We got an opportunity from Bundaberg Distilling Company to sail to Bundaberg with their 125th anniversary logos on our sails (this is aboard Southern Swan, the barkentine), pick up a half dozen barrels of Bundy rum and hop back down the coast to Sydney - a realdeal rum run. In return we get a new set of sails (without logos) made for Swan. Sweet deal you think. I arrived in Aus at the start of an intense 2week refit to get the Swan seaworthy- she hasn't been past the heads of Sydney Harbor for probably a decade. Bundaberg is about 900nm North of Sydney, so this was quite a trip to prepare for! In addition to the refit and training a crew for the trip, the Swan had to pass a specific survey in order to travel in near coastal waters; this included a short trip with the surveyor demonstrating man overboard and fire drills. Incredibly, we passed the survey, but the documentd went to some government office for a signature and hasn't been seen since.
We anticipated getting the go-ahead, so went across the bay to Little Manly Cove and have been anchored there for two days bending on sails and doing last minute things. As we only have a limited time to get there the decisiob has finally been made that we shall take the Soren Larsen to Bundaberg instead as she already has her papers in order. However, it is 11pm and the 11 of us must pack ourbags , the pantry, and the bosuns locker, and switch everything with the Soren Larsen when she gets in from her evening sail (there are about 15people living on Soren who must move their belongibgs to the Swan). Its going to be one heck of a night!
PS. Plank juice is a French Canadian tradition that involves putting some water into old rum or whiskey barrels. You turn the barrel ine plank per day and you eventually end up with rum inside from the wood absorbing the water and releasing the alcohol. mmm. Also, will add pictures when possible (doing this from a smartphone at the moment)!
Wow, the adventure continues!
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