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Sydney Harbour. Noon (our time) DD05-21
20th May
Day 6
As we passed through the heads of Sydney harbour, a passing
squall gave a dramatic backdrop to our entrance. A T.V.
helicopter filming from above, staunch G.P. Australia staff (who
had been up in the wee hours of the morning, preparing
inflatables) were braving the wet, cold conditions and giving us
a energetic welcome, other supporters on small sail and motor
boats. Passing under the Sydney harbour bridge and beautiful,
rocky outcrops on the shore, the weather cleared. The mooring
lines snaked out on the decks, fore and aft, the crew take up
their positions to tie the ship alongside as a rowdy bunch of
Australians on the quay cheer us in. Some, old friends and many
new.
The gangway down, cleared by customs then it is all on! A quick
burst of`housekeeping' by the crew and a press conference
follows.
Then time to yarn and show around G.P. Australia staff and
supporters, early in the evening a party for some G.P. donars.
Later in the night, those of us not required to stay on board for
watch, wandered up to `The Dry Dock' a local bar, to relax and
yarn with many of the people we have met today,and by the look
of things, a few will be feeling a bit `rough' tomorrow. I'm sure
most of the crew would agree that our short stay has been fun.
A friendly,vibrant bunch of people. Many have worked years with
G.P., a lot volunteer and this is their first chance to visit a
G.P. vessel. A reminder to the crew how fortunate we are to sail
on them.
It seems we have been receiving good media coverage about our
impending visit to China. A difference can be made, when masses
of people pull together on a common goal and that can only happen
when information is spread around.
As we head to sea tommorrow, many of us will have fond memories
and a few good laughs of a brief visit to Sydney.
Tanya Popp
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