Woohoo! Newcastle at last

Yesterday we finally managed to leave Lake Macquarie and get up to Newcastle.  Mel arrived just after 0800 and we left the dock at Marmong Point at 0900 so that we would make the 1100 bridge opening at Swansea.  I was hoping that by then the low tide (0837 at Swansea Heads) would mean  that any current would be pushing me back in to the lake away from the bridge. 
This is the channel that I needed to get through before crossing the bar.

As it turns out there was still about 2 knots of current going out of the lake.  Not unmanageable but still more than I would of liked. Anyway, timed the run to the bridge to perfection and we went straight through. Concentrating on getting through the channel.

And the bridge we’re about to go through with a green light for me.

Uneventful crossing of the bar and a very pleasant 3 hour motor sail up the coast and we get to Newcastle.  And then to finish off a very good day we get welcomed into Newcastle harbour by these guys.

(Wasn't that nice, a whole post with nothing about engines )