Temporary installation of the bird netting. Morning sun hitting the papyrus. 

Watching the ABN AMRO ONE come in

Volvo Ocean yacht - We decided to watch the ABN Amro One yacht come under the Bolte Bridge.
We left at 7pm on our bikes and arrived at Victoria Harbour in plenty of time. We decided not to ride out on the Docklands wharf where the Volvo tent was erected and the party would be held, so rode out on North Wharf to the end which is nearly beneath the Bolte Bridge. We had a perfect view down the river from whence the yacht would arrive.
The sky was spectacular and gradually grew blacker to the north with great splashes of lightning presenting an exciting backdrop to the comings and goings on the river. It was very busy with all manner of craft from rubber dinghies with motors to luxurious motor launches, little sail boats to great big sail boats. We spotted the barge from which the fireworks are launched and decided there must be a show after dark. There were fishermen trying their luck, people strolling and waiting and nautical songs and music to accompany all this from loudspeakers provided by the people who hire out boats (I think).
It was not until after dark that we spotted a flotilla of small craft coming around the bend in the river heralding the arrival of the ocean going yacht. There was sufficient light from the bridge and spotlights on the bank to see what was happening. It took quite a time (about an hour) for the yacht to be prepared. There was temporary floating wharf set up on the north bank of the river on the downside side of the bridge. The yacht moored there and there was a lot of fussing about beside it which we couldn't comprehend then quite suddenly up the mast whizzed one of the crewman. He was assisted by a pulley of some kind as he went up so swiftly. He fiddled about way up there for ages and the little boats at the bottom were shuffling about. Finally the little boats move back and we could see this great black balloon type container of water sitting on the water tied to the mast top. Gradually the yacht started to keel over until the mast was low enough for it to pass under the bridge. Bravo!
The crewman stayed at the top of the mast whilst the yacht proceeded to the Volvo wharf for the celebrations and party to begin. We moved opposite the mooring and waited for the fireworks. Well, we had never been so close to such a spectacle before. We seemed to be right under the explosions and the booming echos from the surrounding highrise building was similar to an orchestra blasting the 1810 overture.
We left and rode home in the dark to arrive hot, exhausted and thoroughly sated with a good time at 11:30 pm. Wow, what an experience. 

Fireworks to celebrate the arrival of ABN Anbro One, 1st ship into Port Phillip as part of the Volvo Ocean Race on 21 January 2006 

Sunset from wharf at Victoria Harbour 

Tall mastered ship docked beneath the Bolte Bridge 

Sunset between the piers of the Bolte Bridge 

Sunset reflected on buildings at Spencer Street, City of Melbourne 

 

Me just arrived at Victoria Harbour 

Arriving at Victoria Harbour to watch ABN Amro One come under the Bolte Bridge 

Waiting for the Bendigo train at Southern Cross Station 

Wall around the pond has been rendered but the frame to hold the new netting has not been constructed as yet. 

Rendered wall near clothesline 

Sunlight on the papyrus