Sailing Away

I think I love sailing!

This week one of the contracting companies on-site invited a small group of us to go sailing on Sydney Harbour. The company is a sponsor of the racing boat "The SubZero Goat" which won their class in the Sydney to Hobart Race in 2008. We set sail from the CYCA (Crusing Yacht Club of Australia) marina in the Sydney harbour to participate in their St Arnou Wednesday Twilight Race. Boats were everywhere, just a sea of sails! The course goes out and around Shark Island and ends at Rushcutters Bay.

"The SubZero Goat"

Col (my boss) and I getting ready to set sail

Race On!

After the race was over we all had a turn at the wheel. The water was fantastic and the sunset incredible as it slowly set over the skyline of Sydney. After debarkation we enjoyed a fabulous gourmet dinner at the yacht club.
Lulu taking her turn at the helm with a little assistance from steerman Bruce - "I'm Saling"!

Sunset over Sydney (note the opera house in the background)

Springtime in Sydney

Ben and I took some vacation over the past week and one of the places we visited was Sydney. On our way to the "big smoke" we stopped in for lunch at one of our secret culinary gems that serve the best meat pies - it's called "Pie in the Sky" . They also have very tasty fruit pies as well like, apple, peach, apricot and blueberry. Yummo!

Ben with his traditional Aussie meat pie smothered in 'sauce' (tomato ketchup) with a side of 'mashers'

All was a buzz in Sydney with the holiday season just around the corner and signs of Spring everywhere we turned.

Brilliant purple blooms on the Jacaranda trees around Sydney Harbour (note the Harbour Bridge and the Opera house in the background)

Kangaroo Paw in bloom at the Royal Botanical Garden

In the city, there is an old building originally used as government offices that has been converted into this beautiful retail area full of designer/boutique shops and cafes (the YaYas would love it here - yes Ro, there is a Coach store). It is known as the 'QVB' (Queen Victoria Building) and is one of my favorite places to go when I'm in the city. Every year they put a huge, 3-story sized, Christmas tree on display. This year is was covered in dangling Swarovski crystal ornaments - absolutely spectacular!

The 2009 QVB Christmas Tree

On our little escape we also enjoyed dining out, shopping, going to the movies (Gold Class - seated in recliners, way cool), having a massage and catching up with FIL (father-in-law) at Darling Harbour for lunch.

Me and my FIL (Bob)

Melbourne Cup Day 2009

The Melbourne Cup or also referred to as "The Race that Stops the Nation" is the Australian equivalent of the Kentucky Derby. It's a big event and marks the highlight of all the Spring Racing Carnivals throughout the country. It's quite common for most businesses to close at noon on this day each year. Muswellbrook has their Spring Carnival on the same day as "The Cup" so there is generally a large turnout of racing enthusiasts, high rollers and party goers at the local track.

Local race at Skelletar Park in Muswellbrook (notice they are running counter clockwise - everything is backwards in Oz!)

Among the crowd there are plenty of ladies doning beautiful hats to compliment their colorful "frocks" (dresses) with many of the men dressed in suits or creative attire. It is always a great day of fun and excitement. Me and Leeanne in our lovely frocks and hats!

I was running late at work so I missed half of the races but I did make it in time to place a bet and watch the simulcast of the Melbourne Cup race. This was not a lucky day for LuLu. Not one of the ponies I placed a bet on for the rest of the day won. Bugger! Oh well, it was a great afternoon of champagne and spending time with some fabulous work mates.

"Geo Ross"- the geologist, "Survey Ray" - surveyor and Garth the OCE (Open Cut Examiner)

Jackie and Senior Project Engineer "Kimbo"

Szymon (Mining Engineer) with wife Sarah and daughter Lilly
Ross and our Technical Services Manager Steve ("Wylie Coyote" )