tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39246087103295098872024-03-13T11:39:58.266+10:00Sailing Aussie coastThis blog is about my wife and I sailing our 13m sailing catamaran around Australia during 2012 2013 and 2014. We will sail from Brisbane at the end of April 2012 and slowly head north anticipating that we will arrive in Darwin for the cyclone season and head west when safe to do so and complete the circumnavigation.John Jenkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02474048972412245226noreply@blogger.comBlogger153125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3924608710329509887.post-15334560941525240712017-07-09T13:44:00.002+10:002017-07-09T13:45:48.463+10:00New photo page.As this blog has come to an end due to the sale of our loved catamaran I have started a photo page on Facebook. We now travel on land in our motorhome and although I tried writing a blog I could not put it together like the sailing scribbles, hope you enjoy.<br />
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Cheers<br />
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The page is (please copy and paste):<br />
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https://www.facebook.com/travellingoutback/<br />
<br />John Jenkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02474048972412245226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3924608710329509887.post-77307937460641555232017-06-07T17:32:00.000+10:002017-06-07T17:32:04.025+10:00Sailing Australia North Coast UpdatePlease note the disclaimer on the main page.<br />
The north has had an exceptional extended wet season this year (2016/2017), therefore many of the sand bars at waterway/river mouths have changed, so if you are using my notes as a guide please double check sand bars from local knowledge eg. some of the tourist vessels or lower a dinghy and sound the bottom. Also remember that many sand bars can only be crossed on spring tides.<br />
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Cheers and safe sailing.John Jenkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02474048972412245226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3924608710329509887.post-48570089331337516942014-09-26T15:26:00.004+10:002014-09-26T16:48:52.549+10:00Brisbane to Lake Macquarie - the final voyage.<div class="MsoNormal">
Selling our beautiful catamaran Alana Rose was not the
easiest thing we have done, this vessel has been our home, our safe haven in
storms and has looked after us in many a rough sea. Unfortunately the time had
to come, many a person had asked me how long we would live-aboard sailing for
and my answer was, "As long as I can hoist the mainsail we will keep doing
it". Well my shoulders are telling me that I can't do that anymore. I have
torn ligaments, new and old, the old ones have calcified and I have arthritis
in both shoulders. Many people have said get electric winches, besides the cost
it is not only the fact off winches. Our last sailing here to deliver the boat
has proven that, just holding onto things when the seas are rolling causes
pain.</div>
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After being back in the water after hauling out in June/July
we advertised the boat for sale, we looked at the market what people were
asking for a similar quality boat and we undercut them by around $40,000. This
brought the right results with a flood of people wanting to check the boat out.
I think some were just tyre kickers just wanting to look but not ready to buy,
but there was some genuine buyers some had to sell something before buying etc.
The annoying part is those people that say this is just what we are looking
for, I have to get finance before making an offer and it is a lot of bull, why
not tell the truth just say nice boat but not what we are looking for, it won't
offend anyone, it lets the seller know that you won't be back. We had one
couple come look at the boat twice and said they would contact us and let us
know if they were not interested and they did just that, and I thank them for
that, it is the right thing to do. Well we finally had a couple that came liked
and bought and I am pleased to say they are a lovely couple and we are pleased
Alana Rose is going to such a nice home and nice people.</div>
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They paid the deposit organised the survey and the day of
the survey the surveyor rang them gave them the all clear and an hour later the
money was in our bank, good way to do business.</div>
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They asked us if we would deliver the boat at our leisure
and I explained we had to get a weather window. Well the Gods must have been on
our side as come the Monday night after the survey which was on the Friday we
had a three day window. Jason the new owner or should I say half owner as his
wife Alyson could not come due to work commitments, flew to the Gold Coast
boarded late afternoon and at 1900 hours we set sail.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-58RL9iHuBZQ/VCTsEsrRMWI/AAAAAAAAGUI/8C6EEJUHfjI/s1600/AR%2Bready%2Bto%2Bsail%2Bsouth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-58RL9iHuBZQ/VCTsEsrRMWI/AAAAAAAAGUI/8C6EEJUHfjI/s1600/AR%2Bready%2Bto%2Bsail%2Bsouth.jpg" height="223" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Alana Rose after survey and fueled with additional cans on deck ready to sail south)</i></div>
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Although we had a three day window it was not all beer and
skittles. We left with a light head on wind until the change that came in
around 2200 hours so we motored until the change then we got the sails working
and through the night we had 15 knot winds from behind but unfortunately
another squall came through then we had little wind and it meant we had to
motor. Fortunately we had picked up the East Coast Current which gave us an
extra 2 knots. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZsHISEWgj9U/VCTswLt98YI/AAAAAAAAGUQ/QOQSFVcIOd4/s1600/Moon%2Bshine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZsHISEWgj9U/VCTswLt98YI/AAAAAAAAGUQ/QOQSFVcIOd4/s1600/Moon%2Bshine.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i>(First night at sea beautiful full moon although it did hide behind clouds at times)</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3qwtg1LCmo/VCTtPVQKhwI/AAAAAAAAGUY/1w034-vu7mA/s1600/Sunrise%2BTuesday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3qwtg1LCmo/VCTtPVQKhwI/AAAAAAAAGUY/1w034-vu7mA/s1600/Sunrise%2BTuesday.jpg" height="231" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Sunrise Tuesday morning one of the few squalls we had during the night)</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qlNslii6Jwc/VCTx9NJmzzI/AAAAAAAAGVs/rxGnODYEx3Y/s1600/squall%2Bone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qlNslii6Jwc/VCTx9NJmzzI/AAAAAAAAGVs/rxGnODYEx3Y/s1600/squall%2Bone.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(One of the squalls)</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YgEt7inp0hM/VCTx8rX4cDI/AAAAAAAAGVk/U2T2TWHPdQA/s1600/Fishing%2Bvessel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YgEt7inp0hM/VCTx8rX4cDI/AAAAAAAAGVk/U2T2TWHPdQA/s1600/Fishing%2Bvessel.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Fishing boat just south of Port Macquarie bashing into the sea)</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K6A5W_dKi_U/VCTwnSUF7QI/AAAAAAAAGVI/Bp9V7oKdUN8/s1600/Jason%2Bat%2Bthe%2Bwheel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K6A5W_dKi_U/VCTwnSUF7QI/AAAAAAAAGVI/Bp9V7oKdUN8/s1600/Jason%2Bat%2Bthe%2Bwheel.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Jason at the helm rugged up for the cold)</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0fnXQ5iNjZg/VCTwnkwgrMI/AAAAAAAAGVM/cDbUWNM3VS0/s1600/Jason%2Bwith%2Bfirst%2Bcatch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0fnXQ5iNjZg/VCTwnkwgrMI/AAAAAAAAGVM/cDbUWNM3VS0/s1600/Jason%2Bwith%2Bfirst%2Bcatch.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Jason caught a few fish along the way but only one worth keeping)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c_1UL9yZc7U/VCTur_z_THI/AAAAAAAAGU8/AoiphTskTbo/s1600/Whale%2Bwatching.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c_1UL9yZc7U/VCTur_z_THI/AAAAAAAAGU8/AoiphTskTbo/s1600/Whale%2Bwatching.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(The day settled with very little wind but a great day to watch the whales and dolphins and there was plenty to see)</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xbWegsyThFk/VCTup1gtSDI/AAAAAAAAGUs/5Lvm4c0C1DY/s1600/Whale%2Bsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xbWegsyThFk/VCTup1gtSDI/AAAAAAAAGUs/5Lvm4c0C1DY/s1600/Whale%2Bsplash.jpg" height="216" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(A Whale splashes in the late afternoon)</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FcjbRWcsYIY/VCTuom5dq7I/AAAAAAAAGUk/A9ZGcNlysXo/s1600/Moonshine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FcjbRWcsYIY/VCTuom5dq7I/AAAAAAAAGUk/A9ZGcNlysXo/s1600/Moonshine.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i>(Another moonlit night)</i></div>
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It was then a day of motoring until late Tuesday night when the
winds came in from the north at speeds of around 30 knots, this got us sailing
with little headsail at speeds of 8 to 9 knots this continued through the night
until about late morning when a large black cloud came in from the southwest.
Nancy being on watch had to yell out to Jason
and I as the front hit, we scrabbled up on deck to get the sail down, it
was rather cool just wearing my undies. We then had 30 knots from the southwest
for some time as we slammed into the seas. The foul weather stayed for around
90 minutes and then we had WSW to W
winds between 13 and 18 knots, we had the mainsail reefed to assist one
engine as the wind angle was not good to sail alone. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gEwJrrv_Zw0/VCTuqDBz6HI/AAAAAAAAGUw/c7jRC3outqo/s1600/Lumpy%2Bseas%2Bat%2Bsunrise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gEwJrrv_Zw0/VCTuqDBz6HI/AAAAAAAAGUw/c7jRC3outqo/s1600/Lumpy%2Bseas%2Bat%2Bsunrise.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Wednesday morning seas a little lumpy but from behind)</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a_A6p-bASZk/VCTwn1XVESI/AAAAAAAAGVQ/T8NnqKQukbQ/s1600/The%2Bfront.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a_A6p-bASZk/VCTwn1XVESI/AAAAAAAAGVQ/T8NnqKQukbQ/s1600/The%2Bfront.jpg" height="301" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(The SW change that came through the arrow shows our location when it hit)</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pAEGRfu-zu8/VCTx8-KnIGI/AAAAAAAAGVo/AYrXucZgf3Q/s1600/Bow%2Bmovement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pAEGRfu-zu8/VCTx8-KnIGI/AAAAAAAAGVo/AYrXucZgf3Q/s1600/Bow%2Bmovement.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Alana Rose heading into the front)</i></div>
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This continued through the
night. Before going off watch on the Wednesday night I checked the weather
again for crossing the Swansea Bar and got a bit concerned. It had changed from
an 11 knot westerly to a 20 knot SE wind which could stir the water up and
prevent us from crossing. So I went to bed concerned and did not get any sleep
thinking of what we should do if we cannot cross the bar. When back on watch
four hours later things had calmed a little we were now in amongst the large
ships moving about and at anchor near Newcastle. At one stage I had to call one
of the cargo ships as we were on a collision course, I identified it on the AIS
on the internet site. I checked the weather forecast again and fortunately it
had changed back to the original of westerly 11 knots. </div>
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We had arrived early so we sailed past the Swansea Bar a
short distance until daylight when we contacted VMR and got the go ahead for
crossing the bar. The crossing was the smoothest calmest I had experienced and
I cursed because I lost sleep worrying what we would do if we could not cross.</div>
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We picked up one of the moorings near the Swansea Bridge at
0700 hours and booked an opening for 0900 hours this gave us time to clean up
and have showers. Our dear friends Colleen and Brian were at the bridge to wave
us in for the last time, Jason also had friends in a 47 Leopard catamaran on
the other side of the bridge to welcome him in his new boat.</div>
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Jason was on a learning trip on the way down I remained
skipper and he was very pleased with Alana Rose performance and we certainly
had different weather to test her out. His comment was he knows now he will
feel safe in this boat.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O4dUh_vMhaQ/VCTzbHFgwSI/AAAAAAAAGWI/551Nx4YW66Y/s1600/Final%2Bsunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O4dUh_vMhaQ/VCTzbHFgwSI/AAAAAAAAGWI/551Nx4YW66Y/s1600/Final%2Bsunset.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Our last night on Alana Rose at sea with a brilliant sunset)</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JBJ2Oddn-Bw/VCTzbL824HI/AAAAAAAAGWM/IHDYu95bd2I/s1600/Final%2Bsunset%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JBJ2Oddn-Bw/VCTzbL824HI/AAAAAAAAGWM/IHDYu95bd2I/s1600/Final%2Bsunset%2B2.jpg" height="224" width="320" /></a></div>
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We motored through the channel to Lake Macquarie and when we
had got through the drop off I handed Jason the wheel and said you know where
your home is and you know the lake better than I take the wheel. We went across
the lake to Dora Creek to Alana Rose's new home, the parking was going to be
tricky so Jason asked if I would do that so he could see how I approached it,
it is a very tight spot but going slow we did alright and Jason has the
confidence that he would not have any trouble doing the same.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UxJ0iMM_Eqo/VCT0I0xBKWI/AAAAAAAAGWk/1Ivm8eTgKq0/s1600/Swansea%2BBridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UxJ0iMM_Eqo/VCT0I0xBKWI/AAAAAAAAGWk/1Ivm8eTgKq0/s1600/Swansea%2BBridge.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(The Swansea Bridge)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gF2aRA5U9Lw/VCTzWj0pS4I/AAAAAAAAGWA/KMZFc09Ra7o/s1600/10646706_10152645636028617_660954584210388020_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gF2aRA5U9Lw/VCTzWj0pS4I/AAAAAAAAGWA/KMZFc09Ra7o/s1600/10646706_10152645636028617_660954584210388020_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Taking Alana Rose through the bridge for our last time, photo from our friend Colleen who has watch us go through this bridge many times)</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_9Xz6mdrEGg/VCT0ITjfPKI/AAAAAAAAGWg/RynDi43qPAk/s1600/Jason%2Btaking%2Bher%2Bhome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_9Xz6mdrEGg/VCT0ITjfPKI/AAAAAAAAGWg/RynDi43qPAk/s1600/Jason%2Btaking%2Bher%2Bhome.jpg" height="320" width="231" /></a></div>
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<i>(After going through the bridge and going over the drop off into the lake proper I handed Jason the helm and said you know this place better than I take her to her new home)</i></div>
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Alyson could not be there until she finished work so when
she got home we sat in the cockpit with the champagne to hand over the boat
officially.</div>
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We stayed with them for the weekend to assist in anything
they needed to know, we moved off the boat into the house and I do not mind
admitting taking my last bag of the boat there was a very large lump in my
throat and a few tears fell. Nancy and I are going to miss this boat and the
life at sea, it is in the veins, but we now know we have a new adventure
waiting on our land ship, our new motor home.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fbcCCinjHiM/VCT0JtTJdLI/AAAAAAAAGWs/9jPPY7zEqKc/s1600/New%2Bhome%2Bfor%2BAR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fbcCCinjHiM/VCT0JtTJdLI/AAAAAAAAGWs/9jPPY7zEqKc/s1600/New%2Bhome%2Bfor%2BAR.jpg" height="231" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Alana Rose's new home which looks perfect)</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7zDEl613dCM/VCT1dza6faI/AAAAAAAAGW8/K-7tbyyGJNo/s1600/Joey%2Band%2BNancy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7zDEl613dCM/VCT1dza6faI/AAAAAAAAGW8/K-7tbyyGJNo/s1600/Joey%2Band%2BNancy.jpg" height="164" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Alana Rose from the house)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f6w627RXb1w/VCT1eJvhrOI/AAAAAAAAGXA/nDjM8csgz0o/s1600/Alyson%2Band%2BJason.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f6w627RXb1w/VCT1eJvhrOI/AAAAAAAAGXA/nDjM8csgz0o/s1600/Alyson%2Band%2BJason.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(New owners Jason, Alyson and Joey, we had the bottle of champagne in the cockpit as the official handover, these people will love the boat as we have)</i></div>
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Well the end of an era for us, it has been a beautiful experience we have done a lot in the past seven plus years and met some wonderful people. I would like to thank those people for their kindness towards us and I would like to thank the people that have visited this blog to read my scribbles. This blog was started for our circumnavigation around Australia and I hope it has some useful information for those intending to do the same, we had no idea when we started that it would be our last big voyage but that's the cards we are dealt.</div>
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I have already been put on notice that I have to continue scribbling on our new venture so I have started a new page for this so for those interested here it is: (copy and paste address)</div>
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http://australiabyroad.blogspot.com.au/</div>
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Cheers</div>
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<b>THE END</b></h2>
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John Jenkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02474048972412245226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3924608710329509887.post-63888740483440255772014-07-07T19:48:00.001+10:002014-07-07T19:48:26.096+10:00Boat Works - Where we hauled out<div class="MsoNormal">
Boat Works was recommended to us by some of our friends that
spent quite some time on the hard at this facility having some major works done
to their boats and routine maintenance and we are not sorry that we went to
this facility.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yTsnVQZNJPU/U7piri8HKWI/AAAAAAAAGQI/V3Vrh4U1hYk/s1600/01+Boatworks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yTsnVQZNJPU/U7piri8HKWI/AAAAAAAAGQI/V3Vrh4U1hYk/s1600/01+Boatworks.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Flagship Marine Service - Boat Works)</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j4VCFBhHhvY/U7pirpRRW7I/AAAAAAAAGQM/ZQb58cA1dXI/s1600/01+spray+sheds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j4VCFBhHhvY/U7pirpRRW7I/AAAAAAAAGQM/ZQb58cA1dXI/s1600/01+spray+sheds.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(One of the rows of sheds in the yard)</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nsy_0w2qgmg/U7pitBl-ETI/AAAAAAAAGQY/gIycBZ2T-5c/s1600/01+ramp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nsy_0w2qgmg/U7pitBl-ETI/AAAAAAAAGQY/gIycBZ2T-5c/s1600/01+ramp.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(The sea lift getting in place to take us out)</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uk7pLYdw9vM/U7pkdbnzxDI/AAAAAAAAGQg/QD1y-3PlSvE/s1600/Hauling+out.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uk7pLYdw9vM/U7pkdbnzxDI/AAAAAAAAGQg/QD1y-3PlSvE/s1600/Hauling+out.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(Lifting us out and getting a pressure wash)</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QtkwnWXAlAw/U7plVP5L4cI/AAAAAAAAGQo/Ht1iJPNhkdo/s1600/P6160078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QtkwnWXAlAw/U7plVP5L4cI/AAAAAAAAGQo/Ht1iJPNhkdo/s1600/P6160078.jpg" height="128" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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The boat yard is huge and clean all concrete and well
drained into a treatment pit, the staff are very friendly and helpful. The
place caters for live a board people to the fact that they have just opened a
newly constructed live a board ensuites that are very spacious shower vanity
and toilet, combined with this is a laundry with washing machine and drier. I believe there will be a coffee shop opening soon. At present there is a food van that comes around 1000 hours and 1200 hours on week days.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cLuGvm3qxD4/U7plqPvJzJI/AAAAAAAAGQ8/UekOo3d0-Ac/s1600/02+ensuites.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cLuGvm3qxD4/U7plqPvJzJI/AAAAAAAAGQ8/UekOo3d0-Ac/s1600/02+ensuites.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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(<i>Live a board ensuites)</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dUl09CY3PV0/U7ploZlUcBI/AAAAAAAAGQw/QWXZt-Qs9d8/s1600/02+ensuite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dUl09CY3PV0/U7ploZlUcBI/AAAAAAAAGQw/QWXZt-Qs9d8/s1600/02+ensuite.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SB2wA814v98/U7plpTIt-OI/AAAAAAAAGQ0/YuM40pqzHrE/s1600/02+laundry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SB2wA814v98/U7plpTIt-OI/AAAAAAAAGQ0/YuM40pqzHrE/s1600/02+laundry.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
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<i>(Laundry)</i></div>
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There are many trade contractors within the area to meet
every need whether major or minor works, the outside hard stand area is large
and this is surrounded by many work sheds if undercover work is required such
as spray painting, sand blasting or other needs where cover is required.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lifting in and out is done by two methods, the standard ship
lift via slings or the sea lift which is a cushioned unit that easily and
safely lift catamarans under the bridge deck.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VDIuwQTkJYk/U7poYoLyIMI/AAAAAAAAGRM/pBg641gRZBA/s1600/P6160072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VDIuwQTkJYk/U7poYoLyIMI/AAAAAAAAGRM/pBg641gRZBA/s1600/P6160072.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(The Sea Lift in operation)</i></div>
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It is possible to do your own work or you can use some of
the many services available.</div>
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All of this for very reasonable rates, at the time we were
there they had specials running and I believe they have been running for quite
some time, we had a lot of work to do plus as I get older it takes me a little
longer to do the work so we opted for the seven day special, pay for seven days
and get the next seven days free. I believe the other special was haul out on
Thursday go back in Monday and the weekend is free. But that is not all, there
standard rate is also very attractive, their charge per day for my 12.6m
catamaran was $11 cheaper than I paid at Mackay two years ago. As the advert on
the tele used to say but that's not all. Because we are members of the Shag
Islet Cruising Yacht Club we also got 10% discount on all charges.</div>
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Boat Works also have a courtesy car that you can book for a
three hour per time limit free of any charges, with the exception of asking a
donation to help pay for the fuel. I put $20 worth of fuel in it although I
only used a small amount but the use of the vehicle was good for us and that is
cheap.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GvmOEttl6ts/U7ppmLtFG-I/AAAAAAAAGRo/7Cp0KtjjzUA/s1600/04+ladies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GvmOEttl6ts/U7ppmLtFG-I/AAAAAAAAGRo/7Cp0KtjjzUA/s1600/04+ladies.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(The ladies - A business is only as good as its front line staff because they are the ones dealing with the customer, all the staff are friendly and make you feel at home, thanks ladies)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uvrlpAu72kc/U7ppnIWkrgI/AAAAAAAAGRw/0K74upxFRoE/s1600/04+men+at+work2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uvrlpAu72kc/U7ppnIWkrgI/AAAAAAAAGRw/0K74upxFRoE/s1600/04+men+at+work2.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(These are also some of the front line staff that make you feel welcome and provide a good service, thanks guys)</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GMyd6j8UEBo/U7ppnQT7fjI/AAAAAAAAGR0/jNeCZO7fFhM/s1600/04+men+at+work.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GMyd6j8UEBo/U7ppnQT7fjI/AAAAAAAAGR0/jNeCZO7fFhM/s1600/04+men+at+work.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fvfVxOBCkUM/U7pr1WpcMFI/AAAAAAAAGS0/s66AN95bqMg/s1600/06+finished+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fvfVxOBCkUM/U7pr1WpcMFI/AAAAAAAAGS0/s66AN95bqMg/s1600/06+finished+2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(All work finished)</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2ZRZFvSJRvg/U7pr0PZ5eJI/AAAAAAAAGSs/UsG9mIY4020/s1600/06+finished+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2ZRZFvSJRvg/U7pr0PZ5eJI/AAAAAAAAGSs/UsG9mIY4020/s1600/06+finished+3.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w-weqjCkGHQ/U7pr1oD57XI/AAAAAAAAGS4/ZfdQlTQYtJo/s1600/06+finished.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w-weqjCkGHQ/U7pr1oD57XI/AAAAAAAAGS4/ZfdQlTQYtJo/s1600/06+finished.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Ready to go)</i></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xTSCihbkAFE/U7psACQE1XI/AAAAAAAAGTc/h744i85Wcgw/s1600/07+lifting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xTSCihbkAFE/U7psACQE1XI/AAAAAAAAGTc/h744i85Wcgw/s1600/07+lifting.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hoSQ7rJEwE4/U7ppq48g9dI/AAAAAAAAGSA/T6iGh2YoxLE/s1600/04+men+at+work3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hoSQ7rJEwE4/U7ppq48g9dI/AAAAAAAAGSA/T6iGh2YoxLE/s1600/04+men+at+work3.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Getting ready to go back to the water, the guys are making sure all areas are supported)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eDkY04kxdW0/U7pps_inRTI/AAAAAAAAGSI/6DfbjYJEDUo/s1600/04+men+at+work4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eDkY04kxdW0/U7pps_inRTI/AAAAAAAAGSI/6DfbjYJEDUo/s1600/04+men+at+work4.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r0Rsf5Y0iPI/U7pr9Y2QHwI/AAAAAAAAGTM/R3_ALfeqVlA/s1600/07+lifting+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r0Rsf5Y0iPI/U7pr9Y2QHwI/AAAAAAAAGTM/R3_ALfeqVlA/s1600/07+lifting+3.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JyiPR3X8gcs/U7pr9j5z9_I/AAAAAAAAGTQ/5Pf90VPACvE/s1600/07+lifting+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JyiPR3X8gcs/U7pr9j5z9_I/AAAAAAAAGTQ/5Pf90VPACvE/s1600/07+lifting+4.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SdRON4eJZuw/U7pso4l8TpI/AAAAAAAAGTk/g04L7ZzT4zo/s1600/04+men+at+work6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SdRON4eJZuw/U7pso4l8TpI/AAAAAAAAGTk/g04L7ZzT4zo/s1600/04+men+at+work6.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
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<i>(I am smiling because the work is done)</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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So I say thanks to Boat Works, it is great to see a smart
business that is giving good service at a competitive price that also results
in good business for them as the yard is nearly always full of boats, I think
one of the boys told me June is usually a quiet month yet they had 130 boat
movements for the month, that's good business.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iBON11ye5WU/U7prINiHR8I/AAAAAAAAGSU/cu78rmkrrsU/s1600/08+heading+out+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iBON11ye5WU/U7prINiHR8I/AAAAAAAAGSU/cu78rmkrrsU/s1600/08+heading+out+2.jpg" height="223" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(Take me to the waves mate)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iE6nSC7VPtw/U7prIhT3yNI/AAAAAAAAGSg/F-WJzo-wAPM/s1600/08+heading+out.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iE6nSC7VPtw/U7prIhT3yNI/AAAAAAAAGSg/F-WJzo-wAPM/s1600/08+heading+out.jpg" height="236" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DjKyH0S1wVI/U7prIaRTG4I/AAAAAAAAGSY/U3-XCVBEBiE/s1600/08+Back+in.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DjKyH0S1wVI/U7prIaRTG4I/AAAAAAAAGSY/U3-XCVBEBiE/s1600/08+Back+in.jpg" height="223" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Back to the water)</i></div>
<h2>
Supplies</h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On site is Marine Trade Supplies, John Lance is a nice bloke
that will get items you need if it is not already there in stock. John tells me
that occasionally a customer will tell him that he buy some items cheaper at Bunning's,
John's reply is that he only stocks good quality items that will do the job.
John has a good supply of goods there and it is on site not far to travel only
a short walk from the boat. John is very helpful and has good knowledge on
boats.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G1Huutx9r5s/U7po-sMtKAI/AAAAAAAAGRY/jbHdjkfunIM/s1600/03+Boatworks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G1Huutx9r5s/U7po-sMtKAI/AAAAAAAAGRY/jbHdjkfunIM/s1600/03+Boatworks.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(Marine Trade Supplies)</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EjRVv8wlRD0/U7po-rcnKJI/AAAAAAAAGRU/6dxBdnzLz54/s1600/03+Supplies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EjRVv8wlRD0/U7po-rcnKJI/AAAAAAAAGRU/6dxBdnzLz54/s1600/03+Supplies.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Check it out.</div>
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http://marinetradesupplies.com.au/ or
facebook.com/marinetradesupplies</div>
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I would recommend these two businesses to anyone.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
John Jenkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02474048972412245226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3924608710329509887.post-80841930761472619422014-06-16T08:28:00.002+10:002014-09-05T20:40:43.781+10:00Catamaran for sale - end or our sea time.<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Due to some of my health problems we have to look at changing our lifestyle due to damage and arthritis in my shoulders, we will continue to sail until the boat sells. It has been a hard decision as we both love the sea life and the great people we meet in our travels. We are currently hauling out to do the maintenance on the boat and prepare her for sale and will advertise it through Yacht Hub in a week or two.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">When we finally sell we will start a new adventure of road travel going back to visit places we have seen whilst sailing around Australia, I am not ready to stay put in one spot at this stage.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Below is what we will put in our advertising and I thought I would first show this to my loyal readers of this blog. I thank you for following my scribbles over the time I have been totally surprised by the more than 43,000 hits this site has had over the last two years.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<h1 style="text-align: center;">
</h1>
<h2>
<b><span style="color: red; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sold</span></b></h2>
</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The lovely 'Alana Rose'</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r_F1m0nKoTk/U54aQJDJBhI/AAAAAAAAGNU/rdJg2O7Cnc8/s1600/SL373286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r_F1m0nKoTk/U54aQJDJBhI/AAAAAAAAGNU/rdJg2O7Cnc8/s1600/SL373286.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i>(Under sail on the way to Albany)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Leopard 42 Catamaran, which was
originally built by Robertson and Caine, South Africa,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">this cat was built for cruising it is
strong and well designed for ease of maintenance. Priced to sell after owners
have spent seven years solid cruising which included crossing the Caribbean and
Pacific Oceans and since it has been in Australia many seasons sailing the east
coast and most recently completed a two year full circumnavigation of
Australia. Main reason for sale is health reasons otherwise owners would continue
this magnificent cruising life. Prior to current ownership this boat sailed
from South Africa to the Caribbean and spent five years sailing the Caribbean.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Boat Name ; Alana Rose<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Registered; Australia and QLD<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Model; 2002 Leopard 42<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Launched; October 2001<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Engines: 40hp Yanmar. NEW engines/gearboxes fitted 16/11/2009<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Shaft drive, great advantage of having
all mechanics above water.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">New shaft seals fitted June 2014 as
part of pre-sale maintenance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Engine Hours; </span><span style="color: red; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">1,900 port- 1,900 stbd<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Electrical systems, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">110 volt wiring still in place not used
other than hot water services.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">240 volt system in Galley and Salon
areas<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">12 volt system – 600 amp/hr AGM house
batteries, each engine has a 90 amp/hr sealed start battery<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Battery charge- Stirling 40 amp self
program automatic multi voltage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Solar Panels with Solar Boost 200E
regulator 2 x 120 watt panels.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">LED strip lighting fitted throughout.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">1 kva 240 v Honda petrol portable
generator<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">2 kva 110 v Honda petrol portable
generator<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Rigging : <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">All stainless steel (Dyform) replaced
2010 along with genoa furler.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sails, mainsail good condition 5 yr
genoa good condition 7 yr plus original spare genoa.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fuel Tanks one each engine 180 litres
new condition.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Water Tanks 2 x 400 litre each (Total
800litres).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Interior: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Galley (Galley up). New stove Force 10
(Oven/Grill/ 2 burner top) NEW fitted 2014<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Large fridge freezer in Galley (50
Danfos compressor) works on timer to take advantage of solar panel operation,
fully serviced 2014.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">47 Litre Evakool fridge freezer
under cockpit table.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Four queen size beds, two fwd cabins
with island beds and two single berths each with own head/shower, however,
starboard aft cabin has been used as storage for spares and equipment and the head removed and shelves fitted and
store 2.2 kg washing machine the head can be re-installed easily.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Salon has U shaped lounge and dining
table.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IAPDJnPjV4w/U54beArrZDI/AAAAAAAAGNg/AvtaCb8nJ6Q/s1600/2014-05-07+Main+Cabin+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IAPDJnPjV4w/U54beArrZDI/AAAAAAAAGNg/AvtaCb8nJ6Q/s1600/2014-05-07+Main+Cabin+(1).jpg" height="141" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(Starboard forward cabin bed made and below unmade)</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i592_DEdmwM/U54beYv-SKI/AAAAAAAAGNk/bQBdf9uUWZE/s1600/2014-05-07+Main+Cabin+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i592_DEdmwM/U54beYv-SKI/AAAAAAAAGNk/bQBdf9uUWZE/s1600/2014-05-07+Main+Cabin+(3).jpg" height="206" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fMdjvqh7AH8/U54bgRkmHSI/AAAAAAAAGOM/WTWHApc8Oq8/s1600/2014-05-24+STB+FWD+ensuite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fMdjvqh7AH8/U54bgRkmHSI/AAAAAAAAGOM/WTWHApc8Oq8/s1600/2014-05-24+STB+FWD+ensuite.jpg" height="320" width="176" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>(Stbd Fwd head/shower)</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-if_8_xBlX2s/U54bfbtH0OI/AAAAAAAAGOQ/sgbhZXfHE3g/s1600/2014-05-24+Port+AFT+cabin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-if_8_xBlX2s/U54bfbtH0OI/AAAAAAAAGOQ/sgbhZXfHE3g/s1600/2014-05-24+Port+AFT+cabin.jpg" height="194" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>(Port aft cabin)</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5s7OsylO8Qk/U54bgEreX6I/AAAAAAAAGOE/-rrTZwogVF8/s1600/2014-05-24+Port+AFT+ensuite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5s7OsylO8Qk/U54bgEreX6I/AAAAAAAAGOE/-rrTZwogVF8/s1600/2014-05-24+Port+AFT+ensuite.jpg" height="320" width="142" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>(Port aft Head /</i><i>shower)</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qa31cvG5V3s/U54beoRL1sI/AAAAAAAAGN0/PgYgf9BO8_4/s1600/2014-05-07+Main+Cabin+%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qa31cvG5V3s/U54beoRL1sI/AAAAAAAAGN0/PgYgf9BO8_4/s1600/2014-05-07+Main+Cabin+%25285%2529.jpg" height="320" width="219" /></a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(Passage to Fwd stbd cabin)</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kk4DPeGUtPc/U6NY7pV1hhI/AAAAAAAAGO0/8rwg8Lg4jZw/s1600/%232014-06-19+ALANA+ROSE+020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kk4DPeGUtPc/U6NY7pV1hhI/AAAAAAAAGO0/8rwg8Lg4jZw/s1600/%232014-06-19+ALANA+ROSE+020.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_DHWYhXEoYg/U6NZ5DfdH7I/AAAAAAAAGPg/WhZJ-pZHWpE/s1600/%232014-06-19+ALANA+ROSE+021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_DHWYhXEoYg/U6NZ5DfdH7I/AAAAAAAAGPg/WhZJ-pZHWpE/s1600/%232014-06-19+ALANA+ROSE+021.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wVFvDC-R82c/U6NZ5flv28I/AAAAAAAAGPk/TjBDRGIP0pQ/s1600/%232014-06-19+ALANA+ROSE+023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wVFvDC-R82c/U6NZ5flv28I/AAAAAAAAGPk/TjBDRGIP0pQ/s1600/%232014-06-19+ALANA+ROSE+023.jpg" height="256" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(Galley)</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YoosCMeMf6I/U6NY74gdESI/AAAAAAAAGPM/qaF-x1Q3Cy8/s1600/%2523Untitled_Panorama1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YoosCMeMf6I/U6NY74gdESI/AAAAAAAAGPM/qaF-x1Q3Cy8/s1600/%2523Untitled_Panorama1.jpg" height="132" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OfnWqsq2Nzc/U6NZ4oRd8cI/AAAAAAAAGPo/PGyGjZ3SKy0/s1600/%25232014-06-19+ALANA+ROSE+019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OfnWqsq2Nzc/U6NZ4oRd8cI/AAAAAAAAGPo/PGyGjZ3SKy0/s1600/%25232014-06-19+ALANA+ROSE+019.jpg" height="209" width="320" /></a></div>
<i>(Salon)</i><br />
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2ygtdtnU5qM/U6NY7w4xGGI/AAAAAAAAGPE/_c8MfN8qgqI/s1600/%2523Untitled_Panorama11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2ygtdtnU5qM/U6NY7w4xGGI/AAAAAAAAGPE/_c8MfN8qgqI/s1600/%2523Untitled_Panorama11.jpg" height="132" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j0mI_jMOt1M/U6NY9KwPX4I/AAAAAAAAGPQ/BAUBDX4Fx7Y/s1600/%2523Untitled_Panorama12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j0mI_jMOt1M/U6NY9KwPX4I/AAAAAAAAGPQ/BAUBDX4Fx7Y/s1600/%2523Untitled_Panorama12.jpg" height="160" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bFkLR8cgaCI/U6NZ6XXCyOI/AAAAAAAAGP4/_m9A-Jhb-b8/s1600/%25232014-06-19+ALANA+ROSE+026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bFkLR8cgaCI/U6NZ6XXCyOI/AAAAAAAAGP4/_m9A-Jhb-b8/s1600/%25232014-06-19+ALANA+ROSE+026.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Communications: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">GME VHF radio and ICOM IC-M 802 HF Radio<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">GME Epirb<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yBmxWMZZOSk/U6NZWYrjMZI/AAAAAAAAGPU/Hx8iwgRT8XU/s1600/%232014-06-19+ALANA+ROSE+025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yBmxWMZZOSk/U6NZWYrjMZI/AAAAAAAAGPU/Hx8iwgRT8XU/s1600/%232014-06-19+ALANA+ROSE+025.jpg" height="320" width="243" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(Navigation desk and communications)</i></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Instruments:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Raymarine, autopilot, depth/log, wind and
chart plotter plus a Garmin 550s Chart plotter both at helm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Anchor: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Rocna anchor with 70 metre 10 mm chain.
Spare and Bruce anchor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Deck wash pump fitted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Lofran s Anchor winch NEW electric motor 2014 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Outside condition Hull - Good<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Hatches Lewmar, seals have been
renewed, and hatches have been fully removed and sealed between the deck and
hatch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Dinghy, Redback 2.9 metre inflatable
with alloy hull and 8hp Yamaha outboard motor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mqyHyo3Cr24/U54bgyi2WyI/AAAAAAAAGOU/pgylHGHkrxI/s1600/Leopard+42+Profile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mqyHyo3Cr24/U54bgyi2WyI/AAAAAAAAGOU/pgylHGHkrxI/s1600/Leopard+42+Profile.jpg" height="160" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">(Layout)</span></div>
John Jenkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02474048972412245226noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3924608710329509887.post-51293803818177849022014-05-05T18:09:00.000+10:002014-05-05T18:09:01.512+10:00Gold Coast, Tipplers Passage and The completion of the voyage.<div class="MsoNormal">
Saturday - 26/04/2014</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Up early and underway by 0540 hours, we headed out of Iluka
Harbour and out to the bar crossing and as we neared the bar the fishing boats
were entering after a nights fishing. After getting into clear water we hoisted
the mainsail to try and catch what little wind was around a little later we
were able to set the headsail also. We have 102NMS to the Seaway so we should
get there in good time the way we are going. The seas were a little confused at
times having swell come from two directions.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8V6J_ylJ_O8/U2dAvcPW5ZI/AAAAAAAAGKU/84O7cKkMjtA/s1600/Cape+Byron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8V6J_ylJ_O8/U2dAvcPW5ZI/AAAAAAAAGKU/84O7cKkMjtA/s1600/Cape+Byron.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>(A yacht motored passed us nearing Cape Byron)</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E2p5bB9oUYU/U2dAv6LtwDI/AAAAAAAAGKk/SGNBIrGQQI8/s1600/Reeling+in.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E2p5bB9oUYU/U2dAv6LtwDI/AAAAAAAAGKk/SGNBIrGQQI8/s1600/Reeling+in.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>(Not long after the yacht passed by I had a strike on the line)</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s_w449-MLJY/U2dAvPGfQII/AAAAAAAAGKY/FLUb-dMqHKI/s1600/Gotya.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s_w449-MLJY/U2dAvPGfQII/AAAAAAAAGKY/FLUb-dMqHKI/s1600/Gotya.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>(A nice yellow fin tuna, 650mm and quite a few meals)</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We neared the Gold Coast near midnight and crossed the bar
at low tide at 0040 hours on 27/04/2014.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sunday - 27/04/2014</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After entering the Seaway at the Gold Coast we headed north
and anchored off South Stradbroke Island near Perry's and then got the head
down by 0130 hours.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We were up again by 0630 hours due to the usual thing that
happens in this mad place high speed boats heading out to fish rocking the you
know what out of us. We often say that you only sail to the Gold Coast to pass
through it and the Seaway.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HXy392iBwMw/U2dBko11poI/AAAAAAAAGKo/ZmlOLNxijr8/s1600/Early+morning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HXy392iBwMw/U2dBko11poI/AAAAAAAAGKo/ZmlOLNxijr8/s1600/Early+morning.jpg" height="192" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>(Early morning looking back at Surfers Paradise down the Broadwater)</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So whilst at Iluka when we met Trevor and Gaye on 'Biaha' a
Lagoon catamaran and I told them about a quiet anchorage near Paradise Point as
they left before us and we said we would see them there. So we weighed anchor
and headed for that anchorage, well when we got there it was packed, Trevor was
the last boat in the line, as we neared him I said someone let the secret out.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We found a whole and dropped anchor and they came over a
little later and they said they had let Shelly and Rick off 'Neriki' know that
we have arrived and they would probably be here tomorrow, they are good friends
of ours, so a dinner was being organised.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ygiVrTkRHVQ/U2dBko_9QwI/AAAAAAAAGKs/6-ldNAm3HOY/s1600/Bright+skies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ygiVrTkRHVQ/U2dBko_9QwI/AAAAAAAAGKs/6-ldNAm3HOY/s1600/Bright+skies.jpg" height="196" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>(Nice day at the anchorage but busy with these jet skis, love to have open season on some of them)</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kagArfGtOOA/U2dGFU-3BgI/AAAAAAAAGMc/R9ZO18VTlgo/s1600/Hang+paws.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kagArfGtOOA/U2dGFU-3BgI/AAAAAAAAGMc/R9ZO18VTlgo/s1600/Hang+paws.jpg" height="199" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>(Something more sedate) </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After a while we headed ashore to pick up a few things and
have coffee. We then had a quiet day and almost a quiet night. We watched a
movie and as we were nearly finished the wind kicked in and all of a sudden
boats were swinging in all directions, the yacht closest to us swung one way
and we swung the other and seeing this we were not happy to stay just in case
one of the yachts broke free so in rain and dark we weighed anchor and headed
back towards South Stradbroke Island and anchored near Currigee Camp as soon as
we were settled we hit the sack and went to sleep.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Monday - 28/04/2014</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We got up as usual first light and decided to head back
towards Sovereign Island and instead of anchoring near Paradise Point to go
north of the islands bridge and anchor there where we had noticed the day
before there was only two boats.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This we did and dropped anchor and a little later 'Neriki'
joined us and they came over and there was lots of hugs and shaking of hands,
we have cruised with these people on a number of occasions and have not seen
them for nearly two years.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Later Trevor brought his boat around to the same anchorage.
We all had drinks and dinner on 'Neriki'
with each of the ladies preparing a dish and a good night we had.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nKRDC9D9CtQ/U2dCYuh4DrI/AAAAAAAAGK4/SEvzhEdbmaM/s1600/Trouble.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nKRDC9D9CtQ/U2dCYuh4DrI/AAAAAAAAGK4/SEvzhEdbmaM/s1600/Trouble.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Nancy, Shelly and Gaye)</i></div>
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Tuesday - 29/04/2014</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We went ashore for a water run to do washing later, I use
containers of water for the washing machine as it is easier and faster. Then we
went ashore to get a few things from the shop and then we set sail for Tipplers
Passage, lovely spot in the week crazy on weekends. There were only two other
yachts in the anchorage so plenty of room.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RJV7MCy424o/U2dC6k1ccnI/AAAAAAAAGLQ/ZH7Akh71sbo/s1600/02+tipplers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RJV7MCy424o/U2dC6k1ccnI/AAAAAAAAGLQ/ZH7Akh71sbo/s1600/02+tipplers.jpg" height="92" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>(Here we are anchored at Tipplers Passage a lovely spot in the week, weekends it gets a lit mad)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5ATlRBp03c4/U2dC53jHGOI/AAAAAAAAGLA/dR55uG4ubJ4/s1600/Tipplers+Passage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5ATlRBp03c4/U2dC53jHGOI/AAAAAAAAGLA/dR55uG4ubJ4/s1600/Tipplers+Passage.jpg" height="100" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>(Tipplers with great reflections)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7wVYL4DgEDg/U2dC6FXoDXI/AAAAAAAAGLE/vNJSafuueas/s1600/Tipplers+Passage+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7wVYL4DgEDg/U2dC6FXoDXI/AAAAAAAAGLE/vNJSafuueas/s1600/Tipplers+Passage+2.jpg" height="148" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We went ashore for a walk and see what has changed, they now
have a restaurant/bar next to the store/office that is open weekends and public
holidays where you can have breakfast/lunch/dinner which is good for the
boating people. Not sure if it will continue through the winter months.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wednesday - 30/04/2014</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We did chores on the boat a few repairs but generally quiet
times a little later in the morning 'Neriki' arrived so it was sundowners and
dinner on our boat tonight.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was a good night catching up with Shelly and Rick, they
have done heaps of work to their boat and will be cruising north again this
year.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thursday - 01/05/2014</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A quiet day going ashore for a walk over the island to the
beach on the open sea side of the island, bit of a paddle in the water, still
too cold for me to swim but there are also a lot of rips here so I would not
chance it if it was warm.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QcA2lGrU7f8/U2dD29Ku9oI/AAAAAAAAGLo/tvlPnHmPCSg/s1600/Roo+at+the+beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QcA2lGrU7f8/U2dD29Ku9oI/AAAAAAAAGLo/tvlPnHmPCSg/s1600/Roo+at+the+beach.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Roo by the sea)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KDSu21H-CRQ/U2dEtThgccI/AAAAAAAAGMA/i4WjMyQBvRE/s1600/Tipplers+Passage+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KDSu21H-CRQ/U2dEtThgccI/AAAAAAAAGMA/i4WjMyQBvRE/s1600/Tipplers+Passage+4.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2MQytoANM0s/U2dD2hIsLBI/AAAAAAAAGLk/F8lOVvMmFiY/s1600/Looking+north.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2MQytoANM0s/U2dD2hIsLBI/AAAAAAAAGLk/F8lOVvMmFiY/s1600/Looking+north.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(The ocean side of South Stradbroke Island )</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lVoKWa2LAZk/U2dD1z0xRVI/AAAAAAAAGLc/pjRWeEmBNgA/s1600/South+Stradbroke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lVoKWa2LAZk/U2dD1z0xRVI/AAAAAAAAGLc/pjRWeEmBNgA/s1600/South+Stradbroke.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Nancy having a paddle)</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zlM0CHQ-gb0/U2dEsf4Zt6I/AAAAAAAAGL0/AsUR15y1FAQ/s1600/Tipplers+Passage+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zlM0CHQ-gb0/U2dEsf4Zt6I/AAAAAAAAGL0/AsUR15y1FAQ/s1600/Tipplers+Passage+3.jpg" height="197" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Reflections)</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g1dzSh4C3kE/U2dEsw9l8aI/AAAAAAAAGL8/6YHLu4PQLh0/s1600/Which+way.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g1dzSh4C3kE/U2dEsw9l8aI/AAAAAAAAGL8/6YHLu4PQLh0/s1600/Which+way.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vtsYFKOakhk/U2dGfvbLs-I/AAAAAAAAGMk/jnrTdFTkco8/s1600/Tipplers+Passage+sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vtsYFKOakhk/U2dGfvbLs-I/AAAAAAAAGMk/jnrTdFTkco8/s1600/Tipplers+Passage+sunset.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Tipplers Passage sunset)</i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was dinner on 'Neriki' tonight and to say farewell again
as we will be heading for Manly tomorrow, it was a good night and when we
finish all the work on the boat we may catch up with them north.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Friday - 02/05/2014</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We waited for the rain to ease before weighing anchor I
watched the met site radar and as soon as it passed we headed off but we knew
more was coming.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was a motor day again in fact later the wind was going to
be strong and right on the nose. We chose to go via Jacob's Well as I know the
shallows had been dredged two years ago and being near low tide I did not want
to chance Canaipa Passage, there is only a few hundred metres difference in
distance between them to our destination.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8t3a6nBJ4A4/U2dFWu-hFKI/AAAAAAAAGMM/jOrAtbH8M20/s1600/Sunk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8t3a6nBJ4A4/U2dFWu-hFKI/AAAAAAAAGMM/jOrAtbH8M20/s1600/Sunk.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>(Along the way we saw this yacht that looks like it sunk some time ago, it is a fact that more boats sink in marinas and on moorings than at sea due to neglect)</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The rain did come causing poor visibility and as Murphy's
Law does it happened at the most hazardous area near the narrow passages where
we have to negotiate ferries and barges and yes there was one of each.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once through the shallow passages and into Moreton Bay
proper we then had the wind increase to 25 knots on the nose, are they trying
to discourage us from finishing this journey. You know I know it is a concern
of many people that if they come to grief it is usually when they are close to
home, this can be in any form of transport. The trick is don't relax until you
get back, always treat the areas as unknown because things do change.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5iP7ThKYELI/U2dF1GAioPI/AAAAAAAAGMU/sVgBy-y8_SM/s1600/Rain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5iP7ThKYELI/U2dF1GAioPI/AAAAAAAAGMU/sVgBy-y8_SM/s1600/Rain.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>(A little rain to welcome us)</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We finally reached Manly and went to the allocated berth at
Moreton Bay Trailer Boat Club Marina where Andy and Cath off 'Paws' was there
to take our lines and they organised a get together the club for dinner.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So our circumnavigation of this fine country was completed
after 2 years and 6 days and 10,310 nautical miles travelled. I suppose this is
an achievement but really many sailors have done it, yes I do feel that I have
achieved something of a challenge but I have to take my hat off to the earlier
sailors that did it without the aid of GPS, regular weather reports, internet
and HF radio that provide these things to us today. The big thing today is
knowing how to use the technology that is provided but at the same time to know
what to do if it fails or know when it is wrong and electronic charts are not
always accurate. We still use paper charts as well as electronic and I
recommend that people should do the same because when the chart plotter fails
or are wrong you need to know what to do.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I would like also to thank all those that helped and
supported us on this great voyage, I have mentioned in past notes the kindness
that was shown to us.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I don't like putting names down just in case I miss one and
that would be disastrous but I am going to give it a go and if I do miss anyone
my humble apologies</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mark and Susan who looked after our mail sending it to us or
scanning it and emailing it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Colleen our official communications officer, Colleen was the
contact who kept up to date where we were and what we were up to in case of
emergency.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alison and Rob in Darwin not only helped us get in and out
of the lock in the marina but welcomed us into their home and gave us a very
special Christmas with their family.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ted and Desley also
Darwin making us very welcome looking after me whilst Nancy was away, loved
that roast duck and the assistance Ted gave with electrics.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Brendan in Broome that not only run us everywhere to get the
anchor winch motor fixed but got on the lathe and machined it for us and his
lovely friend Jodi that invited us into her home for dinner and transported us.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Stephen that allowed
us to use his mooring in Broome which was very helpful when our anchor winch
was down.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jim of Fremantle Sailing Club who invited us to his home for
dinner with other of his yachtie friends and made us welcome.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lorraine also in Perth that organised a welcoming for us of
the (SICYC) Shaggers and a good afternoon it was.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Fremantle Sailing Club Marina that made us very welcome
and have the most realistic marina fees as like Tasmania. (Here we had first 3
nights free and $35 per night there after)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gavin and Rae at Bunbury, Rae from marine radio organised
Gavin to assist us late at night to do a fuel run and whilst he was at it he
gave us a full night guided tour of Bunbury.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mark of Southern Ocean Sailing School, Albany, who helped us
get into the marina did shopping and fuel runs for us and was willing to help
where he could.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ingrid and Geoff of Albany also SICYC, welcomed us into
their home and gave us the full guided tour of Albany.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kevin at Esperance, who just offered up his vehicle for us to
go shopping and do fuel runs and he and friend Zero gave us lots of local
knowledge of anchorages prior to crossing the Bight.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Max Port Lincoln , offered us a lift to get our gas bottles
filled and also gave us a full guided tour of the city.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Carol Kangaroo Island, marine radio operator that looks
after all the boats and picked us up took us to their community hall for dinner
gave us her vehicle the next day to look around and do fuel and shopping runs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Leigh, John, Mark and Bert Cape Jaffa, good friend Leigh
organised free marina berths for us and left s his car to use whilst we were
there. John who owned the marina berths that allowed us to use them free of
cost, Mark and Jackie who loaned us their larger vehicle for the entire time we
were at Cape Jaffa and Bert and Janet, who from the first day we arrived
offered to help in anyway he could and they also welcomed us to their home for
dinner.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ron and Dave Beauty Point Marina, two great blokes, they run
the marina voluntary and are willing to help wherever they can and they were
very good to us.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Glen, Nigel and families, what can I say about these blokes
and their families, they all made us welcome in their homes and had a great
Christmas with them, supplied a vehicle for the entire time we were there to go
out and see Tassie. Beautiful friends.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wayne and Anne at Devonport, although friends from way back
they run us and other yachties around to get what we needed such as fuel runs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jim at Stanley, Jim is a special person, he allowed us to
use his fishing boat berths when the seas got serious, you are a gentleman and
I say that not because what you did but what you have done in the past and what
you have suffered. Cheers Jim.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Frank and June Hobart, also very long time friends but did
lots to help us and take us around.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
John and Kim Sydney, also good friends but were there for us
to do shopping and they took us to lunch and dinner and their home they are
special friends to.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Barbara and Jim Port Stephens, the lovely American couple
that are also yachties and welcome stray yachties to their home for dinner.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary and Janice Iluka, these people made us welcome to their
town and looked after us on Anzac Day.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finally I would like to thank the love of my life Nancy for
doing all she does aboard and never complains.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some that I mentioned are long time friends but I wanted to
say thanks to them to. But it is special those that we had never met before and
what they did for us which goes to show the Australian Spirit still lives.
Thanks to all of you that made our trip very special, and I hope I have not
missed a soul.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ltC8Ntl83lg/U2dGg-EwCFI/AAAAAAAAGMs/PLdfokg9aAA/s1600/Returned.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ltC8Ntl83lg/U2dGg-EwCFI/AAAAAAAAGMs/PLdfokg9aAA/s1600/Returned.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Alana Rose now back in Manly she has done us very well over the past seven years)</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cheers</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
John Jenkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02474048972412245226noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3924608710329509887.post-18556779710722619222014-05-05T09:18:00.002+10:002014-05-05T09:18:31.797+10:00Port Macquarie and Iluka<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Port
Macquarie</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span>Thursday - 10/04/2014<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e8f8tQ4YN3o/U2bCLTLzlAI/AAAAAAAAGGk/N0rOPmF5cbA/s1600/Sunrise+at+sea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e8f8tQ4YN3o/U2bCLTLzlAI/AAAAAAAAGGk/N0rOPmF5cbA/s1600/Sunrise+at+sea.jpg" height="182" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>(Sunrise with storm clouds)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-789PJzV20wc/U2bCG6IKr0I/AAAAAAAAGGU/mJiPI5rAJU0/s1600/00+morning+storm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-789PJzV20wc/U2bCG6IKr0I/AAAAAAAAGGU/mJiPI5rAJU0/s1600/00+morning+storm.jpg" height="175" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h4-94nKnqCc/U2bCIRMDpXI/AAAAAAAAGGc/pKHpNSk7HHI/s1600/Camels+Port+Mac.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h4-94nKnqCc/U2bCIRMDpXI/AAAAAAAAGGc/pKHpNSk7HHI/s1600/Camels+Port+Mac.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Strange thing to see from the sea camels along the beach)</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
The seas were nearly flat and little wind as we headed to
Port Macquarie, we arrived at Port Macquarie at midday and I was very pleased
to see new leads to enter the port. My first time entering this port some years
ago I did what I normally do when entering a port for the first time and that
is to stand off the entrance and check the leads. The first time here I did
this the leads were hard to see but I eventually spotted them a very dull
orange set of triangles, once found I checked that they line up with what the
chart plotter indicates as the leads and was pleased that they both line up so
all I had to do was follow the leads on my chart plotter and occasionally
check the leads proper. As we were doing
this we had notified VMR of our arrival and they were eying us coming in and
radioed asking us to go further north and recheck the leads. I explained that
we were on the leads and the reply was that he understood that but with the
conditions it is better to enter from a little further north. After entering we
found that the leads had been in the wrong place for more than seven years
because the sand bar had shifted. The problem was that the leads could not be
relocated because to put the back triangle lead in place they would have to cut
down some Norfolk Pine that are heritage listed. My comment was why don't they
put in a Tri-light lead, this could be mounted on the area of the front
triangle lead, naturally in the correct location and there would be no need for
a back lead. Tri-light leads as I call them is a light mounted on a post that
has red, white and green light, if you are in the correct position to enter you
have the white light showing, if you are too far to port a red light shows and
too far starboard the green light shows. Well in the last two years since our
last visit that is what they have done.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The other sad part is that the volunteers of VMR could not
say back then that the leads are in the wrong place because of our litigated
country. The other factor is that many boaties do not communicate with VMR or
Coastguard so they would not have any assistance and if they had entered the
port using the old leads they would come to grief as one motorboat did some
years ago which I believe went to court and maybe that is the reason for the
new leads.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Port Macquarie has quite a small marina and some moorings
however, there was no room for us so we had to anchor so we went passed the
moorings and dropped the anchor, we called into the marina and asked to use
their dinghy dock which cost $20 for the week, they have showers available and
we did top up water containers each time we went ashore.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EQlIO1_GYtA/U2bCGtO7itI/AAAAAAAAGGI/3KLohwuE6RE/s1600/Marina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EQlIO1_GYtA/U2bCGtO7itI/AAAAAAAAGGI/3KLohwuE6RE/s1600/Marina.jpg" height="117" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>(Port Macquarie marina)</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are looking forward to catching up with family here which
will be tomorrow after we are rested, I have one daughter living here and one
about to move here. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Friday - 11/04/2014 through to Saturday 19/04/2014</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We had a great week in Port Macquarie with family having
many dinners at Melinda and Steve's, they have done wonders with the house that
they bought here and young Sam has grown so much since we last saw him. Also
had granddaughter Tarryn there she had to go back to Dubbo for a while but
returned with her mother Cherie so it was great catching up with them. Cherie
and Tarryn are moving to Port Macquarie permanently and was in the throes of
moving gear here.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i_An_mVTZ4A/U2bDO15wKKI/AAAAAAAAGGs/CVAAVg-C7Ic/s1600/My+3+girls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i_An_mVTZ4A/U2bDO15wKKI/AAAAAAAAGGs/CVAAVg-C7Ic/s1600/My+3+girls.jpg" height="175" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(My girls, Cherie, daughter Tarryn and Melinda)</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-onJjDZIjulk/U2bDO2BsUhI/AAAAAAAAGGw/vYlIzT0vlvg/s1600/Nancy+Marita+Jeff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-onJjDZIjulk/U2bDO2BsUhI/AAAAAAAAGGw/vYlIzT0vlvg/s1600/Nancy+Marita+Jeff.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Nancy, Marita and Jeff)</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5C7yeMZW0iw/U2bEPlP608I/AAAAAAAAGHE/MiWQz0d0pww/s1600/p+mac+dock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5C7yeMZW0iw/U2bEPlP608I/AAAAAAAAGHE/MiWQz0d0pww/s1600/p+mac+dock.jpg" height="103" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>(The dock near the green)</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mc3rO2hupxY/U2bESHSfKgI/AAAAAAAAGHQ/4jZRl8VCHEw/s1600/nj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mc3rO2hupxY/U2bESHSfKgI/AAAAAAAAGHQ/4jZRl8VCHEw/s1600/nj.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Nancy and I having a drink on the waterfront)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K-YdMItE9JY/U2bESCRxBHI/AAAAAAAAGHM/rEJSAjrT9jY/s1600/jj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K-YdMItE9JY/U2bESCRxBHI/AAAAAAAAGHM/rEJSAjrT9jY/s1600/jj.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E8-syUmmhKQ/U2bE2poMWzI/AAAAAAAAGHc/Qd5znFxsnb0/s1600/Lone+pelican.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E8-syUmmhKQ/U2bE2poMWzI/AAAAAAAAGHc/Qd5znFxsnb0/s1600/Lone+pelican.jpg" height="192" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Lone pelican)</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VamhdKOPnGE/U2bE9eI23FI/AAAAAAAAGH8/lLDUrfOwXcQ/s1600/sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VamhdKOPnGE/U2bE9eI23FI/AAAAAAAAGH8/lLDUrfOwXcQ/s1600/sunset.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Sunset)</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oRHoYRlFA8w/U2bE2513arI/AAAAAAAAGHg/pChwxsWcGPI/s1600/Hastings+River.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oRHoYRlFA8w/U2bE2513arI/AAAAAAAAGHg/pChwxsWcGPI/s1600/Hastings+River.jpg" height="93" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>(The moorings and anchorage near the marina)</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_m4XzN6ogqs/U2bE8MZ-pEI/AAAAAAAAGH0/eY7QlO6qXZE/s1600/Tides+out.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_m4XzN6ogqs/U2bE8MZ-pEI/AAAAAAAAGH0/eY7QlO6qXZE/s1600/Tides+out.jpg" height="223" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(A little out the water at a very low tide)</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6037ZsOuVig/U2bE3Uu0eBI/AAAAAAAAGHs/FYNi94l5Kmg/s1600/Surfing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6037ZsOuVig/U2bE3Uu0eBI/AAAAAAAAGHs/FYNi94l5Kmg/s1600/Surfing.jpg" height="197" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Surfers near the break wall at the town beach)</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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We also caught up with Nancy's nephew Jeff and his wife
Marita, it was good seeing them again we have not seen them since Jeff had his
motorcycle accident where a bloke ran a red light and hit him, he nearly lost
his leg but due to his determination he refused to let them take it and he is
doing great although the leg will never be the same as before.</div>
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We also met some new friends through Nancy's website of
women sailing and had a good night with a number of boaties at the marina with
a seafood night.</div>
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After a great week the seas had subsided to a level where we
could cross the bar at Yamba so Sunday we left Port Macquarie with Steve and Sam
waving us on from the break wall. We had decided to bypass Coffs Harbour and
sail overnight to Iluka as north winds were going to move in again and we
preferred to wait it out at Iluka rather than Coffs Harbour.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vGXCLYLyATs/U2bDy6leJII/AAAAAAAAGG8/3HZ-NTZgp0M/s1600/Samual+and+Steve.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vGXCLYLyATs/U2bDy6leJII/AAAAAAAAGG8/3HZ-NTZgp0M/s1600/Samual+and+Steve.jpg" height="175" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Grandson Sam waving goodbye and Steve taking a photo as we head out)</i></div>
<h1>
Yamba/ Iluka</h1>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i3m7jtyHHVU/U2bGARkpmBI/AAAAAAAAGIU/AXFErTXYnD4/s1600/Sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i3m7jtyHHVU/U2bGARkpmBI/AAAAAAAAGIU/AXFErTXYnD4/s1600/Sunset.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Sunset as we sail north nearing Coffs Harbour)</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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Monday- 21/04/2014. One of the main problems of the NSW
coastline is that most places have sand bars to cross to enter the ports and
some are worse than others, we have crossed them before when seas are up and it
is no fun so these days we prefer to wait the time out to get a good crossing.
The unfortunate part of this is if there have been very high wind conditions
this brings the seas well up and it takes a few days for the seas to go
down afterwards which usually means that
we miss the good sailing winds that follow the high winds and when the seas
have settled there is little wind at all.</div>
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This was the case for this run we had some wind but at times
had none at all.</div>
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Again we hugged the coast to ensure we did not get into the
East Coast Current, it was close to land as we left Port Macquarie you could
see the ripples at the edges, at one stage we had to cross a section of it for
just a few metres and we went from 6 knots back 2.9 knots. It was also visual
close to Smoky Cape and along the coast to Trial Bay.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We passed Coffs Harbour around 2200 hours and had a pleasant
night at sea arriving at Yamba crossing at 1100 hours, the bar was very calm
and easy to enter. It was just on low tide when we entered and after entering
decided to anchor at Iluka rather than Yamba these towns being on opposite
sides of the Clarence River. The choice of Iluka was due to the forthcoming
winds from the north.</div>
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22/04/2014</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n7bZNJlIgQk/U2bF_82NyoI/AAAAAAAAGII/kNpBdiNyzRA/s1600/Sunrise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n7bZNJlIgQk/U2bF_82NyoI/AAAAAAAAGII/kNpBdiNyzRA/s1600/Sunrise.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Still sailing north as the sun rises)</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o7FxRLQhdcw/U2bGAbfEVCI/AAAAAAAAGIM/QOiYTqkCuuc/s1600/Yamba+Bar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o7FxRLQhdcw/U2bGAbfEVCI/AAAAAAAAGIM/QOiYTqkCuuc/s1600/Yamba+Bar.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Yamba Bar, nice and calm)</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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Entering Iluka Harbour is always interesting especially as
it is just after low tide, I followed a track I had previously taken and although
I did this I did run out of depth, however, the bottom must be silt as we still
glided through it to deeper water and dropped anchor.</div>
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After anchoring we decided to go ashore and have lunch at
the pub and the meal was great. We also talked to some locals and visitors and
one couple that was holidaying said that her father had had his first beer in
this pub when he was sixteen, he has just turned ninety three. So the pubs been
here a while.</div>
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23/04/2014 to 25/04/2014</div>
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Wednesday - 23rd</div>
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We went ashore and caught up with a friend from Dubbo days, Robert used to work
with Nancy as a fitness instructor and is now a Police Officer at Iluka, it is
always good catching up with friends that we have not seen for a while. We then
went for a walk around Iluka had coffee and found out where the Anzac Day march
and dawn service is held for Anzac Day.</div>
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Talked to a few locals and got talking to a couple that have
a motor home so we had lots of questions as we think that will be our next
venture, and we thank them for their candid comments that will be very helpful.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JdT33WdIMKw/U2bHlxjrIaI/AAAAAAAAGI8/sMGFZXPWKlg/s1600/Iluka+Harbour+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JdT33WdIMKw/U2bHlxjrIaI/AAAAAAAAGI8/sMGFZXPWKlg/s1600/Iluka+Harbour+3.jpg" height="111" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(Images of Iluka Harbour)</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZGB7VVIMax8/U2bHjBNROuI/AAAAAAAAGIo/xwhy6W7pEtw/s1600/Iluka+Harbour+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZGB7VVIMax8/U2bHjBNROuI/AAAAAAAAGIo/xwhy6W7pEtw/s1600/Iluka+Harbour+2.jpg" height="98" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X8XIT7otEis/U2bHjSQtgUI/AAAAAAAAGIw/dzktNXhBgwA/s1600/Iluka+Harbour+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X8XIT7otEis/U2bHjSQtgUI/AAAAAAAAGIw/dzktNXhBgwA/s1600/Iluka+Harbour+1.jpg" height="102" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VkhEnaQfFmY/U2bHizkZ2-I/AAAAAAAAGIk/M9NwSjnDfVY/s1600/Birds+of+a+feather.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VkhEnaQfFmY/U2bHizkZ2-I/AAAAAAAAGIk/M9NwSjnDfVY/s1600/Birds+of+a+feather.jpg" height="176" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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Thursday - 24th</div>
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We went a walk ashore and went to the Fish Co-op for fish
and chip lunch, but did not do much else.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jMv2R2u8rDs/U2bIKTITutI/AAAAAAAAGJE/l5ooeyW5puE/s1600/Fishermans+monument.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jMv2R2u8rDs/U2bIKTITutI/AAAAAAAAGJE/l5ooeyW5puE/s1600/Fishermans+monument.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(A memorial to a friend of Iluka near the fishermans harbour, there are a number of memorials along the waterfront)</i></div>
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Friday - 25th - Anzac Day
Lest We Forget </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Up very early to get to the dawn service and when we arrived
there was quite a gathering for a small town like this. After the service we
went and had breakfast at the memorial hall but we did not go for the rum like
some although it is a tradition I wanted to last the day.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I-172k7KTSo/U2bIzIk5cPI/AAAAAAAAGJc/7CgCJaDBk-A/s1600/2014-04-25+Iluka+029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I-172k7KTSo/U2bIzIk5cPI/AAAAAAAAGJc/7CgCJaDBk-A/s1600/2014-04-25+Iluka+029.jpg" height="320" width="230" /></a></div>
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<i>(Gary and myself just after we first met)</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ic3zxRI52A8/U2bIydANv4I/AAAAAAAAGJQ/Hm1Q7RYZB3Y/s1600/2014-04-25+Iluka+030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ic3zxRI52A8/U2bIydANv4I/AAAAAAAAGJQ/Hm1Q7RYZB3Y/s1600/2014-04-25+Iluka+030.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(This is what Anzac Day is about remembering those that did not come back but also sharing each others experiences and talking to mates old and new that have things in common)</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mqo6OcsbvCE/U2bJ5pvN3tI/AAAAAAAAGJw/Loeuemza5uE/s1600/2014-04-25+Iluka+034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mqo6OcsbvCE/U2bJ5pvN3tI/AAAAAAAAGJw/Loeuemza5uE/s1600/2014-04-25+Iluka+034.jpg" height="210" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(The small group of vets march followed by the school children)</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-odSzVZ3r-I8/U2bKdSrRcaI/AAAAAAAAGKA/0SYg7oWXVnA/s1600/Lest+we+forget.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-odSzVZ3r-I8/U2bKdSrRcaI/AAAAAAAAGKA/0SYg7oWXVnA/s1600/Lest+we+forget.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(LEST WE FORGET)</i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We went back on board for a while then I organised us to get
ashore for the Anzac March and did very well being an hour early. However, not
all lost we sat and talked to some of the locals, we sat in the shade until it
was near time for the march and when we went to the muster point I met Gary
also an ex-sailor and from there Gary and his lovely wife Janice looked after
us. After the march and service they gave us a lift to the luncheon at the
Bowling Club where we were also joined by friend Robert and wife Karen so a good afternoon was had. It was a
fun afternoon meeting other locals and visitors alike.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xxABbXcPggM/U2bI2attyvI/AAAAAAAAGJk/jPxhsNIW4Vk/s1600/2014-04-25+Iluka+090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xxABbXcPggM/U2bI2attyvI/AAAAAAAAGJk/jPxhsNIW4Vk/s1600/2014-04-25+Iluka+090.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Karen, Nancy and Robert)</i></div>
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Leaving the club we said goodbye to friends and returned on
board.</div>
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Tomorrow we leave for the Seaway at the Gold Coast with
another overnight sail.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dXByGIeyXoI/U2bKcMBt8xI/AAAAAAAAGJ4/PgzFJNO8IBU/s1600/Iluka+sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dXByGIeyXoI/U2bKcMBt8xI/AAAAAAAAGJ4/PgzFJNO8IBU/s1600/Iluka+sunset.jpg" height="218" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Cheers</div>
John Jenkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02474048972412245226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3924608710329509887.post-62496718585170110282014-05-04T09:32:00.001+10:002014-05-04T09:32:28.197+10:00Port Stephens<div class="MsoNormal">
Saturday - 05/04/2014</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We had to wait for some tide to cross the Swansea Bar so we
let go of the mooring by Swansea Bridge at 0800 hours and motored out to the
bar crossing as we got onto the first set of leads a small motor boat passed us
then at a crucial moment on the turn of
one lead to the other the motor boat stopped and was drifting into our path. I
got the air horn and gave a blast. They had pulled up right in front of us
because they realised they did not have their life jackets on, it is law that
you have to have these on when crossing the bar.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The bar itself was very tame with just a little swell, once
clear of the bar we hoisted the sails although the day was another motor sail
type of day, the wind came and went on a regular basis. We stayed close to
shore in about the 26 metre depth so that we did not meet the East Coast
Current which runs north to south at a
rate of around 4 knots.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We arrived at Port Stephens at 1510 hours and picked up a
public mooring near the marina at Nelson's Bay. There is a public dock in the
marina complex that can take about four boats and you can stay there for 3 days
free of charge, however, we went ashore after learning about it some days later
and our cat is too wide to fit between the poles at the dock.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are three public mooring s in this location the only
disadvantage of these are that there is quite a bit of wash from the boats
coming and going out of the marina, the marina complex has a number of shops
and cafes.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6nFlE2JmK3Q/U2V5tYKnVpI/AAAAAAAAGEg/u5j-9JDSryQ/s1600/Storm+clouds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6nFlE2JmK3Q/U2V5tYKnVpI/AAAAAAAAGEg/u5j-9JDSryQ/s1600/Storm+clouds.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Storm clouds passing by Nelsons Bay)</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0pzWUSW1ypE/U2V5xCKT9mI/AAAAAAAAGE8/k7Exj_CA1Sw/s1600/sunset+clouds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0pzWUSW1ypE/U2V5xCKT9mI/AAAAAAAAGE8/k7Exj_CA1Sw/s1600/sunset+clouds.jpg" height="200" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Sunset)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IY2xqM3ZU44/U2V5toqgfuI/AAAAAAAAGEw/HZXu2KcVx6o/s1600/01+evening+sky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IY2xqM3ZU44/U2V5toqgfuI/AAAAAAAAGEw/HZXu2KcVx6o/s1600/01+evening+sky.jpg" height="186" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>(Fire in sky)</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xRjW4U0PHEo/U2V5uGdFeLI/AAAAAAAAGE0/2WNBPaJSNtk/s1600/Sundowners.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xRjW4U0PHEo/U2V5uGdFeLI/AAAAAAAAGE0/2WNBPaJSNtk/s1600/Sundowners.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Two good reds)</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sunday - 06/04/2014</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The public moorings have a 24 hour limit although at the
moment there is not a high demand for them but we decided to do the right thing
and move to another location so we headed to Salamander Bay and found that the
single public mooring was not being used
so we picked that up it up for the day. We had made contact with good friends
Cath and Tim Deverell, Cath worked with
me in the NSWRFS many years ago now and the last time we saw them is when
their youngest son was 2 years old. Cath
picked us up and we headed off to lunch with her family. It was great catching
up with them both. After a long lunch Cath took us to the shops so we could
pick up a few things.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Monday - 07/04/2014</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We had contact with another couple of friends Don and Carol
Luscombe and made arrangements to meet them for coffee at Nelsons Bay. We
dropped the mooring and headed back to Nelsons Bay and picked up a mooring
again. We went ashore and met Don and Carol, Don is a very prominent volunteer
member of the NSWRFS and has done a lot for the fire service. It was good
catching up and having a chat. After parting we headed back to the boat and as
we were in the dinghy we noticed 'San Sousi' anchored close by so we went over
to say g'day and told them we were about to leave the mooring if they wanted it.
we got back aboard and let go the
mooring to go back to Salamander Bay where we had been invited to dinner by
Barbara and Jim a couple of Americans that work here and are sailors themselves
and have a yacht in the marina. We were in luck again as the single mooring was
vacant so we picked it up again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Around 1630 hours we headed ashore to meet Barbara who has a
beachside unit in the bay. Barbara and Jim often invite cruising yachties to
dinner if they hear of them in the bay, Barbara works in the VMR so working the
radio she knows what yachts are visiting. What a wonderful gesture.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We had a very good night and dinner with Barbara, Jim and
granddaughter Ali. When leaving they waded in the water to assist us getting
the dinghy back in the water. Lovely people.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ou67da8wEcI/U2V6kRHtlII/AAAAAAAAGFA/9M22tm89wTQ/s1600/P+S+Marina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ou67da8wEcI/U2V6kRHtlII/AAAAAAAAGFA/9M22tm89wTQ/s1600/P+S+Marina.jpg" height="145" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>(Nelson Bay marina complex, public docks on the right)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DqZ9Iivyci4/U2V6knH5XCI/AAAAAAAAGFE/N4wLP3jHHIM/s1600/Salamanda+Bay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DqZ9Iivyci4/U2V6knH5XCI/AAAAAAAAGFE/N4wLP3jHHIM/s1600/Salamanda+Bay.jpg" height="100" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>(Salamander Bay from Barbara and Jim's unit)</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vfMMarzhQAw/U2V7LNYaIJI/AAAAAAAAGFQ/4xDpygAs2UE/s1600/Barbara+&+Jim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vfMMarzhQAw/U2V7LNYaIJI/AAAAAAAAGFQ/4xDpygAs2UE/s1600/Barbara+&+Jim.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Barbara, Nancy and Jim)</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tuesday - 08/04/2014</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We dropped the mooring and motored over to Fame Cove a
wonderful little sheltered cove that has five public moorings. The fact that we
like the moorings here is that there is a lot of sea grass and you can be fined
if you anchor in the sea grass.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We spent a quiet day at this cove, we did attempt to dinghy
up the creek but it runs out of depth in a short distance.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nCjnwBxWdWw/U2V7gQgmnQI/AAAAAAAAGFg/k1TMCzxQNt8/s1600/Sunset+at+Fame+Cove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nCjnwBxWdWw/U2V7gQgmnQI/AAAAAAAAGFg/k1TMCzxQNt8/s1600/Sunset+at+Fame+Cove.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Looking out of Fame Cove)</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wwQPF1P1p0g/U2V7gGQKFkI/AAAAAAAAGFc/9q6YiTh2jmA/s1600/Out+of+Fame+Cove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wwQPF1P1p0g/U2V7gGQKFkI/AAAAAAAAGFc/9q6YiTh2jmA/s1600/Out+of+Fame+Cove.jpg" height="216" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-asPIn5AZrTs/U2V7f-MvjYI/AAAAAAAAGFY/P8Mjufw1loE/s1600/Out+of+Fame+Cove+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-asPIn5AZrTs/U2V7f-MvjYI/AAAAAAAAGFY/P8Mjufw1loE/s1600/Out+of+Fame+Cove+1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wednesday - 09/04/2014</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We headed for Shoal
Bay which is the closest bay to the port entrance, Shoal Bay has four public
moorings and again most were free so we picked one up secured the boat and went
ashore for a walk and lunch.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our intention was to leave late afternoon and sail through
the night to Port Macquarie. When we returned on board I went for a nanna nap
to get some rest before leaving.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hg5S_o7RyMY/U2V8JGeYojI/AAAAAAAAGFw/hU8fD9hTV4A/s1600/Early+flight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hg5S_o7RyMY/U2V8JGeYojI/AAAAAAAAGFw/hU8fD9hTV4A/s1600/Early+flight.jpg" height="171" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Pelican on an early flight)</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DQJRmLccuvM/U2V8JiilE0I/AAAAAAAAGF4/qW-L8aMBWwM/s1600/Shoal+Bay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DQJRmLccuvM/U2V8JiilE0I/AAAAAAAAGF4/qW-L8aMBWwM/s1600/Shoal+Bay.jpg" height="105" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>(Shoal Bay)</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We ended up sailing out at 1600 hours taking the line
through the southern side of the sand bar, it was another case of motor sailing
with little wind as we passed Broughton Island I noticed a yacht that had left
some four or more hours before us tacking using the light winds, a lot of work
for a short distance, our boat is too big and heavy to tack in such light
winds. The other factor is that we have a very short weather window before the
northerlies start to blow again.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The seas were quite good and it was not really cold during
the night it was quite a pleasant night sail.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cheers</div>
John Jenkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02474048972412245226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3924608710329509887.post-58667536092964826492014-04-16T14:57:00.000+10:002014-04-16T14:57:18.728+10:00Sydney to Lake Macquarie via Broken Bay<div class="MsoNormal">
Monday - 24/03/2014</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YMFBkYFypdc/U04D8tMJWfI/AAAAAAAAGBc/L0PgYjgD_i0/s1600/01+HMAS+Penguin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YMFBkYFypdc/U04D8tMJWfI/AAAAAAAAGBc/L0PgYjgD_i0/s1600/01+HMAS+Penguin.jpg" height="194" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>(As we leave Middle Harbour we pass HMAS Penguin, I was stationed there in late 60's)</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WeM1wK4lYOI/U04D_Db9XaI/AAAAAAAAGBs/lOdfYyFwX68/s1600/01+Syd+heads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WeM1wK4lYOI/U04D_Db9XaI/AAAAAAAAGBs/lOdfYyFwX68/s1600/01+Syd+heads.jpg" height="226" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>(Out of Sydney Heads heading north)</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As we headed north a strong wind warning was issued but at
this time there is but a breeze, I had the headsail out which gave the one
engine that was running a bit of assistance but very little, the stronger winds
are predicted for around late afternoon and it was our plan to be inside Broken
Bay by then. Another yacht came out behind us and tried to tack trying to use
sails only but gave up after a while as the wind decreased even more. We reach
Barrenjoey Head at the entrance of
Broken Bay and as we turned in we saw the storm heading towards us, we quickly
put the clears up and rolled one of the side covers down. We were about 300
metres inside Broken Bay when it hit around 30 knot winds and white out rain, I
turned the navigation lights on and slowed down a little and headed for Hallets
Beach in Cowan Creek where there are a number of National Park's public mooring
buoys are located. There were quite a number of yachts and motor boats on the
water they were all heading the opposite direction to us so I kept well to the
right side of the creek taking the longer route.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jNKq3fBR8QA/U04D_DqlFiI/AAAAAAAAGBw/kbEC05Il-tQ/s1600/02+Broken+Bay+winds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jNKq3fBR8QA/U04D_DqlFiI/AAAAAAAAGBw/kbEC05Il-tQ/s1600/02+Broken+Bay+winds.jpg" height="216" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>(Going into Broken Bay storm clouds to port)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kqXWEyyZQmk/U04EBkmoMZI/AAAAAAAAGB4/cgSKhkQ8SzU/s1600/02+broken+bay+rain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kqXWEyyZQmk/U04EBkmoMZI/AAAAAAAAGB4/cgSKhkQ8SzU/s1600/02+broken+bay+rain.jpg" height="198" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>(The wind and rain starts)</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-76a9GqRk1Nc/U04EGBRxM8I/AAAAAAAAGCE/ZzF3hXrVzMQ/s1600/02+broken+bay+white+out.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-76a9GqRk1Nc/U04EGBRxM8I/AAAAAAAAGCE/ZzF3hXrVzMQ/s1600/02+broken+bay+white+out.jpg" height="223" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>(Start of a white out where visibility very poor)</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qUwcckHGozM/U04EGQv1jbI/AAAAAAAAGCI/UY7WzQpNdjY/s1600/02+broken+bay+white+out+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qUwcckHGozM/U04EGQv1jbI/AAAAAAAAGCI/UY7WzQpNdjY/s1600/02+broken+bay+white+out+2.jpg" height="173" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>(Sheltered behind the clears but visibility is worse)</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The storm eased a bit by the time we got to the moorings and
there was only one of the five being used, Nancy had to go out and get wet when
picking up the mooring once secured the rain stopped and it was a pleasant
night.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In this area there are two types of public moorings, there
are the usual pink coloured marine parks moorings and then there is the yellow
national parks moorings, all these you can stay on for 24 hours so many people
move from one to the other every 24 hours if they are staying for a while. It
is alright to anchor in most places with water depths not too great.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tuesday - 25/03/2014</div>
<h1>
Lake Macquarie</h1>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We headed out of Cowan Creek at 0600 hours and it was still
dark, we logged on with VMR on the way out of Broken Bay and requested a bridge
opening at Swansea for 1400 hours our planned time as this was near high tide.
There was little wind again, I used the headsail to start off with but that
proved pointless in the end. There were two other yachts behind us they also
tried sails but to little effect. We arrived at the Swansea Bar and it was
quite calm, we headed in towards the bridge and picked up a mooring whilst
waiting the 15 minutes for the opening. Our friends Colleen and Brian were on
the shore to welcome us with a wave and waited for us to go through the bridge.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We was ready at 1400 hours, we had slipped the mooring and
was drifting near the bridge, we noticed another catamaran similar to ours
coming across the bar and steadily negotiating the channel to the bridge, it
was 'San Sousi' with Juliana and Hugh aboard they are fellow shaggers, yes Shag
Islet Cruising Yacht Club members.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FJuTH5UOGfs/U04GvMWO4NI/AAAAAAAAGCo/NYU7hHBq4Fs/s1600/03+Swansea+Bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FJuTH5UOGfs/U04GvMWO4NI/AAAAAAAAGCo/NYU7hHBq4Fs/s1600/03+Swansea+Bridge.jpg" height="188" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>(We have slipped the mooring and the bridge is starting to open.)</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_zgtRNyhsjI/U04GqNzhAZI/AAAAAAAAGCQ/76YzA2hsmyQ/s1600/03+Swansea+Bridge+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_zgtRNyhsjI/U04GqNzhAZI/AAAAAAAAGCQ/76YzA2hsmyQ/s1600/03+Swansea+Bridge+2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>(It looks narrow)</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OXAJMdMH1fA/U04GrMEuJtI/AAAAAAAAGCY/37RRWY-Q0Fs/s1600/03+Swansea+Bridge+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OXAJMdMH1fA/U04GrMEuJtI/AAAAAAAAGCY/37RRWY-Q0Fs/s1600/03+Swansea+Bridge+3.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>(We are right at high tide so the water is still, when the tide flows it rushes through here)</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wT4wehh11kw/U04Gqyq9QUI/AAAAAAAAGCc/S5FmeJMqNMo/s1600/03+Swansea+Bridge+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wT4wehh11kw/U04Gqyq9QUI/AAAAAAAAGCc/S5FmeJMqNMo/s1600/03+Swansea+Bridge+4.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>(We are through 'San Sousi' is following)</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The VMR tried to contact them but they did not answer, then
the VMR called us to see if we could contact them to get a wriggle on as the
bridge operator was waiting for them to catch up to us to go through. We
contacted them and they caught up to us and followed us through the shallow
channel to the lake. After we were in the lake Nancy called them up to say
hello, they said it was their first time in the lake and they like us was
staying a couple of weeks and we may catch up.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ypSbtfMoxiY/U04GwpZDNII/AAAAAAAAGCw/6eZqe9xUFz8/s1600/04+fishermans+friends.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ypSbtfMoxiY/U04GwpZDNII/AAAAAAAAGCw/6eZqe9xUFz8/s1600/04+fishermans+friends.jpg" height="163" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>(As we go through the narrow channel to the lake we pass two fishermen with many friends)</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They were heading to a different part of the lake to us so
we parted and we headed for Summerland Point, after anchoring we got the boat
tidied up and had showers and then headed ashore to Colleen's and Brian's house
where we stayed for dinner, Colleen and Brian are long time friends and good
people. They had a great thing for me the new electric motor for the anchor
winch, which will wait for tomorrow.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We had a good night catching up with them and their
daughters and grand children. After we headed back to the boat for a good night
sleep.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wednesday - 26/03/2014</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Went to the House house, (Colleen's and Brian's) to pick up
the electric motor for the winch then
returned to pull the winch out, the amount of times I have had that winch out I
should be able to whistle and it should do it itself. So out with the winch and
remove the electric motor and fit the new motor and then put all back together
and do the test, all fingers crossed and all went well.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The rest of the day was fairly quiet.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thursday - 27/03/2014</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lots of rain all day so not much activity outside. At 1630
hours with a break in the weather we headed ashore to meet with Margy Ferrington
who was picking us up to take us to her and Randall's home for dinner,
Randall is an ex-work colleague we both worked for the NSWRFS. We had a very
pleasant night catching up and lots of talking regarding our circumnavigation
as Randall and Margy are also sailors having their own yacht on the lake.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Saturday - 29/03/2014</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We went to Colleen and Brian's place for a farewell to
Alison and the children who are off to Perth to join Michael who has been
transferred with his work a nice night was had as usual with this bunch of nice
people.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Monday - 31/03/2014</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our main fridge went on the blink, looking at the sight
glass on the drier it is showing a lot of bubbles blowing through it which
means it has lost a lot of refrigerant
gas. Got onto the internet looking for a refrigeration mechanic and came
up with a group called New Age Air-conditioning, I phoned them and they asked
if I could meet their mechanic at Belmont at the Lake Macquarie Yacht Club and
we organised it for lunch time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We had a motor sail up the lake to Belmont and went
alongside the dock. Clay the mechanic arrived at 1215 hours and set to work, a
very efficient and polite young man. He nailed the problem very quickly and
found that the valves were leaking, to replace them he had to evacuate the gas,
fit the new valves and recharge the system, this takes time and time as we all
know is not cheap.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SRdZqgGRL0k/U04IYYVxIKI/AAAAAAAAGC8/2THrDijpIvo/s1600/Boat+for+sale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SRdZqgGRL0k/U04IYYVxIKI/AAAAAAAAGC8/2THrDijpIvo/s1600/Boat+for+sale.jpg" height="177" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>(We noticed this boat for sale that has a resident pelican, looks like he has been there a while)</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We always say it is a small world and after talking with
Clay found that he was originally from Cobar and actually used to play football
with Corey, Nancy's daughters husband. Clay finished the work and said to check
the fridge overnight and if I have any problems to give him a ring tomorrow and
he will come back and add more gas but he thought all would be well and it was.
I expected a high account and was not surprised when it was emailed to me,
refrigerant gas is not cheap and that alone was $150, labour at $93 per hour so
$524 went quickly, joys of owning a boat.</div>
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After the repairs we headed over to Wangi Wangi and picked
up a public mooring for the night, tomorrow we meet one of Nancy's FB Women Who
Sail Australia site friends. We had a quiet night aboard in beautiful
surroundings.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-njtkSk6P7Z0/U04Ilo9Pr8I/AAAAAAAAGDs/hfYPAfZnpC4/s1600/Summerland+Point.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-njtkSk6P7Z0/U04Ilo9Pr8I/AAAAAAAAGDs/hfYPAfZnpC4/s1600/Summerland+Point.jpg" height="98" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>(Summerland Point jetty 'Alana Rose' out anchored in the middle and a pelican takes off to the left)</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IsQ2m0GpOns/U04IYVIxHQI/AAAAAAAAGDE/SY_6FVkwK2c/s1600/01+sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IsQ2m0GpOns/U04IYVIxHQI/AAAAAAAAGDE/SY_6FVkwK2c/s1600/01+sunset.jpg" height="163" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>(Sunset on the lake)</i></div>
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Tuesday - 01/04/2014</div>
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Shelly and Steve on 'Orak' came over and anchored close to us, Shelly is a friend on the website for women sailors, they came over in their dinghy and came aboard for coffee. and a chat. A lovely couple talking to Steve we found we had a lot in common and knew mutual friends in the rural fire service and national parks industries. They took us ashore at Wangi Wangi to do a little shopping then we went aboard their boat for a chat. We then left and went back to Summerland Point.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jexw0E8rBcc/U04IYQuISGI/AAAAAAAAGDA/OA-09KUgdpQ/s1600/AR+at+Wangi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jexw0E8rBcc/U04IYQuISGI/AAAAAAAAGDA/OA-09KUgdpQ/s1600/AR+at+Wangi.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>('Alana Rose' on the public mooring at Wangi Wangi)</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yVLnrHopT5Y/U04IfR_8zJI/AAAAAAAAGDU/NdgOWOG905A/s1600/Nancy+&+Shelly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yVLnrHopT5Y/U04IfR_8zJI/AAAAAAAAGDU/NdgOWOG905A/s1600/Nancy+&+Shelly.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Nancy and friend Shelly)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LX2O-HBRy7E/U04MXywSaNI/AAAAAAAAGD4/PBwUzzWtPYc/s1600/wangi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LX2O-HBRy7E/U04MXywSaNI/AAAAAAAAGD4/PBwUzzWtPYc/s1600/wangi.jpg" height="96" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>(the dock at Wangi Wangi)</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0PZWR3QIcWw/U04IhzmCFtI/AAAAAAAAGDk/wLhP0ui8zqk/s1600/Sailing+the+lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0PZWR3QIcWw/U04IhzmCFtI/AAAAAAAAGDk/wLhP0ui8zqk/s1600/Sailing+the+lake.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i>(Yachts on the lake)</i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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Wednesday - 02/04/2014</div>
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Got going early this morning doing a water run and then the
washing.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R0rqJF3MP_w/U04IhCGIgAI/AAAAAAAAGDc/RJKZeM08IyU/s1600/Red+morning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R0rqJF3MP_w/U04IhCGIgAI/AAAAAAAAGDc/RJKZeM08IyU/s1600/Red+morning.jpg" height="188" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(A red morning at Summerland Point)</i></div>
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Today was an outing day Brian was taking us for a drive. We
are starting to research our proposed next life after sailing which we are not
sure when it will be but we will move on one day off the water. Health
permitting we are looking at land travel so we are researching motor homes and
since there is the state of NSW largest motor home outlet at Bennets Green not
that far away Brian took us there for a look. I have always been a planner at
heart I started researching catamarans and sailing 8 years before we purchased
Alana Rose. One has to plan as we are not getting younger.</div>
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We had a good day and we have identified what we are
actually looking for as far as size and style so we will be looking at other
makes and models in the future. We had a massive lunch at one of the hotels
before heading to do some shopping and heading back to the House house and then
the boat. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C_NZGvbljiE/U04MYOEXj-I/AAAAAAAAGD8/ZyeHPFSdVfU/s1600/Sunset+on+the+lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C_NZGvbljiE/U04MYOEXj-I/AAAAAAAAGD8/ZyeHPFSdVfU/s1600/Sunset+on+the+lake.jpg" height="186" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Another lovely sunset)</i></div>
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Thursday - 03/04/2014</div>
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We have other friends arriving today, more ex-navy friends
Carol and Mal who live at Victor Harbour SA, they are arriving at Colleen's
this afternoon so we are heading up there for the evening and catch up. It will
also be our farewell as we will head to Swansea Bridge tomorrow at high tide
and go through the bridge and pick up a mooring for the night.</div>
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It was a good night catching up and having a nice dinner
with good friends and then it was time to say goodbye again.</div>
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Friday - 04/04/2014</div>
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We got ready to leave although no hurry, we have booked the
bridge opening for midday, we thought we might get a sail but it was short
lived as a light rain moved in killing any wind, we arrived at the bridge at
1125 hours picked up a mooring and waited for the bridge opening. Once through
the bridge we picked up another mooring on the outside and just spent a quiet
time for the day and night.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8_YsOgpgLn8/U04NP03282I/AAAAAAAAGEM/VTLMg6vAJe8/s1600/Leaving+the+lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8_YsOgpgLn8/U04NP03282I/AAAAAAAAGEM/VTLMg6vAJe8/s1600/Leaving+the+lake.jpg" height="186" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Leaving the lake)</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OFZX4gZMY_k/U04NPjD481I/AAAAAAAAGEI/rfsdEWjxlUg/s1600/Bridge+open.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OFZX4gZMY_k/U04NPjD481I/AAAAAAAAGEI/rfsdEWjxlUg/s1600/Bridge+open.jpg" height="196" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We like Lake Macquarie it is well organised with many public
docks (2 hour limit) that has pump out stations for the black water (toilet
holding tanks water) and fresh water supplies, a local chart can be purchased
from boating places and some newsagents around the lake. All these services are
supplied by the local councils and there is no charge for their use. There are
a number of public moorings around the lake that have a 24 hour limit these are
pink in colour and are usually found where they are trying to protect sea
grasses. You are not allowed to anchor in some shallow waters where there is seagrass.</div>
<br />
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Cheers</div>
John Jenkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02474048972412245226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3924608710329509887.post-25096651553111699142014-04-14T08:45:00.001+10:002014-04-14T08:45:10.067+10:00Sydney<div class="MsoNormal">
Thursday - 20/03/2014</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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As we neared Long Bay the wind vanished and the sea glassed
out, we entered Sydney Heads and into the harbour, Nancy contacted Janet at
RANSA (Royal Australian Navy Sailing Association) to see if we could pop in and
say hello, Janet said we could come alongside the dock. RANSA is in Rushcutters
Bay , we arrived there and Janet was there to help us tie up, we went inside
and had a chat and bought a new burgee. We also dropped some books into their
library before leaving. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-53wk8LJxWc4/U0sGrFJtqzI/AAAAAAAAF9Q/9mtW8CYN77I/s1600/01+Syd+Hbr+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-53wk8LJxWc4/U0sGrFJtqzI/AAAAAAAAF9Q/9mtW8CYN77I/s1600/01+Syd+Hbr+1.jpg" height="195" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(One of the outstanding lights on the harbour)</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DG_PtI93Paw/U0sGuN2NjtI/AAAAAAAAF9k/ohcXnhq-L38/s1600/01+Young+Endeavour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DG_PtI93Paw/U0sGuN2NjtI/AAAAAAAAF9k/ohcXnhq-L38/s1600/01+Young+Endeavour.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Passing 'Young Endeavour' as we enter the harbour)</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BwcsQ5cprTg/U0sGwltNbfI/AAAAAAAAF9s/K5h9FF7B9QY/s1600/02+RANSA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BwcsQ5cprTg/U0sGwltNbfI/AAAAAAAAF9s/K5h9FF7B9QY/s1600/02+RANSA.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Inside RANSA, in my early days in the Navy this used to be HMAS Rushcutter and was used by the clearance divers, still the old shed it used to be makes it unique, Nancy at the exchange book library)</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L4KZ4OQrsT8/U0sGtJ03RtI/AAAAAAAAF9c/CPfKFB04kso/s1600/01+Syd+Hbr+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L4KZ4OQrsT8/U0sGtJ03RtI/AAAAAAAAF9c/CPfKFB04kso/s1600/01+Syd+Hbr+2.jpg" height="203" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(The 'Coat Hanger', the Sydney Harbour Bridge, one of the many sea planes in top left there are a number of them around the harbour)</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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We left there and headed further up the harbour under the
coat hanger, Sydney Harbour Bridge, and went on to White Bay where No. ^ dock
is where there is a fuel base to top up with fuel. It is a 24 hour self service, however,
although the machine accepts all banking cards if you are not registered with
Baileys you have to get the attendant to authorise the sale, we just phoned the
number on the machine and he came straight away.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X-wYfyGhXfE/U0sJBT1Oh5I/AAAAAAAAF90/v0Nvb4J3k6A/s1600/03+Syd+Hbr+GI+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X-wYfyGhXfE/U0sJBT1Oh5I/AAAAAAAAF90/v0Nvb4J3k6A/s1600/03+Syd+Hbr+GI+1.jpg" height="161" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(North side of Garden Island Dockyard and No 1 & 2 mooring buoys, this place used to be packed with naval ships now many of them are stationed around Australia and at the other Garden Island in Western Australia)</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IUro36lVhlE/U0sJCkcojaI/AAAAAAAAF-I/PY7_nSUiI-A/s1600/03+Syd+Hbr+GI+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IUro36lVhlE/U0sJCkcojaI/AAAAAAAAF-I/PY7_nSUiI-A/s1600/03+Syd+Hbr+GI+2.jpg" height="172" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Garden Island Dockyard the new commissioned HMAS Canberra is in the background)</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3w6fOoZvZ6s/U0sJFdXZyyI/AAAAAAAAF-Q/AaLOEi6MNgk/s1600/04+Fort+Denison.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3w6fOoZvZ6s/U0sJFdXZyyI/AAAAAAAAF-Q/AaLOEi6MNgk/s1600/04+Fort+Denison.jpg" height="201" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Fort Dennison in the middle of the harbour convicts were put on this island in the early days for solitary confinement)</i><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cZuJE7cB2Z0/U0sLP5uowRI/AAAAAAAAF-o/tznIjpKDORk/s1600/04+Sydney+Opera+House.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cZuJE7cB2Z0/U0sLP5uowRI/AAAAAAAAF-o/tznIjpKDORk/s1600/04+Sydney+Opera+House.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(The Sydney Opera House)</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yzTCKdcfcaE/U0sLPYOOOiI/AAAAAAAAF-k/BvEbIOoFvD8/s1600/04+Circular+Quay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yzTCKdcfcaE/U0sLPYOOOiI/AAAAAAAAF-k/BvEbIOoFvD8/s1600/04+Circular+Quay.jpg" height="164" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Circular Quay where the Sydney Ferries operate from and the city behind, in the 1960's the AMP building third from left was the tallest building in Sydney)</i></div>
<i><br /></i></div>
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We left there and headed to Athol Bay near Taronga Park Zoo
and picked up a mooring, they are supposed to be a 4 hour limit but by the time
the 4 hours is up it will be near sunset so we will stay overnight.</div>
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We watched a lovely sunset and the night lights of Sydney .<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xOjEFydP_a4/U0sN9XnqKLI/AAAAAAAAF-8/UW7YbHLbQHM/s1600/05+Syd+Hbr+sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xOjEFydP_a4/U0sN9XnqKLI/AAAAAAAAF-8/UW7YbHLbQHM/s1600/05+Syd+Hbr+sunset.jpg" height="232" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(Sydney sunset from Athol Bay)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yv3gWwlgS30/U0sOGqndW_I/AAAAAAAAF_c/1SOLFgYq9EQ/s1600/05+Twilight+Sydney+Hbr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yv3gWwlgS30/U0sOGqndW_I/AAAAAAAAF_c/1SOLFgYq9EQ/s1600/05+Twilight+Sydney+Hbr.jpg" height="171" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wWB0YAWQ2_o/U0sN-0KKchI/AAAAAAAAF_E/osNeVWije-k/s1600/05+Sydney+Hbr+Bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wWB0YAWQ2_o/U0sN-0KKchI/AAAAAAAAF_E/osNeVWije-k/s1600/05+Sydney+Hbr+Bridge.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ARb6mYZWzyI/U0sOFGufclI/AAAAAAAAF_U/9QjygJrvwPk/s1600/05+Sydney+sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ARb6mYZWzyI/U0sOFGufclI/AAAAAAAAF_U/9QjygJrvwPk/s1600/05+Sydney+sunset.jpg" height="137" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0AP2yvNxAI/U0sODpM3iwI/AAAAAAAAF_M/jzFZEolc0XU/s1600/05+Sydney+by+night.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0AP2yvNxAI/U0sODpM3iwI/AAAAAAAAF_M/jzFZEolc0XU/s1600/05+Sydney+by+night.jpg" height="170" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>(Night lights of Sydney)</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
</div>
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Friday - 21/03/2014</div>
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A beautiful morning on the harbour the ferries starting
their runs and other ship movement, earlier before light we awoke to a noise
which was a passenger liner arriving with all its bright lights shining across
the water.</div>
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After breakfast we slipped the mooring and headed for the
Spit Bridge with its first opening being 1015 hours.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PKJ-SMSvTfU/U0sN6bd3NPI/AAAAAAAAF-0/8nhYrHHEIPs/s1600/05+Passenger+liner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PKJ-SMSvTfU/U0sN6bd3NPI/AAAAAAAAF-0/8nhYrHHEIPs/s1600/05+Passenger+liner.jpg" height="186" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>(Passenger ship arrives early in the morning)</i></div>
<br />
The sun had gone behind
the clouds and the wind picked up a little. We were lucky enough to pick up one
of the moorings at the bridge to wait out the opening once through the bridge
we headed to Sugarloaf Bay and hoped one of the moorings were free. As we went
along looking at some of the waterfront homes, they must be worth a fortune.
Houses on the lower levers have stairs from the road at the top some have a
spiral staircase. They would have to be
very fit people climbing those steps every day.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A7OFQf7OqTw/U0sPWUaLOWI/AAAAAAAAF_o/hB4DWryN8vQ/s1600/Spit+Bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A7OFQf7OqTw/U0sPWUaLOWI/AAAAAAAAF_o/hB4DWryN8vQ/s1600/Spit+Bridge.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(The Spit Bridge in Middle Harbour)</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XJ83Cl6Y22A/U0sPY85bEII/AAAAAAAAF_0/ocZu033ocNc/s1600/Spit+Bridge2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XJ83Cl6Y22A/U0sPY85bEII/AAAAAAAAF_0/ocZu033ocNc/s1600/Spit+Bridge2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(A yacht ahead of use making the approach to the bridge waiting for the green light)</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m0wWcqUTjKo/U0sPY5E96XI/AAAAAAAAF_w/yPWMWgkdw_Y/s1600/Spit+Bridge3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m0wWcqUTjKo/U0sPY5E96XI/AAAAAAAAF_w/yPWMWgkdw_Y/s1600/Spit+Bridge3.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Our mast as we go through the bridge opening)</i></div>
<br /></div>
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We arrived at Sugarloaf Bay and fortunately there was one
mooring available the other three were taken. These moorings are 24 hour use
times. The bay is very nice, quiet with some homes but mainly National Park
Lands. Being Friday a few other boats arrived and anchored overnight. We had a
quiet time aboard.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Saturday - 22/03/2014</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We headed for the d'Abora Marina by the Spit Bridge, the
only marina that had space for us and a very expensive marina at $175 per
night. We needed to go into a marina to give the boat a good clean and so that
Nancy's sister could visit us. They do provide a good service at the marina
there were two young men waiting to help dock us and the person in charge was
very helpful.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As soon as we settled I started scrubbing the boat and Nancy
headed for the laundry, we had just both finished as Nancy's sister Marge
arrived and we had lunch at the cafe at the marina. Marge left after a couple
of hours and I went for a Nanna nap. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Later we went for a walk and called into Plonk Beach Cafe,
(don't know what attracted me to the place), we sat and had a refreshing drink
a nibble of sour dough bread and balsamic and olive oil before heading back to
the boat for dinner.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sunday - 23/03/2014</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We had breakfast whilst listening to Macca on Australia All
Over had showers and got ready to be picked up by two lovely friends, John and
Kim Chong at 0900 hours. They had offered to pick us up and take us shopping
and then we were going for lunch.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They arrived and after hellos as we have not seen them for 4
years we headed for Chatswood shopping centre, we got the shopping done and
went back and unloaded it on the boat then we set off for lunch, Kim had picked
out a Tai Restaurant for lunch which was very nice, we chatted and caught up
with the times. After lunch we went to John and Kim's home, they have this
large unit on the edge of The Rocks area and from their 23 floor you can see
the harbour up towards Cockatoo Island, the bridge and the Luna Park and where
the passenger liners berth at Circular Quay. The units have their own gym and
swimming pool on the second floor, very nice.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--ydUvwAEwmc/U0sQWtTzWMI/AAAAAAAAGAI/8rlbulfSWJc/s1600/John+and+Kim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--ydUvwAEwmc/U0sQWtTzWMI/AAAAAAAAGAI/8rlbulfSWJc/s1600/John+and+Kim.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(Lovely couple John and Kim where we had lunch at a Thai Restaurant) </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D6zqYQJ7rLE/U0sQbNdlbRI/AAAAAAAAGAY/MIp6EH7XvP0/s1600/The+Rocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D6zqYQJ7rLE/U0sQbNdlbRI/AAAAAAAAGAY/MIp6EH7XvP0/s1600/The+Rocks.jpg" height="162" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Pictures of The Rocks area as we walked to the Orient Hotel for dinner)</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n0EeRE-CgLg/U0sQWOK4JdI/AAAAAAAAGAA/JLOJUfrXw_U/s1600/Diner+at+Orient+Hotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n0EeRE-CgLg/U0sQWOK4JdI/AAAAAAAAGAA/JLOJUfrXw_U/s1600/Diner+at+Orient+Hotel.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>(Eating again with John and Kim they organised dinner at the Orient Hotel)</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DFbPzeR4J7Y/U0sRgToGJEI/AAAAAAAAGAk/iLhgQ0Y1DCo/s1600/Old+and+New.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DFbPzeR4J7Y/U0sRgToGJEI/AAAAAAAAGAk/iLhgQ0Y1DCo/s1600/Old+and+New.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>(The old and the new in The Rocks, John and Kim's unit is on the 23rd floor)</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rzV_tzdcP8M/U0sQXeEGJ8I/AAAAAAAAGAM/McZi9H8Dhb0/s1600/Night+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rzV_tzdcP8M/U0sQXeEGJ8I/AAAAAAAAGAM/McZi9H8Dhb0/s1600/Night+view.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(The night view from John and Kim's unit)</i></div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kim and John had also organised to go out to dinner and took
us along to The Orient Hotel in The Rocks which is a splendid old hotel. We had
a great dinner and after went back to John and Kim's for coffee before
returning on board. Thank you John and Kim for a wonderful day and spoiling us.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N45T8o6Hmrc/U0sSWYTmh7I/AAAAAAAAGBM/xZ-Iokg9ux4/s1600/Us+at+Bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N45T8o6Hmrc/U0sSWYTmh7I/AAAAAAAAGBM/xZ-Iokg9ux4/s1600/Us+at+Bridge.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(Nancy and I having our photo taken by John on the north shore)</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ol6uVqxsliU/U0sSN4KqRkI/AAAAAAAAGA0/qMx9ubdXq_w/s1600/Sydney+memorial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ol6uVqxsliU/U0sSN4KqRkI/AAAAAAAAGA0/qMx9ubdXq_w/s1600/Sydney+memorial.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(HMAS Sydney WW1 Memorial)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3Y_DPW_ah0E/U0sSOJ3TCCI/AAAAAAAAGA4/Fvnn_Sy07PM/s1600/Sydney+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3Y_DPW_ah0E/U0sSOJ3TCCI/AAAAAAAAGA4/Fvnn_Sy07PM/s1600/Sydney+2.jpg" height="168" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(The old dock areas being converted to units)</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b4wGWkX4fpU/U0sSSYK-B1I/AAAAAAAAGBE/XLITA85zUJE/s1600/Sydney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b4wGWkX4fpU/U0sSSYK-B1I/AAAAAAAAGBE/XLITA85zUJE/s1600/Sydney.jpg" height="166" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(Another view of Sydney)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZE2GHUbmLak/U0sSMHMJTtI/AAAAAAAAGAs/Ig-2FuKLquw/s1600/Opera+House.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZE2GHUbmLak/U0sSMHMJTtI/AAAAAAAAGAs/Ig-2FuKLquw/s1600/Opera+House.jpg" height="167" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(Sydney Opera House from the north shore)</i></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Monday - 24/03/2014</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We had some time before we could go as the bridge opening is
at 1015 hours during the week that is the earliest time, so we filled the water
tanks rinsed the boat off and did last minute things and had a shower before
leaving. At 1015 hours we went through
the bridge and headed out to Sydney Harbour Heads and turned north.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cheers</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
John Jenkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02474048972412245226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3924608710329509887.post-82176130189526534832014-04-11T14:50:00.002+10:002014-04-11T14:50:36.390+10:00Eden to Sydney via Jervis Bay and Crookhaven<div class="MsoNormal">
Wednesday - 12/03/2014</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We set off at 0710 hours after waiting for the wind to
change we will have a tail wind going north which is not always good for us but
a lot better than being on the nose. As we progressed further north the winds
strengthened . Two other yachts followed us out of Eden these being monohulls worked
the wind a little better than us. One of the yachts was 'Honey Bee' the other
was a French yacht. These yachts were wing on wing where we just relied on our headsail.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tCQrksd0__k/U0dsaW_vKrI/AAAAAAAAF6s/P2dLo8kCX3I/s1600/Honey+Bee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tCQrksd0__k/U0dsaW_vKrI/AAAAAAAAF6s/P2dLo8kCX3I/s1600/Honey+Bee.jpg" height="186" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>('Honey Bee' and I think the French yacht working hard with the wind)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2yB3QDYInuU/U0dsZ4s0d-I/AAAAAAAAF6o/hRU9vaxeFRM/s1600/AR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2yB3QDYInuU/U0dsZ4s0d-I/AAAAAAAAF6o/hRU9vaxeFRM/s1600/AR.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>('Alana Rose' under headsail, photo taken by Peter on 'Honey Bee')</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The seas were getting a little lumpy but not too bad, we
reached Batemans Bay late in the night 'Honey Bee' turned in to the entrance
but we continued on, not having an anchor winch and not having been to Batemans
Bay before I did not want to get myself in a position where we anchored and
then for some reason had to move quickly, the fact is once the anchor is down
we can't move quickly it can take up to 20 minutes to bring the anchor up by
manual system.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We sailed through the night and entered Jervis Bay at first
light, as we were going to get strong NE winds for the next few days we decided
to go to the north of Jervis Bay to Callala Bay, if we are lucky we may be able
to pick up a public mooring. It has been many years since I have been in Jervis
Bay, I think the last time may have been in 1967 on HMAS Attack.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thursday - 13/03/2014</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As we approached Callala Bay we contacted VMR to let them
know we had arrived and we asked them about the moorings, they gave us the
Lat/Long for its location and we found it amongst other moored yachts, it is a
large pink coloured buoy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A friend Simon informed me that some insurance companies
will not insure your yacht on these moorings, Club Marine is one of these.
Fortunately we are with Panteanius and we are covered. The problem is that this
bay is not protected against any southerly winds and they are some of the
strongest winds in this area, we have all heard of the "Southerly Buster
" that comes up the NSW coast. It is always best to check with your
insurance company or read your policy thoroughly to see what you are covered
for. Club Marine have got a few areas where they will not cover insurance on
moorings. When we arrived at Callala Bay there was one yacht already on its
side on the beach where it had come off a mooring in the winds yesterday.
Fortunately it was not a large yacht and it was retrieved by sailing club
members at high tide.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These moorings are regularly inspected it is just the
holding and the high winds from the south whip up quite a bit along the open
waters of Jervis Bay.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once we were secured on the mooring we had a feed a shower
and a rest. Nancy contacted her brother and sister that live about 25 minutes
away and Keith came to visit in the afternoon and tomorrow Phyllis and Ernie
will pick us up and take us out to their place.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Callala Bay has a small jetty that has fresh water tap
nearby along with a boat ramp, toilets, rubbish bins and a BBQ area. It is
about a ten minute walk from the jetty to the small shopping centre that has
just about everything. There is a hardware store that is packed with all sorts
of goodies and does gas bottle top ups, close by is a Cafe, be warned do not
order a hamburger and chips unless you are really hungry, I was about to order
a burger with the lot and the lady that owns the shop talked me out of it, so I
got the plain burger and could hardly finish that, the chips were left on the
plate. Very nice and plentiful. There is a Post Office, Bakery, IGA
supermarket, Coffee Shop, Fish and Chip Shop, Pizza Restaurant for evenings,
Hairdressers, Newsagents, and many Real estate offices.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dIQFBMmEbWY/U0dtu4wFVUI/AAAAAAAAF64/-f1YgXOaa5o/s1600/Callala+Bay+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dIQFBMmEbWY/U0dtu4wFVUI/AAAAAAAAF64/-f1YgXOaa5o/s1600/Callala+Bay+3.jpg" height="71" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>(Jetty and boat ramp at Callala Bay)</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CQT823ychck/U0dtv4N2b6I/AAAAAAAAF7I/bgyAC-VUrJE/s1600/Callala+Bay+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CQT823ychck/U0dtv4N2b6I/AAAAAAAAF7I/bgyAC-VUrJE/s1600/Callala+Bay+2.jpg" height="102" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>(Callala Bay)</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nancy's brother Keith came over in the afternoon and we
spent some time with him, Keith lives in Nowra and is writing his third book,
he is retired but helps out at the local museum. We had a quiet night aboard
watching the water Police carry out some exercise.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Friday - 14/03/2014</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nancy's sister Phyllis and partner Ernie picked us up in the
morning and we called into Keith's house and then all went for lunch at the RSL
club, then we went to Phyl and Ernie's place for the afternoon before coming back
to the boat. We had a good drive around the countryside. We returned on board
for a quiet evening.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Saturday - 15/03/2014</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Very quiet day did a water run and washing. Went for a walk
into the shopping centre and had coffee and a look around.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iNMU_wXpu1U/U0dwOSlelgI/AAAAAAAAF70/rImf4471038/s1600/Sunset+Callala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iNMU_wXpu1U/U0dwOSlelgI/AAAAAAAAF70/rImf4471038/s1600/Sunset+Callala.jpg" height="192" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>(Sunrise at Callala Bay)</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X0_TbxWBku4/U0dtwEB8cbI/AAAAAAAAF7M/yKKFFx3GzLA/s1600/Callala+bay+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X0_TbxWBku4/U0dtwEB8cbI/AAAAAAAAF7M/yKKFFx3GzLA/s1600/Callala+bay+4.jpg" height="101" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>(Callala Bay nice sunny day)</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D8r45ASe2OQ/U0dwMTI6LSI/AAAAAAAAF7s/OktGXpDYonA/s1600/Stingray+Callala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D8r45ASe2OQ/U0dwMTI6LSI/AAAAAAAAF7s/OktGXpDYonA/s1600/Stingray+Callala.jpg" height="124" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>(Stingray near the jetty, the jetty is its home)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OYDwF9B8Nmo/U0dwL9sDV4I/AAAAAAAAF7g/aOA3yZeOYco/s1600/Police+boat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OYDwF9B8Nmo/U0dwL9sDV4I/AAAAAAAAF7g/aOA3yZeOYco/s1600/Police+boat.jpg" height="199" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>(Water Police appear to be doing exercises)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nhh3OlyA6fM/U0dwMiKxW4I/AAAAAAAAF7w/Jo6pwXm0sAk/s1600/Evening+sky+Callala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nhh3OlyA6fM/U0dwMiKxW4I/AAAAAAAAF7w/Jo6pwXm0sAk/s1600/Evening+sky+Callala.jpg" height="166" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>(Evening sky at Callala Bay)</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sunday - 16/03/2014</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another quiet day had a visit from an ex-work colleague
Simon May, Simon is the one we missed seeing in Batemans Bay he brought us a
nice bottle of red wine, he said he did not know what our stocks were like.
Thanks Simon, very nice mate it is a shame we did not get to see Tracey but one
day we will catch up again. I picked
Simon up in the dinghy and he came over for coffee and a chat.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After Simon left we went for a walk then checked the
weather, the seas are still well up around the 3-4 metres and winds from the
north it looks like Tuesday if we leave early in the morning we may be able to
head up to Greenwell Point at Crookhaven before the north winds strengthen
later in the day.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tuesday - 18/03/2014</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We set sail at 0315 hours under a moon lit night with light
winds. As we exited Jervis Bay the waves picked up a little after changing
course north the waves started to rebound off the cliff faces and this is the
norm for this area so it is a little uncomfortable when close to the land. A
couple of fishing boats were well lit up and working. Some fishing boats have
their floodlights on but they don't always have their navigation lights on this
often makes it difficult to guess the direction they are heading as the
floodlights are on each side and on the stern
and even if they have the navigation lights on they are difficult to
identify against the bright lights so it is always the best to give them a wide
berth.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M8HvYl4MpRY/U0dxVr9eYqI/AAAAAAAAF8I/anI3c17Q4i4/s1600/Sunrise+near+Crookhaven.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M8HvYl4MpRY/U0dxVr9eYqI/AAAAAAAAF8I/anI3c17Q4i4/s1600/Sunrise+near+Crookhaven.jpg" height="187" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>(Sunrise as we approach Crookhaven)</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As we neared Crookhaven I found that there were many small
boats out fishing not many of these had any lights on whatsoever, it was just
on first light and they were hard to identify. There were more than a dozen
boats out there and more coming out as it was near high tide when the fish
bite.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We entered Crookhaven and made our way up to Greenwell Point
and anchored behind 'Honey Bee' where
Peter and Chris had anchored after coming up from Batemans Bay.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DrgyspWRHdQ/U0dxU0Rk1LI/AAAAAAAAF8A/v0vSeuVzlVI/s1600/Crookhaven+River.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DrgyspWRHdQ/U0dxU0Rk1LI/AAAAAAAAF8A/v0vSeuVzlVI/s1600/Crookhaven+River.jpg" height="108" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>(The Crookhaven River)</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Later in the morning we headed ashore and on the way called
in to see Peter and Chris, Peter said it is a nice place here but he would be
pleased to leave because of all the small motor boats, they go passed at full
speed and rock the hell out of all the anchored boats. We will be both heading
out tomorrow.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We went ashore and had lunch at a small restaurant, very
nice seafood platter for two. There are a couple of eateries here and a small
shopping village with small supermarket and Post Office. There is also a
swimming pool and outside are showers and toilets.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The anchorage is quite good holding and the river has a
strong flow so basically we turn with the flow of the tide, the small boats do
go by at full speed but not really a worry to us in our catamaran, we rock a
little but not to concern us but a monohull does rock a little more.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wednesday - 19/03/2014</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We headed out at first light at 0550 hours at first the
winds were light and we hoisted the sails and motor sailed for a short time
until the winds kicked in we are expecting some strong southerly winds. We had
a good sail north sometime after we left we saw the sails of 'Honey Bee' but this time they did not catch up to us we
sailed wing on wing and was sailing at a good speed.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IzuD3Fx9qd4/U0dyE-vX7BI/AAAAAAAAF8c/BGoUW_6n0rQ/s1600/wing+on+wing+to+Port+Hacking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IzuD3Fx9qd4/U0dyE-vX7BI/AAAAAAAAF8c/BGoUW_6n0rQ/s1600/wing+on+wing+to+Port+Hacking.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>(Winging it with a strong tail wind to Port Hacking)</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rqopHIDNiCo/U0dyEIk-KpI/AAAAAAAAF8Q/2NLMeW21GWw/s1600/Gunnamatta+Bay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rqopHIDNiCo/U0dyEIk-KpI/AAAAAAAAF8Q/2NLMeW21GWw/s1600/Gunnamatta+Bay.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Entering Gunnamatta Bay)</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YLA12mtIrts/U0dyE5cb6kI/AAAAAAAAF8Y/VpS0Ld_U1tY/s1600/Gunnamatta+Bay+Cronulla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YLA12mtIrts/U0dyE5cb6kI/AAAAAAAAF8Y/VpS0Ld_U1tY/s1600/Gunnamatta+Bay+Cronulla.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Gunnamatta Bay and Cronulla)</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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We arrived at Gunnamatta Bay, Port Hacking at 1450 hours and
picked up a friend Barry's mooring which is very handy when the anchor winch is
broken. When Barry came home from work we went ashore to meet him and we went
to the Cronulla RSL club for dinner with some of his friends. This club has
recently been renovated and it is a beautiful club and very nice meals. The
view over the beach and sea is terrific.</div>
<br />
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We returned on board and got ready for another early start
tomorrow.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thursday - 20/03/2014</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well we did not get away until after breakfast there is
little wind, we let go of the mooring at 0715 hours and made our way out the
channel and out to sea, we hoisted the mainsail as we left the narrow
channel as we may get some assistance
from it but it looks like another motor day.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oElfLu2Veus/U0dzdvAVsEI/AAAAAAAAF8o/pI6v4wB-5cA/s1600/Gunnamatta+passage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oElfLu2Veus/U0dzdvAVsEI/AAAAAAAAF8o/pI6v4wB-5cA/s1600/Gunnamatta+passage.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(The boat sheds that are along the narrow channel into Gunnamatta Bay)</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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We passed Botany Bay, Captain Cook would not recognise it if he were alive today in fact I hardly recognised it, my last time here was on HMAS Moresby as we participated in the Cook landing enactment in 1970 we were the escort for Britannia. Botany Bay is now Sydney's main shipping port.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_dc9iJuUD0w/U0dzer7x-gI/AAAAAAAAF80/339ckQS5D6g/s1600/Near+Sydney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_dc9iJuUD0w/U0dzer7x-gI/AAAAAAAAF80/339ckQS5D6g/s1600/Near+Sydney.jpg" height="225" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Nearing Sydney Heads looking at some of these homes atop of rock cliffs that may fall one day)</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lMoTeZ4g5GE/U0dzefkxRXI/AAAAAAAAF8w/s7gqZqXkv0c/s1600/Sydney+Heads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lMoTeZ4g5GE/U0dzefkxRXI/AAAAAAAAF8w/s7gqZqXkv0c/s1600/Sydney+Heads.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Approaching Sydney Heads)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HdJvr2Vmk8w/U0dzgml-FlI/AAAAAAAAF9A/f4kZMDk_IFI/s1600/The+coathanger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HdJvr2Vmk8w/U0dzgml-FlI/AAAAAAAAF9A/f4kZMDk_IFI/s1600/The+coathanger.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(The Coat Hanger, Sydney Harbour Bridge)</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>Cheers.</i></div>
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<br /></div>
John Jenkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02474048972412245226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3924608710329509887.post-59759348350072583282014-03-29T09:36:00.002+10:002014-03-29T09:36:48.891+10:00Flinders Island to Eden<div class="MsoNormal">
Wednesday - 05/03/2014</div>
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As I mentioned in my last scribbles that we left the dock at
1700 hours and drifted in the harbour of Lady Baron to stow fenders, fender
boards and ropes ready for sea. The local Police Officer Matt had given me some
information regarding exiting the bar on the eastern side, and that was to
favour the red side slightly as the bar has moved, he said we would see it when
we got out there and we did. Where the leads indicate the waves are breaking
quite well but just to the port side on exiting there is calm reasonably water
which we went through and some as shallow as 3 metres.</div>
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It is a fair way out to the sand bar but the ebbing tide
pushed us along at 9 knots. When got out there the predicted ESE winds of 10-15
knots was there which pleased me
although I am expecting a short burst of strong easterlies later tonight for a
short period.</div>
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We passed Babel Island at a good distance just on dark and
dolphins came out for a play at the front of the boat then the night settled in
and a dark night no moon. Then the wind changed to ENE and came in strong 20-25
knots. I checked Meteye on the net and it still indicates we should be getting
ESE 15 knots. As we went on the winds got stronger and eventually we had 35
knots and the waves standing up quite a lot, to get any benefit from the sails
I had to change course to head for the Victorian coast, I figured if we had
this wind all the way when we got close to the coast we could then change
course and the wind may not be as strong.</div>
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Come the time of change of watch I did not wake Nancy, it
was a little scary for me out here, it would be very scary for her to be here
and besides I would not sleep worrying about her out here. Nancy got up a
couple of times and I told her to go back to bed. She finally took the watch at
first light, things had calmed down some we now had 20-25 knot winds still from
the same direction and very uncomfortable. It is not often in a catamaran we
lose books and stuff off shelves but we did last night.</div>
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Thursday - 06/03/2014</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The day brought rain squalls and strong winds but not as bad
as last night, I am on my third set of clothes the others being very wet. Last
night we had waves coming over the top of the boat as we crashed into them. I
was looking out the side checking for any other ships when one wave hit and I
ducked under cover, thinking I was smart that the wave missed me I stuck my
head out again just as the boat rolled and all the water on top of the bimini
went down the back of my neck. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are still get water over the bows and spray over the top
occasionally but today the rain is coming in with it. We kept our normal
watches today and I got a bit of sleep, we still have today and tonight to go
before we get to Eden. We are still on the same course for the Victorian coast
and hoping for the wind to give us some favour tonight when we get close to it.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyghuMZW89ICxrcB9-8cKh9mLs0HnqZ_CijHDywAIJPnNp7XmOJDiXNzq9Mi_oZ6lN7VDLFE1lgKJq-i71AOA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<i>(This short video is of the second day from Flinders Island when things had settled a little)</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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On these overnight runs Nancy always makes a big pot of stew
or alike in the Shuttle Chef, so we have plenty to eat and can grab a feed
whenever we feel a bit hungry. The food also warms you when it is cold and it
is cold.</div>
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Friday - 07/03/2014</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The weather has not changed but at least now the predictions
are showing what we are getting in fact that did occur yesterday morning to be
fair. As I mentioned before weather this time of year in Bass Strait is very
unpredictable with so many low pressures over the mainland.</div>
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The sad fact is that we are not going to get any change in
the weather until we start heading north for Eden so we have to stay on course
for the Victorian coast and then change to an eastward course when we are a few
miles off and bash into these east winds until we can turn north.</div>
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I change to the eastward course during my watch after 0400
hours and was pleased to change course northward some two and half hours later,
daylight came and although there were a few squalls the sea was calmer than it
had been it poured rain for a few minutes at a time as the squalls came by us.
After the squalls the seas settled and we just motored along into Eden. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WpLNReQJmQU/UzX6bWXg3fI/AAAAAAAAF3I/T9fEL7mOW4o/s1600/Cape+Green.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WpLNReQJmQU/UzX6bWXg3fI/AAAAAAAAF3I/T9fEL7mOW4o/s1600/Cape+Green.jpg" height="176" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Cape Green as the rain squall goes by)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r2qQaEQF-Dg/UzX6ctkDtAI/AAAAAAAAF3Q/fhrQcZ6bu7A/s1600/Cape+Green+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r2qQaEQF-Dg/UzX6ctkDtAI/AAAAAAAAF3Q/fhrQcZ6bu7A/s1600/Cape+Green+2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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We arrived at Eden at 1130 hours going alongside the dock
for a couple of days.</div>
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<br /></div>
<h1>
Eden</h1>
<div class="MsoNormal">
07/03/2014 cont.....</div>
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It is quite a long
approach into Eden and it is rather a
large harbour taking in the different bays, we had contacted the harbour master
to go alongside the dock, unfortunately it is on the side that has the swell
pushing us onto the dock but conditions were good at this time, the cost of the
dock is $25 per day for vessels of out length. Again the dock has pylons so the
fender boards were required and we have
to watch the tide levels with the length of docking lines. We soon learned to
also take an anchor 45⁰ off the bow away
from the wharf naturally. We did this by me lowering the dinghy and taking our
large Bruce anchor out and dropping it in the appropriate spot and then
tensioning the anchor rope this helps to hold the boat off the dock.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ClGzCAH4KVg/UzX7kZfQgTI/AAAAAAAAF3c/BUeBKwT_p7k/s1600/AR+alongside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ClGzCAH4KVg/UzX7kZfQgTI/AAAAAAAAF3c/BUeBKwT_p7k/s1600/AR+alongside.jpg" height="223" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Alana Rose alongside Eden Dock)</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kLryMqRzCqo/UzX7lNx3ZPI/AAAAAAAAF3o/JRXe0qPU7o4/s1600/dockside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kLryMqRzCqo/UzX7lNx3ZPI/AAAAAAAAF3o/JRXe0qPU7o4/s1600/dockside.jpg" height="225" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Fisherman behind us repairing nets)</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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Just after we got settled a fishing boat came along the
other side of the dock from us and people started arriving, one of the guys
wives told us that they go out getting prawns and when they get alongside they
cook them and sell them from the boat as well as to the fish shops. So that is
what we had for lunch, 1Kg of cooked prawns as fresh as $20. A nice lunch of
beer and prawns.</div>
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Fortunately the harbour master told us to get settled if we
did not catch him today see him Monday, by the time we went for a walk ashore
he had gone home so Monday it was.</div>
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Whilst we got our prawns organised along came Peter and
Chris off 'Honey Bee' a monohull yacht, they had been looking out for us as we
had them having been told about each other by three sets of mutual friends, so
we finally met each other, they were anchored out away from the dock. They were
heading off to town and we told them about the prawns so they bought some and we stored them in our
fridge until they came back.</div>
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We also talked to a couple from Victoria that was walking
the docks, they love looking at the waterfront and boats, so we had a chat and
as they were interested in what we had done I gave them a card so they could
check out our blogs. They thanked us and asked if we needed a lift into town to
do the shopping and we said we are fine.</div>
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We had a quiet night aboard as we were both a little bushed
from the last couple of days.</div>
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Saturday - 08/03/2014</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We decided after breakfast we would head into town so off we
went as we got to the end of the dock
the couple we were talking to yesterday were there to meet us and ask if they
could drive us into town. What a nice gesture,
again the Aussie spirit comes forward, there are a lot of nice people
out here. We took their offer and they drove us up the steep hill to town, we
thanked them and they asked if we wanted a lift back and we said we were fine
and they realised we were used to doing what we do.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We had a look around
town and checked where things were and on the way back we called into an
important shop to get a few bottles of red wine then we headed to the Whale
Museum, a very interesting place, Eden has a lot of history not only being the
first place in Australia to start shore based whaling but also maritime events
and political. It was first thought that this is where the houses of parliament
would be. I bought a book from the museum called the Two Fold Bay Story, great
little book.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DknIyxwz74Q/UzYAcyleeVI/AAAAAAAAF4Y/YhPUUbfL4Oc/s1600/Museum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DknIyxwz74Q/UzYAcyleeVI/AAAAAAAAF4Y/YhPUUbfL4Oc/s1600/Museum.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Eden Killer Whale Museum)</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L_IrsGE6wiw/UzYAWALxLFI/AAAAAAAAF34/0Cn8FSPU9tI/s1600/Museum+painting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L_IrsGE6wiw/UzYAWALxLFI/AAAAAAAAF34/0Cn8FSPU9tI/s1600/Museum+painting.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(A painting that shows how the men chased and killed whales)</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fjsT1xrsG3w/UzYAYUG4seI/AAAAAAAAF4A/sexzVTzf1Kw/s1600/Museum+sign+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fjsT1xrsG3w/UzYAYUG4seI/AAAAAAAAF4A/sexzVTzf1Kw/s1600/Museum+sign+1.jpg" height="103" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DyPZicpZQL8/UzYAbqmAEHI/AAAAAAAAF4Q/qS9IX-cwlDc/s1600/Museum+sign+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DyPZicpZQL8/UzYAbqmAEHI/AAAAAAAAF4Q/qS9IX-cwlDc/s1600/Museum+sign+3.jpg" height="130" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QSkD63KbK8o/UzYB5xnFqiI/AAAAAAAAF4s/B70t1gnAolM/s1600/Museum+sign+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QSkD63KbK8o/UzYB5xnFqiI/AAAAAAAAF4s/B70t1gnAolM/s1600/Museum+sign+4.jpg" height="247" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3GA1ctuXpdQ/UzYC4vPUOTI/AAAAAAAAF5Q/QaifXna-WLA/s1600/Original+Capstan+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3GA1ctuXpdQ/UzYC4vPUOTI/AAAAAAAAF5Q/QaifXna-WLA/s1600/Original+Capstan+sign.jpg" height="320" width="261" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QMLyXlmMFsw/UzYCB6ICocI/AAAAAAAAF5E/vQnSohDf-Rk/s1600/Original+Capstan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QMLyXlmMFsw/UzYCB6ICocI/AAAAAAAAF5E/vQnSohDf-Rk/s1600/Original+Capstan.jpg" height="251" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FSZ5igz9Jxg/UzYB8VIEsaI/AAAAAAAAF48/4tRIyq7UAt0/s1600/Old+Tom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FSZ5igz9Jxg/UzYB8VIEsaI/AAAAAAAAF48/4tRIyq7UAt0/s1600/Old+Tom.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(The skeleton of 'Old Tom', you can see the damage by the infection on the top of his right side jaw and the damage to his teeth on the left bottom, this damage was caused by Tom helping the whalers by grabbing the harpoon line and dragging it down to drown the harpooned whale)</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6Incvys8JbY/UzYB0MViZcI/AAAAAAAAF4k/3_1dtMerr04/s1600/Old+Tom+size.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6Incvys8JbY/UzYB0MViZcI/AAAAAAAAF4k/3_1dtMerr04/s1600/Old+Tom+size.jpg" height="139" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9sgK_O8qpVM/UzYAaSn-PaI/AAAAAAAAF4I/9Ukr4VYn14o/s1600/Museum+sign+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9sgK_O8qpVM/UzYAaSn-PaI/AAAAAAAAF4I/9Ukr4VYn14o/s1600/Museum+sign+2.jpg" height="320" width="230" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K_irglTa4D8/UzYB6IwQqSI/AAAAAAAAF4w/CKHlxKOQ0kY/s1600/Museum+sign+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K_irglTa4D8/UzYB6IwQqSI/AAAAAAAAF4w/CKHlxKOQ0kY/s1600/Museum+sign+5.jpg" height="320" width="220" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Australia's first shore based whaling station started in
Snug Cove in 1828 when Captain Thomas Raine sent a party of 25 men who stayed
for 3 months and others followed after them. Many of the places and streets are
named after the men who started whaling in the area, fortunes made and fortunes
lost. There were many aborigines worked
the whaling boats and the man they worked for treated them fairly and they were
paid well which was different to many others and the incredible part is that
the killer whales (Orca's) that worked with the whalers. They would round up a
whale and drive them in the bay and it was known for one of the killer whales
to come into the bay and let the whalers know they had a whale and would lead
them to the whale they had rounded up. You may ask why the killer whales would
do this, well it was for reward, killer whales like to feed on whales lips and
tongues, they learnt that the whalers once they had harpooned a whale from a
whaler boat not a ship and once they had tired it they would then kill it and
tie a buoy to the harpoon rope the whale would sink, this is when the killer
whales would feed on the dead whales lips and tongue, some day later the body
of the whale would start to decompose filling the body full of gases and the
whale would float and that is when the whalers would tow them in.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The killer whales would work in groups and in one group
there was a leader and the most famous in the area was a killer whale named
Tom, Tom's skeleton is in the museum, Tom was found dead in the bay aged around
35 years it looked like he had an apses
on a tooth which had eaten away part of his jaw, they feel that this
prevented him from eating and he died from starvation. Tom was thought to be a
lot older as they thought he had been around many years before, apparently they
are identified by the shape of their fin, but apparently there must have been
two Toms, one replaced the other.</div>
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Whaling ceased in the
area for a number of reasons, a gold rush started at one time, then there was
the industry of sleeper cutting which many whalers took on outside the whaling
season and in the end felt it safer to continue sleeper cutting rather than
tackle the monsters in the sea where their lives were at greater risk. This
combined with less whales coming to the bays for the simple reason there were
fewer female whales, the fact was that the whales that came to the bay were
looking for some place to have their young so many of the whales that were
killed in those times were in calf this naturally lessened the numbers of the future whales to be. The other thing to was that there were now
whaling ships and chasers operating, the chasers did the harpooning and the n
fill the whales full of compressed air keeping them afloat at the end of the
day they would tow them in and tie them to a buoy ready to be hauled ashore.</div>
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Some of you may feel disgusted that this occurred but one
has to remember that this was the only
oil for lighting and other uses of that day, it is not really any different to
what we are doing today in drilling for oil and other products but most drive
cars that uses these fuels and oils but every time there is a disaster in the
industry we all get up in arms about it, but as I say again we all use these
products as the people did in the days of whaling. Whatever your thoughts it is
part of our history and a very interesting one. Eden and Two Fold Bay has a lot
of history besides whaling , the later days of fishing which is now falling
away with new restrictions. This place used to have an enormous amount of
fishing boats today they are but a few.</div>
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One thing I have noticed in our travels is the many smaller
places closing down as the industry has been taken away from them and there is
nothing to take its place, empty shops and business premises and the crime rate
rises in the way of theft. I believe we
have to protect the environment but sometimes I wonder whether we are going too
far the other way, look at the crocodile population, let's face it today they
do not have a predator in this country and as the waters warm up they will move
and already are moving further south. Food for thought. One fact is that many
governments try to encourage people to move to rural areas to reduce the
growing numbers in the cities, but the problem is they are also creating much
red tape and restrictions that business cannot survive in the rural areas and
they are closing down.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WCnGo14Ro1E/UzYD5TwsplI/AAAAAAAAF5c/qDrpRUenSCI/s1600/Building+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WCnGo14Ro1E/UzYD5TwsplI/AAAAAAAAF5c/qDrpRUenSCI/s1600/Building+1.jpg" height="195" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LBSDx39zWGo/UzYD8vZx-WI/AAAAAAAAF5o/hfWxf6rS2l8/s1600/Building+1+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LBSDx39zWGo/UzYD8vZx-WI/AAAAAAAAF5o/hfWxf6rS2l8/s1600/Building+1+sign.jpg" height="320" width="310" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lCEFGkWCoGA/UzYD_cHGiBI/AAAAAAAAF58/NzzdvJqSEkI/s1600/Courthouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lCEFGkWCoGA/UzYD_cHGiBI/AAAAAAAAF58/NzzdvJqSEkI/s1600/Courthouse.jpg" height="175" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aQmVxeQ_P7M/UzYD9B3IR9I/AAAAAAAAF50/uagNL1QotNY/s1600/Courthouse+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aQmVxeQ_P7M/UzYD9B3IR9I/AAAAAAAAF50/uagNL1QotNY/s1600/Courthouse+sign.jpg" height="208" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BHSZ8W1Y0rY/UzYD8etJ2ZI/AAAAAAAAF5k/le3c2Ez7xws/s1600/Cafe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BHSZ8W1Y0rY/UzYD8etJ2ZI/AAAAAAAAF5k/le3c2Ez7xws/s1600/Cafe.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(The Cafe I mentioned below is in part of the historic building)</i></div>
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Sunday - 09/03/2014</div>
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It is a wet rainy day today so we decided to head into town early with the washing for the Laundromat and whilst the washing was being done head to a cafe for breakfast and there is a great little cafe in town called 'Cuppaz Cafe' if you want a great feed this is the place
very friendly service and most the locals go there. When breakfast and washing and drying was complete we headed back to the boat and whilst it was calm decided to go and anchor out as the seas were going to get a little rougher today. On returning we got things organised started engines let go of the docking lines and then I pulled the Bruce anchor up which as I did helped pull us away from the dock, we went out just passed the moored boats and dropped the anchor.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Ce-Z1X6bDs/UzX7k-FguvI/AAAAAAAAF3g/iYJ9Fe9amiI/s1600/Eden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Ce-Z1X6bDs/UzX7k-FguvI/AAAAAAAAF3g/iYJ9Fe9amiI/s1600/Eden.jpg" height="132" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(The view from our anchorage of Snug Bay)</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l6MsAOzCCbA/UzYFv9oJJ-I/AAAAAAAAF6U/enEjefz0o6Y/s1600/Snug+Cove+docks+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l6MsAOzCCbA/UzYFv9oJJ-I/AAAAAAAAF6U/enEjefz0o6Y/s1600/Snug+Cove+docks+copy.jpg" height="101" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>(Eden docks Snug Cove)</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dW5NWeWpPnM/UzYFuVSGo4I/AAAAAAAAF6I/3YfqnL0JU3A/s1600/Snug+Cove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dW5NWeWpPnM/UzYFuVSGo4I/AAAAAAAAF6I/3YfqnL0JU3A/s1600/Snug+Cove.jpg" height="95" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Vr-VK02iSQ/UzYFuie1iKI/AAAAAAAAF6M/CQbkgBuPtes/s1600/HMAS+Stuart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Vr-VK02iSQ/UzYFuie1iKI/AAAAAAAAF6M/CQbkgBuPtes/s1600/HMAS+Stuart.jpg" height="202" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(HMAS Stuart going into the naval dock at East Boyd Bay, this is where the naval ships pick up their explosives, they closed down the Sydney armoury in 2003)</i></div>
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Eden town has two supermarkets and many other shops
to get all your needs. The is also a great fish and chip (plus other seafood)
shop near the docks, it is the one that is around the corner from the larger
cafes.</div>
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Eden is a very nice part of this world and worth a visit,
people are friendly and the place is very clean and tidy. For travellers there
are toilets and showers down by the docks. Quite a unique shower it has a preset temperature
of around 40⁰C and it has a timer button instead of taps so you have to keep
pressing the button whilst you have a shower.</div>
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As far as using the dock it costs $15 up to 12 metre boat
and $25 for 12 - 15 metres per day. The problem I have mentioned before if
there is a surge it can bounce you against the dock, the other alternative is
contact one of the fishing boats and raft against one of those or just anchor
out.</div>
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Cheers</div>
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John Jenkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02474048972412245226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3924608710329509887.post-68480094239957046292014-03-17T16:16:00.000+10:002014-03-17T16:16:05.263+10:00Freycinet Peninsula to Flinders Island and Flinders Island<div class="MsoNormal">
Saturday - 01/03/2014</div>
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We set off at 0720 hours and we will have to sail overnight
to Flinders Island. The problem with the coast from here up is that it has
anchorages for south sector winds and
north sector winds but not anchorages that have a change of winds north/south
sectors during the night, tonight we have
NE winds and around midnight they change to SE winds, many of yacht has
come to grief in these situations.</div>
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There is another factor that one must realise sailing this
area this time of year is sudden weather changes, what is predicted this
morning can change within a few hours this is often caused by the low pressure
systems on mainland Australia, we can have a high pressure system in Tasmania
giving good SE winds to sail north then halfway through the day a trough in a
low pressure system pushes its way into the northern side of the high pressure
changing the wind to strong NE winds.</div>
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Sailing north was going well until around 1400 hours and
then the above happened and we had N/NE winds on the nose and it started to
strengthen so we slammed into the wind and wind waves and watched the coastline
go passed slowly. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DDEmnNjCrOo/UyaKJHEQXrI/AAAAAAAAF0Q/1PLIktidYd0/s1600/Dolphin+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DDEmnNjCrOo/UyaKJHEQXrI/AAAAAAAAF0Q/1PLIktidYd0/s1600/Dolphin+collage.jpg" height="221" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(We have had many dolphin moments and this was another)</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5ZtvgV3cKt8/UyaKKHOgtzI/AAAAAAAAF0Y/fu3wj8rEj-Y/s1600/Sunset+off+tas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5ZtvgV3cKt8/UyaKKHOgtzI/AAAAAAAAF0Y/fu3wj8rEj-Y/s1600/Sunset+off+tas.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Choppy seas at sunset)</i></div>
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The other challenge ahead is when we get to Banks Strait,
this is the stretch of water between mainland Tasmania and the Flinders Island
group, it has very strong (3 knots) current flow ebbs to the east and floods to
the west, we need to get there when it is a flood tide. As it turned out we
were a little early but we were not affected by the full tidal flow as we
crossed at an angle until the flow changed direction and then went with the
tide.</div>
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We reached Clark Island at daybreak, the island looks quite
baron with little vegetation probably due to the strong winds that it
experiences plus the sea air spray. By this time the wind had gone and we had
flat seas we continued on up to Franklin Sound which is the waterway between
Flinders and Cape Baron Islands once at the mouth of this we still have 20
nautical miles to go.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YN4KRBxZYXE/UyaLDI-gfYI/AAAAAAAAF0o/ZQ4IifmMjyQ/s1600/franklin+sound.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YN4KRBxZYXE/UyaLDI-gfYI/AAAAAAAAF0o/ZQ4IifmMjyQ/s1600/franklin+sound.jpg" height="121" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>(Entering Franklin Sound heading for the north passage towards Flinders Island ahead)</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WFYIdqqzawU/UyaLCQIH2yI/AAAAAAAAF0g/ZBKKR_VopO0/s1600/franklin+sound+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WFYIdqqzawU/UyaLCQIH2yI/AAAAAAAAF0g/ZBKKR_VopO0/s1600/franklin+sound+2.jpg" height="111" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>(Cape Baron Island which is south side of Franklin Sound)</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W2Xwp9Wtefo/UyaLzAhkaVI/AAAAAAAAF0w/vu7IhSmGRos/s1600/Fairy+Penguins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W2Xwp9Wtefo/UyaLzAhkaVI/AAAAAAAAF0w/vu7IhSmGRos/s1600/Fairy+Penguins.jpg" height="220" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Very hard to see but these are fairy penguins as we got close to get a good photo they would dive)</i></div>
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The sea now had turned to glass the sea was so calm and no
wind, as we entered Franklin Sound I noticed these small birds on the water
when we looked closer they were fairy penguins as the boat neared them they
would dive making it difficult to get a decent photo. There were quite a few
groups of them.</div>
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After we had breakfast Nancy phoned the Harbour Master at
Lady Baron and got permission to go alongside at the wharf in Lady Baron, this
was given so we don't have to worry about anchoring.</div>
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Like most times of arrival it is often afternoon and what
happens in the afternoon is the strong sea breeze arrives just when you want it
to be steady to go alongside a dock. We arrived near the dock and checked it
out so we could set up the fenders and fender boards which are needed because
of the docks have timber vertical pylons about 2 metres apart. Once we had
secured alongside the first thing I did was have a beer and relaxed for a while
then had a nice shower.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xBX3QpyAm_o/UyaN7Vb39WI/AAAAAAAAF1M/MhjYB57GM_8/s1600/AR+at+Lady+Baron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xBX3QpyAm_o/UyaN7Vb39WI/AAAAAAAAF1M/MhjYB57GM_8/s1600/AR+at+Lady+Baron.jpg" height="117" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Alana Rose alongside at Lady Baron)</i></div>
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Nancy organised a hire car for a couple of days for in the
morning and we had a quiet night aboard and early to bed.</div>
<h2>
Flinders Island</h2>
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Monday - 03/03/2014</div>
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We hired the car through Flinders Island Car Rentals which
is in the township of Whitemark some 24kms from Lady Baron. Whitemark is the
main centre. So there is a charge of $30 for the car delivery, Rowena pick us
up and we had to drop her back to Whitemark so we were armed with our shopping
bags to go to the supermarket in Whitemark.</div>
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Flinders Island is quite pretty and has lots of farm land
and good healthy looking cattle, it is a mixture of mountainous, undulating and
flat lands and attractive waterways that can get stirred up with the strong
winds at times.</div>
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After dropping Rowena off and getting some local information
we headed into the township of Whitemark which is not very big, it sports a
post office, hotel, garage/service station and supermarket, bakery cafes,
hardware store and a few other stores,
shops and services.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J6Xdyf4Qs90/UyaNIDpZNRI/AAAAAAAAF1E/Ejsckctzvwc/s1600/Store+Whitemark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J6Xdyf4Qs90/UyaNIDpZNRI/AAAAAAAAF1E/Ejsckctzvwc/s1600/Store+Whitemark.jpg" height="178" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(The Supermarket and garage at Whitemark, we met owners Leedham and Judy Walker and their daughter Alison who went to school with our friend Alison in Darwin)</i></div>
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We did the important things like get our stores for the boat
and then went for a coffee at the cafe before taking the stores back on board,
the next job was the fuel run, Lady Baron has a service station and store and
the store carries all grocery items, hardware, clothing, gifts, you name it I
think they have it and it is also a cafe with good coffee. We had to do two
fuel runs to top everything up.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E0e73evFqbM/UyaMR7AlpOI/AAAAAAAAF04/yqR_6X48ecg/s1600/Fuel+run+Lady+Baron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E0e73evFqbM/UyaMR7AlpOI/AAAAAAAAF04/yqR_6X48ecg/s1600/Fuel+run+Lady+Baron.jpg" height="118" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(The general store, fuel station and cafe at Lady Baron, with me filling fuel containers)</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-993p0I9C2Bo/UyaOmg9CzpI/AAAAAAAAF10/3IEOlgTEZec/s1600/Whitemark+jetty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-993p0I9C2Bo/UyaOmg9CzpI/AAAAAAAAF10/3IEOlgTEZec/s1600/Whitemark+jetty.jpg" height="100" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>(At Whitemark Jetty, the ferry no longer uses this jetty due to tides they call at Lady baron)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w8asjUDyqJo/UyaQ1qkKf1I/AAAAAAAAF2g/uOiM6Hww1vE/s1600/Mt+Razorback.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w8asjUDyqJo/UyaQ1qkKf1I/AAAAAAAAF2g/uOiM6Hww1vE/s1600/Mt+Razorback.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Mt Razorback from Whitemark jetty)</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ADF9YUUIlPw/UyaQvSBQETI/AAAAAAAAF2Q/cp09VHw4VQY/s1600/Franklin+Sound+lookout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ADF9YUUIlPw/UyaQvSBQETI/AAAAAAAAF2Q/cp09VHw4VQY/s1600/Franklin+Sound+lookout.jpg" height="97" width="400" /></a></div>
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(Franklin Sound from the eastern lookout)</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Onu2QzjE-ao/UyaQ2178yYI/AAAAAAAAF2o/YUHb_k7yV2k/s1600/Nancy+at+lookout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Onu2QzjE-ao/UyaQ2178yYI/AAAAAAAAF2o/YUHb_k7yV2k/s1600/Nancy+at+lookout.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Nancy at the lookout)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-04f02Od9NNk/UyaQy7eaFEI/AAAAAAAAF2Y/kJnjWPsAcFM/s1600/Memorial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-04f02Od9NNk/UyaQy7eaFEI/AAAAAAAAF2Y/kJnjWPsAcFM/s1600/Memorial.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(At the lookout point I spotted this small memorial for a Kerryn Hatfield, it is just a plastic marker, I asked the locals about it but no person seems to know about it)</i></div>
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We then went for a small drive to some lookouts and then
called into the hotel not far from the dock for a cold beer.</div>
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We returned on board had a checked all was OK and checked
the weather before walking up to the hotel again for a couple of relaxing beers
looking over the waterways. We had dinner on board and a reasonably early
night.</div>
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Tuesday - 04/03/2014</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CLMBhwG1HT8/UyaQstnj4xI/AAAAAAAAF2I/KzNT82tmJFc/s1600/Captain+Bill+arriving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CLMBhwG1HT8/UyaQstnj4xI/AAAAAAAAF2I/KzNT82tmJFc/s1600/Captain+Bill+arriving.jpg" height="100" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>The ferry 'Captain Bill' from Bridport arrived this morning, the ferry bring visitors and stores of all kinds for the locals and their businesses)</i></div>
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After breakfast we headed off for a drive to see some of the
island the wind was quite strong today from the NE. The roads here are in very
good condition even the unsealed roads are very good, we had a drive around and
then returned to Whitemark for lunch at the hotel. This hotel was built in 1911 and the lounge is
very nice along with the meals are sizeable and very nice.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ySVg9kLMyog/UyaOiayPD5I/AAAAAAAAF1k/cw02PjDRJqg/s1600/Good+stock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ySVg9kLMyog/UyaOiayPD5I/AAAAAAAAF1k/cw02PjDRJqg/s1600/Good+stock.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Mt Razorback covered in cloud and healthy stock grazing)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MQ1UwXB6jng/UyaOnvDjAyI/AAAAAAAAF18/Dg2aD2m4taI/s1600/wybalenna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MQ1UwXB6jng/UyaOnvDjAyI/AAAAAAAAF18/Dg2aD2m4taI/s1600/wybalenna.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Wybalenna village area the old chapel)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YH87FWKu3ww/UyaOmNsyGdI/AAAAAAAAF1s/PrOelOOtkGE/s1600/Long+Point.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YH87FWKu3ww/UyaOmNsyGdI/AAAAAAAAF1s/PrOelOOtkGE/s1600/Long+Point.jpg" height="153" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Near Long Point a boat ramp and fishing boats moored in the bay)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5dfm7ZWfoMc/UyaOgUB8msI/AAAAAAAAF1U/iAsbKFF3tFQ/s1600/Long+Point+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5dfm7ZWfoMc/UyaOgUB8msI/AAAAAAAAF1U/iAsbKFF3tFQ/s1600/Long+Point+2.jpg" height="65" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>(Long Point is a bird breeding ground for Shearwater birds also known as Tasmanian Mutton Birds)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D2h1BjHTNMo/UyaOhVTjdcI/AAAAAAAAF1c/cUGo_hiByG4/s1600/Flinders+Interstate+Hotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D2h1BjHTNMo/UyaOhVTjdcI/AAAAAAAAF1c/cUGo_hiByG4/s1600/Flinders+Interstate+Hotel.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Flinders Interstate Hotel built in 1911)</i></div>
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After another short drive we headed back to the boat had a
shower and then walked up to the hotel , the <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Furneaux Tavern, we ended up
staying there for dinner in the restaurant and I must say the dinner was very
nice just as nice as what we had at Kermandie Hotel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n_RqMX0bBg8/UyaQ3TArOkI/AAAAAAAAF2s/4fYL8flYTHk/s1600/View+from+hotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n_RqMX0bBg8/UyaQ3TArOkI/AAAAAAAAF2s/4fYL8flYTHk/s1600/View+from+hotel.jpg" height="100" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>(This is the view from the Furneaux Tavern veranda)</i></div>
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Wednesday - 05/03/2014</div>
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We are watching the weather closely looking for that weather
window to head across Bass Strait, looking at the net I think we may be able to
leave late this afternoon and go through to Eden which will mean two overnight
sails.</div>
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After breakfast we took the car up to fuel at the service
station and had a coffee whilst we were there and had a chat with some locals
and other sailors. We left the car by the tennis courts for Rowena to pick up
later then we readied the boat for sailing later.</div>
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We placed our money in the honesty box for our stay, the
charges were $11 for the day of arrival and $5 for every day after if we used
power, if we did not use the power it would have been no charge.</div>
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Come 1700 hours the wind had died enough for us to get off
the wharf safely with a little help from one of the sailors off a motor boat
that released the ropes for us. We drifted in the harbour whilst we stowed
fenders, ropes and fender boards then we headed out the eastern outlet.</div>
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Cheers</div>
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John Jenkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02474048972412245226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3924608710329509887.post-57978690423837419782014-03-16T18:15:00.002+10:002014-03-16T18:15:38.956+10:00Maria Island to Wineglass Bay<div class="MsoNormal">
Thursday 27/02/2014</div>
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We were underway just after first light and motored out to
deeper water before hoisting the mainsail, there is little wind but we may get
some aid from what there is, looking at Maria Island as we go along and seeing
a few old buildings ashore along with newer farm buildings one has to be
reminded that this island was also a penal colony, it was not as bad as Sarah
Island but the men that were sent to any penal colony some paid more than their
penalty. Think of it seven years for stealing a hankerchief, some steal cars
today and get a slap on the wrist.</div>
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The passage north was the same as the day before the wind
came and went with the land form. We headed to the west side of Schouten Island
where our original plan was to anchor in the beautiful northern bays for the
strong SW winds predicted then the plan was to go across to Passage Anchorage
on the southeast part of Freycinet Peninsula for the northerly winds tomorrow.
However, we figured we could go through Schouten Passage checking the
anchorages on the way have some time in Wineglass Bay and then head back
tomorrow the 12NMS to Passage Anchorage for the weather change.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XP6HOcYsFfc/UyVZitpIIGI/AAAAAAAAFyw/UuAACC7k9Sc/s1600/Schouten+Is.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XP6HOcYsFfc/UyVZitpIIGI/AAAAAAAAFyw/UuAACC7k9Sc/s1600/Schouten+Is.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Schouten Island ahead)</i></div>
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We have walked Freycinet areas some years ago travelling land side and it is very lovely it is equally lovely from the sea. Heading towards the passage care needs to be taken as a reef extends out on the NW corner of Schouten Island it has an Isolated Danger Marker to identify the rocks. We checked the anchorages as we headed through the passage and made a mental note to self of where we would go if the change came through. Going through the passage with the tide raced us through at a speed of 9 knots, this passage would be dangerous to travel if there were strong winds and high seas it was near flat when we went through with SW winds.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uMkIxj9fLps/UyVZ8sF0S3I/AAAAAAAAFzA/CrEpM2OhWCE/s1600/anchorages+Schouten+Is.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uMkIxj9fLps/UyVZ8sF0S3I/AAAAAAAAFzA/CrEpM2OhWCE/s1600/anchorages+Schouten+Is.jpg" height="104" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Northern anchorages at Schouten Island)</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gyzcC3dMG-0/UyVZj182JVI/AAAAAAAAFy8/5QPJdXO-TMU/s1600/Schouten+Passage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gyzcC3dMG-0/UyVZj182JVI/AAAAAAAAFy8/5QPJdXO-TMU/s1600/Schouten+Passage.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Schouten Passage)</i></div>
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After passing through the Schouten Passage and turning
northward to Wineglass Bay we had dolphins to welcome us, one never gets tired
of seeing them. The rock formations of the cliff faces are something to see and
there is lots of them. We finally got to where we turn towards Wineglass Bay
and headed in the SW wind met us head on but nothing to worry us just slowed
our progress.</div>
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As we neared we could see other yachts anchored, a good
mixture a large motor cruiser, a catamaran, a trimaran and one monohull. We
dropped anchor and just took in the sights, the beach had quite a number of
people and there were some going to a camp nearby. The two couples off the
motor boat left the beach and went by and I gave them a wave to say hi and they
returned the wave, later the two blokes went out in the dinghy fishing and on
their way back they called into to say hello and gave us three large flathead
for dinner. We thanked them and had a chat they were from Melbourne and touring
Tassie. When they left I cleaned and filleted the fish ready for dinner.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VytFhCtujj0/UyVavj5I11I/AAAAAAAAFzM/kkqTdVQ9SqM/s1600/Frecinet+Peninsula.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VytFhCtujj0/UyVavj5I11I/AAAAAAAAFzM/kkqTdVQ9SqM/s1600/Frecinet+Peninsula.jpg" height="112" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>(Freycinet Peninsula)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YaDCeZimlvE/UyVawcAJLuI/AAAAAAAAFzc/8NEFD51_Cjw/s1600/1+wineglass+Bay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YaDCeZimlvE/UyVawcAJLuI/AAAAAAAAFzc/8NEFD51_Cjw/s1600/1+wineglass+Bay.jpg" height="107" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>(Wineglass Bay)</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C92i3YL1Fe4/UyVawbaUCdI/AAAAAAAAFzg/M366C2iL41Y/s1600/Gull.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C92i3YL1Fe4/UyVawbaUCdI/AAAAAAAAFzg/M366C2iL41Y/s1600/Gull.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(The free loader Gull)</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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Later in the afternoon the NE sea breeze kicked in and at
first I was concerned as that put us along with all the other boats on a lee
shore so we kept a close eye on things, it did not last long and we had still
air and waters through the night. We had our great feed of fish for dinner and
just relaxed.</div>
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Friday - 28/02/2014</div>
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The first boat to move was the motor cruiser, when I was
talking to them yesterday I told them about our anchor winch problems, as they
started to hoist their anchor they got it part way up and they had some
trouble, I thought I had jonahed them. After some work they got it going again
I think the chain had jammed somewhere and they had to unjam it.</div>
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The next to move was an old fella in the monohull, a solo
sailor had to hoist the anchor hand over hand, he got it half way up and had to
go to the cockpit have a drink and sit for a while before completing the task.
It was not a large yacht and it had travelled, Queensland and Australian
registered so he had been places, he came by us and wished us well as we did
him. Then the other solo sailor in the catamaran went and we followed. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HsC40WgBoRI/UyVaz-GwQfI/AAAAAAAAFzo/kcWh38tDD70/s1600/Solo+sailor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HsC40WgBoRI/UyVaz-GwQfI/AAAAAAAAFzo/kcWh38tDD70/s1600/Solo+sailor.jpg" height="156" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>(The solo sailor pulling the anchor up and heading off)</i></div>
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We headed back down to Schouten Passage where the others
headed out to sea to catch the wind that would come later in the day as they
were going further south. We went through the passage and headed for the
anchorage on the north side of Schouten Island, the reason for this is that a
SW change could come through the night and I wanted to have a look at the
anchorage in case we had to move in the dark, we motored around the area
marking waypoints on the chart plotter so I would know exactly where to anchor
in the dark plus the fact that when we moved away to the Passage Anchorage for
the NE winds predicted it would leave a track on the plotter that I could
follow back.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YjCTBg00kmM/UyVcFqgf8ZI/AAAAAAAAFz4/X1xrVp-S8gk/s1600/Dolphins+race.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YjCTBg00kmM/UyVcFqgf8ZI/AAAAAAAAFz4/X1xrVp-S8gk/s1600/Dolphins+race.jpg" height="190" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>(Dolphins race towards us as we head south to Schouten Passage)</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S6lPlWlTveM/UyVcGv01b0I/AAAAAAAAF0E/JVCVFSkg6wc/s1600/Nancy+and+dolphins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S6lPlWlTveM/UyVcGv01b0I/AAAAAAAAF0E/JVCVFSkg6wc/s1600/Nancy+and+dolphins.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Nancy taking photos of the dolphins)</i></div>
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Just after plotting and turning towards Passage Anchorage
the strong NE winds kicked in we headed for the anchorage and dropped the pick
ensuring that it grabbed well because the guide book indicates that this
anchorage is dubious. So I made sure the anchor grabbed. Within the next couple
of hours we had a total of eleven boats anchored nearby all with the same idea.
By sunset things had calmed and although the southerly change did come through
during the night they were light winds and no reason to move to the other
anchorage.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lCgWILzEN1w/UyVcEx-RIdI/AAAAAAAAFz0/9H0Qqd7A98c/s1600/Passage+anchorage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lCgWILzEN1w/UyVcEx-RIdI/AAAAAAAAFz0/9H0Qqd7A98c/s1600/Passage+anchorage.jpg" height="121" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>(Passage Anchorage)</i></div>
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Tomorrow we head for Flinders Island it will be an overnight
sail.</div>
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Cheers.</div>
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John Jenkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02474048972412245226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3924608710329509887.post-88584430286449238362014-03-16T17:48:00.003+10:002014-03-16T17:49:08.626+10:00Port Arthur to Maria Island<div class="MsoNormal">
Wednesday - 26/02/2014</div>
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We got ready at first light and waited for enough light so I
could see the anchor chain as I had to use the hand lever to manually haul in
45 metres of chain and the anchor, certainly warms you up on a cool morning. We
motored out of the bay and passed the Island of the Dead I tipped my hat and
wished them farewell. The seas ahead looked a little lumpy but not too bad. We
left the entrance and set a course to clear Tasman Island, and what beauty it
has. It made me wonder how many sailors have passed this island without
noticing her beauty, you may think that that is a strange thought. However,
consider this point in the ocean can cause havoc to sailor and vessel in many times of heavy
wind and seas. Tasmania has a wonderful coastline so many different variations
but very beautiful.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ffLIgW2et3Y/UyVT_gojvoI/AAAAAAAAFxU/W6BjC6xLmlo/s1600/Cape+Raoul.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ffLIgW2et3Y/UyVT_gojvoI/AAAAAAAAFxU/W6BjC6xLmlo/s1600/Cape+Raoul.jpg" height="207" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Looking back towards Port Arthur and Cape Raoul)</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZkUe3G9CIlA/UyVVO9zK5oI/AAAAAAAAFyI/E07J_-c9lKA/s1600/Tasman+Island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZkUe3G9CIlA/UyVVO9zK5oI/AAAAAAAAFyI/E07J_-c9lKA/s1600/Tasman+Island.jpg" height="233" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Approaching Tasman Island)</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OqdQ3KFz1LI/UyVUAHDuWuI/AAAAAAAAFxg/bsHPqNwIdCw/s1600/Tasman+Island+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OqdQ3KFz1LI/UyVUAHDuWuI/AAAAAAAAFxg/bsHPqNwIdCw/s1600/Tasman+Island+2.jpg" height="183" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Tasman Island)</i></div>
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As we neared Tasman Island another island approached, at
least that is what it looked like at first, I checked the chart but no island
noted then as we neared it and it came out of the mist it was a floating island
one very large tourist ship. Then as we passed at a good distance I noticed a
fishing boat of the point of Tasman Island so I altered course to avoid it.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F7YoG4otQGE/UyVT-aTaL7I/AAAAAAAAFxQ/3gbJTv6qKSw/s1600/Passenger+liner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F7YoG4otQGE/UyVT-aTaL7I/AAAAAAAAFxQ/3gbJTv6qKSw/s1600/Passenger+liner.jpg" height="197" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Passenger ship)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PqX8jd6fvHY/UyVVJMKDSsI/AAAAAAAAFx8/7cF5tRpi2xw/s1600/Tasman+Island+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PqX8jd6fvHY/UyVVJMKDSsI/AAAAAAAAFx8/7cF5tRpi2xw/s1600/Tasman+Island+2.jpg" height="183" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MOoY3jK00UE/UyVVI2ibfuI/AAAAAAAAFx4/dZ_J10bHzcs/s1600/Coastline+near+Tasman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MOoY3jK00UE/UyVVI2ibfuI/AAAAAAAAFx4/dZ_J10bHzcs/s1600/Coastline+near+Tasman.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Rock formations on mainland and right Tasman Island)</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2CmKwhZTOJI/UyVVOUvX4kI/AAAAAAAAFyE/A0IET167VbI/s1600/Tasman+Island+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2CmKwhZTOJI/UyVVOUvX4kI/AAAAAAAAFyE/A0IET167VbI/s1600/Tasman+Island+3.jpg" height="174" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Tasman Island)</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-owLTBdwsuug/UyVVH8ktxZI/AAAAAAAAFxs/pq0jGzL7YRg/s1600/Cathedral+Rock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-owLTBdwsuug/UyVVH8ktxZI/AAAAAAAAFxs/pq0jGzL7YRg/s1600/Cathedral+Rock.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Cathedral Rock)</i></div>
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We then rounded the point of Tasman Island and looked on
this great sight, the seas now calmer as we went with the waves north. The
winds now from the SSW dropped away as we passed high land form and bullets
out as we crossed the low land forms so it was a bit of motor sailing and some
sailing. I know I may repeat myself but the coastline is very beautiful there
is something of attraction all the way along this coastline, I suppose I can
say this for nearly all of Australia, but I think the mountainous country with
the green of massive trees with small farm properties mixed in along with some
rock formations really stand out. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CLPxhCTTfJU/UyVWoYiVZuI/AAAAAAAAFyc/HATImnazHYE/s1600/Storm+cells+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CLPxhCTTfJU/UyVWoYiVZuI/AAAAAAAAFyc/HATImnazHYE/s1600/Storm+cells+2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(We had a few storm cells around us along the way)</i></div>
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We arrived at Maria Island at the Chinamans Bay
anchorage, there were two other yachts anchored that had the better sheltered
area so we dropped anchor behind them. This gave us all protection from the
westerly wind that was in full force, however, the wind waves tended to come up
the channel from a south westerly direction which I think is caused by the land
form of Marion Bay and Cape Bernier south end of the passage. Be that as it may
the anchorage was tolerable and we had a relaxing afternoon as we arrived at
1410 hours we had a nice dinner and a reasonable early night as tomorrow we
head for Wineglass Bay.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qVIyUKK6KHQ/UyVWm2lpm0I/AAAAAAAAFyY/s06Y_rKDkAk/s1600/Maria+Island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qVIyUKK6KHQ/UyVWm2lpm0I/AAAAAAAAFyY/s06Y_rKDkAk/s1600/Maria+Island.jpg" height="115" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>(Chinamans Bay, Maria Island)</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9_OZNWGKo4E/UyVWoHbW7tI/AAAAAAAAFyo/Orm543YIwZg/s1600/Sunset+Maria+Island..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9_OZNWGKo4E/UyVWoHbW7tI/AAAAAAAAFyo/Orm543YIwZg/s1600/Sunset+Maria+Island..jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(The end of another day)</i></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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Cheers</div>
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<br /></div>
John Jenkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02474048972412245226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3924608710329509887.post-90192895228511193772014-03-15T14:00:00.000+10:002014-03-15T14:00:55.406+10:00Hobart to Port Arthur<div class="MsoNormal">
Sunday - 23/02/2014</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We have to pick the weather to sail or should I say motor
sail because sometimes the alternative in the Southern Ocean can be a bit
unnerving shall we say. It is a fact the barometer here can wear itself out. Some of you may not
understand that, if you live on the mainland the barometer may move from time to time but here the
weather change cycles with high and low pressures have a great affect. So end
result is that we sail or motor when it is safe to do so, this is why we
postponed our leaving from Wednesday to Sunday. </div>
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So Sunday up at first light and left the marina and headed
down the Derwent River, the weather all though cool was great sun shining and
calm waters. As we headed down the river
towards Storm Bay we hoped it stayed that way. As we neared the Iron Pot, which
is the oldest lighthouse in Australia which is off Cape Direction as you enter
Storm Bay.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zc7u9kSJkec/UyPK9NMr9DI/AAAAAAAAFvI/3xIXdeurOJ4/s1600/Leaving+Hobart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zc7u9kSJkec/UyPK9NMr9DI/AAAAAAAAFvI/3xIXdeurOJ4/s1600/Leaving+Hobart.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Heading down the Derwent towards the Tasman Bridge)</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U-QQP5RtCXQ/UyPK8XYzH1I/AAAAAAAAFvA/tgLO0qRDXkI/s1600/Shags+on+a+bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U-QQP5RtCXQ/UyPK8XYzH1I/AAAAAAAAFvA/tgLO0qRDXkI/s1600/Shags+on+a+bridge.jpg" height="157" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(A group of Cormorants on one bridge base)</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mC-_oCK-7R4/UyPK8rI3nKI/AAAAAAAAFvE/som2-TDryAg/s1600/Iron+Pot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mC-_oCK-7R4/UyPK8rI3nKI/AAAAAAAAFvE/som2-TDryAg/s1600/Iron+Pot.jpg" height="223" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(The Iron Pot, Australia's oldest lighthouse)</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zOThPu4bAVM/UyPLBt8m1_I/AAAAAAAAFvc/wb8ir_B__7w/s1600/dolphins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zOThPu4bAVM/UyPLBt8m1_I/AAAAAAAAFvc/wb8ir_B__7w/s1600/dolphins.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Dolphins came to play)</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gFreTcAZe8w/UyPLBeF4f3I/AAAAAAAAFvY/xbE4q5mC36s/s1600/Shearwater+Birds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gFreTcAZe8w/UyPLBeF4f3I/AAAAAAAAFvY/xbE4q5mC36s/s1600/Shearwater+Birds.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Hundreds of Searwater Birds or also known as Tasmanian Mutton Birds)</i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The swell picked up a little but not bad it wasn't until we
neared Cape Raoul and Maingon Bay near Port Arthur that the swell lifted and also the wave
rebound started off the shear face of the cliffs. Being close to the cliff face
is something to see but one has to suffer the rebound waves to see it. Friend
Frank said to stay close to see it and for Nancy to take pictures, trouble is
trying to stay still to take the pictures.</div>
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We rounded the beautiful Cape Raoul and headed for Port Arthur entrance as soon
as we changed course going with the swell it was a lot calmer, it is around a
4NM run into the actual Port Arthur from the entrance. It still amazes me that
the ships of that day negotiated some of these seas and entrances and
considering they had a compass and sometimes no
charts and a sextant that one could really get a reading at midday if
there was no cloud, I take my hat off to them.</div>
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The fact is though when those ships in the 1800's came here
the passengers may have been grateful to get off the ship because the
conditions were not good but they had little to look forward to.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As we entered we went passed Mason Bay where Port Arthur
settlement is located as there is little room to drop anchor due to moorings in
most places and it is well open to the elements. We anchored a little south of
there in Carnarvon Bay. As soon as we anchored I had a little nanna nap and we
had a quiet night aboard watching a movie, it was a little chilly outside and a
change was due.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zqeivLbAAKw/UyPMhUhoKFI/AAAAAAAAFvo/yccSlremWvk/s1600/Island+of+the+dead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zqeivLbAAKw/UyPMhUhoKFI/AAAAAAAAFvo/yccSlremWvk/s1600/Island+of+the+dead.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(The first thing to see is The Island of the Dead, this is where they buried the dead from the penal colony some not having a headstone)</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MgCvY6oMiDc/UyPMjfoPx_I/AAAAAAAAFvw/r6CWuE7Wpuc/s1600/Port+Arthur+from+sea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MgCvY6oMiDc/UyPMjfoPx_I/AAAAAAAAFvw/r6CWuE7Wpuc/s1600/Port+Arthur+from+sea.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(It is something to see now but it must have been a sight when before it became ruins)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bug-zgKqYkE/UyPMjJOUbUI/AAAAAAAAFv0/-l7TaCgCXK0/s1600/Shipwrights+house+and+Clerk+of+works+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bug-zgKqYkE/UyPMjJOUbUI/AAAAAAAAFv0/-l7TaCgCXK0/s1600/Shipwrights+house+and+Clerk+of+works+house.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(The Shipwrights and Clerk of Works houses)</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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Monday - 24/02/2014</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are not going anywhere today, drizzle rain most of the
day so we stay aboard getting our notes up to date.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Late in the day, just before dark I rechecked the weather to
see what we needed to plan and it indicated a change for winds that we were not
expecting so we decided to move before it got dark, so we pulled the anchor and headed into Stewarts bay which would give us protection
from the northern winds predicted. When we went to anchor the anchor winch
decided to go on strike so we let the anchor out manually, looks like a job for
tomorrow.</div>
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Another cool night we
settled for another movie and then went to bed.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Tuesday - 25/02/2014</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We decided the anchor winch could wait, to be honest I think
it is passed help it needs a new electric motor. So after breakfast we dropped
the dinghy and headed ashore to Port Arthur penal colony at least that is what
it was for many years.</div>
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It was a good walk from Stewarts bay beach but a nice walk
at that. We arrived at the visitors centre to part with some money. This place
has been done up since we were here last in 1998, they have got massive car
park area and overflow car parks thrown in. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In 1998 things were a little different, it was not long
after the terrible incident where a shooter randomly shot people in the Port
Arthur complex and tourism had suffered a little, which I may add was a benefit
to us as bringing the car over on the Spirit of Tasmania ferry cost us a whole
dollar, the government subsidised tourism to get people to come here. Which to
me I find unusual to some degree, but when you think that if a disaster like a
crocodile attack up north or someone disappearing from Ayres Rock actually
increased tourism to those areas. Maybe that the reputation of Port Arthur created
something different because of its history. But I am pleased to report that the
amount of tourist here at present is quite numerous and I don't think we are
really in the peak season.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G62JIblUHaw/UyPOMGf9PPI/AAAAAAAAFwA/9vf-r8Pn3qk/s1600/Port+Arthur+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G62JIblUHaw/UyPOMGf9PPI/AAAAAAAAFwA/9vf-r8Pn3qk/s1600/Port+Arthur+3.jpg" height="86" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4u3Zvvo65vI/UyPOMgjf2-I/AAAAAAAAFwM/EHskwU1qTPc/s1600/Port+Arthur+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4u3Zvvo65vI/UyPOMgjf2-I/AAAAAAAAFwM/EHskwU1qTPc/s1600/Port+Arthur+5.jpg" height="92" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DvHU8A9kb_A/UyPOMp5CO-I/AAAAAAAAFwI/Xx0eJOhRrvA/s1600/Port+Arthur+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DvHU8A9kb_A/UyPOMp5CO-I/AAAAAAAAFwI/Xx0eJOhRrvA/s1600/Port+Arthur+6.jpg" height="111" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CmU3QipS9qw/UyPPAfAp0ZI/AAAAAAAAFwY/07HZoCd5oS8/s1600/Port+Arthur+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CmU3QipS9qw/UyPPAfAp0ZI/AAAAAAAAFwY/07HZoCd5oS8/s1600/Port+Arthur+7.jpg" height="96" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vWMB7Nf6ziU/UyPPBowLc_I/AAAAAAAAFwo/E1UcHfc6kKU/s1600/Port+Arthur+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vWMB7Nf6ziU/UyPPBowLc_I/AAAAAAAAFwo/E1UcHfc6kKU/s1600/Port+Arthur+8.jpg" height="102" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NQbzwOMgk-g/UyPPAhBr6yI/AAAAAAAAFwc/_nJpjBFHYZ8/s1600/Port+Arthur+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NQbzwOMgk-g/UyPPAhBr6yI/AAAAAAAAFwc/_nJpjBFHYZ8/s1600/Port+Arthur+9.jpg" height="87" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BJFjmVmyOHw/UyPQDW4BeSI/AAAAAAAAFw8/GZ2HSLjUyD0/s1600/Port+Arthur+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BJFjmVmyOHw/UyPQDW4BeSI/AAAAAAAAFw8/GZ2HSLjUyD0/s1600/Port+Arthur+2.jpg" height="100" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i>(The above are of around Port Arthur)</i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
Port Arthur as like
other penal colonies before it has some gruesome history, I think I mentioned
before that I was reading a book that I have now finished called "Closing
of Hells Gate", it is well worth a read, the book ends where Port Arthur
begins as Port Arthur took the place of Sarah Island and some other penal
colonies like Maria Island.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After our walk all over Port Arthur we walked back to
Stewart Bay and back aboard where I decided to give the anchor winch a
strip down and without any great result other than confirming it is dead. The
only thing left to do is have a drink.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
We had a reasonably early night as we sail in the morning at
first light for Maria Island.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cheers</div>
John Jenkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02474048972412245226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3924608710329509887.post-54906557129986766102014-02-25T17:33:00.000+10:002014-02-25T17:33:01.272+10:00Hobart - Tasmania<div class="MsoNormal">
Well we had a week and a half in Hobart staying at the
Prince of Wales Marina and I must say it is a very nice marina, the marina is a
bit distant from town but there are buses available after a short walk. Thanks
to two more wonderful friends, Frank and June we got around and about with
them. Frank told me he was available to run us around where ever we needed to go. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vEHERDO7fuE/UwwzPlwXoDI/AAAAAAAAFrM/R1HB7JrfuNQ/s1600/Prince+of+Wales+Marina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vEHERDO7fuE/UwwzPlwXoDI/AAAAAAAAFrM/R1HB7JrfuNQ/s1600/Prince+of+Wales+Marina.jpg" height="93" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>(Prince of Wales Marina, this marina has only been open for 18 months)</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8sS9867tPsU/UwwzPv2zDqI/AAAAAAAAFrc/9BeoCPX6Cfw/s1600/Prince+of+Wales+Bay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8sS9867tPsU/UwwzPv2zDqI/AAAAAAAAFrc/9BeoCPX6Cfw/s1600/Prince+of+Wales+Bay.jpg" height="136" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Prince of Wales Bay)</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g7K6TJUKZvA/UwwzQPHqEnI/AAAAAAAAFrg/rCOZ49CX-oY/s1600/AR+and+Mt+Wellington.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g7K6TJUKZvA/UwwzQPHqEnI/AAAAAAAAFrg/rCOZ49CX-oY/s1600/AR+and+Mt+Wellington.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Alana Rose berthed with Mt Wellington in the background)</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We arrived on Thursday 13/02/2014, June and Frank were there
to meet us and they took us home for dinner. On Friday Frank ran me around to
get oil and filters I needed and filters for the engines so two days were taken
up doing engine maintenance, all fuel and oil filters changed, changed oil,
cleaned the heat exchangers and adjusted the valve tappets.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Saturday I did the starboard engine and I tried to help the
blokes on the boat next door to us as they had electrical problems which ended
up being a crook battery charger and one bank of batteries needing replacement,
Sunday Frank and June took us to Richmond to see the Highland Piped Bands, they
have the championships there each year and Frank used to play in the Police
Piped Band. From there we went into Hobart to the Italian Food Festival where
we had a bite of lunch. The day did not have the best weather it had light rain
from time to time but we had a good day of it.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TnBJ83aoYX0/UwxEWZiZ7hI/AAAAAAAAFtc/gH9N8zzZ0pY/s1600/Highland+bands+Richmond.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TnBJ83aoYX0/UwxEWZiZ7hI/AAAAAAAAFtc/gH9N8zzZ0pY/s1600/Highland+bands+Richmond.jpg" height="165" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Piped bands at Richmond)</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2hXPn0P1Fp4/UwxEW65_25I/AAAAAAAAFtk/8e3joss0JAg/s1600/Italian+Food+Festival.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2hXPn0P1Fp4/UwxEW65_25I/AAAAAAAAFtk/8e3joss0JAg/s1600/Italian+Food+Festival.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(The Italian Food Festival, it was packed)</i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Monday it was back to work and I worked on the port engine
completing the service. Tuesday Frank gave us his care to do our shopping, so
we went and did a big shop for groceries as at the time we thought we would be
leaving the next day, although it was in doubt due to the change in weather.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wednesday and Thursday was a quiet days aboard it looks like
Sunday before we leave. Friday we went into Hobart and caught the fast cat MR1
(Mona Roma 1) and went to the Mona Gallery. This was some experience, The
gallery is owned by a David Walsh who had made his millions as a professional
gambler. The art exhibitions some being very confronting are from artist
worldwide and are actually David's personal art collection, some of the
exhibits are changed every six months and I believe that it is Hobart biggest
tourist attraction as far as the number of people that visit. Some people fly
from all over the world just to drop in see the gallery and leave again.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kHSvNiJw_GM/UwxAcPzk02I/AAAAAAAAFsM/DfI8pQ6cwNU/s1600/Mona+gallery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kHSvNiJw_GM/UwxAcPzk02I/AAAAAAAAFsM/DfI8pQ6cwNU/s1600/Mona+gallery.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Arriving on the ferry gallery entrance white building on top of hill)</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PI4CsyE_6FY/UwxAVpZ7MQI/AAAAAAAAFrw/Jg9C7bMR2sA/s1600/Gallery+lift-stairs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PI4CsyE_6FY/UwxAVpZ7MQI/AAAAAAAAFrw/Jg9C7bMR2sA/s1600/Gallery+lift-stairs.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i>(At the basement floor looking back at lift and stairs around it)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tYLRdjsZcFU/UwxAVbKKY4I/AAAAAAAAFrs/NM9gksUbLs0/s1600/Gallery+lower+floor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tYLRdjsZcFU/UwxAVbKKY4I/AAAAAAAAFrs/NM9gksUbLs0/s1600/Gallery+lower+floor.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Rest area this is where the tour starts)</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLVZte_XYbo/UwxAV8_oOWI/AAAAAAAAFr0/9BZPnTjNBhI/s1600/Light+exhibit+and+Nancy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLVZte_XYbo/UwxAV8_oOWI/AAAAAAAAFr0/9BZPnTjNBhI/s1600/Light+exhibit+and+Nancy.jpg" height="234" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(First exhibit is the light that comes on when you hold the handles and it flashes to the beat of your heart)</i></div>
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May I say it is not every ones cup of tea, as I said some
art works are confronting, The Poo Room is one that everyone goes to see, I
must say that the smell shortened my stay in the room considerably. I may say
it is an incredible place, most of the art works is not my thing but it was
well worth the visit not just to see the art but the building and it's
surrounds. The building is below ground level, the entrance is on top of a
hillside on the waterfront and when you get off the MR1 that takes you there
are 92 steps to reach the top. When you enter the gallery there is a hall where
you can take your bags and secure them because you won't want to take them with
you and I don't think you are allowed to. There is a cafe and a lift that goes
downwards or you may choose as we did to walk down the spiral stairs that are
on the outside of the round lift. Down the bottom which is about four floors
below there is toilets, rest area, a bar and the start of the gallery. To give
you an idea of time required we caught the 0930 hour ferry (MR1 cat) and caught
the 1345 hour ferry back, this gave us plenty of time to look around and have a
bite to eat at the cafe. If we needed extra time we could have organised a
later ferry or give the cafe a miss and have a bite on the ferry on the way
back as they also have a cafe.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dz8GDP8Urq0/UwxBuKcSHYI/AAAAAAAAFs4/xTsPGfiFUpw/s1600/art+exhibit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dz8GDP8Urq0/UwxBuKcSHYI/AAAAAAAAFs4/xTsPGfiFUpw/s1600/art+exhibit.jpg" height="118" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(These are separate exhibits just put together on photo)</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bGMre-h0yZA/UwxBqqSQ7RI/AAAAAAAAFsg/V3VCCsdU9G4/s1600/Exhibit+sectioned.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bGMre-h0yZA/UwxBqqSQ7RI/AAAAAAAAFsg/V3VCCsdU9G4/s1600/Exhibit+sectioned.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(This exhibit was spread from one side the room to the other and had flies dead hanging on threads the photos have been split to enlarge)</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gdc-qHC7Mik/UwxBsu-YcdI/AAAAAAAAFsw/2JdgwR2XJRQ/s1600/Exhibits.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gdc-qHC7Mik/UwxBsu-YcdI/AAAAAAAAFsw/2JdgwR2XJRQ/s1600/Exhibits.jpg" height="155" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(These exhibits were also separated)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aqQSbTBJ7e8/UwxDCvGKECI/AAAAAAAAFtA/pt_rjU-niqQ/s1600/Painting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aqQSbTBJ7e8/UwxDCvGKECI/AAAAAAAAFtA/pt_rjU-niqQ/s1600/Painting.jpg" height="226" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(One of the paintings)</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-geQIYO-TzwQ/UwxDWJZFAjI/AAAAAAAAFtQ/7kWQiE9vuK8/s1600/Room+exhibit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-geQIYO-TzwQ/UwxDWJZFAjI/AAAAAAAAFtQ/7kWQiE9vuK8/s1600/Room+exhibit.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(This again is a number of photos taken in the same room)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kJg1gB_b3O0/UwxDCwjFqjI/AAAAAAAAFtE/LESx5w3furI/s1600/Poo+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kJg1gB_b3O0/UwxDCwjFqjI/AAAAAAAAFtE/LESx5w3furI/s1600/Poo+room.jpg" height="156" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(The Poop Room and smells the same, these represent the digestive system, they get fed twice a day and if you are lucky enough to be there they do a poo at 1400 hours, shame our boat left at 1345 hours)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DhY3aBofOi4/UwxE9Td898I/AAAAAAAAFt4/G_6wwC7Z8Po/s1600/View+from+cafe+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DhY3aBofOi4/UwxE9Td898I/AAAAAAAAFt4/G_6wwC7Z8Po/s1600/View+from+cafe+2.jpg" height="90" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>(Above and below a couple of views from the cafe)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s-TmFfMlCpg/UwxE9Ra1LJI/AAAAAAAAFuA/F1k89goTf10/s1600/View+from+cafe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s-TmFfMlCpg/UwxE9Ra1LJI/AAAAAAAAFuA/F1k89goTf10/s1600/View+from+cafe.jpg" height="92" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P67-LxrtYKU/UwxE9D54mtI/AAAAAAAAFt0/nLvzVVy7oI8/s1600/Leaving+Mona.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P67-LxrtYKU/UwxE9D54mtI/AAAAAAAAFt0/nLvzVVy7oI8/s1600/Leaving+Mona.jpg" height="119" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(MR1 taking us back to Hobart)</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7puimW51aYI/UwxFSQXPQ1I/AAAAAAAAFuM/G8ZoMHMGoSM/s1600/Free+range+chef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7puimW51aYI/UwxFSQXPQ1I/AAAAAAAAFuM/G8ZoMHMGoSM/s1600/Free+range+chef.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(The sign in the Galley of the MR1)</i></div>
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When we got back to Hobart we went to find the supermarket
as Nancy needed a couple of items, we then went for a drink and caught up with
Elena and her family, a lovely lady that used to live in Alice Springs. We have
chatted on the old Face Book and as we were both in town at the same time
thought we would meet and say hi.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GzkDXLzQcgg/UwxGbOzSfnI/AAAAAAAAFuY/51RuqJPBNaA/s1600/Elena.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GzkDXLzQcgg/UwxGbOzSfnI/AAAAAAAAFuY/51RuqJPBNaA/s1600/Elena.jpg" height="203" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(The lovely Elena with Nancy and myself)</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-msdRGBWD6XE/UwxGb3OCacI/AAAAAAAAFuc/KuGkqx5VmCg/s1600/Rhapsody.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-msdRGBWD6XE/UwxGb3OCacI/AAAAAAAAFuc/KuGkqx5VmCg/s1600/Rhapsody.jpg" height="205" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Steve and Kerrin's 'Rhapsody along the dock)</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NVHTg_ffkbc/UwxGfeYPvbI/AAAAAAAAFuo/pmqnunVn74Y/s1600/Entrance+to+Constitution+Dock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NVHTg_ffkbc/UwxGfeYPvbI/AAAAAAAAFuo/pmqnunVn74Y/s1600/Entrance+to+Constitution+Dock.jpg" height="124" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(This is the entrance to Constitution Dock, I think you can see why I did not atemped it)</i></div>
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After this we went over to Constitutional Dock and met up
with Steve and Kerrin off 'Rhapsody' who we sailed the Gordon River with and
after having a drink with them we caught a taxi back to the marina.</div>
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Saturday being our last day Frank and June put on a farewell
barbeque for us, Frank was also good enough to run us into town to drop some
charts off for Steve and Kerrin before we headed to his house. We had a great afternoon and we said our
goodbyes in the early evening and Frank took us back to the marina as we needed
an early night as we leave first light in the morning.</div>
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Cheers.</div>
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John Jenkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02474048972412245226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3924608710329509887.post-21895981129213371442014-02-18T19:06:00.004+10:002014-02-18T19:06:47.349+10:00Recherche Bay to Port Huon and Port Huon to Hobart via Port Cygnet, Kettering and Barnes Bay<div class="MsoNormal">
Saturday - 08/02/2014</div>
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We did not rush around this morning we had breakfast before heading out up the D'Entrecasteax
Channel to the Huon River. The guide book indicates that once leaving Recherche
Bay to be careful of the kelp beds, these are natural growing seaweed that grow
off the edges of coral stretching out from the islands and reefs, these are
well marked on the electronic charts. There is a lot of the kelp floating
freely that have broken away so that can make you think that you are close to a
kelp bed but basically if you stay on a line centre to the islands it is clear
of the beds.</div>
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It was a very calm day, might say the calm before the storm
the change is due tomorrow, we set off and motored no wind again. It was a
pleasant journey, we had about 35NMS to go. We passed many numbers of seals
along the way laying on their backs with their flippers sticking straight up
out of the water, as I have found out that this is their way of temperature
control which I mentioned before. They look cute but they can become nasty at
times if they think they are being threatened.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pqGVFArS3vU/UwMPyRpKSqI/AAAAAAAAFk4/o8c7yjsPbas/s1600/01+seals+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pqGVFArS3vU/UwMPyRpKSqI/AAAAAAAAFk4/o8c7yjsPbas/s1600/01+seals+1.jpg" height="195" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-muuxFPE7B8Q/UwMPxQvClCI/AAAAAAAAFk0/p1KTSbjsKj8/s1600/01+seals+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-muuxFPE7B8Q/UwMPxQvClCI/AAAAAAAAFk0/p1KTSbjsKj8/s1600/01+seals+2.jpg" height="157" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Its a rough life)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3v4WgCDBK7E/UwMPy7oWNiI/AAAAAAAAFlE/7XI9HTonDaI/s1600/01+Classic+boats+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3v4WgCDBK7E/UwMPy7oWNiI/AAAAAAAAFlE/7XI9HTonDaI/s1600/01+Classic+boats+1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Classic little motor boat)</i></div>
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As we neared Huon River mouth we found many fish farms on
each side so care needs to be taken, they are clearly marked with yellow
markers you just stay outside these markers. I heard one bloke on the radio the
other day calling the fisheries up on the radio asking how he should navigate
around them, the fisheries told him to follow the track outside the yellow
markers, this bloke had trouble with that, I don't think the bloke should be
out on the water. All you need is binoculars to see the markers ahead of the
one you are approaching to work it out.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IH89spTcFtk/UwMQW924YwI/AAAAAAAAFlM/Wp5dwlCr9zU/s1600/01Fish+farms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IH89spTcFtk/UwMQW924YwI/AAAAAAAAFlM/Wp5dwlCr9zU/s1600/01Fish+farms.jpg" height="223" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(A section of one of the many fish farms)</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yLSxuHu_4KQ/UwMQWmE7IUI/AAAAAAAAFlQ/nK9L17JltaY/s1600/01+Fish+farms+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yLSxuHu_4KQ/UwMQWmE7IUI/AAAAAAAAFlQ/nK9L17JltaY/s1600/01+Fish+farms+2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(One of the fish farm boats)</i></div>
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We continued up the river and I re-checked the weather on
the internet and said to Nancy with the change of 40 knot winds tomorrow it may
pay to see if we can go into the marina. Nancy contacted the marina and they
said they had a berth for us so we headed for there.</div>
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The directions given to us was go passed the main wharf of
Port Huon then follow the line of moored yachts and boats and that will lead us
into the Kermandie River then follow the markers to the marina. We did this
after being assured that the water will be deep enough one for us to enter. It
was about an hour after low tide. When we got to the entrance I was a little
surprised at the narrowness of the marked channel, from my helm position it
hardly looked wide enough for us to pass through it although in reality there
was well enough width. The shallowest point was 2 metres deep. We found where
we were intended to go and as we went alongside a bloke by the name of David
came to give us a hand grabbing the lines and securing us, we thanked after
introducing ourselves. He was very helpful with local information. Later we met
another yachty, Sue who had a lovely looking yacht 'Lioness of the Sea', which
she has up for sale she also lives aboard.</div>
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We had lunch up at the Kermandie Hotel, which I can fully
recommend, the marina complex is owned by the same people that have the hotel.</div>
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Frank from Hobart rang and said he would come down the next
day and for a drive we could have lunch so we thought that was a good idea. We
had a quiet night on board</div>
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Sunday - 09/02/2014</div>
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Today the weather is going to turn bad, high winds are
predicted for around 1400 hours, the morning we spent cleaning the boat and
getting things tied down. Long time friends Frank and June and June's sister
Cath came down from Hobart to have lunch with us at the Kermandie Hotel in the
main restaurant. I can only praise this place the food is wonderful and that
was voted by all of us, the service was very professional and not expensive,
prices were on par with most restaurants, but I would class this as five star
service and quality of meals and ample size meals. The other day we had a bar
meal in the main bar which was a burger and chips but we both commented then
how good that was and it only cost $12.50.</div>
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The restaurant is quite busy so if you intend to go there it
is advisable to book ahead, we were lucky to get in without prior booking and
the place soon filled up.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ejjN9kpHEnI/UwMRRRzuaOI/AAAAAAAAFlo/oOTuPYR2MtM/s1600/Kermandie+Hotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ejjN9kpHEnI/UwMRRRzuaOI/AAAAAAAAFlo/oOTuPYR2MtM/s1600/Kermandie+Hotel.jpg" height="171" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Kermandie Hotel, great food great service)</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dcR8OimDm0M/UwMRTkM5wLI/AAAAAAAAFlw/Q8o4lEVTvDA/s1600/Kermandie+Marina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dcR8OimDm0M/UwMRTkM5wLI/AAAAAAAAFlw/Q8o4lEVTvDA/s1600/Kermandie+Marina.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Kermandie Marina, very sheltered and not expensive)</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ELR7y6qMgNU/UwMRWCu4KhI/AAAAAAAAFl0/ru3b6wqiSCs/s1600/Kermandie+boat+yard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ELR7y6qMgNU/UwMRWCu4KhI/AAAAAAAAFl0/ru3b6wqiSCs/s1600/Kermandie+boat+yard.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Kermandie Marina Boatyard large boat haulout)</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3zl6NBAUUjs/UwMRQ_5IiYI/AAAAAAAAFlg/Hs6ltdS5paA/s1600/Kermandie+River+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3zl6NBAUUjs/UwMRQ_5IiYI/AAAAAAAAFlg/Hs6ltdS5paA/s1600/Kermandie+River+2.jpg" height="93" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>(Kermandie River, entrance left up river right)</i></div>
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Whilst cleaning the boat this morning a yacht went passed on
their way out, I made comment to them about the weather change, they said they
would be alright and I hope they are, the winds out there were horrific, no
sooner the storm hit we heard on the VHF radio calls for assistance six boats
in trouble just 3 nautical miles from
us. Hobart radio put out a 'Relay Mayday' for any vessel in the area that could
go to their assistance and fortunately some of the strong boats from the fish
farms responded. Most boats would have had trouble getting away from the dock
to go, we definitely could not go in these conditions the wind would not allow
us to turn without sending us aground even the coastguard rescue boat could not
launch in these conditions, the fisheries boats were in the area of the fish
farms and are strong tug type boats. . Looking at the met observations winds
out on the river were up to 72 knots.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7t1M-ltjUkw/UwMalHeQYJI/AAAAAAAAFoI/Ag4su-EKte0/s1600/The+storm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7t1M-ltjUkw/UwMalHeQYJI/AAAAAAAAFoI/Ag4su-EKte0/s1600/The+storm.jpg" height="196" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(This was after the storm had settled down a little, this is the channel into the marina and Kermandie River)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KJX4er5q2MQ/UwMamfd2rlI/AAAAAAAAFoc/EeXWLpQ592w/s1600/Rainbow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KJX4er5q2MQ/UwMamfd2rlI/AAAAAAAAFoc/EeXWLpQ592w/s1600/Rainbow.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Light rain brings the rainbow)</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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Hobart had been hit quite bad, Frank phoned to warn us about
the storm it hit them just as he was turning into his street, I told him that
it had already hit down here. Hobart had power blackouts and trees down, one
poor chap was killed when a tree fell on the utility he was driving.</div>
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The winds stayed until near dark so we did not venture
anywhere. Sue's yacht broke away from the dock as a bow line snapped and the
boys were there quick to give her assistance and the fishing boat behind us had
a boom snap where it had a shade awning over it, the wind in the awning broke
the boom.</div>
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Fortunately it calmed some but still windy through the
night, I was feeling so pleased we had come into the marina rather than ride
this one out of the anchor.</div>
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Monday - 10/02/2014</div>
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Things were calm again but we could see some of the
aftermath of the storm with one yacht that had been out had a ragged piece of
cloth hanging from the headsail halyard, when talking to the owner later he had
lost the headsail and the mainsail, apparently they were out with other yachts
from Cygnet Bay racing, which is amazing when they cancelled the Hobart Regatta
race due to pending weather conditions in Hobart which was the first time in its
history to be cancelled through weather. People do not realise the risks at
times they think that all will be alright, they do not think of the people that
have to risk their lives to rescue them when everything goes pear shape, that
those people have families that also worry.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WKAEY1yCcco/UwMalb-HdxI/AAAAAAAAFoU/sXC77GZgbFM/s1600/Kermandie+River+glowing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WKAEY1yCcco/UwMalb-HdxI/AAAAAAAAFoU/sXC77GZgbFM/s1600/Kermandie+River+glowing.jpg" height="88" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>(The new day a new morning)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BCnDBhVESLw/UwMTBcwfr0I/AAAAAAAAFmA/Y4FCdECmJ3M/s1600/sail+damage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BCnDBhVESLw/UwMTBcwfr0I/AAAAAAAAFmA/Y4FCdECmJ3M/s1600/sail+damage.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i>(One of the yachts that lost both headsail and mainsail, the remains of the headsail flapping aloft)</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Axjze62gDks/UwMZmp_Sg9I/AAAAAAAAFn8/x6I1Wk6R70Y/s1600/Kermandie+entrance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Axjze62gDks/UwMZmp_Sg9I/AAAAAAAAFn8/x6I1Wk6R70Y/s1600/Kermandie+entrance.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Calm after the storm)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZaZZcia2e5I/UwMZmARsZpI/AAAAAAAAFnw/52ZA_6LGC5c/s1600/Calm+after+storm+sunrise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZaZZcia2e5I/UwMZmARsZpI/AAAAAAAAFnw/52ZA_6LGC5c/s1600/Calm+after+storm+sunrise.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n9ijRWyb-lI/UwMZmQzTPDI/AAAAAAAAFoA/qcuCHXWtlVA/s1600/Calm+after+storm+sunrise+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n9ijRWyb-lI/UwMZmQzTPDI/AAAAAAAAFoA/qcuCHXWtlVA/s1600/Calm+after+storm+sunrise+2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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In the quiet morning we went for a walk down to Huon Wharf,
the wharf today is used by the fishery farms, earlier days it would have been
used for timber fruit and vegetable shipments. The place appears to be growing
as far as housing with new estates opening
and land prices are quite low in these parts. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As we walked back to the marina we met Sue that came along
in her car and stopped alongside and asked if we wanted to go for a ride into
Huonville where we could do some shopping, so we thanked her and went with her,
we did our shopping then had a bite to eat and on the way back she stopped and
showed us Franklin and we visited fruit farms where Nancy bought so fruit.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6Mmn9B5AMyM/UwMWQvgXhOI/AAAAAAAAFm8/TG0dC2S4SdI/s1600/Note+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6Mmn9B5AMyM/UwMWQvgXhOI/AAAAAAAAFm8/TG0dC2S4SdI/s1600/Note+1.jpg" height="296" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--Y5C-5Tr6P0/UwMWRCSRqWI/AAAAAAAAFnI/zztRvhYvn6E/s1600/Note+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--Y5C-5Tr6P0/UwMWRCSRqWI/AAAAAAAAFnI/zztRvhYvn6E/s1600/Note+2.jpg" height="264" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qshdp3g3W2w/UwMWb25IgPI/AAAAAAAAFno/M0R0LFVoTT4/s1600/Place+of+the+jetty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qshdp3g3W2w/UwMWb25IgPI/AAAAAAAAFno/M0R0LFVoTT4/s1600/Place+of+the+jetty.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UuFRih3d_tc/UwMWVldC5DI/AAAAAAAAFnQ/FmCw4PX3Gss/s1600/Note+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UuFRih3d_tc/UwMWVldC5DI/AAAAAAAAFnQ/FmCw4PX3Gss/s1600/Note+5.jpg" height="130" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x7QTg5J71S0/UwMWP5feVUI/AAAAAAAAFm4/1oLPRG1JFBU/s1600/Note+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x7QTg5J71S0/UwMWP5feVUI/AAAAAAAAFm4/1oLPRG1JFBU/s1600/Note+4.jpg" height="188" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fGIseD2mF8M/UwMWZw0UUCI/AAAAAAAAFng/KnZiM9UG9JI/s1600/Note+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fGIseD2mF8M/UwMWZw0UUCI/AAAAAAAAFng/KnZiM9UG9JI/s1600/Note+6.jpg" height="320" width="237" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8ojVhLNZ4eo/UwMWYtZH7hI/AAAAAAAAFnY/UfKEPXIdWzM/s1600/Note+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8ojVhLNZ4eo/UwMWYtZH7hI/AAAAAAAAFnY/UfKEPXIdWzM/s1600/Note+7.jpg" height="222" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5P6qFQoUvgA/UwMTxoXAgZI/AAAAAAAAFms/Kpz3LOwhQ_U/s1600/Mile+stone+at+Geeveston.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5P6qFQoUvgA/UwMTxoXAgZI/AAAAAAAAFms/Kpz3LOwhQ_U/s1600/Mile+stone+at+Geeveston.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(This would have to be one of the oldest mile stones around, I assume it is 34 Miles to Hobart)</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--mettH5ms4k/UwMTv2OsQSI/AAAAAAAAFmk/QiAgc-MUiqY/s1600/Huon+Wharf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--mettH5ms4k/UwMTv2OsQSI/AAAAAAAAFmk/QiAgc-MUiqY/s1600/Huon+Wharf.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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(The Huon Wharf now used by the fish farms)</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fhWmX-zxlDU/UwMTroNONSI/AAAAAAAAFmI/LN40Vp9pPbI/s1600/Bank-Hospital+-+Antiques.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fhWmX-zxlDU/UwMTroNONSI/AAAAAAAAFmI/LN40Vp9pPbI/s1600/Bank-Hospital+-+Antiques.jpg" height="223" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(The bank come Hospital come Antique Shop)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NgJSQA7H1Uk/UwMTsv5m-VI/AAAAAAAAFmc/qx0PsSurCa0/s1600/Bank-Hospital+-+Antiques+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NgJSQA7H1Uk/UwMTsv5m-VI/AAAAAAAAFmc/qx0PsSurCa0/s1600/Bank-Hospital+-+Antiques+sign.jpg" height="320" width="236" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4pXk9s7qQJE/UwMTsfRIinI/AAAAAAAAFmY/9yS2ef182mw/s1600/Bank-Hospital+-+Antiques+sign+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4pXk9s7qQJE/UwMTsfRIinI/AAAAAAAAFmY/9yS2ef182mw/s1600/Bank-Hospital+-+Antiques+sign+2.jpg" height="280" width="320" /></a></div>
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We had a very nice day and as we are leaving tomorrow we
went over to the hotel to see about paying our fees for the marina. We got to
the hotel across the road and said that we need to pay for our stay at the
marina, Lisa asked if we had any meals at the hotel and we replied that we had
lunch in the bar the first day and lunch in the restaurant yesterday, so she
said that the two meals cover two days so we only had to pay for one day which
was $25. You can't get better than that. We had a couple of beers at the bar
before heading back on board and getting things organised for leaving tomorrow.
We had a usual nice dinner aboard and a quiet night.</div>
<h2>
Port Huon to Port Cygnet</h2>
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Tuesday - 11/02/2014</div>
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We left the marina straight after breakfast not long after
high tide so we had plenty of depth in the passage and catch the tide down the
Huon to Cygnet Bay, again it was a motor job as there was no wind so used the
one engine and went along at 5.3 knots. The Huon River like the rest of
Tasmania is beautiful, the landscapes of farms and other properties are a mix
of modern and heritage styles.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pLgZmmCcjOA/UwMcPz9LIeI/AAAAAAAAFo0/E4IKXuPK5IY/s1600/Leaving+Huon+Harbour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pLgZmmCcjOA/UwMcPz9LIeI/AAAAAAAAFo0/E4IKXuPK5IY/s1600/Leaving+Huon+Harbour.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Leaving Port Huon)</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m_sCJJ3hYh8/UwMbysnQqaI/AAAAAAAAFos/9jDQqsBFTPU/s1600/Farmland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m_sCJJ3hYh8/UwMbysnQqaI/AAAAAAAAFos/9jDQqsBFTPU/s1600/Farmland.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Farms of different types above round bales and below fish farm)</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-75OCVSGQgmo/UwMbxTi2WzI/AAAAAAAAFoo/RDGDE1fNlv4/s1600/Down+the+Huon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-75OCVSGQgmo/UwMbxTi2WzI/AAAAAAAAFoo/RDGDE1fNlv4/s1600/Down+the+Huon.jpg" height="155" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m3o3VXOiUSw/UwMdnrxXT4I/AAAAAAAAFpk/64ajq10mJQQ/s1600/Fish+in+tow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m3o3VXOiUSw/UwMdnrxXT4I/AAAAAAAAFpk/64ajq10mJQQ/s1600/Fish+in+tow.jpg" height="168" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(This tug is towing the fish enclosure at a very slow rate it does not look like they are moving there is a very long tow line between them which is hard to see in this weather, there is a black marker half way along the tow line and the tug has the correct signs for towing)</i></div>
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As we rounded Beaupre Point going into Port Cygnet the land
on the point was farmland with round hay bales and in the bay just before the
point was a monohull yacht moored, Nancy said there is the best of both worlds
assuming the yacht belonged to the farm which makes sense.</div>
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We went up to Cygnet Bay and anchored just outside the
moorings at the Cygnet Bay Sailing Club after anchoring we noticed an older
motorboat on the opposite shore to the club aground still tied to a mooring and
the mooring was aground just in front of the boat, a possible result of the
storm the other day.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-toHQABuFN_0/UwMdl6MehlI/AAAAAAAAFpU/hkQsyE5WIXI/s1600/Cygnet+Bay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-toHQABuFN_0/UwMdl6MehlI/AAAAAAAAFpU/hkQsyE5WIXI/s1600/Cygnet+Bay.jpg" height="198" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Looking down steam from Cygnet Bay)</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f0-IhK2Q4bE/UwMdklwKSlI/AAAAAAAAFpY/KvehzDnqR1c/s1600/01+Classic+yacht+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f0-IhK2Q4bE/UwMdklwKSlI/AAAAAAAAFpY/KvehzDnqR1c/s1600/01+Classic+yacht+2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7qw6zCUqxWA/UwMdkrWFuNI/AAAAAAAAFpQ/RDNGwDlDnaY/s1600/01+Classic+yacht.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7qw6zCUqxWA/UwMdkrWFuNI/AAAAAAAAFpQ/RDNGwDlDnaY/s1600/01+Classic+yacht.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Classic yachts)</i></div>
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In the afternoon we watched the yacht race, they had little
wind but there were some wonderful vintage yachts racing, one I noticed when it
finished it had two young children aboard in their lifejackets that were having
a ball, they were laughing and jumping around on the foredeck, it is just great
to see children enjoying the time aboard probably not worrying about the race
just having fun, the day ended with a great sunset.</div>
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We spent a quiet night at anchor and it was quite peaceful.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XCldnyrrn9I/UwMdh_YkszI/AAAAAAAAFpE/yNT2akDxIoY/s1600/Cygnet+Bay+sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XCldnyrrn9I/UwMdh_YkszI/AAAAAAAAFpE/yNT2akDxIoY/s1600/Cygnet+Bay+sunset.jpg" height="120" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>(Cygnet Bay sunset)</i></div>
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<h2>
Cygnet Bay to Barnes Bay</h2>
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Wednesday - 12/02/2014</div>
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We caught the tide out and headed for Kettering Marina to
fuel, it would be easier to fuel here than try and cart it in containers in
Hobart. The day is cloudy and drizzling rain, not a great day, no wind having
to motor again although I do have the sail up its not doing much. As we come
out of Cygnet Bay I noticed a fisheries
tug with one of the fish growing units a fair way behind but I imagine it is
being towed, looking through the binoculars I could just see the tow line with
a marker about half way, on a grey day like today it is difficult to see and
because the unit is so delicate the boat towing is barely moving. So one needs
to be alert at all times.</div>
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Leaving the Huon River and entering <span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span>D'Entrecasteaux
Channel<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span>passing Huon Island I noticed the classic old
homestead ashore hard to see as it is surrounded by large trees making a wind break for the property. It
looked quite spectacular even on this grey day.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NpiuXjtLdgc/UwMef4RYN3I/AAAAAAAAFps/7RS-b1mwSEU/s1600/Kettering+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NpiuXjtLdgc/UwMef4RYN3I/AAAAAAAAFps/7RS-b1mwSEU/s1600/Kettering+1.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Entering Kettering Marina area)</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J6yUvwk8S00/UwMegTRz-XI/AAAAAAAAFp0/yovI2cURwJs/s1600/Kettering+self+serve.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J6yUvwk8S00/UwMegTRz-XI/AAAAAAAAFp0/yovI2cURwJs/s1600/Kettering+self+serve.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Fueling up)</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4QrLTZMBLAQ/UwMefZdqx4I/AAAAAAAAFpw/fmulpJ1hZ-4/s1600/Kettering+marina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4QrLTZMBLAQ/UwMefZdqx4I/AAAAAAAAFpw/fmulpJ1hZ-4/s1600/Kettering+marina.jpg" height="153" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Kettering Marina)</i></div>
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We continued up the channel and the weather started to clear
just before we got to Kettering, as we approached the ferry crossed ahead of us
that takes cars and people across to Bruny Island. Turning into Kettering there
are a lot of moorings but there is a wide passage through the centre as you
enter the marina area it appears to be cluttered with docks in all directions.
We headed for the marina fuelling point which is right down the end where there
is a big FUEL sign. However, on the way there we passed another fuelling point
which was self serve, we continued to the far fuel area at the marina as we had
rang them, but looking at the dock that we had to go to was not favourable, it
was a high dock and we probably would have had to run around organising boards
for the fenders so I opted to turn around and go back to the self serve which
had a good dock in a clear area. We filled the tanks and the containers then
left for North Bruny Island, Barnes Bay at the anchorage Alexanders this is
only a short distance across the channel.</div>
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As we entered Barnes Bay we noticed a small yacht that had
been a victim of the storm the other day, it was well aground and badly
damaged, this was the second vessel that we had seen aground. We anchored in
Alexander a small well protected bay that is used by yachts regularly heading
for Hobart from the south as an overnight anchorage.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wNRAn78i_SU/UwMgHIQZj-I/AAAAAAAAFqI/4lnZ2wTdc9Q/s1600/Alexanda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wNRAn78i_SU/UwMgHIQZj-I/AAAAAAAAFqI/4lnZ2wTdc9Q/s1600/Alexanda.jpg" height="120" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>(Alexander anchorage Barnes Bay, North Bruny Island)</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ilUn5Ad3MLE/UwMgHTa--jI/AAAAAAAAFqY/JwKnEKFnCmQ/s1600/visitors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ilUn5Ad3MLE/UwMgHTa--jI/AAAAAAAAFqY/JwKnEKFnCmQ/s1600/visitors.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(The one closest is the vocal one, must be the female)</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PTrV85RY9p8/UwMgHEKqyXI/AAAAAAAAFqU/805ipIKY_xA/s1600/Sunrise+Barnes+Bay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PTrV85RY9p8/UwMgHEKqyXI/AAAAAAAAFqU/805ipIKY_xA/s1600/Sunrise+Barnes+Bay.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Morning calm)</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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After anchoring we had visitors and one was very vocal, two
black swans looking for a feed, they had already had a feed at a large motor
cruiser a short distance from us and as we found they just travelled between
the two boats looking for extra food.</div>
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It was a very calm anchorage and good holding so we had a
comfortable night.</div>
<h2>
Barnes Bay to Hobart</h2>
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Thursday - 13/02/2014</div>
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We had a nice breakfast and waited a short time for the sun
to warm things up, it was a great day with sunshine no wind again so it was to
motor once again. We set off and as we pulled the anchor up the two swans came
after us for a last feed. We headed out up the channel to the Derwent River. We
tried to get into the marinas in Hobart City but all that was available was the
inside Constitution Dock, where we would not have power and we would be
alongside the dock wall. This is not what concerned me, what did was the fact
that the entrance is 8 metres wide and we are basically 7 metres wide, the
bridge does not open to the full vertical and with our width it does not give
me room to avoid the bridge with a mast that is well above the height of the bridge, there has been
a few yachts come to grief with the mast hitting the bridge. Nancy rang a
friend Darrin and he has his yacht at Prince of Wales Marina at the Prince of
Wales Bay which is closer to the Bowen Bridge north of the Tasman Bridge. So
Nancy contacted Noel there and he booked us in and met us at the dock to tie us
up. This marina is well protected and is brand new only been operating for 18
months. The only disadvantage is that it is a distance from shopping areas. It
does have a cafe on site that is open 0630 - 1600 hours Mon-Fri. Fees are more
than reasonable considering we are a wide catamaran taking up two berths it
cost us $121.00 for the week.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VPnkPQXZU38/UwMhEXrHFTI/AAAAAAAAFq8/UhFJ1Htu9QM/s1600/Tasman+Bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VPnkPQXZU38/UwMhEXrHFTI/AAAAAAAAFq8/UhFJ1Htu9QM/s1600/Tasman+Bridge.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Going up the Derwent River Tasman Bridge ahead)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-st44KK4hfrg/UwMhDR8XQjI/AAAAAAAAFq4/dqLATXvyyro/s1600/Tasman+Bridge+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-st44KK4hfrg/UwMhDR8XQjI/AAAAAAAAFq4/dqLATXvyyro/s1600/Tasman+Bridge+2.jpg" height="152" width="400" /></a></div>
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(There are restrictions small craft have to avoid the centre openings)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2CeBzJTESok/UwMg_eWDchI/AAAAAAAAFqk/CoF0cMJyDeg/s1600/HSV2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2CeBzJTESok/UwMg_eWDchI/AAAAAAAAFqk/CoF0cMJyDeg/s1600/HSV2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Near Prince of Wales Bay is where the build these large Cats, this one has just returned from being on lease to USA the Australian Forces used one during the Timor incident)</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vlnqQT_sEM8/UwMg_fRwtqI/AAAAAAAAFqo/wrlFOyG5TjI/s1600/PW+Marina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vlnqQT_sEM8/UwMg_fRwtqI/AAAAAAAAFqo/wrlFOyG5TjI/s1600/PW+Marina.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Sunsets over the Mt Wellington ranges)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PGgqonhctb0/UwMhAbljGqI/AAAAAAAAFqw/T3egbND_2lM/s1600/Serious+drinking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PGgqonhctb0/UwMhAbljGqI/AAAAAAAAFqw/T3egbND_2lM/s1600/Serious+drinking.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i>(This motorboat in the marina must be serious about drinking, beer tap aboard)</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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After getting settled my good friends Frank and June were
here to see us, they only live a short distance from here, so it was dinner at
their place. We had a good time and it is just great being able to catch up
with these lovely people.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Cheers.</div>
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<br /></div>
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PS. The following website is interesting reading.</div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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http://tww.id.au/cygnet/history.html</div>
John Jenkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02474048972412245226noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3924608710329509887.post-45757827708812829842014-02-15T16:10:00.001+10:002014-02-15T16:10:34.973+10:00Port Davey to Recherche Bay<div class="MsoNormal">
Friday - 07/02/2014</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Awake at 0330 hours put the kettle on make the tea, my heart
starter. Then start getting things ready, roll up the cockpit covers, started
engines to warm up, switch on the instruments, Nancy gets her herb garden
planter boxes inside the cockpit so the seawater does not kill them, undo the
mainsail bag, not that I think we will be using it there is no wind at all.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cup of tea finished time to go, Nancy out on the anchor
winch bringing up the anchor whilst I move the boat to take the strain off the
chain, she gives the all clear and we are off.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is dark you can't see a bloody thing out there other than
shadows of land, although we have two chart plotters at the helm when you first
turn after pulling the anchor they are slow to respond because we are only
moving slow until the boat gets a little speed up. It is quite easy to get
disoriented during this time. Your eyes are still trying to adjust to night
vision and Nancy who needs a torch out forward for the anchor does not help the
night vision. After a short time we adjust and I navigate us out of the Cove
and into the channel through the islands and out to sea.</div>
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As we get out to the ocean and change course for the SW Cape
the morning light starts and what a great sunrise. The shoreline is full of
mist with a few fishing boats that have been anchored for the night. The seas
have a rolling swell of around 1 to 2 metres other than that it is calm no wind
no wind waves. After we cleared the channel of islands Nancy went for a rest
because I will need a rest later and she is missing this lovely morning, she
will curse me when she sees the photos I have taken but safety comes first and
we need sleep in case we are out here longer than we expect to be.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oOaI0Tzg1Hc/Uv795mUMsvI/AAAAAAAAFhs/sz0zNeoBK5Y/s1600/Leaving+Port+Davey1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oOaI0Tzg1Hc/Uv795mUMsvI/AAAAAAAAFhs/sz0zNeoBK5Y/s1600/Leaving+Port+Davey1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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(Red in the morning?)</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NwLv9StioFc/Uv796EW-KkI/AAAAAAAAFh8/VNtf1YwC3Ok/s1600/Leaving+Port+Davey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NwLv9StioFc/Uv796EW-KkI/AAAAAAAAFh8/VNtf1YwC3Ok/s1600/Leaving+Port+Davey.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Heading to South West Cape)</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yHefLPIqA-E/Uv795iT4d_I/AAAAAAAAFhw/ijVFC66ZSwQ/s1600/Albatros+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yHefLPIqA-E/Uv795iT4d_I/AAAAAAAAFhw/ijVFC66ZSwQ/s1600/Albatros+1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Albatross glides over the sea)</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-elTYafDtxtw/Uv7-y7huwrI/AAAAAAAAFiI/ib8kIt_9doA/s1600/Albatros.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-elTYafDtxtw/Uv7-y7huwrI/AAAAAAAAFiI/ib8kIt_9doA/s1600/Albatros.jpg" height="233" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Sunrise as the albatross glides)</i></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fssBGMX1Zy4/Uv7-zF4-iqI/AAAAAAAAFiU/OHmbdPzghY4/s1600/Sunrises.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fssBGMX1Zy4/Uv7-zF4-iqI/AAAAAAAAFiU/OHmbdPzghY4/s1600/Sunrises.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NKwjBQXDe-o/Uv7-xSMV6CI/AAAAAAAAFiE/YfVAfsqx8iA/s1600/Approaching+SW+Cape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NKwjBQXDe-o/Uv7-xSMV6CI/AAAAAAAAFiE/YfVAfsqx8iA/s1600/Approaching+SW+Cape.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Approaching South West Cape)</i></div>
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Nancy got up as we were about to round South West Cape, if
she had not have been I would have to wake for this one it is one of our mile
stones of circumnavigation. There is always a concern on the seas and they say
to stay well clear of the Cape because waves can come from nowhere, we were
surprised how calm the seas were, we had studied the weather but the
predictions were for moderate NE winds and we expected the seas and wind to be
up a little. The guide book stated the best time to leave Port Davey for our
destination was just before a westerly change and that is on its way. Other
than less than one metre swell we had smooth seas no wind therefore no wind
waves, it does mean running engines.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oQ97m_3sLuU/Uv8ADHCQJPI/AAAAAAAAFik/TR4Au9CYkU4/s1600/SW+Cape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oQ97m_3sLuU/Uv8ADHCQJPI/AAAAAAAAFik/TR4Au9CYkU4/s1600/SW+Cape.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(South West Cape)</i></div>
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After rounding the SW Cape without any problems from the sea
we headed for the Maatsuyker Island Group (the name may be familiar because of
the yacht that we met in the Gordon River had the same name). The guide book
suggests the best course is to pass through these islands and they are probably
right, however, I am pleased it was not night time as there were lobster pot
floats all over the place and we had to steer a course through them.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LpX_Fbi2qQ0/Uv8ABmsf-lI/AAAAAAAAFig/sJ5GC3XwDVE/s1600/Approaching+Maatsuyka+Island+Group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LpX_Fbi2qQ0/Uv8ABmsf-lI/AAAAAAAAFig/sJ5GC3XwDVE/s1600/Approaching+Maatsuyka+Island+Group.jpg" height="167" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Nancy taking photos as we head for Maatsuyker Island Group)</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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The day was quite misty not sure whether this was smoke from
fires in SA or VIC but it did not make it good for some photos of the
coastline. The southern coastline of Tasmania is really something to see, the
mountain ranges and cliff are wonderful. The Maatsuyker Island Group are also
very attractive.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R4lYlyYPTac/Uv8A_Q3cgjI/AAAAAAAAFiw/tKIJMtui_c4/s1600/Maatsuyker+Is+Grp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R4lYlyYPTac/Uv8A_Q3cgjI/AAAAAAAAFiw/tKIJMtui_c4/s1600/Maatsuyker+Is+Grp.jpg" height="184" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Maatsuyker Island Group)</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-81O_eHenpSk/Uv8A_PkJ1QI/AAAAAAAAFi0/5_3wz29fNZ0/s1600/Maatsuyker+Is+Grp+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-81O_eHenpSk/Uv8A_PkJ1QI/AAAAAAAAFi0/5_3wz29fNZ0/s1600/Maatsuyker+Is+Grp+2.jpg" height="176" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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Nancy took the watch after we had passed through the islands
and I went for an hours sleep then I took the watch again whilst Nancy made a
brew and something to eat. Nancy kept checking our Lat/Long as she wanted to
record our furthest point south again another milestone. This occurred just as
we neared SE Cape the Lat/Long was 43⁰ 39.645' S 146⁰ 18.069' E. Prior to
reaching this point as we neared South Cape we had a great experience, in the
near flat seas we could see dolphins coming in distance from all directions
towards us, prior to this we had seal groups of seals. The dolphins just kept
coming and it did not stop until we reached South East Cape, it was mind
blowing. Some left and more joined, as some left behind us they were jumping
out of the water high in the air. We have had many dolphin experiences but this
would have been the best.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s1qX5oiks94/Uv8BrjCgPHI/AAAAAAAAFjc/19ltEiPIeIk/s1600/Dolphin+underwater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s1qX5oiks94/Uv8BrjCgPHI/AAAAAAAAFjc/19ltEiPIeIk/s1600/Dolphin+underwater.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Dolphins between the hulls)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AmFJKaqKnM0/Uv8BmHNcwzI/AAAAAAAAFjQ/jGkXV-SR8ww/s1600/Dolphin+alongside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AmFJKaqKnM0/Uv8BmHNcwzI/AAAAAAAAFjQ/jGkXV-SR8ww/s1600/Dolphin+alongside.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f2Y3Yci6YLE/Uv8Ed3QDZII/AAAAAAAAFkQ/PxlXIvumjA4/s1600/Dolphins+above+and+below.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f2Y3Yci6YLE/Uv8Ed3QDZII/AAAAAAAAFkQ/PxlXIvumjA4/s1600/Dolphins+above+and+below.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Dolphins above and below)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OiH6sVKGV2Q/Uv8BkNztCGI/AAAAAAAAFjI/3jeMXE-30nc/s1600/Dolphin+alongside+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OiH6sVKGV2Q/Uv8BkNztCGI/AAAAAAAAFjI/3jeMXE-30nc/s1600/Dolphin+alongside+2.jpg" height="175" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NhSHJWbIyWg/Uv8Bqm5k9UI/AAAAAAAAFjY/VGTATo2m4TQ/s1600/Dolphin+jump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NhSHJWbIyWg/Uv8Bqm5k9UI/AAAAAAAAFjY/VGTATo2m4TQ/s1600/Dolphin+jump.jpg" height="202" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Dolphin jumping behind the boat)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R6IG3fA9UzI/Uv8BjxNuPzI/AAAAAAAAFjE/ceodR6YnPIc/s1600/Dlophin+and+seal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R6IG3fA9UzI/Uv8BjxNuPzI/AAAAAAAAFjE/ceodR6YnPIc/s1600/Dlophin+and+seal.jpg" height="161" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Nancy taking photo of dolphins and the seal out to her left)</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FnFHVoHJu6s/Uv8CviuDXtI/AAAAAAAAFjo/t_jvGSVr17c/s1600/seal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FnFHVoHJu6s/Uv8CviuDXtI/AAAAAAAAFjo/t_jvGSVr17c/s1600/seal.jpg" height="196" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(A seal with its flipper out of the water, they do this as a way of controlling their body temperature)</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As we rounded SE Cape we could see a storm ahead and then we
saw the lightening and heard the thunder, by the guide book standards we had
left Port Davey at the right time, they stated that there would possibly be
small storms in when we got to this area as a pre-cursor to the westerly change
coming. We headed for Coalbins anchorage in Recherche Bay as we reached the bay
I had to stop engines and wait a short while as the storm hit and we had white
out, it lasted a short time then we anchored. We put the covers down due to
further rain but there was not much after anchoring. Nancy asked if I wanted a
cup of tea and I said no way I'll have a beer. We made good time getting here taking 11.5 hours averaging just over 6
knots only using one engine most of the way.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1q8E78-pwS0/Uv8DXMiWTdI/AAAAAAAAFkA/5qXt1zOfI6E/s1600/Sth+coast+near+S+Cape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1q8E78-pwS0/Uv8DXMiWTdI/AAAAAAAAFkA/5qXt1zOfI6E/s1600/Sth+coast+near+S+Cape.jpg" height="155" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>(Part of the southern coastline, South Cape to the right)</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mor40qjRNQw/Uv8DWpc3J2I/AAAAAAAAFj8/UXnrMTQDIE4/s1600/S+Cape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mor40qjRNQw/Uv8DWpc3J2I/AAAAAAAAFj8/UXnrMTQDIE4/s1600/S+Cape.jpg" height="172" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(South Cape)</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--PphOJAm9w8/Uv8DWa7fF5I/AAAAAAAAFj4/JVwi2zx_0jU/s1600/SE+Cape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--PphOJAm9w8/Uv8DWa7fF5I/AAAAAAAAFj4/JVwi2zx_0jU/s1600/SE+Cape.jpg" height="177" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(South East Cape)</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CgVQKP4zAO4/Uv8EHypX2aI/AAAAAAAAFkI/yQxgdarKr4Y/s1600/storm+cell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CgVQKP4zAO4/Uv8EHypX2aI/AAAAAAAAFkI/yQxgdarKr4Y/s1600/storm+cell.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Storm cell as we arrive at Recherche Bay)</i></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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It was very calm and with only two other yachts anchored it
was quiet, we had a nice dinner and a couple of wines and I went to bed
reasonably early after a long day.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Cheers</div>
John Jenkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02474048972412245226noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3924608710329509887.post-50644961552998465142014-02-14T07:04:00.000+10:002014-02-14T07:04:34.758+10:00Macquarie Harbour to Port Davey<div class="MsoNormal">
Saturday - 01/02/2014
</div>
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There was no hurry to get underway this morning because we
do not want to get to Port Davey until it is daylight in the morning although
it is quite safe to enter and anchor in the dark with a large number of safe
places to drop the pick.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bYZ199Af9Ks/Uv0h-63rIfI/AAAAAAAAFeg/951YRju1p6I/s1600/Leaving+Hells+Gate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bYZ199Af9Ks/Uv0h-63rIfI/AAAAAAAAFeg/951YRju1p6I/s1600/Leaving+Hells+Gate.jpg" height="217" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Leaving Hells Gate behind again we had calm waters, not that I was disappointed)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E_LBGc37Hos/Uv0h-VhVJeI/AAAAAAAAFec/C5_5LVEUQ5U/s1600/Dolphins+race.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E_LBGc37Hos/Uv0h-VhVJeI/AAAAAAAAFec/C5_5LVEUQ5U/s1600/Dolphins+race.jpg" height="223" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Dolphins race towards us and then swim between the bows)</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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After talking to our mate Glen we might look at the
anchorage at the island Hibbs Pyramid just over 20NMS south of Hells Gate. If we anchored there we would not have to
sail through the night. </div>
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We headed out of Double Cove at 1000 hours and motored to
Hells Gate with hardly any wind and sun shining made for a good passage through
Hells Gate once out we hoisted the mainsail with two reefs to prevent the
slapping under light winds with the side swell rocking the boat. As we went
down the coast I noticed one yacht in front of us going the same way and
another sailing catamaran coming north, plus there were a couple of fishing
boats towards the coast.</div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f_598qUmmYs/Uv0yoqcs5OI/AAAAAAAAFhU/3hKLMEME20w/s1600/%232014-02-01+3.+Hibbs+Pyramid+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f_598qUmmYs/Uv0yoqcs5OI/AAAAAAAAFhU/3hKLMEME20w/s1600/%232014-02-01+3.+Hibbs+Pyramid+007.jpg" height="148" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Hibbs Pyramid stands out as we approach, fishing boat in front had just passed us and another is on the port beam)</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A7ev0PS_kZo/Uv0yopYTIhI/AAAAAAAAFhY/G_dPENAd7Z4/s1600/%25232014-02-01+3.+Hibbs+Pyramid+016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A7ev0PS_kZo/Uv0yopYTIhI/AAAAAAAAFhY/G_dPENAd7Z4/s1600/%25232014-02-01+3.+Hibbs+Pyramid+016.jpg" height="200" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Hibbs Pyramid)</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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As we approached Hibbs Pyramid the two fishing boats started
to race us to the anchorage they with their larger engines got there just in
front of us, we let them settle then checked around for a suitable place to
anchor that would be out of the swell and give enough swing clearance from the
fishing boats, but they had the spot to anchor so we continued on. We did not
grumble about it as the fishermen are at work and need a place to anchor for
the night. So it is we sail through the night. It would not have been good to
stay as the boats there would have their generators and flood lights going all
night. Actually as we got well down the coast we could still see the glow of
their flood lights in the sky.</div>
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A note in the guide book states that older charts can be up
to one nautical mile out at Hibbs Pyramid, I have a number of charts and most
were well out other than the new Navionics that has been updated this year on
my IPad, for a change the Garmin plotter was the furthest out on this occasion
and those charts are 2008. It not only
show Hibbs Pyramid incorrectly it is also its surrounds including the mainland
coastline and the two rocks north of the island.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EJ02c0ADDJ4/Uv0jKSY1EWI/AAAAAAAAFes/DZRruQoDr0U/s1600/sundown+on+the+way.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EJ02c0ADDJ4/Uv0jKSY1EWI/AAAAAAAAFes/DZRruQoDr0U/s1600/sundown+on+the+way.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(With sunset upon us we settle down into our watch routine for the sail through the night)</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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Sunday - 02/02/2014</div>
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We did our four hour watch routine and we arrived at the
entrance of Port Davey at first light, the night had been cool but not as cold
as it has been. I woke Nancy as we got closer although she had only been in bed
two hours which was around 0630 hours, I knew I would be in trouble if I didn't
there were too many photo opportunities as the place is wonderful. I said to
Nancy the plan is to go straight to Clytie Cove which is a good all around
anchorage and we have some strong winds due tomorrow, when we get there its
breakfast, shower, shave then a sleep.</div>
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Entering this waterway is very impressive with the
mountainous country which is entirely different to where we have been, the
country is very different as far as vegetation, trees are not as large as that
in Macquarie Harbour there are short bushy type trees and from this distance a
heath type vegetation covers most of the areas.</div>
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There is plenty of
depth of water in the waterways, some of the anchorages here are not great
holding and some areas suffer from bullets of winds that can cause concern. This is why we have selected Clytie Cove as it
is listed as a good all around anchorage . We passed three anchored boats on
the way to the anchorage so we may see more of them later.</div>
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As soon as we anchored and got things in order Nancy got
breakfast of left over curry stew that we had through the night and made toast
to go with it. After breakfast it was a nice hot shower and a shave for me before a good hours sleep.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p8MfLPJj1-c/Uv0kCveathI/AAAAAAAAFe0/frLQer6Fz4w/s1600/Port+Davey+Mt+Rugby+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p8MfLPJj1-c/Uv0kCveathI/AAAAAAAAFe0/frLQer6Fz4w/s1600/Port+Davey+Mt+Rugby+2.jpg" height="162" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>(This is our backdrop view from our anchorage in Clytie Cove)</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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We have noticed that this west coast one has to put up with
march flies they live in these waterways, we have a fly screen draped in the
doorway of the salon and they still try and find a way in, I sprayed the fly
screen with fly repellent and that fixed the problem they they won't touch the
fly screen.</div>
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We had a restful afternoon looking at the scenery and having a read and working on these notes.
This was followed by a roast dinner and an early night for me.</div>
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Monday - 03/02/2014</div>
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Quiet day, worked on the notes, windy weather and very cool
with a few showers.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h4TsZoD0Dbw/Uv0re722UrI/AAAAAAAAFfI/D1CwPwQ6crg/s1600/Bread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h4TsZoD0Dbw/Uv0re722UrI/AAAAAAAAFfI/D1CwPwQ6crg/s1600/Bread.jpg" height="242" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Nice fresh bread that Nancy baked)</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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Tuesday - 04/02/2014</div>
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We weighed anchor and went for a look further into Port
Davey checking places along the way in particular Clayton Corner where there is
a jetty and water available, not that we really needed water we just wanted to check it out. When we got
there we found it quite shallow which the guide book identifies and with a
moderate wind from the SE to anchor there puts us on a lee shore and the fact
the guide book states it is silt mud bottom and not good holding we did not
bother to stay. We motored back to where we came and for the predicted winds
anchored back at Clytie Cove.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q7AAgLt0uMo/Uv0rgCTUImI/AAAAAAAAFfM/W137bmdvu_c/s1600/Claytons+Corner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q7AAgLt0uMo/Uv0rgCTUImI/AAAAAAAAFfM/W137bmdvu_c/s1600/Claytons+Corner.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(The jetty at Clayton Corner)</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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We then lowered the dinghy and headed for one of the walks,
as we neared the shore in the dinghy we saw another man rowing to the same spot
from god knows where. When we all got ashore and spoke with him he was from
Switzerland over here on a hiking holiday. He had been hiking these parts for
12 days and had 2 months in Australia, he was hiking around the Port Davey
track and continuing on south and across to the southeast where he would then
hitch a lift at the road south of Huon. I think you have to be a special type
of person to do this alone. He was telling us that many of the walking tracks
you have to cross water like he had just done, he said he was lucky because the
place he picked up the rowing dinghy there were two there, if there had only
been one he would have had to row across pick up the other dinghy and tow it
back to where he started and then row back again so that there is always a
dinghy for the next person.</div>
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We wished him well and we both walked off. We had just a
short walk to the top of the second rise and then came back and returned to the
boat.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uAAk09SvkJM/Uv0ronRF15I/AAAAAAAAFfk/_NusILs6hP0/s1600/Nancy+and+Hiker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uAAk09SvkJM/Uv0ronRF15I/AAAAAAAAFfk/_NusILs6hP0/s1600/Nancy+and+Hiker.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Nancy talking to the hiker from Switzerland, the dinghy rack for the ones used by hikers)</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-imAxZtecJeo/Uv0rlQ_L7eI/AAAAAAAAFfY/JGdEPvqnGCI/s1600/Entwined.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-imAxZtecJeo/Uv0rlQ_L7eI/AAAAAAAAFfY/JGdEPvqnGCI/s1600/Entwined.jpg" height="320" width="246" /></a></div>
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<i>(Natures sculpture)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EE0Ok61JBGg/Uv0roNxFlEI/AAAAAAAAFfo/ePd437xt1ss/s1600/Nancy+camera+in+hand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EE0Ok61JBGg/Uv0roNxFlEI/AAAAAAAAFfo/ePd437xt1ss/s1600/Nancy+camera+in+hand.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Nancy on the hike)</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gZP7hNoraOc/Uv0tNVCGpsI/AAAAAAAAFfw/sPgDMhyhQ-s/s1600/Clytie+Bay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gZP7hNoraOc/Uv0tNVCGpsI/AAAAAAAAFfw/sPgDMhyhQ-s/s1600/Clytie+Bay.jpg" height="105" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>(The view from the hill of Clytie Cove and 'Alana Rose' anchored and the passage in front of Mt Rugby)</i></div>
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Wednesday 05/02/2014</div>
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We had a lazy morning to start with then we weighed anchor
and caught the outgoing tide and went to Bramble Cove this would give us
protection for the predicted NE winds for the next two days and at the same
time be a staging point for leaving on Friday. One thing that seems to be the
norm in Tasmania and that is on the west coast SW sea breeze will come in
anywhere between 100 hours and 13 hundred hours and on the east coast the same
occurs with the SE sea breeze.</div>
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This area like all of Port Davey is breathtaking , today we
had clear skies and sunshine which made it even better. I think the photos will
show this.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nM54LS_U0Sk/Uv0uUlQgFVI/AAAAAAAAFgE/JSjTDc3vO_w/s1600/Port+Davey+Looking+west.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nM54LS_U0Sk/Uv0uUlQgFVI/AAAAAAAAFgE/JSjTDc3vO_w/s1600/Port+Davey+Looking+west.jpg" height="184" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-75tpBYg3dIQ/Uv0uUOw1YWI/AAAAAAAAFgA/IyvKuE_MbAg/s1600/Port+Davey+Joe+Page+Bay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-75tpBYg3dIQ/Uv0uUOw1YWI/AAAAAAAAFgA/IyvKuE_MbAg/s1600/Port+Davey+Joe+Page+Bay.jpg" height="170" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Joe Page Bay)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XFWqa2ZNIRQ/Uv0uVRyJOKI/AAAAAAAAFgQ/stvn91OwvHc/s1600/Port+Davey+Mt+Rugby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XFWqa2ZNIRQ/Uv0uVRyJOKI/AAAAAAAAFgQ/stvn91OwvHc/s1600/Port+Davey+Mt+Rugby.jpg" height="150" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Another view of Mt Rugby)</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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This Cove has a few bays with beaches and more walks up
mountains. No I did not climb them. It was a glorious day and we enjoyed it.</div>
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Thursday 06/02/2014</div>
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After breakfast and the weather warmed we headed ashore to
have a look around, on the way we called by a French boat to say hello and was
invited aboard for coffee. They had spent 4 years in Raiatea, French Polynesia,
they arrived there the same year we left but knew people that we knew there, as
we say small world. So we caught up on a bit of the gossip from there.</div>
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We then headed ashore to explore and stretch the legs, we
got back on board as the sea breeze started up as the sea breeze puts us on a
lee shore, it only last a few hours.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dipy9BYqk-4/Uv0vapJCqEI/AAAAAAAAFgo/nZBK9KynPOc/s1600/Tides+out+Bramble+Cove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dipy9BYqk-4/Uv0vapJCqEI/AAAAAAAAFgo/nZBK9KynPOc/s1600/Tides+out+Bramble+Cove.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Tides out, view from the beach to the anchorage)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1aoTG4S8UIk/Uv0vZE2ajVI/AAAAAAAAFgc/tPUOp2FIEpY/s1600/Port+Davey+Last+flight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1aoTG4S8UIk/Uv0vZE2ajVI/AAAAAAAAFgc/tPUOp2FIEpY/s1600/Port+Davey+Last+flight.jpg" height="206" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Golden sunset over the bank of islands in the passage)</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BvT8K0QykNY/Uv0vZ023GlI/AAAAAAAAFgk/FQW0pV4hATc/s1600/Port+Davey+Barmble+Cove+Mt+Misery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BvT8K0QykNY/Uv0vZ023GlI/AAAAAAAAFgk/FQW0pV4hATc/s1600/Port+Davey+Barmble+Cove+Mt+Misery.jpg" height="147" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>(Mt Misery at Bramble Cove near sunset)</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i9JaA62k3OQ/Uv0xYX_JQDI/AAAAAAAAFg8/oR2f43jfS4E/s1600/Port+Davey+Goodnight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i9JaA62k3OQ/Uv0xYX_JQDI/AAAAAAAAFg8/oR2f43jfS4E/s1600/Port+Davey+Goodnight.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(The sun has set)</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
<br />
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Tonight it is early to bed, we sail or probably motor at
0400 hours in the morning, tomorrow we enter the real part of the Southern
Ocean and reach our most southerly position on this voyage. We hear horror
stories of the west coast and southern coast of Tasmania and we hope like we
have done so far picked the </div>
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right weather window for tomorrow.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZOWhIEfw6Xg/Uv0xXOWE0GI/AAAAAAAAFg4/TLXs2ei01Us/s1600/Port+Davey+Cheers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZOWhIEfw6Xg/Uv0xXOWE0GI/AAAAAAAAFg4/TLXs2ei01Us/s1600/Port+Davey+Cheers.jpg" height="205" width="320" /></a></div>
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Cheers</div>
John Jenkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02474048972412245226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3924608710329509887.post-20123084752673647722014-02-11T20:59:00.001+10:002014-02-11T20:59:31.788+10:00Gordon River to Sarah Island<div class="MsoNormal">
Thursday - 30/01/2014</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our plan today was leave the Gordon River at around 0900
hours, Steve and Kerrin were staying for extra time the going down to Heritage
Landing where the tourist boats go, our plan was to go to Sarah Island and
anchor off and dinghy ashore then head up to Double Cove for the night being
closer to head out tomorrow to Port Davey and overnight run.</div>
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First I had to repair the mainsail baton that had come apart
where it had a joiner so I mixed up some fibreglass to do the repair. We then
said our goodbyes to Steve and Kerrin and we parted company. Going out of a
place is always easier we just follow the track we made coming in on the chart
plotter, so it is more relaxing for me at the helm, plus having noted all the depths on the way
in on the chart I knew there were only a couple of places that we needed to
take more care.</div>
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It was a pleasant sunny day which made it a magic trip down
the river as we approached Heritage Landing one of the big tourist catamarans
was alongside we continued on and it was not long before it was approaching us
from behind as we neared the next bend the other tourist catamaran was coming up
the river but there is plenty of room to pass each other.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R12bW-3OLZg/Uvn5msQDQ2I/AAAAAAAAFaw/gHo-B1l-BJQ/s1600/Marble+Cliffs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R12bW-3OLZg/Uvn5msQDQ2I/AAAAAAAAFaw/gHo-B1l-BJQ/s1600/Marble+Cliffs.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Going down the Gordon River, this is the Marble Cliffs and its reflection)</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j8Qq6arF7Yw/Uvn5mBPJdVI/AAAAAAAAFa0/IqBLDMVw_Wc/s1600/Sand+Spit+Snug+Point.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j8Qq6arF7Yw/Uvn5mBPJdVI/AAAAAAAAFa0/IqBLDMVw_Wc/s1600/Sand+Spit+Snug+Point.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(The sand spit at Snag Point)</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fkCozOu_HUs/UvoB7tOGaII/AAAAAAAAFd8/csksz5wph5A/s1600/Reflextion+in+Gordon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fkCozOu_HUs/UvoB7tOGaII/AAAAAAAAFd8/csksz5wph5A/s1600/Reflextion+in+Gordon.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Perfect reflections)</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dqM6Zsexu84/Uvn5mLuDaXI/AAAAAAAAFa8/93vcnteaotw/s1600/Leaving+the+Gordon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dqM6Zsexu84/Uvn5mLuDaXI/AAAAAAAAFa8/93vcnteaotw/s1600/Leaving+the+Gordon.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(great reflections and Mt Sorell in the background)</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RUG8wxZ7U5A/Uvn5rB-lubI/AAAAAAAAFbE/hpT_6KMH4z8/s1600/Tourist+cat+at+HeritageLanding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RUG8wxZ7U5A/Uvn5rB-lubI/AAAAAAAAFbE/hpT_6KMH4z8/s1600/Tourist+cat+at+HeritageLanding.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(One of the two tourist cats at Heritage Landing, they go out to Hells Gate, Sarah Island and to here for the forest walk)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ElmXYZ2inn4/Uvn7Tml-oaI/AAAAAAAAFbM/gqZNGTGR4R4/s1600/.2014-01-31+Gordon+R,+Sarah+Is,+Macquarie+Har+378+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ElmXYZ2inn4/Uvn7Tml-oaI/AAAAAAAAFbM/gqZNGTGR4R4/s1600/.2014-01-31+Gordon+R,+Sarah+Is,+Macquarie+Har+378+(2).jpg" height="140" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>(A calm day Sarah Island on the left and Grummet Island to the right. Can you imagine people living on that Grummet Island that those days was called Small Island, it is steep the beach goes under water at high tide or when rough seas occur)</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YJmfCBoi2d8/Uvn7ctGOtVI/AAAAAAAAFbg/FdEPZeSWBjo/s1600/Grumet+Island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YJmfCBoi2d8/Uvn7ctGOtVI/AAAAAAAAFbg/FdEPZeSWBjo/s1600/Grumet+Island.jpg" height="168" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Grummet Island from another angle)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ceJq1APOfqI/Uvn7V7Bjb3I/AAAAAAAAFbY/bq4aWBzOcuo/s1600/Sarah+and+Grumet+Islands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ceJq1APOfqI/Uvn7V7Bjb3I/AAAAAAAAFbY/bq4aWBzOcuo/s1600/Sarah+and+Grumet+Islands.jpg" height="188" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(It is hard to see in this photo but we had the start of heavy 40 knot winds and waves crashed on these islands)</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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We arrived at the anchorage at Sarah Island and dropped the
anchor then we lowered the dinghy and headed for the jetty. The last time we
were here was on one of the tourist cats in 1998 and I must say that I think it
was better then than it is now. Today they have made it like a tourist
attraction with wooden walkways and wide pathways, the grounds are kept in good
order and they have erected tarp covers
in one place with a few bench seats
where they probably tell the story of the island, the modern day of
occupational health and safety has ruined many a natural place that was taken
over by National Parks to keep it natural and then erected all this. In 1998
there was one jetty and a pathway which was made by people just walking the
same path continuously, it looked like the ruins then of a place that had been
a terrible place to be in its day and it was, it would have been a horror of a
place to be. Some prisoners were housed or should I say camped on Grummet
Island a short distance north of Sarah Island, then known as Small Island in an
overcrowded building where each man had an area of 700mm by 700mm (6ft 3inches),
and most times had to jump overboard from the boat to get ashore so their
clothes were wet that they had to stay in. The only comfort they had was that
the cook had a meal for them and a fire was burning to warm them. They also had
to wade out to the boat the next morning to go to their work unless the waters
were calm and then had to stay in wet clothes, Tasmania is not a warm place. Many
of the prisoners were sent there for very little crimes. Authorities wanted
people to fear being sent to Macquarie Harbour and fear they did and should. </div>
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These islands on a good day look beautiful in the harbour
but on bad weather days they would have been hell. When we came down the
harbour the other day we had winds of 40 knots, the wind waves were picking up
and water was blowing off the tops of the waves, these islands being rather
small and not very high are lashed by the winds and sea. When it was a penal
colony one Commandant ordered a timber
wall to be erected on the shore to give some protection, there are still small
remains of the wall there today. </div>
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A book I am reading at the moment tells the story,
"Closing Hell's Gates" by
Hamish Maxwell-Stewart. On the back of the book reads," For twelve long
years between 1822 and 1834, Sarah Island in Macquarie Harbour was the most feared place in Australia - a
place so remote that those sent there as punishment felt condemned to an
underworld. Clinging to the shores of the wild west coast of Tasmania and
hemmed in on all sides by vast, mountainous landscape, the environment itself
formed the prison walls. While some chose death or were driven mad by the
brutal conditions, others clung , against all odds, to the hope of escape
through the rugged uncharted wilderness".</div>
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It paints a picture of what things were like one man was
sent there for three years for taking two pieces of paper, some others were let
go by the courts due to lack of evidence or the prosecutor did not show up, but
Lieutenant Governor Arthur sent them to Macquarie Harbour for three or seven
years punishment, he was above the law.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TmSLHZ84Vic/Uvn9CV1WykI/AAAAAAAAFbo/aqHoVOKGf9Q/s1600/as+it+was.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TmSLHZ84Vic/Uvn9CV1WykI/AAAAAAAAFbo/aqHoVOKGf9Q/s1600/as+it+was.jpg" height="128" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>(The way it was)</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9Kts86f0gVU/UvoAObiOw5I/AAAAAAAAFdY/tY4mo_DrGO8/s1600/Ruin+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9Kts86f0gVU/UvoAObiOw5I/AAAAAAAAFdY/tY4mo_DrGO8/s1600/Ruin+2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nufw4t_F7yM/UvoAPECKiZI/AAAAAAAAFdk/qiQpRMpPPQI/s1600/Ruin+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nufw4t_F7yM/UvoAPECKiZI/AAAAAAAAFdk/qiQpRMpPPQI/s1600/Ruin+3.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NuTzwQivtQo/UvoAPh7Zi4I/AAAAAAAAFdo/ZH6nnj62NY4/s1600/Ruins+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NuTzwQivtQo/UvoAPh7Zi4I/AAAAAAAAFdo/ZH6nnj62NY4/s1600/Ruins+1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wWmELJCQDVc/Uvn9OVxSoGI/AAAAAAAAFcI/K2Fe2_o773U/s1600/note+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wWmELJCQDVc/Uvn9OVxSoGI/AAAAAAAAFcI/K2Fe2_o773U/s1600/note+3.jpg" height="216" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(There is not much left of these cottages today but this gives the history)</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uLx99-jiQ14/Uvn-eOx31-I/AAAAAAAAFcU/rqP2HZf9E6E/s1600/Note+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uLx99-jiQ14/Uvn-eOx31-I/AAAAAAAAFcU/rqP2HZf9E6E/s1600/Note+5.jpg" height="131" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1wveQFLe5vA/UvoB8wemlTI/AAAAAAAAFeA/8S6EgRH0OUU/s1600/well.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1wveQFLe5vA/UvoB8wemlTI/AAAAAAAAFeA/8S6EgRH0OUU/s1600/well.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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A little bit of a contrast to prison today and the court
systems.</div>
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Some prisoners did escape, some got caught, some died and
some were never seen again. Some that escaped turned to cannibalism to survive
as they had no food. Prisoners were sent to the place of work without food for
the day as a precaution that they could not use the food to escape, they only
had the two meals a day under hard labour wet and cold conditions.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PlyX7X-effg/Uvn-eu4cmlI/AAAAAAAAFck/ShbAcX65TcI/s1600/note+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PlyX7X-effg/Uvn-eu4cmlI/AAAAAAAAFck/ShbAcX65TcI/s1600/note+6.jpg" height="140" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F1wDv9oH8Pg/Uvn_RJYcawI/AAAAAAAAFc8/hCwAGK7hxS8/s1600/Note+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F1wDv9oH8Pg/Uvn_RJYcawI/AAAAAAAAFc8/hCwAGK7hxS8/s1600/Note+10.jpg" height="320" width="157" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pQpKqispFpA/UvoAa0QmPyI/AAAAAAAAFds/F0bID58fGag/s1600/Ruins+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pQpKqispFpA/UvoAa0QmPyI/AAAAAAAAFds/F0bID58fGag/s1600/Ruins+4.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Above the ruins below what it was like)</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qzat5RdEfmg/Uvn_bq31btI/AAAAAAAAFdQ/9rC5TWN03Ow/s1600/note+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qzat5RdEfmg/Uvn_bq31btI/AAAAAAAAFdQ/9rC5TWN03Ow/s1600/note+12.jpg" height="228" width="320" /></a></div>
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The beauty we see here today was a horror story in its past.</div>
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Well we left Sarah Island the wind was picking up so we did
not visit Grummet Island we ventured north to Double Cove navigating around the
fish farms to get there. We anchored in the southern anchorage which is not
good for north winds but good for the SW
that we had today.</div>
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It is a pretty anchorage and very peaceful. We had a quiet
night, I refitted the repaired baton in the mainsail whilst calm conditions and
got things ready to sail tomorrow.</div>
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<br /></div>
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It is no wonder why the Australian way is to knock authority because this as in Port Arthur and other penal colonies was the foundation of this country.</div>
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Cheers</div>
John Jenkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02474048972412245226noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3924608710329509887.post-47198048115346336752014-02-09T14:16:00.001+10:002014-02-18T14:27:36.063+10:00The Gordon River - Tasmania<div class="MsoNormal">
Tuesday 28/01/2014</div>
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Up and ready to go at 0600 hours the mouth of the Gordon
River was covered in fog, it will take us an hour to get there from Kelly Basin
by then the fog may have lifted.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cBBa3ikr_5E/UvbvQzyuM5I/AAAAAAAAFXk/gxIkA1bPzS4/s1600/Gordon+River+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cBBa3ikr_5E/UvbvQzyuM5I/AAAAAAAAFXk/gxIkA1bPzS4/s1600/Gordon+River+1.jpg" height="178" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>('Rhapsody' heading into the Gordon River, port and starboard markers ahead of them)</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LjTYZ8QFXls/UvbvScnawMI/AAAAAAAAFX0/whNcFr0C4os/s1600/Gordon+River+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LjTYZ8QFXls/UvbvScnawMI/AAAAAAAAFX0/whNcFr0C4os/s1600/Gordon+River+2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Into the fog)</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2BlbnKA07po/UvbvSZmDdPI/AAAAAAAAFX4/QtC1cemwpOo/s1600/Gordon+River+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2BlbnKA07po/UvbvSZmDdPI/AAAAAAAAFX4/QtC1cemwpOo/s1600/Gordon+River+3.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-whpfvELmmm0/UvbvTp-k2WI/AAAAAAAAFYA/9RAxQ3IvyN4/s1600/Gordon+River+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-whpfvELmmm0/UvbvTp-k2WI/AAAAAAAAFYA/9RAxQ3IvyN4/s1600/Gordon+River+5.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>('Alana Rose' coming out of the fog)</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4bl1lzvDzm8/UvbwV7feUvI/AAAAAAAAFYI/tkMTWmqKaYc/s1600/Gordon+River+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4bl1lzvDzm8/UvbwV7feUvI/AAAAAAAAFYI/tkMTWmqKaYc/s1600/Gordon+River+7.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YvTOnNQLxrg/UvbwX3E-80I/AAAAAAAAFYU/TyDoTsb1xws/s1600/Gordon+River+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YvTOnNQLxrg/UvbwX3E-80I/AAAAAAAAFYU/TyDoTsb1xws/s1600/Gordon+River+8.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Fortunately the first section of the river is charted on the electronic charts and are quite accurate but you would not tackle further in the river under fog conditions where it is uncharted.)</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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We followed 'Rhapsody' as Steve had been in the Gordon
before and as he said if he hits bottom I have more power to pull him out than
he has to pull me out. These fears were unfounded as there was plenty of depth
as long as you follow the usual rules of a river, always stay on the outside of
the bends and then go as you imagine the river flows, which is near centre
between the leads in to the bends. The first part of the Gordon River about a mile
is charted on the chart plotter but after that you have to work it out for
yourself. There are also a few lateral markers at the start to lead you in to
the river.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ubPj5rArEXw/Uvbzypla62I/AAAAAAAAFYo/sYPUQr0kHFI/s1600/Gordon+Sand+spit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ubPj5rArEXw/Uvbzypla62I/AAAAAAAAFYo/sYPUQr0kHFI/s1600/Gordon+Sand+spit.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Looking back at the sand spit at Snag Point)</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CCizt19NKIk/UvbzyXB-l3I/AAAAAAAAFYc/3AoyFBNYcBk/s1600/Gordon+River6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CCizt19NKIk/UvbzyXB-l3I/AAAAAAAAFYc/3AoyFBNYcBk/s1600/Gordon+River6.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Heading up the Gordon River)</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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The sun had risen and some of the fog had started to lift as
we got to the entrance but there was still fog in places which actually made it
more interesting and beautiful. A few times 'Rhapsody' vanished in the fog as
we did with them. With the waters only being disturbed by us there were still
waters ahead and the reflections of the land and trees were amazing. We
continued up the river heading for the furthest point it is safe to go and that
is Sir John Falls, there is a landing there for the falls and if there is no
one there we can tie up to the dock as long as we leave enough room for the
seaplanes to go alongside on the attached floating pontoon.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mDXxt0oZI80/Uvbz0ZhH3qI/AAAAAAAAFYw/s3ZiA0QMoTw/s1600/Sir+John+Dock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mDXxt0oZI80/Uvbz0ZhH3qI/AAAAAAAAFYw/s3ZiA0QMoTw/s1600/Sir+John+Dock.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Sir John Falls pontoon us alongside and 'Rhapsody' rafted to us)</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At one point 'Rhapsody' slowed they had spotted a dinghy
floating along the side of the river with no one in it, Steve picked it up and
towed it up river in case that someone was stranded, as we approached the next
bend there were two boats, one a large yacht 'Maatsuyker' with Jack and Jude aboard, they are off another yacht named 'Banyandah' that write books on sea
travel guides, not Glen's "Banyandah". They were doing some filming
on the Gordon River. The dinghy belonged to the other boat a converted fishing
boat doing charters and he was going to pick it up on the way back.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ugl9b2QBF3Y/Uvb5OPSl3pI/AAAAAAAAFY8/jBZR5AvyT4s/s1600/Gordon+River+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ugl9b2QBF3Y/Uvb5OPSl3pI/AAAAAAAAFY8/jBZR5AvyT4s/s1600/Gordon+River+9.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Our meeting with the other boats)</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Steve had met Geoff and Judy before so they had a quick chat
before we headed on up the river. We negotiated the Snag Point and the shallows
near Warners Landing without any problems, the shallows where you keep close to
the right side bank was the shallowest water we had come across for the length
of our travel which was 3.9 metres.</div>
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Sir John Falls is only a short distance from these shallows
and Steve suggested I tie up on the dock first and if it was alright for him to
raft to us which was alright with us so we did just that.</div>
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Once all settled we went for a walk to the falls, which is a
very short distance from the landing, apparently there used to be a longer walk
where you could go above the falls to where a hut was, where it is believed
that the occupants had a piano there, this walk has been closed off by National
Parks.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TtcYo9X3gR0/Uvb551D2oUI/AAAAAAAAFZM/BWmM624YePM/s1600/Sir+John+Falls+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TtcYo9X3gR0/Uvb551D2oUI/AAAAAAAAFZM/BWmM624YePM/s1600/Sir+John+Falls+4.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(The walkway to the falls)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QCyfe_KI5wU/Uvb-nPouRxI/AAAAAAAAFaQ/uRvhLjbPCXw/s1600/Sir+John+Falls+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QCyfe_KI5wU/Uvb-nPouRxI/AAAAAAAAFaQ/uRvhLjbPCXw/s1600/Sir+John+Falls+3.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WNvh8Xbz0Ek/Uvb56orGFLI/AAAAAAAAFZY/7PvPrwq5txo/s1600/Sir+John+Falls+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WNvh8Xbz0Ek/Uvb56orGFLI/AAAAAAAAFZY/7PvPrwq5txo/s1600/Sir+John+Falls+5.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Sir John Falls the colours in the water from the tannin and sunlight over the sand)</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QOkyMxDjCPU/Uvb-kxG9iQI/AAAAAAAAFaE/4H2m-vSs-Z4/s1600/Sir+John+Falls+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QOkyMxDjCPU/Uvb-kxG9iQI/AAAAAAAAFaE/4H2m-vSs-Z4/s1600/Sir+John+Falls+2.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i>(The river from the falls)</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a3HwNDy6QGA/Uvb5ytZi4UI/AAAAAAAAFZI/-zqSvcSvh3k/s1600/Sir+John+Falls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a3HwNDy6QGA/Uvb5ytZi4UI/AAAAAAAAFZI/-zqSvcSvh3k/s1600/Sir+John+Falls.jpg" height="92" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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Sir John Falls is quite spectacular not only for the falls
but the area and its colours. There is a small beach on the far left side and
with the stained water from the tannin shows up as bright orange in the sunlight.
During night hours they have the glow worms which we did not see due to our
extended sundowners. We had sundowners that ran into dinner but all had a good
night.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XataFBrpy4E/Uvb9PrDWNGI/AAAAAAAAFZs/mnqL2WpHOjE/s1600/sundowners.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XataFBrpy4E/Uvb9PrDWNGI/AAAAAAAAFZs/mnqL2WpHOjE/s1600/sundowners.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Sundowners aboard our boat Kerrin and Nancy)</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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During the day the planes arrived, they do a flight over the
harbour and Hells Gate along the Gordon and Franklin and land here for the
falls. This is how we learned that the pilots saw our boat dragging anchor and
they had informed the Police, we thanked them for what they did.</div>
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We had a chat with the pilots and their passengers who were
interested in what we were doing, nice people.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bruq06DH9mk/Uvb8i3T5IVI/AAAAAAAAFZg/2A6ovRNzlgg/s1600/Up+and+away.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bruq06DH9mk/Uvb8i3T5IVI/AAAAAAAAFZg/2A6ovRNzlgg/s1600/Up+and+away.jpg" height="190" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Up, up and away)</i></div>
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Wednesday - 29/01/2014</div>
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Yes a little worse for wear the lot of us I think, but still
it was a good night, it was a slow start but eventually we all got moving.
Steve and Kerrin headed off in their dinghy to go through the rapids and up to
the Franklin River. Nancy did not like the sound of going through the rapids so
initially we declined the offer to go with them. However, after they left Nancy
was saying we could go and look, so we changed the outboard motor over to the
8hp, more grunt than the 2.5hp. Just as we were getting ready one of the planes
arrived so we had a chat and then we headed off. The river is beautiful again
as we progressed the water although flowing was like a mirror and each item
ashore reflecting on the water. When we reached the rapids I asked Nancy if she
wanted to go through, she said we could give it a try, so away we went, I don't
know how Steve made it with his 5hp motor but we struggled with the 8hp at
times Nancy was saying we are going backwards at other times she had her eyes
closed. We wasn't going backwards it was that we had to go sideways or was
being pushed side to side with the flow, although near the end I wondered
whether we would make it. Once through we looked at the current flow ahead and
a second lot of rapids, it was going to be hard going all the way to the
Franklin which was still a way to go. Nancy was not feeling comfortable and I
must say I think I was pleased we did not continue, we turned and rode the
rapids back and it seemed no time at all before we were back at near the boat.
The second plane had arrived and we gave a wave to the pilot who waved back and
we continued on to Warners Landing.</div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PpeW8Fn7PdI/Uvb9QdcrM5I/AAAAAAAAFZw/O1UV8zKM8dY/s1600/Steve++Kerrin+head+out.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PpeW8Fn7PdI/Uvb9QdcrM5I/AAAAAAAAFZw/O1UV8zKM8dY/s1600/Steve++Kerrin+head+out.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Kerrin and Steve heading off up the Gordon River)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_nfwnvvQW-s/Uvb9SeNNEMI/AAAAAAAAFZ4/LEw3xVxl_IQ/s1600/Reflections.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_nfwnvvQW-s/Uvb9SeNNEMI/AAAAAAAAFZ4/LEw3xVxl_IQ/s1600/Reflections.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Reflections, the boats at the dock as we return from our little dinghy run)</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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Warners Landing was the camp where the workers were to
commence the work on proposed dam but it
all came to a halt after one of the biggest demonstrations seen in Australia, it
was December 1982, people had chained themselves to trees, bull dozers or whatever
to stop the construction work, people up in the trees, Police arresting people
and news cameras recording the events. I must say I am not a hardcore greenie
but I probably thank those that did what they did to stop the dam from going
ahead. The way I see it today is that if the dam had gone ahead it would mean
two things would happen, there would be less water in the Gordon downstream
from the dam therefore it is possible boats would not be able to venture
therefore tourist trade would suffer badly and really that is our main business
today, the other part would be that there would be more seawater from the sea
enter Macquarie Harbour as water finds its own level which would probably
affect the shoreline vegetation. Macquarie Harbour is fresh water with maybe a little seawater mix. Going back
in time I think that the concern was that the land around the Franklin River
would go under water , I am not sure that in 1982 the two items I mentioned
were part of the demonstrators worries, I could be wrong on that matter but I
cannot remember it being mentioned.</div>
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We live in a wonderful country when one looks at the journey
we have had and we see rivers like the Gordon that has the beauty of greenery
with its vegetation of trees, bushes and vines, and we look at the rivers north
west of the Berkeley and King George that has the rich red rock formations and
stunning waterfalls.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We went ashore at Warners Landing and found the clearing
above the dock saturated with water that had seeped down from the higher land,
I don't think it would have been a great campsite for the workers.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After getting back in
the dinghy we headed back to the boat but waited for the plane to take off
before we ventured far. It is something to watch these light seaplanes take
off, where they land and take off is a nearly straight part of the river but
they have to turn a few slight bends as they go and with little wind to help
them lift it is quite a long run.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After returning to the boat we changed the outboard motors
back over on the dinghy and then had a short nanna nap. Steve and Kerrin got
back mid afternoon and I asked Steve how he managed with the 5hp explaining we
did it tough with the 8hp, he said they had to go from side to side gradually
working their way up and had to do the same up through the second rapids.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sundowners was a quiet affair with two beers each and a
quiet early night.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CASn4w3-LuI/UwLga-zAIfI/AAAAAAAAFkg/9vqRfTZuQuA/s1600/tassy,+chart,+gordon+river-+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CASn4w3-LuI/UwLga-zAIfI/AAAAAAAAFkg/9vqRfTZuQuA/s1600/tassy,+chart,+gordon+river-+copy.jpg" height="238" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(This is a chart that I have made up of the Gordon River, if you use this as a aid to navigation you must realise that it is how it was on the day and situations can change, read the notes on the chart).</i></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
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Cheers</div>
John Jenkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02474048972412245226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3924608710329509887.post-59769054724477885352014-02-08T21:16:00.000+10:002014-02-08T21:16:20.629+10:00Stanley to Hunter Island - Tasmania and Shepherds Bay, Hunter Island to Macquarie Harbour<h3>
Stanley to Hunter Island</h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Saturday 25/01/2014</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not a big rush to get going this morning we have a short run
of 35NMS to get to Shepherds Bay, Hunter Island for an overnight stay before
tackling the west coast. Due to the winds the next couple of days we cannot overnight
anchor on our way to Macquarie Harbour so tomorrow will be an overnight sail.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But as I said we did not need to rush things so we went with
Steve and Kerrin to Moby Dicks for breakfast and I think what I saw makes it a
good place to go, some of the local families go there for breakfast. After
breakfast we went to get ready to sail, we still had not seen Les, he said he
would be down yesterday morning then he said he would be here this morning but
no show , so we phoned him and he got a little upset when I said that we were
not pleased him telling us that where he put us was the better place for the
conditions, so I think I upset him a little.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jrmYRqp0prM/UvX2PGTNiVI/AAAAAAAAFVM/9PaOoZ8lLsc/s1600/Shepherda+Bay+anchorage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jrmYRqp0prM/UvX2PGTNiVI/AAAAAAAAFVM/9PaOoZ8lLsc/s1600/Shepherda+Bay+anchorage.jpg" height="205" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(The beach at Shepherds Bay, anchorage was good with a little swell but not uncomfortable)</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
We had a good sail today, a little lumpy with 20 plus knots
of winds but sailed all day at 7 to 8 knots with the mainsail reefed right down
and the headsail having 5 turns on the furler. We arrived at Shepherds Bay and
dropped anchor, 'Rhapsody' arrived a short time later. We had a quiet night
early to bed and early to rise for leaving in the morning.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bvhcPTaCgNA/UvYAiGLvdPI/AAAAAAAAFVk/y2p5fwxE_ik/s1600/Hunter+Island+Limestone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bvhcPTaCgNA/UvYAiGLvdPI/AAAAAAAAFVk/y2p5fwxE_ik/s1600/Hunter+Island+Limestone.jpg" height="168" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(Limestone rock formations on Hunter Island)</i></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-size: large;">Shepherds Bay, Hunter Island to Macquarie Harbour</span></h3>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sunday - 26/01/2014</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Happy Australia Day.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7b_hLW_tS8E/UvX_qZWqWDI/AAAAAAAAFVc/rmmVC1EAvjg/s1600/Australia+Kanga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7b_hLW_tS8E/UvX_qZWqWDI/AAAAAAAAFVc/rmmVC1EAvjg/s1600/Australia+Kanga.jpg" height="216" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(We may be at see but we still celebrate Oz day, Kanga the deckie checking the wind generators ashore)</i></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We weighed anchor at 0610 hours, it was a cool morning but
calm we headed south to Stack Island and the tide was with us pushing us along
at 6 plus knots with one engine and the mainsail hoisted, very little wind.
After Stack Island we turned to head out of Hunter Passage to where the two
tides meet. Fortunately we were close to high tide and the seas on the other
side of the passage (west coast) were calm other than a 2 metre rolling swell.
It got a little bumpy where the two high tides meet but we have seen and been
in worse. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As we passed the NW headland of Tasmania you could see large
numbers of wind generators, they were only just turning with the little wind
that was about. Not having any wind to transit the west coast can be a
blessing, this coast line is notorious for the harsh seas. It is a wonderful
thing today to have the weather services we have so that we can pick what
weather to go by. When you read of the 1820's when the ships sailed from Hobart
to Macquarie Harbour not knowing what weather was in store for them, it may
have looked good when they left Hobart but the weather patterns are totally
different from East and West coast. Their ships were slow and would take more
days than a month. In 1826 the ship 'Cypress' left Hobart and encountered such
bad weather decided to sail via the east coast to Macquarie Harbour where she
arrived 53 days later having been damaged off Cape Baron Island where she lost
an anchor. In a normal situation going around the bottom of Tasmania to
Macquarie Harbour it would still take 26 days to sail the 200 nautical miles.
These days when we can pick what weather to sail in sailing at a rate of 5
knots we can make the same voyage in around 40 hours.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of the other benefits we have is that we are sailing to
Macquarie Harbour for a different reason than they were those days, for all the
beauty that is there today it was not that beautiful to the people that were
sent there in the 1822 and onwards, it was seen as a very isolated place where
escape from prison was thought to be impossible the land so covered in timber
and mountainous country one would not be able to find their way and that is if
they could get away from Sarah Island, I would image the place of beauty was
not what they saw.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HPVu8TP4AHg/UvYAiZ3rlRI/AAAAAAAAFVo/SHjE6OqIZYg/s1600/seas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HPVu8TP4AHg/UvYAiZ3rlRI/AAAAAAAAFVo/SHjE6OqIZYg/s1600/seas.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(An albatross sores over the seas, pictures do not show what seas are really like, here we have a 2 to 2.5 metre swell about 14 seconds apart which is not uncomfortable you just roll up and down the waves, swell can come from a hundred miles away, we do not have any wind therefore no wind waves, it is wind that gives us the nasty waves)</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We headed down the coast with rolling 2 to 2.5 metre swell
which just rolled at around 12 to 15 seconds apart which made it comfortable it
was our plan to arrive around sunrise as we did not want to attempt entering
Hells Gate in the dark. People think it is called Hells Gate because of what
lay behind it in the 1820's the conditions the people had to live in or should
I say exist in the early parts of 1822. The name Hells Gate came about because
of the treacherous seas and the difficulty to access the narrow shallow
waterways.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Night came and we fell into our normal four hour watches, I
doing the 2000 hours to midnight and Nancy the midnight to 0400 hours etc. When
Nancy took the watch at midnight the winds had already picked from the NE we
had dropped all sails early due to no wind and also it looked like I had broken
a baton on the mainsail from it slapping side to side with the wave action. I
said to her that we need to slow because we are getting ahead of time. I then
went to bed but Nancy woke me at 0200 hours saying that the winds had picked up
she can see a flashing light ahead and we are catching up right behind
'Rhapsody'. When I got up on deck 'Rhapsody' was right in front of us so I
changed course to port, looking at the chart I could see the flashing light was
the entrance light to Hells Gate but this was still 12NMS away. 'Rhapsody' had
cut its engine and was just slowly moving under sail to slow right down as we
were going to get there too early. I unfurled the headsail around five turns
and shut down the engine once I had my bearings and said to Nancy I would look
after it and for her to get some rest.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Monday - 27/01/2014</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We sailed at 3 knots which would slow us enough to knock on
Hells Gate at first light. As we got near Hells Gate the NE winds had stirred
the ocean so now we have NE wind waves against SW swell making the waters like
a washing machine, a little uncomfortable but not bad.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once behind the break wall it calmed and the entrance was
great. When calm the entrance is beautiful, I found the electronic charts to be
accurate which is always good. But entering this time in the morning gives it
something special although there was still little light, there is a man made
break wall on the outside of the entrance and one on the inside.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M4FD9qKNe_Q/UvYCGgGYJ2I/AAAAAAAAFV8/zKEcYAawoYY/s1600/Hells+Gate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M4FD9qKNe_Q/UvYCGgGYJ2I/AAAAAAAAFV8/zKEcYAawoYY/s1600/Hells+Gate.jpg" height="206" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(Welcome to Hells Gate which is just ahead, it was darker than the picture shows as we entered I have lighted the picture so you can see)</i></div>
These were
built by the convicts the outside to settle the waters on the narrow entrance and
it also made Pilots Bay where ships in the early days would be tied to two
heavy anchors in the bay until the seas calmed enough for them to enter Hells
Gate, the inside was something to do with shipping the massive logs as they
were losing them in the rough seas. My photos will not do the place justice I
am sure. We entered through the narrow seaway with ease of modern day charting
and vessel. Going back in the early times calm days like today they would have
to lower the anchor into a boat and they would row the boat ahead and drop the
anchor then the prisoners would man the capstan and haul the ship forward on
the anchor this would be repeated until the ship had entered Hells Gate.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xDlm0LL3neo/UvYCGk-h4ZI/AAAAAAAAFWA/TsdpOXYj7Ac/s1600/Hells+Gate+light.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xDlm0LL3neo/UvYCGk-h4ZI/AAAAAAAAFWA/TsdpOXYj7Ac/s1600/Hells+Gate+light.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(Hells Gate light)</i></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As we entered the Macquarie Harbour proper the NE winds met
us and we had the wind on the nose all the way into Strahan where we anchored.
The anchorage of the town proper is of moderate holding as the bottom is silty
mud base, our anchor took hold and we got everything settled and had a snooze
before heading ashore. Strahan has changed a little since our last visit back
in 1998, it has like most got a little more commercialised and geared up for
tourism but still a pretty place. We looked around did a little shopping before
a reasonable quiet night on board.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-apYpFFwKdfI/UvYDDUygx0I/AAAAAAAAFWI/1IMaRtb02VQ/s1600/Rhapsody+at+the+second+light.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-apYpFFwKdfI/UvYDDUygx0I/AAAAAAAAFWI/1IMaRtb02VQ/s1600/Rhapsody+at+the+second+light.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>('Rhapsody' passes by the second light, this photo shows the light that we entered in.)</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bjzWo-bMluQ/UvYDGzgl-4I/AAAAAAAAFWk/0uKutdtyRtQ/s1600/sunrise+and+water+mix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bjzWo-bMluQ/UvYDGzgl-4I/AAAAAAAAFWk/0uKutdtyRtQ/s1600/sunrise+and+water+mix.jpg" height="201" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(Sunrise ahead, the line in the water is where the fresh water and seawater mix, the Gordon and Franklin Rivers continue to flow at a good rate along with streams and creeks so the harbour is mainly fresh water although tea coloured.)</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6Smd56ga_fg/UvYDEbeqzBI/AAAAAAAAFWY/aYfNfJ5XpOE/s1600/Rhapsody+in+the+choppy+waters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6Smd56ga_fg/UvYDEbeqzBI/AAAAAAAAFWY/aYfNfJ5XpOE/s1600/Rhapsody+in+the+choppy+waters.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>('Rhapsody' ahead in the choppy seas with NE winds blowing as we head north to Strahan)</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J0qfLP6shqo/UvYDE4ccFJI/AAAAAAAAFWc/LMMLTq7aUmE/s1600/Strahan+ahead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J0qfLP6shqo/UvYDE4ccFJI/AAAAAAAAFWc/LMMLTq7aUmE/s1600/Strahan+ahead.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(Strahan ahead, anchor, breakfast, shower sleep)</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4ks9QIKSx6Q/UvYFyEEyTzI/AAAAAAAAFXU/K8N0T5_yNsw/s1600/waterfront+Strahan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4ks9QIKSx6Q/UvYFyEEyTzI/AAAAAAAAFXU/K8N0T5_yNsw/s1600/waterfront+Strahan.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(Strahan waterfront shops)</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kkXXv8s0BhQ/UvYFug1qYfI/AAAAAAAAFXM/On1JYRUBcq0/s1600/Sunset+at+Strahan+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kkXXv8s0BhQ/UvYFug1qYfI/AAAAAAAAFXM/On1JYRUBcq0/s1600/Sunset+at+Strahan+1.jpg" height="186" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(Sunset in Strahan Harbour)</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NkkWnIf52Wk/UvYFvOF86ZI/AAAAAAAAFXQ/0PrYN_xQVT8/s1600/Sunset+at+Strahan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NkkWnIf52Wk/UvYFvOF86ZI/AAAAAAAAFXQ/0PrYN_xQVT8/s1600/Sunset+at+Strahan.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HYOgGgsJ23I/UvYFucAjPVI/AAAAAAAAFXE/XYdswZLNIqs/s1600/Strahan+night+lights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HYOgGgsJ23I/UvYFucAjPVI/AAAAAAAAFXE/XYdswZLNIqs/s1600/Strahan+night+lights.jpg" height="187" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(Strahan by night from our anchorage)</i></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tuesday - 28/01/2014</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We decided that we would go down to Kelly Basin south end of
Macquarie Harbour and go into the Gordon River tomorrow. Our original plan was
to move anchorages before the heavy weather arrived by going the other side of
Strahan Harbour but we changed our thoughts to go with the winds and sail down
the Macquarie Harbour. We had to duck ashore to do a fuel run first so we
dropped the dinghy went to the fuel station and returned to see Alana Rose the
other side of the harbour on the sandbar. Apparently a precursor to today's
weather in the form of a wind bullets
dislodged us and we dragged. I must say I have been pleased with my Rocna
anchor but in these conditions it failed and the reason is in this type of slimy
silty mud many anchors can fail, but the Rocna and other anchors of similar
design will fill the scoop with this mud and it will stick, when this happens
it does not allow the anchor to reset, some plough type anchors may but not
always. We headed for the boat and got aboard, turned instruments on started
engines and because we fortunately was in the same type of ground but a little
shallow I was able to put the starboard engine full astern which finally took
the stern backwards and turned it towards a port direction , then once it had
moved a little tickled the port engine ahead slightly helping the back of the
boat turn outwards away from the land and then both full astern and we were out
of our bad situation with a few more grey hairs and wrinkles. Nancy winched the
anchor up and had to scrape the silty mud from it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E0_lXUWGJ38/UvYFDOtARDI/AAAAAAAAFW4/YfvUUOuk6RI/s1600/Mt+Sorell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E0_lXUWGJ38/UvYFDOtARDI/AAAAAAAAFW4/YfvUUOuk6RI/s1600/Mt+Sorell.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(Beautiful Mt Sorell)</i></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After settling down we hoisted the dinghy and got out of
there and headed to Kelly Basin about 16NMS away to a more sheltered anchorage.
As we turned out from Strahan the winds got heavier we had 40 knots from behind
so we let out a little headsail shut down the engines and sailed down the
harbour at 8 plus knots. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Back at Strahan there was a cycle race staring in town so
not many people would have noticed Alana Rose going away by itself but we did
learn later that the two pilots that run seaplane flights saw it and had
actually notified the Police but when they saw us heading there they also
notified the Police. They say when all else fails read the directions. I had
failed to read that section in the guide book that states that the harbour is
only moderate holding in moderate weather.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After an invigorating sail down the harbour we anchored in
Kelly Basin where the winds were sheltered and the anchorage a lot safer.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1eXt0j8fgd8/UvYFB4kn6OI/AAAAAAAAFWs/dbVepOKQjfU/s1600/Kelly+Basin+anchorage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1eXt0j8fgd8/UvYFB4kn6OI/AAAAAAAAFWs/dbVepOKQjfU/s1600/Kelly+Basin+anchorage.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>('Rhapsody' anchored nearby in Kelly Basin after a rainstorm)</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A quiet night after a relaxing afternoon we had a good sleep
to get going at first light into the great Gordon River, which I may add is
uncharted, although we do have mud maps that were prepared by West Coast Yacht
Charters and found them quite helpful. These mud maps do not have depths but do
offer advice, I and Nancy put depths on them as we went along and I will add
waypoints to these also.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cheers</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
John Jenkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02474048972412245226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3924608710329509887.post-22661203326276771862014-02-08T16:19:00.000+10:002014-02-08T16:19:00.487+10:00Tasmania - Setting sail again<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jn2c1LdnxB8/UvXASJQG4gI/AAAAAAAAFSw/nFz_572iDtc/s1600/Beauty+Point+Marina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jn2c1LdnxB8/UvXASJQG4gI/AAAAAAAAFSw/nFz_572iDtc/s1600/Beauty+Point+Marina.jpg" height="160" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Beauty Point Marina, moon rising over the hill)</div>
I know I have been slack on the scribing for this blog so
now I have to catch up. We finally cut the cobwebs between the dock and the
boat at Beauty Point Marina owned by the Tamar Yacht Club, the main club being
in Launceston which was founded in 1837. It has been an enjoyable stay and the
two blokes who run the marina David and Ron who are both volunteers run and
work on the marina without payment. The boys look after you and the marina fees
are cheap in comparison to the mainland.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ut5ugtIimmU/UvXAU3P_5QI/AAAAAAAAFTE/ujgY5JRt0JM/s1600/Tamar+morning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ut5ugtIimmU/UvXAU3P_5QI/AAAAAAAAFTE/ujgY5JRt0JM/s1600/Tamar+morning.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(Sunrise from our boat in the marina)</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We would also have to give a big thank you for our great
stay to Glen and Anne of 'Banyandah' who loaned us a vehicle to use for our
full stay to get out and do some travelling inland and run around and get parts
that we needed and in addition opened their house up for us to stay when we
wanted to. They along with Nigel and Vickie gave us a great Christmas and we
thank them for that. Both couples took us around the country side to see places
that we probably would not have seen otherwise, we had a great time and they
are great friends.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aYAezeu_BNk/UvXAUu1Ui7I/AAAAAAAAFTA/B5_i8Hqzuf0/s1600/Tamar+River.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aYAezeu_BNk/UvXAUu1Ui7I/AAAAAAAAFTA/B5_i8Hqzuf0/s1600/Tamar+River.jpg" height="86" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Part of the Tamar River)</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Tuesday 21/01/2014 we as I said cut the cobwebs and
headed up the river towards Launceston we actually motor sailed all the way to
the Batman Bridge we had to go under it as you do, then turned around and anchored
at Devils Elbow a little bay just north of the bridge. The idea of this was to
run the engines and make sure all was good before continuing our
circumnavigation a sort of shake down before heading out. It was good that we
did this as the port engine stated to run a little hotter than normal and this
was fixed when we anchored. We had a pleasant night at anchor and a reasonable
early night, although I had the usual problem of first night at anchor where
one does not get a good night sleep getting up and checking all is well with
the different movements of the boat.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dC9bxrYq-ag/UvXBLh1u3fI/AAAAAAAAFTI/8KkbWy-S_jw/s1600/Batman+Bridge1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dC9bxrYq-ag/UvXBLh1u3fI/AAAAAAAAFTI/8KkbWy-S_jw/s1600/Batman+Bridge1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(The Batman Bridge, we passed under it and here have turned back towards and anchorage)</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3nNZDOQaI0A/UvXBMhC1MgI/AAAAAAAAFTU/rp40KnqxNOY/s1600/Devils+Elbow+anchorage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3nNZDOQaI0A/UvXBMhC1MgI/AAAAAAAAFTU/rp40KnqxNOY/s1600/Devils+Elbow+anchorage.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(Boats moored near our anchorage, Tasmania has some classic building but they also have some classic timber boats)</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wednesday 22/01/2014, we were up at first light all was calm
and cool and we weighed anchor and motored down the river and head out to Devonport some 38NMS. The
Tamar River is quite beautiful and the historic buildings look great. Once out
of the Tamar we had some wind so we hoisted the sails but the wind was not
strong enough to go under sail alone so we had one engine running . We arrived
at Devonport and entered the Mersey River and found our way to the Mersey River
Yacht Club where we had arranged a berth for the evening. Long time friends
Wayne (Caba) and Anne Cabalzar was there to greet us and after getting to the
dock with help from Steve on a yacht berthed at the dock behind us and we were
all secured Caba and Anne took us home to their place where we had lunch,
showered and did some washing. Having spent a nice afternoon with them they
drove us back on board. It was great catching up with them again, I worked with
Caba in Alice Springs many years ago, I have many good memories of when we
worked away down at Ayres Rock and on the night we would go to the pub for a
beer as you do and Caba would keep us in stitches laughing at his jokes. He is
a bloke that can keep a straight face or use the appropriate expression whilst
telling jokes and he would have us with tears rolling down our cheeks and make
your stomach ache from laughter. We had some good times together.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uJQExYWsU-0/UvXCu6HlkzI/AAAAAAAAFTc/TLdXQGIbLoU/s1600/Entering+Devonport.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uJQExYWsU-0/UvXCu6HlkzI/AAAAAAAAFTc/TLdXQGIbLoU/s1600/Entering+Devonport.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(Entering Devonport, the 'Spirit of Tasmania on the port side)</i></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We had received a text message from Glen and Anne on the day
to meet them for dinner at 1900 hours and the hotel across the road from the
marina, so as soon as we got back on board it was time to get changed and head
to the pub. So we had dinner with Glen, Anne and Nigel and then we said our
farewells before returning on board. We had also met Steve and Kerrin on
'Rhapsody' a 10m timber monohull yacht that was built in New Zealand, they were
the yacht behind us and they are doing the same as us heading west so we will
probably being seeing some more of them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We hit the sack quite early as we were going to head out at
0400 hours in the morning for Stanley, again it was going to be motor sailing
as there was a shortage of wind which is sometimes a good thing in Bass Strait.</div>
<h1>
Devonport to Stanley - Tasmania</h1>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thursday, 23/01/2014.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Up at 0345 hours and we headed out in the dark at 0400
hours, 'Rhapsody' was slipping lines and
getting underway as we were just getting ready. As soon as we were out of the
port Nancy went for a rest the air was still so I reduced down to one engine
sitting on a speed of 5.2 knots, we could see 'Rhapsody's' stern light in the
distance and some steaming lights on the horizon off the starboard quarter this
turned out to be the ship 'Spirit of Tasmania' ferrying people and vehicles
from Melbourne so I was pleased we were clear of the port before she arrived it
would be a challenge going out of the Mersey River when she was coming up the
river.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7YJ4DWKCA8Y/UvXD6s9qxGI/AAAAAAAAFT0/OW_gCevEMa8/s1600/Dolphin+moments+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7YJ4DWKCA8Y/UvXD6s9qxGI/AAAAAAAAFT0/OW_gCevEMa8/s1600/Dolphin+moments+2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(Visitors came to see us as we sailed along)</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0HkX76h3Yjc/UvXD7_OP3wI/AAAAAAAAFUE/enMbeGGjnoU/s1600/Dolphin+moments.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0HkX76h3Yjc/UvXD7_OP3wI/AAAAAAAAFUE/enMbeGGjnoU/s1600/Dolphin+moments.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M302uaplRxA/UvXD6F5RrXI/AAAAAAAAFT4/URK5btMXK1k/s1600/landing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M302uaplRxA/UvXD6F5RrXI/AAAAAAAAFT4/URK5btMXK1k/s1600/landing.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(Coming into land, these birds will do this they land on the water near the boat then later catch up and do the same again)</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iKC-OlFNUbw/UvXCv85P4QI/AAAAAAAAFTk/K_Voy5dEF60/s1600/The+Knob.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iKC-OlFNUbw/UvXCv85P4QI/AAAAAAAAFTk/K_Voy5dEF60/s1600/The+Knob.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(A significant landmark The Knob at Stanley)</i></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As daylight came a little wind came with it but not strong I
was able to unfurl about a third of the headsail to get some wind to hold it out and we picked
up speed to 5.8 to 6 knots. It was quite a calm trip with a little swell on the
beam at times which made the sail slap. We arrived at Stanley at 1430 hours
just as the wind kicked in, the afternoon sea breeze. The port entrance is
quite narrow, I had to get Nancy to watch the port side as we entered to make
sure we did not hit the pole that was leaning inwards of the entrance. We got
alongside the dock and secured.</div>
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You need boards with your fenders along the dock here it is not
as bad as it was in Apollo Bay the vertical timbers are square and clean,
however, we do have a 3 metre tidal difference so rope adjustments are required
at times. The plan is to stay here for a couple of days whilst the next change
comes through that is brining 25-30 knot winds.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lKNZCPnGcp0/UvXE2NdNIuI/AAAAAAAAFUM/8mibCVTSGbo/s1600/Stanley+Motel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lKNZCPnGcp0/UvXE2NdNIuI/AAAAAAAAFUM/8mibCVTSGbo/s1600/Stanley+Motel.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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(<i>The Witlshire Railway Station now a motel in Stanley)</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9Z_K0HGoKVI/UvXE5Tj0skI/AAAAAAAAFUk/wwIVFT8Eaqs/s1600/Stanley+VDL+Store.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9Z_K0HGoKVI/UvXE5Tj0skI/AAAAAAAAFUk/wwIVFT8Eaqs/s1600/Stanley+VDL+Store.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QTpbPAIeBIw/UvXE2qd6CII/AAAAAAAAFUY/NgOu_muhs50/s1600/Stanley+VDL+Store+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QTpbPAIeBIw/UvXE2qd6CII/AAAAAAAAFUY/NgOu_muhs50/s1600/Stanley+VDL+Store+2.jpg" height="272" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fmE9bH3ubV0/UvXE2fE9iBI/AAAAAAAAFUU/B7vbbtGUZIg/s1600/Stanley+Monument.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fmE9bH3ubV0/UvXE2fE9iBI/AAAAAAAAFUU/B7vbbtGUZIg/s1600/Stanley+Monument.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Not one of the good things of our past)</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
</div>
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Steve and Kerrin came over for sundowners and to use our
shower as their small boat has a cockpit shower and the dock master has not
turned up with the key for the shower on the dock. There is no electricity
available here but there is a tap for topping up the water. Whilst Kerrin was
having a shower Les the dock master turned up with a key and said he would be
down to see us in the morning so I suppose we pay him for use of the dock then.</div>
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We had a pleasant couple of hours with Steve and Kerrin,
couple of beers and wines. When they went home we had dinner and went to bed.</div>
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Saturday - 24/01/2014<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E5IutDYpqz4/UvXF_PDifZI/AAAAAAAAFVA/5_U8Ukms4AE/s1600/Stanley+Ad+1871.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E5IutDYpqz4/UvXF_PDifZI/AAAAAAAAFVA/5_U8Ukms4AE/s1600/Stanley+Ad+1871.jpg" height="320" width="127" /></a></div>
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<i>(1871 newspaper advert, well before the internet)</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
</div>
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I woke during the night at high tide and low tide and
checked the ropes all was good. I slept in till 0730 hours then got up and made
a cup of tea and Nancy got breakfast, Steve and Kerrin had just come back from
a run, young fit buggers. Steve is 48 years old, he is ex-British Army and then
worked for the New Zealand Army. They are nice couple.</div>
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They gave us the key to the showers after they had theirs
and they went off into town, we went into town after we showered and had a good
walk around and chatted to some of the locals. Stanley is a pretty little town,
we came here last Sunday by car with Glen and Anne and had lunch along with
some other sightseeing. </div>
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This time we had lunch at Moby Dicks Breakfast Bar and I
must say it is a very nice place and the price for meals were very good and the
service excellent. I still maintain that customer service here in Tasmania is
the best. There is no falseness or practiced lines when you walk into a place,
the people start up a conversation rather than the "Can I help you?"
Love Tasmania.</div>
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The wind started to pick up so we returned to the boat and
by the time we got back we started rocking and rolling as the afternoon went on
it got worse. The one thing that confused both Steve and I to start off with is
that Les had told us that where we were was the best place for SW winds even
though Glen had told me earlier that it was not a good spot. However, I looked
at the magnetic compos and the direction it showed for SW should give us good
protection. In reality the opening of the harbour that we are in line with is
SW, there is something in the area that interferes with magnetic composes, it
could be the dock face is steel casing or something in the building nearby.</div>
<br />
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By mid-afternoon the winds had picked up along with the
waves coming at us and we were being bashed against the dock, Steve's boat
being smaller and lighter was suffering the most, in the end he rang Les and
asked to go into a fisherman's pen. As he told me and asked if we could help
him with ropes a gentleman came along, Jim Hursey of the family that owns the
fishery and most of the fishing boats pens. He told us where we were was very
dangerous during these conditions, Steve told him that Les said he could move
into a certain pen and Jim said that the fishing boat would be going there
tonight but we could both move into two of his other pens as the boats will not
be back for a couple of days. We thanked him and we both moved over to the
other side of the harbour where it was calm. Just on dark a very large fishing
boat entered and went to the pen that Les had allocated Steve, so it was a big
thanks to Jim Hursey for our peaceful night.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AutSku2xibA/UvXF7yiVePI/AAAAAAAAFUs/yr0eeLPjjfA/s1600/Stanley+Marine+Park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AutSku2xibA/UvXF7yiVePI/AAAAAAAAFUs/yr0eeLPjjfA/s1600/Stanley+Marine+Park.jpg" height="181" width="320" /></a></div>
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(Marine Park, Stanley)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YNnyYbPKgpk/UvXF78xF3kI/AAAAAAAAFU4/FuZFnGfjaHc/s1600/Memorial+Stanley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YNnyYbPKgpk/UvXF78xF3kI/AAAAAAAAFU4/FuZFnGfjaHc/s1600/Memorial+Stanley.jpg" height="187" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(This is a memorial in the Marine Park for Jim Hursey's son who was lost at sea when trying to rescue another person, Jim has a grandson now that is getting his Captains qualifications, the sea is in the family blood)</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Cheers</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
John Jenkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02474048972412245226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3924608710329509887.post-53967820864558195762014-02-08T15:21:00.001+10:002014-02-09T12:52:59.624+10:00Tasmania land time.We have had two months in the marina at Beauty Point and through some very good people we have had a vehicle to travel and see the inland side, here are some of our experiences, I have done more notes that will follow this and I may repeat myself in those so you will have to put up with that. What we got up to besides work on the boat.<br />
<br />
As my last post wished everyone a merry Christmas I thought it would be appropriate to start her.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zL4E2MT2n0w/UvW4610qVdI/AAAAAAAAFRE/1Rw9QpPH2yE/s1600/Xmas+parade+Ulverstone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zL4E2MT2n0w/UvW4610qVdI/AAAAAAAAFRE/1Rw9QpPH2yE/s1600/Xmas+parade+Ulverstone.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Christmas parade at Ulverstone)</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5KjnhxP_i0A/UvWvQmx5lZI/AAAAAAAAFPE/fsC8O3bYolo/s1600/Christmas+021+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5KjnhxP_i0A/UvWvQmx5lZI/AAAAAAAAFPE/fsC8O3bYolo/s1600/Christmas+021+(1024x683).jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Anne and Glen opening presents)</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--D_VXo6Obp4/UvWvQCJk9FI/AAAAAAAAFPM/gZn_kxkwwTY/s1600/Christmas+011+%25281024x682%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--D_VXo6Obp4/UvWvQCJk9FI/AAAAAAAAFPM/gZn_kxkwwTY/s1600/Christmas+011+%25281024x682%2529.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Erika and daughter Maddie, Maddie with her new skates)</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4QT436_KPy4/UvWvQOA03HI/AAAAAAAAFPI/-dou0Jwckc8/s1600/Christmas+022+%2528683x1024%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4QT436_KPy4/UvWvQOA03HI/AAAAAAAAFPI/-dou0Jwckc8/s1600/Christmas+022+%2528683x1024%2529.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<i>(Glen with his new thongs, a very nice bloke, thanks for all mate.)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eha0u1SKNuw/UvWu40AhvkI/AAAAAAAAFOs/vlNiBitJB4M/s1600/Nancy+at+Anne+Kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eha0u1SKNuw/UvWu40AhvkI/AAAAAAAAFOs/vlNiBitJB4M/s1600/Nancy+at+Anne+Kitchen.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Nancy in Anne's kitchen)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-70aP_77Gpeg/UvWu40ZtcbI/AAAAAAAAFOo/ALORueCKTJg/s1600/Christmas+046+(1024x682).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-70aP_77Gpeg/UvWu40ZtcbI/AAAAAAAAFOo/ALORueCKTJg/s1600/Christmas+046+(1024x682).jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Nigel, Vickie, Anne, Glen, Nancy and yours truly after lunch at Nigel's)</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DLPz8f9r4A4/UvWu4ieOm5I/AAAAAAAAFOw/HQMXLqXy8ZA/s1600/Christmas+051+%25281024x683%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DLPz8f9r4A4/UvWu4ieOm5I/AAAAAAAAFOw/HQMXLqXy8ZA/s1600/Christmas+051+%25281024x683%2529.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Nigel and Vickie with Nigel's parents,)</i></div>
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<i>We had a really nice time and all these people made it a fantastic time for us, they are great people.</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>Travelling around with Glen loaning us a vehicle for the entire time we were in the marina plus Anne and Glen took us on tours and so did Nigel and Vickie.</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
<h2>
Oatlands</h2>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kdJcM4VYXgg/UvWx4ShJ8zI/AAAAAAAAFPY/2XM8tYjtLSs/s1600/Buildings+Oatlands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kdJcM4VYXgg/UvWx4ShJ8zI/AAAAAAAAFPY/2XM8tYjtLSs/s1600/Buildings+Oatlands.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Some of the historic buildings in Oatlands)</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0wNopKDYf8Y/UvWx8nxzthI/AAAAAAAAFP0/Ot7qviL4BSI/s1600/Callington+Mill-+Oatlands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0wNopKDYf8Y/UvWx8nxzthI/AAAAAAAAFP0/Ot7qviL4BSI/s1600/Callington+Mill-+Oatlands.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EXHVjLm5qAs/UvWx4sP0pFI/AAAAAAAAFPk/4z7Wto2gL4w/s1600/Callington+Mill+1837-+Oatlands+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EXHVjLm5qAs/UvWx4sP0pFI/AAAAAAAAFPk/4z7Wto2gL4w/s1600/Callington+Mill+1837-+Oatlands+2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Callington Mill at Oatlands opened 1837)</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xVrLMUaAVNY/UvWyu1H2LYI/AAAAAAAAFP4/c_RmgGYarlc/s1600/Chimney+sculture+Oatlands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xVrLMUaAVNY/UvWyu1H2LYI/AAAAAAAAFP4/c_RmgGYarlc/s1600/Chimney+sculture+Oatlands.jpg" height="223" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Chimney sculpture at Oatlands)</i></div>
<h2>
Hobart</h2>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UiyC89G8Rcc/UvW1k80aESI/AAAAAAAAFQ0/2p1yt0O0p_8/s1600/Syd-Hob+finish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UiyC89G8Rcc/UvW1k80aESI/AAAAAAAAFQ0/2p1yt0O0p_8/s1600/Syd-Hob+finish.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(The victors of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race 'Victoire' top left, the Switzerland yacht bottom left had the only female skipper in this and the clipper round the world race that they are part of race and a crew that had not done anything like this before)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_C9moHh3C04/UvWz1Xi4vBI/AAAAAAAAFQM/wIm7WSBX9u8/s1600/Hobart+Salamanda+fest+031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_C9moHh3C04/UvWz1Xi4vBI/AAAAAAAAFQM/wIm7WSBX9u8/s1600/Hobart+Salamanda+fest+031.jpg" height="201" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(With Frank and June, both ex-Navy friends of mine, Frank met June in the Navy and they married and had two lovely daughters. Here at Salamander Markets as part of the Taste of Tassie and the finish of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race.)</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S8SYVOyTspE/UvWz14dShfI/AAAAAAAAFQY/ihicUm_M0G0/s1600/Nancy+and+June.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S8SYVOyTspE/UvWz14dShfI/AAAAAAAAFQY/ihicUm_M0G0/s1600/Nancy+and+June.jpg" height="320" width="304" /></a></div>
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<i>(Two lovely ladies, Nancy and June at the Taste)</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EaNY65BwGlo/UvW1n1ZQ3SI/AAAAAAAAFQ4/AYNg-I73Ozg/s1600/Taste+of+Tassie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EaNY65BwGlo/UvW1n1ZQ3SI/AAAAAAAAFQ4/AYNg-I73Ozg/s1600/Taste+of+Tassie.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(The Taste of Tasmania, the place was packed it has all types of food, wines and ice cream)</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HJPHRu7pQ4Q/UvWzzwPickI/AAAAAAAAFQI/O8a2ZlIo7TQ/s1600/Hobart+001+%2528682x1024%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HJPHRu7pQ4Q/UvWzzwPickI/AAAAAAAAFQI/O8a2ZlIo7TQ/s1600/Hobart+001+%2528682x1024%2529.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<i>(Relaxing at June and Frank's, this lovely lady has never changed she is still gorgeous)</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FdKzEHTCFzw/UvW1kmvHZ-I/AAAAAAAAFQw/cAdd7sL9Els/s1600/Relaxed+NY+Eve.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FdKzEHTCFzw/UvW1kmvHZ-I/AAAAAAAAFQw/cAdd7sL9Els/s1600/Relaxed+NY+Eve.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(New Years Eve with Frank and June and Lucas)</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
<h2>
Lemonthyme Lodge and Cradle Mountain</h2>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PaSvbbSdi60/UvW6TUzoAnI/AAAAAAAAFRg/vwDCp_p8fGA/s1600/Lemonthyme+Lodge+Cabins+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PaSvbbSdi60/UvW6TUzoAnI/AAAAAAAAFRg/vwDCp_p8fGA/s1600/Lemonthyme+Lodge+Cabins+1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(The tree cabins as we drive in, no they are not physically in a tree, they are among the trees the front at the car park level and the rear on supports on a slope among the trees)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vc2_BP7zFIo/UvW6QXHZbDI/AAAAAAAAFRc/ocSaVROiimo/s1600/Lemonthyme+Lodge+Cabins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vc2_BP7zFIo/UvW6QXHZbDI/AAAAAAAAFRc/ocSaVROiimo/s1600/Lemonthyme+Lodge+Cabins.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Our cabin)</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bIp2H7BH9ps/UvW6QdoBcPI/AAAAAAAAFRY/0sKm7hF5IyU/s1600/Lemonthyme+Lodge+Bar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bIp2H7BH9ps/UvW6QdoBcPI/AAAAAAAAFRY/0sKm7hF5IyU/s1600/Lemonthyme+Lodge+Bar.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Nancy at the bar inside the lodge)</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ItohJ6J2No4/UvW7csGDb6I/AAAAAAAAFRs/8jKMNxuAtqU/s1600/Lemonthyme+Lodge-+The+Lodge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ItohJ6J2No4/UvW7csGDb6I/AAAAAAAAFRs/8jKMNxuAtqU/s1600/Lemonthyme+Lodge-+The+Lodge.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Inside the lodge and Nancy on the veranda)</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IZZBqxW4-2M/UvW7cn3xfGI/AAAAAAAAFR4/GLuYb7bPa6k/s1600/Lemonthyme+Lodge+Paddy+Melons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IZZBqxW4-2M/UvW7cn3xfGI/AAAAAAAAFR4/GLuYb7bPa6k/s1600/Lemonthyme+Lodge+Paddy+Melons.jpg" height="245" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(At around 2000 hours the Paddy Melons come to the lodge grounds for a feed)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LNf9y6GRWUM/UvW8Vu65rfI/AAAAAAAAFSE/hUV7MBCjXTc/s1600/Lemonthyme+Lodge+Grounds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LNf9y6GRWUM/UvW8Vu65rfI/AAAAAAAAFSE/hUV7MBCjXTc/s1600/Lemonthyme+Lodge+Grounds.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(On one of the walks around Lemonthyme Lodge)</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wMtOlXsPxbQ/UvW8UJCvcaI/AAAAAAAAFSA/m0FO2FhVdGc/s1600/Lemonthyme+Lodge+grounds+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wMtOlXsPxbQ/UvW8UJCvcaI/AAAAAAAAFSA/m0FO2FhVdGc/s1600/Lemonthyme+Lodge+grounds+1.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i>(One of the other wild animals in the bush, Oh no it's Nancy)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AaYGWpDNmXk/UvW89y0ppWI/AAAAAAAAFSM/B4X65BwQ7hY/s1600/Nancy+at+Dove+Lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AaYGWpDNmXk/UvW89y0ppWI/AAAAAAAAFSM/B4X65BwQ7hY/s1600/Nancy+at+Dove+Lake.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Nancy again armed with camera at Dove Lake near Cradle Mountain)</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qWGxPHocYE0/UvW9Wnv3yOI/AAAAAAAAFSU/BW4nP1Y7Us8/s1600/Cradle+Mountain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qWGxPHocYE0/UvW9Wnv3yOI/AAAAAAAAFSU/BW4nP1Y7Us8/s1600/Cradle+Mountain.jpg" height="108" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>(Lake Dove and Cradle Mountain)</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-prH3XU9d0E8/UvW9XOcR5UI/AAAAAAAAFSo/3ciI_4AJq38/s1600/Cradle+Mountain+windy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-prH3XU9d0E8/UvW9XOcR5UI/AAAAAAAAFSo/3ciI_4AJq38/s1600/Cradle+Mountain+windy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(A little wind picked up causing a few waves, I took this picture at ankle level)</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B3ydtTDbrhw/UvW9XAuOuLI/AAAAAAAAFSk/_uFm8Lyyl3Y/s1600/Cradle+Mountain+Boat+House.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B3ydtTDbrhw/UvW9XAuOuLI/AAAAAAAAFSk/_uFm8Lyyl3Y/s1600/Cradle+Mountain+Boat+House.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(The Boat Shed Dove Lake)</i></div>
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<i>There are heaps more to show and I may add some photos later when I get to a slow period when I have nothing else to put on the blog. Tasmania is a beautiful place sometimes the weather can be challenging but as Billy Connolly says, "there is no bad weather just bad clothes".</i></div>
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<i>Cheers</i></div>
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John Jenkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02474048972412245226noreply@blogger.com0