Good Days, Lovely People and Great Fish & Chips

At anchor in Bryans Corner at the end of the Freycinet Peninsula.

We left Wineglass Bay yesterday morning after a rather rollie night at anchor and a fair infestation of mossies.  Actually I wasn't aware of any rolling because I slept like a log ... but George and Bruce didn't sleep too well due to the constant motion of the boat.  Bruce said he battled mosquitos all night and, again, I didn't hear them buzzing around because I slept so well but I've got the itchy bumps on my head and arms to prove they were there all the same.

The plan was to leave early and sail down through the Schouten Passage before the wind got up to the forecast speed of 20-25 knots.   As we said goodbye to Wineglass Bay the main went up with the 1st reef still securely in place (I think it may stay that way through this whole trip!) plus the full headsail and we moved out into coastal waters at a fast boat speed of  7-8 knots.  Quite speedy for Southern Belle. 

The coastal scenery along the Freycinet is quite dramatic.  The granite cliffs drop vertically down to the ocean and they're coloured in places with pinks and red from the iron ore deposits & lichen.  From the ocean they appear imposing.  No shelter, no forgiveness, no hope if you come to grief before you find solace in on of the few bays available for the traveller.

We were blessed.  We made the trip in good time with a great wind angle and excellent sailing ... right through the Schouten Passage and into the calm, clear waters of Bryans Corner.

The clear waters and white beach at Bryans Corner.

At Bryans Corner we met a family on board the yacht 'First Light'.  In true yachting fashion they were open with local knowledge, help and friendship while we were all anchored there.  Then, about 7:30pm they came along side to tell us we needed to move to the anchorage across the passage because the wind was due to change rapidly.  So, we did the "Schouten Shuffle" which is a local "thing".  When the wind comes up from the wrong quarter everyone just shifts a half an hour to the other side of the passage to the beach on the other side - Moreys Beach or Crocketts Beach,

Crossing the passage in the "Shuffle" ... it is very roomy.... not problem with coming into it or crossing.

We woke to this sight in the Bay on Schouten Island.  Lovely.

 In the morning we said goodbye to our new friends and moved off further south down the Great Oyster Bay. 

Our first stop was White Rock.  This is right smack in the middle of the road between Schouten Island and Maria Island.  We met a lovely couple in Wineglass Bay the first night we were there who - amazingly - were from the 'Alfreds' yacht club on the yacht "Manutai".  Over cups of tea they told us about White Rock and it's seal population who, when you approach in a boat will jump excitedly into the water and bark and squawk as you pass.   So we had to pass as close as possible to this big chunk of rock to see the seal population for ourselves.

White rock ahead!  This "island" just sits right in the middle of the Great Oyster Bay.

There were seals all over the southern facing shore of the island.

As we passed the seals barked and jumped into the water to chase the boat! 
This picture does not do the experience justice. 
We would not have known about stopping and circling this island had we not met the couple
on "Manutai" at Wineglass Bay!!!

Another bit of "Local Knowledge" that our friends on 'First Light' gave us before we left was .. if we wanted fish and chips we should call into the little fishing town of Triabunna to sample the great food coming out of the small "fish van"!  So that was the next place we sailed for.

George and Bruce stowing the dingy next to the bus for the Maria Island tour.  This little fishing town is also the ferry departure place for the national park island of Maria Island.....our next stop!

The Fish Van in Triabunna.

That little fish van made the best fish and chips I think I have ever had...anywhere!!!!
Fresh, succulent, sweet and tasty .. so good.

After Triabunna were moving to Maria Island for the night.  Tomorrow morning we need to wake up at 5am in order to make the 2 hour journey down to the Dennison Canal for the crossing which will take us closer to Hobart and our destination for the Christmas and New Year week.

I have to say this....the first days we were here it was blowing like hell.  Every day we'd wake up to a strong wind warning.  I was seriously starting to think this 3 month cruise was not for me.  There was no way I could endure 3-4 months of howling winds and high seas.  But today it settled down and it looks like it will be much more settled over the next week.  One thing is for sure, Tasmania is wondrously beautiful.  Full of good people and good food and good everything else it seems ... except weather.  The past 2 days have given me an opportunity to see through the gales and appreciate the wonder.  May it last.

Tasmania - Calm & Wild conditions but we're here!

Spectacular, Awesome, Beautiful Wineglass Bay.

We made it!  There's that sweet little 3 word sentence again that says so much. 

As you will remember, if you've read my blog before, I was very afraid - s**t scared actually - of crossing Bass Strait.  My vision of the crossing was complete with, how did I describe it in my last blog ... mountainous seas and unrelenting wind.  Well, as it turns out, we had no wind throughout the whole crossing of the Strait itself. 

Leaving Eden was a bit eventful with 20+ knot winds and a confused sea which was difficult to settle into, find a good angle and get the sails working well.   Finally after we settled into the trip and got off the coast a bit we had a good run down to the dreaded Bass Strait.  Then the wind just died off to nothing and we started motoring ... and we motored pretty much the whole way across.  I couldn't complain about that!

Sunset across the expanse of Bass Strait .. you can see how smooth the sea is with no wind!

Then in the late afternoon on Monday - with at least another 20 hours ahead of us - we heard the weather forecast for waters off Flinders Island (the first island/land mass you reach as you start to turn and sail down the east coast of Tasmania).  It wasn't good.  Gale force winds were forecast for the coast of 30+ knots and high seas.  This was to come Monday night or Tuesday morning.  When we left Eden we knew there was a front forecast but it wasn't suppose to arrive until Tuesday night by which time we should be at anchor somewhere safe .. obviously it was coming much earlier than expected.  Damn.

I went into internal near panic mode!  I suggested to George and Bruce that we should put 2 or 3 reefs in the main to get ready but, while we were motoring along they didn't see the need or the urgency.  So we continued to motor into the night and then the next morning.  No wind.  George, of course, was happy to point out that I focus on the negative too much! 

About 10am it hit.  First with healthy gusts of 25 knots on top of consistent 20 then it built from there.  At a steady 27+ George and Bruce put another reef in the main and we were running well under just that sail with 2 reefs.  The wind continued to build up to over 30+ knots with gusts well into the 40s.  At this point it was clear to me that George and Bruce were comfortable and Southern Belle was handling the whole thing with no problem.  The best place for me was down below with my book.  Oh, I discovered I can read while underway after I've been on the boat for a few days .. normally I'm too sea sick to try and read but after being in the boat since last Sunday I wasn't affected by the movement.   

The most frightening thing, to me, were the waves.  You hear the term "confused seas" a lot when people describe Tasmania and we were introduced first hand to just what that means.  The wind was coming from the NE and then the NW creating very large cross waves that didn't have much regular timing about them.  Anyway, to make a long story short ... (I could go on and on about how the roaring of the wind and the size of the waves were absolutely frightening, but I won't) .. Southern Belle, George and Bruce handled the whole situation very well.  There was one gust of 50 something knots that caused SB to jibe unexpectedly but on the whole everyone handled the situation well.  I even remained reasonably calm while jammed cross ways in the v-berth just holding on.  Watching George steer and the waves approaching the back of the boat was just that bit too much for me!

Bruce happily riding the waves and George steering the boat through the crests and troughs.  Amazingly the autopilot handled the steering very well but when we had to turn and run, then cross the waves to pull into our anchorage George had to take the wheel.  You can see I'm happily inside the boat not watching! 

After 50 hours at sea we pulled into Sleepy Bay on the east coast of Tasmania.  The wind and waves permeated the bay right up to the very end but it did get calmer as we approached the bay's end.  It was heaven to be almost still again.  The anchor went down, caught well, and we were here!  Finally.

As you move in from the Tasman Sea towards Sleepy Bay you see this fantastic rock - Mount Dove.  Unfortunately this photo from the boat doesn't do it any justice.  The sides are steep with very little vegetation .. it is a weather stripped monolith of granite with that drops sharply into the sea.  Fantastic.  

It was a joy to stop moving!  We had our celebratory beers and potato chips, showers, naps and a quick dinner.  Then all of us hit our bunks for a wonderful, and oh-so-welcome full night's sleep.

Today the weather was much calmer and George and Bruce wanted to move the short distance to Wineglass Bay - which is supposed to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.  Me, I was happy to have a day off and not move anywhere.   But I was overruled and we moved.  I'm so glad we did.  This place is truly breathtaking.  We anchored and walked the full distance around the beach ... it was a relief to walk and stretch our legs.

Me and George with the expanse of Wineglass Bay behind us.

Southern Belle at anchor ... she's completely dwarfed by the mountains and Bay. 

Bruce at the top of the bay.

The rocks and trees at the northern end of the beach.  There were several groups of people that had walked through the Freycinet park and down to the beach.

I suppose the moral to this part of my story - our adventure - is things are never as bad as you think they will be ... and if they are then, well, you just deal with it and it's over eventually and everything works out well.  I hope/plan/wish to remember that throughout the rest of this southern ocean adventure.

Eden - Tears and Killer Whales

Snug Cove today - looking beautiful, bright and sunny. 
What you can't see is the wind blowing, this time it's changed direction from South to North.

Looking down main street in Eden, New South Wales.   

Eden is a lovely little town on the far south coast of New South Wales.  There is a good deal of history here and an excellent Killer Whale museum with an unbelievable story behind its creation - which I'll get to in just a minute.  First a quick word on tears.

Fear is a funny thing.  It can permeate every thought or, in my case yesterday, fear built up into something that suddenly became overwhelming.  Hence the tears.

I think it started when our RPAYC fellow Tassie cruisers on the boat 'Bogart' - who were anchored next to us - woke us at 7 am as they headed out to cross Bass Strait.  They did two circles of Southern Belle with all of us shouting our greetings into the stiff southerly wind - "Goodbye", "Have a Great Trip", "See You Soon", "Be Careful".  Then they turned, hoisted the mainsail and were away out of the harbour. 

For some reason that started a cascade of thoughts in my head.  Thoughts about wanting to see our friends again, thoughts about us doing the same thing and thoughts about mountainous seas and unrelenting winds.  I couldn't shake it but kept all those "horror" thoughts to myself all day.  Then about 4:30 the dam burst.  George asked me what was wrong and I just exploded.  I had a very good cry complete with sobbing.  For me it was cathartic.  For George it was awful.  Poor thing.  At one stage I was going home on the next bus.  But conversations with George and friends plus a few glasses of soothing wine and I went to bed feeling better.  Today, with swollen eyes and looking like a wreck, I'm better.  My courage, what there is of it, has returned and in spite of the fear I'm going to do it anyway.  Tomorrow we head out to cross Bass Strait.  I sincerely hope it isn't half as bad as I've imagined it to be.

The Eden Killer Whale Museum.

We spent a couple of hours in The Killer Whale Museum today and it is well worth a visit.  The story behind its development is an amazing tale of animals and man working together for the benefit of each other.  I have to tell you about it!  None of these animals were trained .. they just worked out a way to partner with men on shore to get the food they wanted.

During the last of the 1800's and early 1900's there was a shore based whaling operation here in Eden.  This particular operation was unique because the whalers and the killer whales worked together to kill other whales.  Pods of killer whales returned each year to work with the shore based men.  One of them in particular was called "Old Tom" and he was the most enthusiastic leader of a pod. 

The killer whales would herd whales into Twofold Bay and then they would alert the whalemen of their prey's arrival by tail flopping to encourage them to launch their whale boats.  Sometimes "Old Tom" would get impatient with the men in the boats and actually grab a rope and tow them out to the poor whale victims.  After the whale was harpooned, some of the killers would expedite its death by rolling over its blowhole to stop it breathing, and others would swim below it to prevent it sounding!

When the whale was dead the men would put floats on the carcass and then leave it so the killer whales could take their reward.  They would only eat the animal's tongue and lips.  Then the whalers would come back and collect what was left for meat, oil, etc.

Sadly one day a fisherman found the body of "Old Tom" floating in the bay.  They kept his skeleton and mounted it.  Then in 1939 the museum was built around Tom's remains, his story and the story of the whaling history of Eden.  Amazingly you can see Tom's teeth that were worn down from towing out the whaling boats!

I'm an animal lover and this story really got me.  One day the human species will wake up to the fact - I hope soon - that we're all in this together and the sooner we move toward respecting our environment and the creatures we share our planet with the better for all!!!

Safe in Eden

Looking out the entrance to the very open bay at Eden - called Twofold Bay.

We made it. 

I've used that short sweet sentence many times when talking about our sailing escapades.  Why?  Because those three words encapsulate, to me anyway, just how I feel when we finally arrive at a place, put the anchor down, stop moving and relax. 

The past 3 days feel like an eternity .. a marathon of endurance ... a long exercise in self control and wilful positive thinking!  Think I'm exaggerating?  Well maybe I am - to a certain extent.  But right now, only a short time after dropping the pick (anchor) I'm still feeling the effects of 3 days sailing down the coast.

Let me give you a quick critique of the trip so far.....

First off we were really tired when we left Sydney at 7:30pm last Sunday night.  I don't know if you can get around feeling like that on the first day out because there's so much to do to get away from the day to day.  The trip to Jervis was 16/17 hours.  It was hard.  The rocking motion on a boat is soporific at the best of times but when you're dead tired it's bloody hard to stay awake, reasonably alert and be a supportive & functioning crew throughout the night.

The necessary wind ... it is never what you want it to be or expect it to be unfortunately.  For the trip down to Jervis Bay we expected mainly light winds but at least wind.  None came .. until just past the half way point it came in abundance and unexpected and unannounced.  We were hit with 35 knots (a lot) out of the blue.  No warning.  This wind "front" persisted with gust after gust growing to a max at one point of 44 knots.  Then, as quickly as it arrived it was gone diminishing to 10-12 knots.  Sailing - panic stations one minute and boredom the next!

We were able to rest and recuperate overnight in JB to get ready for the big trip of 24 hours to Eden.  I must say doing that kind of passage when refreshed is heaven!  We left JB early and were out in the ocean on the way south by 10:15.  Again the wind was not as expected.  We had absolutely no wind which meant we had to motor through the day and most of the night.  But that was OK because we were rested and relaxed.  Then, as usual, in the early morning as George and I were resigned to no wind ... with George sound asleep in the cockpit as I kept watch ... the wind gauge started to come alive ... and alive .... and alive.  From 3 knots to 25 knots in 2 minutes at 2am in the morning ... of course.  That was a wild ride but unlike the previous day it didn't diminish.  It kept going .. also gifting us with a white out of heavy rain and building large seas.

It was with this complete white out, rain and large rolling surf that we entered Eden's Twofold Bay for the first time ever in our Southern Belle.  I was steering the boat and navigating using the chart plotter while George sorted the carnage of sheets (ropes) and gear in the cockpit from our late night wild ride.  It was scary but as I said in the beginning, We Made It.

Now we're here, safe in Eden, with many other yachties on their way to the summer cruising grounds of beautiful Tasmania.

Waiting for a weather window in Snug Cove, Eden.

After the ups and downs of the past 3 days I've been thinking about quitting this part of this adventure.  I have seriously considered leaving George and our friend Bruce, who is helping us sail down to Hobart, and going home.  It would be so easy to let them sail Southern Belle down and join them once they've done the work using the good ship Qantas to get myself there.  As much as this appeals to me I can't do it. It wouldn't be fair to them and it wouldn't be fair to me.  I knew this was going to be one of the toughest thing I have EVER done.  But just like the Louisiades Rally in 2013 I know this journey will provide good times and great adventure I will take happily through the rest of my days.  So exhaustion and wind be good to us ... we'll leave at the first good weather window.  Can't wait to sail into Wineglass Bay!!!

Ready for Tassie!!!

Miss Southern Belle looking resplendent after her "bottom" clean.  Such a pretty boat!

It seems like we've been, George mostly, talking about sailing SOUTHERN BELLE to Tasmania for a long long time.  The subject has been bantered around for what seems like decades - and the proposal is always met with a bit of a grimace from me when mentioned.  Why the grimace?  Because I can say without exaggeration, "I have NEVER wanted to sail into the 'roaring forties', I've never even dreamed I would be foolish enough to try".

Never say never.

Tomorrow we leave the beautiful confines of Pittwater and Broken Bay - the most perfect of cruising grounds - for the southern ocean and the beautiful, and often stormy, island of Tasmania.  Somebody ... something, help me.  I won't bore you with the shit going on inside my head since the date of early December was set except to tell you my mind swings wildly between, "It will be fine, we'll have a great time" ... to, "What do you think you're doing!!! You aren't a southern ocean sailor, hell you're not much of a sailor full stop!!!"

What's the old saying?  "Feel the fear and do it anyway"  O.K.

In spite of the talk and planning the run up to departure has been full on.  Here, in pictures, some of the prep.

The dirty, smelly job of cleaning our Belle's bottom.  This is necessary if you want the boat to travel at maximum speed!

At the stove cooking multiple soups and casseroles to freeze so we can have something quick to eat after long hours at sea.

The kitchen counter laden with all the necessities of cooking multiple meals.

Wrapping wine bottles individually in bubble wrap for storage in the hold of the boat.  We famously carried over 100 bottles to the Louisiades, which turned out not to be overkill.  So for this trip we only wrapped and stored 65.  Not overkill at all!  I may be able to force myself to sail in far away southern oceans but I most certainly can not abide the thought of doing without wine!
 

Now, here we are.  Tomorrow afternoon, probably about 5-ish George will drive the boat out of the RPAYC marina and head out to sea for Jervis Bay, 84 nautical miles south of Sydney.  Another adventure I've dreaded but now that it's here I'd like to get moving.  However there is one little love that will be as hard as ever to leave behind ... My Molly.  Goodness I love that dog.  Steph is staying with her again and I know they love each other, but I'll miss my girl so very much.

Spring is Here!

We have a profusion of Clivia blooms all around our backyard.

Not much makes me feel as good as a change in season .. especially when its a change to warmer weather!  I can't take the cold.  Not that it gets particularly cold here in Sydney but, for some reason, the cold just gets me.  It seeps into my bones and I can never ever seem to get warm.  Snake-like, I have to have heat to feel alive.

Fantastic, huge Azalea bush on our walk yesterday.

Well heat is what I got .. it was 33C yesterday and 30 the day before .. the hottest 2 days on record for Sydney in September.  I think it's going to be a long very hot summer.

Our repugnant Prime Minister, Tony Abbott in his blinkered vision, has done everything in his and his government's power to derail, defund, denigrate and destroy Australia's renewable energy programs.  Backed by the mining industry plutocrats who wish to keep coal as the mainstay of the economy they have made a point - both locally and internationally - to deny climate change.  Just today the Bureau of Meteorology released a report stating 2013 was the hottest year on record for Australia since records began in 1910.  And the Climate Council said that this year's bush fire season will be more intense and last longer than previous.  So, Tony, no problem here.  With the slash and burn of open coal mines there won't be anything left to burn!

Anyway, it's going to get hot.  Meanwhile - or until it gets unbearable one day after the other - I'm enjoying it to the fullest!

The weather also is making me get over myself and get out and DO something.  Over the 3-4 months since the foot operation I've gained over 4 kilos sitting on my butt.  When the boot came off I've talked about going to the gym but, frankly, haven't managed anything but talk.  Even the walks to Lane Cove with Molly have been sparse because my foot continues to hurt. 

Except this morning I finally got moving!  I went to the Lane Cove pool and did an hour session of Aqua-Aerobics!  Now, to be honest, I've always looked down a bit at the AA class as I pass the "older" ladies bouncing up and down in the pool on the way to my gym to lift weights.  George kept telling me I should give the AA classes a try because the water would take a lot of the pressure off my foot and make exercising easier.  With the continuing pain in my foot I decided to give it a try and I'm here to say it's harder than it looks!  Now there's a lesson in being judgemental .. once I got down in the pool with everyone else it was obvious only a small percentage of the "bouncers" were older.  There were a lot of young women doing the same and it was fun and a good workout.

We're spending a lot more time on the boat since the weather has warmed up.  I know George would like to move on the boat when it's so lovely outside.  The house is going to hell - the grass is full of weeds and growing up the fences, the pavers in the back haven't been cleaned in over a year and the lemon tree (which makes the BEST lemons) has half died - but the boat always comes first!  We were in bad need of a new dingy.  Our old one was over 12 years old with several leaks - our feet were always wet - plus the PVC had gone sticky from our extended tropical trip last year.  So, of course, we now have a new dingy.  House be damned.  It is excellent and Molly likes it too.

Tomorrow more Aqua-Aerobics - maybe.  Oh, and I've also gone 3 whole days without a glass of wine!!!  One more day to go this week.  As part of my "weight loss strategy" I'm taking my wine and potato chip consumption back to 3 days a week.  It's been relatively easy so far this week but more time on the boat and I may buckle.

Sailing .. Relationship challenges, good times and home waters again

Me, happy.  On the way back to our home waters!

We've just arrived back in our home port of Pittwater near Sydney after a great cruise to Jervis Bay.  The last few days have been a mix of river anchorages, frustrating ocean passages, large swell, uncomfortable night moorings and sunny windless passages. 

Sailing can be boring ...  it's slow and often tedious & monotonous.  On the other hand, when done with loved ones and friends, it is a welcome blend of socializing, scene changes and new places.  We've done all that and more since my birthday last Thursday.

Friday morning we woke up again at Collingwood Beach/Jervis Bay.  The day was splendidly calm and sunny. 

The first thing I reach for in the morning on the boat is my android tablet to check the weather forecast.  Boating comfort and safety go hand in hand with the weather and it's a habit to look at the forecasts at least 2 times a day.  Friday's forecast told us the wind was due to die down considerably in the next day or two and then change direction and blow quite hard by the end of next week.  We had heard good reports about the little township of Greenwell Point about 20 or so nautical miles north from Jervis Bay up the navigable Crookhaven River and with the changeable winds forecast George and I decided today was as good a day as any to have a look.  We contacted the others and after much discussion among the 4 skippers three boats decided to head out.  Unfortunately John and Ruth on 'Barrenjoey Light' had to stay around to collect their daughter who was joining them in the next couple of days. 

Leaving Jervis Bay on a stunner of a day!  That's Peter and Sue's boat like ours - 'Celay' - leading the way out.

Now, regrettably, not many sea journeys George and I start is without a disagreement or argument.  It just seem to have to happen for some reason.  George sets his mind on what HE wants and I set my mind on what I would like to have happen.  Mostly its pretty much the same thing but my Georgio doesn't see the need to discuss any of his decisions.  Me, I like discussion and joint decisions .. I am strictly egalitarian.  George, not so much.  This departure, like all the rest, had to feature a rather stern exchange of words (not so much an argument but not really a discussion either). 

Outside, in the ocean, there were warnings of a large swell against an uncertain light wind ... or to say it another way - sure fire seasick stuff!  George wanted to put up the MPS sail which is perfect for light winds.  However, if the wind is too light the boat rolls and pitches and stalls.  I wanted assurance that we weren't going to make the 3 hour journey one where I spend most of it sick as a dog .. he didn't care.  The MPS - a beautiful BIG red sail - was going up.  George doesn't subscribe to my egalitarian beliefs .. particularly in sailing.  Just another challenge in a LONG relationship. They never really mean anything, George always wins (usually) and they're gone as quickly as they start with no (mostly) resentment.

The MPS flying in all it's glory.  The day sail under the BIG red sail was great .. just enough wind to move us along and keep us from flopping around in the waves.  Apparently, I was proven wrong again.

After a pleasant sail, we arrived at the Crookhaven River entrance which was easy to sail into with just enough of a breakwater to keep the rolling swell away.  The trip down the river was short and our 3 boats arrived at the Greenwell Point township and dropped anchor in the fast flowing river near the fishing boat jetty. 

That night we had drinks on 'Celay'.  "Drinks" is my favourite sailing activity!!  I must say if it wasn't for the camaraderie and socializing around sailing I don't think I would do it.  The exchange of stories, fun and company is what makes it all worth while.  I like the drinking bit a lot too!
  

Peter and George enjoying the social scene aboard 'Celay'.

The next day we walked around the riverfront and had a BBQ together on shore ...



One of the local pelicans ... they are HUGE here and fearless.  They'll come right up to you wanting food.
You can just see our 3 masts in the background.  This was a lovely little township.

The gang at our picnic table.  Like true Australians there we were having a BBQ outside ... it was quite cold with a hearty breeze blowing!  That's why that tarp is hanging on the side of the awning .. we put it up to break the wind. 

After 2 nights at Greenwell Point and with the wind promising to be good - 15-20 knots south/southeast - for our sail back up north to Sydney we got up at 5am Sunday morning to make our way out of the river with the tide.  The day was sunny and the wind, to begin with, was light but OK.  Sadly it didn't stay that way.  George and I didn't argue about anything but we changed sails a lot trying to get the boat moving.  The 9-10 hour sail to Sydney turned out to be just plain frustrating.   There was a big swell with a wind chop on top of it - nauseating - and the wind moved around a lot from directly behind us to 20 degrees on either side which made propelling the boat a nightmare.  We finally (after 8 hours and my increasing complaints) pulled the sails down and motored to Port Hacking and Jibbon Beach.

Now, if you remember, on the way down we thought the world of Jibbon Beach - calm, lovely, nice place to spend the night.  Things change with a large swell.  Even though it was reasonably protected from the surging surf we still had a lot of rolling  .. and a mooring buoy that sounded at times like it was coming through the side of the boat.   Not a good night's sleep.

This morning daylight brought a chance to drop the pesky mooring and set out again into the ocean swell.  I decided not to take a seasick pill - mainly I just didn't want to keep taking them since I had taken quite a few the day before.  Usually it takes two days for me to get my sea legs and stop feeling like I was going to puke and today my body didn't fail me .. I was OK.  We set out for our home waters of Pittwater - another 6 hours journey from Jibbon Beach.  There was little to no wind forecast so we motored.



Along the way we saw 2 humpback whales escorting a little one down the coast.
I tried to take a photo of the 3 of them breaking the water but only got this with their "blow".
Excellent sight!!



Home.  The cruising grounds of Pittwater, my favourite place for boating!!!!

I'm so glad to be back - no more ocean voyages for awhile.  Please.  We're staying in Towlers Bay near the RPAYC club tonight and tomorrow we'll moor up at the club to wash the boat and unload.  Then it's home and I get to see my dog.  I've really really missed my Molly.

It's good to be home.