What a day we had yesterday! It was January 26 - Australia Day - and one of the busiest days to be on the water. We could not believe our eyes. First of all, we were trying to learn how to operate and sail the boat for the first time and then we had sensory overload with all that was happening on the water and at shore. The Australians sure know how to party hearty!

     Our day followed a beautiful ceremony on Tuesday night when we christened the boat. The entire ceremony only lasted a few minutes and it was filmed by Jen Martyniuk. We hope to get the video clip onto the web page. It's entertaining. Paul was the proclaimer, all had responses, and Jenn (our daughter) and Mary poured champagne over the bows and laid branches of leaves on the bows for safe return to harbour. We then had a wonderful dinner. There were nine of us in total.

A formal dinner in the saloon with several friends. We had just finished the boat christening ceremony on the bows of the boat.

   
   Wednesday morning we awoke to blue sky and warm temperatures. It's actually been raining here for a few days, so the blue sky on a holiday was very welcome.

     Graeme Nolan, the Seawind General Manager, arrived bright and early, followed by more friends of Jen Martyniuk. Our daughter Jenn was not able to join us for the day as she had to work. We started off from the marina at Birkenhead Point in Sydney Harbour where Seawind has a berth and quickly got into the main harbour. We were so excited as we approached the main bridge and the famous Sydney Opera House. There were thousands of people lined along both shores as there was lots happening on the water.

     For awhile we were going against a large volume of traffic and Graeme explained that a ferry race was about to begin and the boats were approaching the start. The race used to be held with just traditional tugs and ferries but a few years ago there was an accident. The officials changed the rules and now it looks as though just about anyone is allowed to enter. Hundreds of boats of all sizes were speeding by our Bella Via.

Mary with Graeme, the Seawind General Manager. Note the large buildings and the Sydney Opera House in the background. Truly a magnificent sight.

     After a few hours of motor sailing and sailing with the engines off, with Paul and Mary taking turns at the helm and Paul learning the sail handling with Graeme, and our young friends enjoying the ride on the bows and the trampolines, we anchored at the beautiful Manley Beach for lunch. This was much more crowded than the swimming hole at Pike Creek in St. Clair Beach, Ontario, on a warm Sunday afternoon. Graeme suggested that we come back next week when the beach will be empty as everyone will be at work or back to school (school summer holidays are over next week). There are some good shops just a dinghy ride from the boat and a short walk from Manley Beach. We hope to go back with Jenn, our daughter.

    We fell into bed exhausted at about 8:30 p.m. and awoke this morning only to start  again with all that we have to do.

     Are we having fun? - most of the time, but other times we feel overwhelmed with all  that we have to learn. That's when it's important to stop and remind ourselves that this  is now a lifelong journey and there are always challenges in life.

     As our son, Jeremy, so aptly put it in a card to us before we left, "surely challenges  lay ahead but your preparedness and flexibility will guide you through; and when all else  fails, remember to smile to each other and say 'It's all part of the adventure!' " Thanks  Jer!