Erika's Take!

Finally our big dream comes to fruition: taking off sailing on Cool Change.
Whilst improving our sailing skills by venturing out of the harbour on weekends and holidays for several years we also have been working towards getting our yacht Cool Change ready for our big adventure. In the month of July we acquired additional items as one can never have too many useful toys on board.
Adam (Ocean Marine Electrics) and team installed our new Italian water maker, 2 new fans for our state room (master bedroom), additional outlets for power plugs, 4 new solar panels including strengthening our Bimini with stainless steel braces to ensure all is secure. Chris (MarineTune) designed another little bling (stainless steel) for us making it easy getting our outboards into and out of the dinghy. We purchased a new Engle Fridge/Freezer as the old much loved one gave up working. At the Sydney boat show we received some wonderful advice from a very patient young man on what weather gear we should purchase. Yes, it does take some time trying on all the offerings and making sure that all fits perfectly. We also have 3 Anchors (1 Fortress anchor, 1 Ultra (60lbs) stainless steel (big bling I call this my additional diamond) and 1 Delta (55lbs) on board and not to forget 1 drogue plus a parachute sea anchor that I hope we will never have to use.
Gunther also purpose built, after much gentle encouragement, shelving’s into our port (left) locker and organised all his spare parts into containers. Not sure why he calls me the bag lady as I store everything securely into bags when he stores everything into containers. Maybe I should call him the container boy.
Of course these are just some of the items and it seems his favourite shop Bunnings has been replaced by Withworth. Similar, but just 10 times more expensive. 
Taking up sailing and owning a yacht certainly brings new and existing challenges. One of the most wonderful experiences continues meeting amazing people who help and guide you on the way and become friends forever.
We sailed out of Pittwater at 4am from Bayview Anchorage leaving our rock solid community and friends we made over the past 6.5 years behind us heading north. The sun greeted us a couple of hours into our journey followed by dolphins using CoolChange’s waves as a playground.
A big cold front was coming through therefore we decided to hide at Newcastle harbour. As we have stayed there several times we called in at the Maritime Museum located in the south channel (up from the Marina). Their jetty is right where all the action is (water plus electricity is supplied and only $25.00 per night). Securely tucked away we stayed 3 days and started exploring the area. There are some great restaurants along the board walks; shopping centre is approximately an 8 minute walk, museum is just around the corner and art galleries are several.  
As we stocked up with plenty of groceries and since the weather gods were being angry for at least 3 days, I took the opportunity to pre-cook several meals. I tested out the 1st time ever our pressure cooker with much apprehension. My imagination was running wild with images of the pressure cooker exploding on board having the inside of the galley (kitchen) splattered with Hungarian goulash. I am pleased that my wild images have been replaced with a wonderful and tasty goulash instead. The pressure cooker reduces the cooking time, I am still a bit nervous using that pot.
After 3 days in Newcastle we got a little bit restless and decided to sail out and head towards Port Stephens. Maybe we should have stayed another day as some seriously big waves greeted us and of course it started to rain again. Nevertheless we made a commitment and continued on steering CoolChange towards Port Stephens from the cosy inside of CoolChange, hence not getting wet. Our autopilot certainly got a work out.
Once we got intoPort Stephens we headed towards Shoal Bay and have been greeted by pretty calm waters and the local Dolphins. The ground is sand therefore provides good holding. There are several restaurant and shops along the beach and getting on shore is easy with the dinghy.
After a great night sleep we went into Nelson Bay with our dinghy and our new big 8.9 outboard motor with only using half throttle skipped across the waves that fast that I truly thought we could water-ski behind our dinghy. Nelson Bay has some lovely shops and I restricted myself only to window-shopping as I asked myself: “do I really need this? Where would I put this item?”
The following day we went on shore and walked up to the top of Tomaree Headland Lookout that provides you with striking views of Port Stephens and the offshore islands. It takes around ½ hour to walk up (take along some water) and it is very much worth it.