quite beautiful in that weird ‘oh my god’ kind of way. It was like seeing a wall of doom rolling in.
So, we returned to port, had the boat secured and were safely in the sailing club before the front hit. I never realised quite how social sailing is! Really. Everyone goes out after for a few beers and food. It’s really good! And Terry, the sailing school owner is always so happy to see his students in the bar, that he’s buys a few jugs to get everyone started.
I’m loving what I’ve done so far. I think I’ll be hooked on this one!
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January 27, 2008 No Comments
A year in the life of an Englishman living the dream in Sydney Australia
I’m writing this in some what of a daze. I just can’t believe it’s been a year already! I arrived in Sydney in mid April 2006, and was only meant to stay for 3 months. That just goes to show what a wonderful place this is and how easy it is to get stuck here.
In fact, it was just the other day that an Australian friend asked me why so many English want to come here, when so many Australians want to go to London. That’s a tough question to answer in all honesty, and I still find myself trying to come up with an answer. It’s not just Sydney that draws us with it’s amazing Harbour, Bridge and beaches. We seem to be drawn to other parts of the country too - on that note, I’ve decided Australia should be a continent, and the states countries, as they all do their own thing anyway and find it hard to talk. I think it’s a combination of the lifestyle, the weather and, well, as much as it pains me to say it, and as much as I’m proud of my country, it’s not the UK I was starting to get fed-up with. I won’t talk about that, but there’s a feeling I’m getting from a lot of people that they feel the same way as me.
But, I digress… I’ve been here a year. Why? Well, to be honest, life’s been pretty good to me in a lot of ways. My original plan was to work for 3 months, then carry on my trip around the world. But, thanks to my friend Martin, I got a great job at Wiliam, which has seen me rise from the html guy, to a team leader, to Technical Director.
There’s also been the people I’ve met! I’ve had the pleasure of meeting some of the most amazing, wonderful people, from all walks of life. The house I currently live in is very transient, and as a result I’ve lived with 14 different people in that time. 14 people! That’s a lot by any stretch of the imagination! But, as I say, some of them will be friends for life I think.
As I write those last paragraphs, it makes me wonder what else there is. Obviously friends and a job you enjoy are really important to you, but there’s got to more hasn’t there? I mean, what else is honestly keeping me here? My friends back home all miss me - although they seem to have forgotten how to write more than 3 lines in an email. What else do I have here that’s not back in England?
The culture here is a mish-mash of those that have emigrated here. The national food is Kangaroo I think, although most Australians don’t eat it. Drinking is quite prolific - and as everyone who knows me, knows that I’m a sucker for going out and drinking. It’s sunny here a lot - although not as much as you’d be led to believe by the brochures. It’s also beautiful here! That’s a vague comment worthy of a little justification. I live 20mins from the beach, or 1 hours walk. And the coast here is amazing!
And there’s other things to do. Most weekends there’s something cultural going on. And there’s the golf, although I fear that it’s lost some of it’s appeal due to people not knowing basic rules - such as playing in 4 balls and shouting “FORE” if a balls going flying towards someone! Instead they stand there looking stupid to the point where you almost feel sorry for them as they have no comprehension of what they’re meant to do in that situation.
But, I’ll say it again. I do love it here. The lifestyle is undeniably great, as is the weather and most of the people. There are a few things that were getting to me, but they’re now forgotten. So, come and live here, it’s not too expensive, but you’ll have a tought time stretching your dollars back in England - although the Dollar is getting stronger.
May 3, 2007 No Comments
It’s beach time in Sydney!
Yes folks, it’s that time of year here where the temperature’s have risen, the lifeguards have appeared on the beach and the sharks are circling the bays! It’s beach time! Now, not wishing to make anyone at home too envious, but we took a 15min bus ride from our house to Bronte beach (it’s much nicer than Bondi as it’s not as crowded). 15 mins! It’s nothing, and the beach there is absolutely perfect. Not to large, and 2 to 3 metre waves that makes swimming great fun!
Well, that is fun until 3 large waves hit you and you suddenly find yourself 10metres off the beach and going further as happened to me a few weeks ago. The currents are viscious in places, and listening to the lifeguard, he was advising people not to swim off certain parts for that reason.
The only thing you need to look out for - other than sharks (more on that in a second) - is those pesky boogey boarders. They’re dangerous! They don’t seem that bothered by swimmers, and my friend Klass got hit by one of them. And they really move! I think they may be quicker than the surfers, and definately a lot more manoeuverable. Looks like fun, and Dan, I think we should have got the flippers last time we had a board! I’m going to have to give it a try soon.
But it flt good to be soaking up the rays and splashing around in the waves. The view was great - read into that what you will 
The temperature prefect - high 20s. It was great. So, guess where most of my hungover saturdays are going to be spent now. Anyone tempted to move out here now?
October 8, 2006 No Comments
