Saturday 22 December Chance meeting

Our first night in Sydney was perfectly quiet and tranquil. We had a friendly visit from the Maritime police to welcome us and appraise us of local rules not to encroach on the channels, speed limits, carry life jackets in the dinghy, etc.

We unloaded the dinghy and tootled in to the fish market dinghy dock. It's main use is dockage for small craft visiting the market who are charged a small fee but dinghies can use the inner pontoon for free. Pre Christmas trade at the market was brisk and the counters are over flowing with Tasmanian salmon, prawns, lobsters, crabs and wet fish. The restaurants were doing a brisk trade too. We slavered over the fresh fish promising ourselves a purchase on the way home.

Bob, the cheerful face of Cpt Cook cruises

where in the world?

Our mission was to find the information centre in Darling Harbour to pick up maps and info on the carol concert in the Domain this evening. We found our maps and a number of helpful leaflets of things to do and see while we're here and what time the concert t begins this evening. Strolling along the waterfront I spotted the Captain Cook Harbour Cruise office – not something we'd usually seek out but I have a special reason. The cruise director is an old friend. When I was in Sydney on a working visa he gave me a job at the University Student Union. When I was a child, Bob, his twin brother and my sister lived on the same road and used to play together. From an article he'd written for our then local paper I knew where to find him. I called in the office and by chance he was on a boat which had just come in to the dock. It wasn't instant recognition for either of us but two seconds and it all clicked again. It has been a log time and he wasn't expecting me. Five minutes later we were sitting and chatting like it had been yesterday. As an impromptu we were invited on the afternoon harbour cruise. Why not? We didn't have any other plans so off we went and saw the city from the water without the distraction of navigating our own way. We saw all the bays, identified potential anchor spots for later and I took picture after picture, bored David with tales of when I was here / there before.

Late back ashore and a fast walk back to the fish market, grabbed some salmon for supper and then drinks on Camomile before walking to the Domain for Christmas Carols. We were late and the police were stopping more people for entering the park. With the view of finding a vantage point outside the fence we walked along the side and by chance came across a side entrance which was open. Once inside we found a small space to sit, but better than that the Chinese family who we squeezed in next to offered us seats on their picnic rug and when they left gave us their back rests.

The concert was family entertainment with fireworks at the end. A long walk home and to be sometime after midnight. First day in town was a busy one. Talk about hitting the road running.