Terrorist aboard!
A quick look out the window confirmed it,.... as per usual the forecast was wrong and we were faced with a beautiful clear day and northerly offshore breeze.
Although it was race day and since Danni had a day off from her hectic work schedule, we decided to take Bela Vida out for a cruise. A call to our friends fresh back from an overseas trip and all was set.
A quick begging around the yacht club found us a suitable life jacket for Jerry's little pirate and had Mick and Robbo come to the rescue. Thanks guys!
We all caught up at the pen, Danni and I were already going through our routine of getting the boat ready. I love watching Danni getting more and more familiar with Bela Vida and learning about the ins and outs of sail boats and sailing in general. Not sure what I did to deserve her, but I know I'm lucky finding someone as beautiful, adventurous and smart as her.
Jerry, Lisa and crazy girl, aka terrorist and also occasionally known as Indy had a quick look over the boat and then we all headed out the harbour to set sail. Around 15 knots with gusts into the low 20's, with flat water was going to make for a very comfortable sail.
I think it was Indy that got her sea-legs first and she seemed content on the boat and with the food that was on offer. Lisa had packed her favourite sushi and it worked a treat and without Lisa loosing any fingers in the process. :-)
Daddy was in charge of showing her the workings of the boat and crazy girl seemed very happy, particularly when it came to the helm!
At first we headed south and the starting area of our clubs race. We circled around off Brighton for a while watching the familiar boats and crews jostling and working very hard for positions. I rather enjoyed sitting back, relaxing with drink in hand and think I'm going to enjoy social sailing. Then again, I think I love all forms of sailing!
We tacked around once more and headed for Williamstown with wind at a comfortable 60 degrees, Bela Vida loves these conditions and she settled right down balancing nicely on the helm. Jerry was also very impressed with the boats seakindly handling as the gusts grew in strength towards the top of Port Phillip bay with wind bullets funnelling through the tall buildings of Melbourne's skyline.
A little up the line we passed an old lady of the seas,... well, not really, but the Enterprize is a replica of the ship that brought the first white settlers to Melbourne in 1835. You can learn more about her here.
All to soon it's little Indy's nap time and the terrorist starts to come out. Strange, normally I have trouble dealing with children crying, but out on the water there was no issue at all, plus this little girl is cool. We try the V-berth for nap time but the little pirate keeps pointing up, wanting to be on deck. Fair enough, a bit more food and drink worked out well and we sailed a bit longer, back and fourth towards our harbour.
We doused the sails and go back to our berth where the little terrorist got to explore more of Bela Vida's fore-deck.
As Indy gets chauffeured home to bed by mum, the rest of us settle down to a few more drinks and stories of the past few months when Jerry and family were travelling the world and us bringing Bela Vida home.
I think we awoke Jerry's sailing dreams and he is most impressed with the boats condition and sail-ability."Beyond expectations".
She sure is a sweetheart!
