Monday, March 21, 2005
March Newsletter
Hi there- yes we are still afloat.
we arrived at Esperance early morning from staying overnight at Investigator Island while a storm front passed over us. Investigator Island was fantastic, a little protected Bay where there were lots of seals. (I took lots of photos which did not turn out as I had not set the camera up-bummer).
We left Investigator Island at 2am for Esperance. Arriving at 1.30 in the afternoon where we had a welcoming party help us tie up at the jetty up from the Esperance Bay Yacht Club. These were members of the EBYC and were fantastic with information, offers of help and friendly company. We had a couple over for dinner and there were many offers of help. Brad offered us his vehicle to reprovision and Zero took our damaged sail and got it repaired. Matt helped us go over the best places to visit on our way to Middle Island and gave us lots of local advice on protected bays, etc. We cannot thank these people enough. Also the Friday night BBQs were great at the Club.
Paul was official timer for the Remmark Island race, a good experience. Lots of drinks and tales at the club that night.
I was fortunate enough to catch up with a friend of mine from a long time ago. Julie Ayres who lives in Cascades. Julie surprised me by hearing we were in town and knocked on the boat. A great reunion-so good to catch up with Julie and Murray. We spend a fair bit of time catching up and getting to know each other again. A beautiful lady. Amazing to think that she was in Albany when we were and even voted at the voting booth in the bay we were anchored. Julie was so kind as to let us use her washing machine in her town house. Chris and Lilly from Azure arrived safely and it was good to actually see them.
The festival of the Wind was on and we all enjoyed the festivities in town.
Chris and Lilly were getting a fair bit of swell affecting where they were berthed and while we were helping them move (I tangled the rope) and Paul sliced his head open with their wind generator helping me untangle the rope. Result a trip to emergency (thanks Brad for taking us) and nine stitches.
Leaving Monday 21 March we headed off to New Is. at Cape Le Grande and magic spot with dolphins and the clearest water. Azure followed the next day. Paul and Chris caught a squid- yum fresh calamari-delicious.
After reluctantly leaving New Island our next stop was Lucky Bay again absolutely stunning and I actually went swimming. I played nurse and removed Paul's stitches and yes he will live.
Easter Friday Left for Duke of New Orleans Bay -Paul caught a tuna on the way- fish for dinner tonight. On the way the halyard rope for the asymmetric broke (thank goodness our asymmetric was not up) and we had to drop another down the mast and set it up again. Paul (brave man) went up the mast to do this.
They bred big mosquitos out here, thank goodness for our mossi screens ( I have another two to make) as there was no wind we roasted inside. Lilly and Chris joined us for dinner to celebrated Easter Friday by eating the tuna.
We are ready to head off to Cape Arid. Predicted winds 4-6 knots for at least a couple of days so not looking good for sailing. and this is the last civilisation before heading off across the Bight so there is a little reluctance to rush into it but also the feeling that we are just delaying the inevitable. Middle Island is meant to be beautiful and I cannot wait to explore and enjoy its treasures. Esperance has such a lot of lovely sailing opportunity with islands to explore so close by- I cannot recommend it too highly. (we have had fantastic weather)
Another friend of mine Len was actually in Albany, Bremmer Bay, and Duke of New Orleans Bay around the time We were in Bremmer, only found out by email when he returned back home. What a shame.
Life and weather are treating us good, I miss the kids dreadfully but they are doing well and I am so proud of them.
we arrived at Esperance early morning from staying overnight at Investigator Island while a storm front passed over us. Investigator Island was fantastic, a little protected Bay where there were lots of seals. (I took lots of photos which did not turn out as I had not set the camera up-bummer).
We left Investigator Island at 2am for Esperance. Arriving at 1.30 in the afternoon where we had a welcoming party help us tie up at the jetty up from the Esperance Bay Yacht Club. These were members of the EBYC and were fantastic with information, offers of help and friendly company. We had a couple over for dinner and there were many offers of help. Brad offered us his vehicle to reprovision and Zero took our damaged sail and got it repaired. Matt helped us go over the best places to visit on our way to Middle Island and gave us lots of local advice on protected bays, etc. We cannot thank these people enough. Also the Friday night BBQs were great at the Club.
Paul was official timer for the Remmark Island race, a good experience. Lots of drinks and tales at the club that night.
I was fortunate enough to catch up with a friend of mine from a long time ago. Julie Ayres who lives in Cascades. Julie surprised me by hearing we were in town and knocked on the boat. A great reunion-so good to catch up with Julie and Murray. We spend a fair bit of time catching up and getting to know each other again. A beautiful lady. Amazing to think that she was in Albany when we were and even voted at the voting booth in the bay we were anchored. Julie was so kind as to let us use her washing machine in her town house. Chris and Lilly from Azure arrived safely and it was good to actually see them.
The festival of the Wind was on and we all enjoyed the festivities in town.
Chris and Lilly were getting a fair bit of swell affecting where they were berthed and while we were helping them move (I tangled the rope) and Paul sliced his head open with their wind generator helping me untangle the rope. Result a trip to emergency (thanks Brad for taking us) and nine stitches.
Leaving Monday 21 March we headed off to New Is. at Cape Le Grande and magic spot with dolphins and the clearest water. Azure followed the next day. Paul and Chris caught a squid- yum fresh calamari-delicious.
After reluctantly leaving New Island our next stop was Lucky Bay again absolutely stunning and I actually went swimming. I played nurse and removed Paul's stitches and yes he will live.
Easter Friday Left for Duke of New Orleans Bay -Paul caught a tuna on the way- fish for dinner tonight. On the way the halyard rope for the asymmetric broke (thank goodness our asymmetric was not up) and we had to drop another down the mast and set it up again. Paul (brave man) went up the mast to do this.
They bred big mosquitos out here, thank goodness for our mossi screens ( I have another two to make) as there was no wind we roasted inside. Lilly and Chris joined us for dinner to celebrated Easter Friday by eating the tuna.
We are ready to head off to Cape Arid. Predicted winds 4-6 knots for at least a couple of days so not looking good for sailing. and this is the last civilisation before heading off across the Bight so there is a little reluctance to rush into it but also the feeling that we are just delaying the inevitable. Middle Island is meant to be beautiful and I cannot wait to explore and enjoy its treasures. Esperance has such a lot of lovely sailing opportunity with islands to explore so close by- I cannot recommend it too highly. (we have had fantastic weather)
Another friend of mine Len was actually in Albany, Bremmer Bay, and Duke of New Orleans Bay around the time We were in Bremmer, only found out by email when he returned back home. What a shame.
Life and weather are treating us good, I miss the kids dreadfully but they are doing well and I am so proud of them.
