Monday, December 04, 2006
Hastings,Victoria to Eden, NSW
4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11 December
11th
Moved to East Boyd Bay as the Southerly is due in with a vengence-swell was almost 2 metres on the way from Snug Cove. A sever weather warning and thunderstorms due in the next several hours. SES states that loose objects be put away or secured, unplug computers, avoid using the phone, stay indoors and away from windows and keep cars from under trees and power lines.
Anchoring we nearly lost the anchor as the shackle had worked its way loose. Tying another rope on the anchor we pulled it up over the side and reshackled the anchor. Whew! If the anchor dragged last night it mught have been interesting re anchoring without an anchor.
We be staying aboard and keeping an eye on the anchor alarm. Ready to head off early am.
10th
Updated the photos in our website and I finished reading a book. Paul worked on the website and emails. Rather a lazy day again. We have decided to head off Tuesday morning to Bateman's Bay early.
9th
Lazy day-reading and doing a bit of maintenance. We went into town, had a shower, collected the mail, and did a bit of shopping. Visiting the Eden museum was interesting as there was a killer whale called TOM that used to herd the whales into the bay for the whalers to slaughter. Emptied the rope locker to fix the salt water pump, Paul altered the exhaust on the generator and we went over for dinks on Phencara this evening. It seemed like we were slowly drifting back (there is a hug barge behind us) so pulled anchor on return (pitch black) and re anchored. Slept soundly.
Paul got in the middle of the night to get the fly spray for one mosquito and left the cupboard open. When we got up the next morning half a packet of cat food had been devoured by Coco-she had eaten through the cardboard box.
8th
Just got an email from Raima-WA. She is taking 6 months off work and will be travelling around NZ. This is the third person in so many days.
Invited Carolyn and Stephen from Phencara and Sarah and Rupert from Burning Palms over from drinks. A very pleasant evening. Sarah and Rupert are heading off to Tasmania tomorrow morning and staying in Peter and Sue's pen at Kings Pier Hobart-small world. We told them to say a big hi for us.
7th
Having a rest day-Paul has a new Next G card and is playing around with the computer and I of course and here updating the blogg. We are wondering how Dave is going and how close to home he is. Wage Easy has been sold, Gene is off to France-it is all happening out there. Samantha heads off to Brisbane on Sunday. Tamara has to vacate her unit by 5th January. I'll put the kettle on and ponder on what is happening in the universe.
6th
We took the bus to Bega to check out the area and attend a doctor's appointment, I have been experiencing dizzy spells and have a virus. The dizzy spells make life interesting making the rolling of the boat even worse. I cannot wait until it passes and I am able to walk up the front of the yacht without feeling like I am going to fall over. Returning to Eden the winds had moved to a Southerly 25-30 so we had a very wet trip out to the yacht pulling anchor and reanchoring in East Boyd Bay again.
4th
We moved to Snug Cove close to the main town. We took the tender ashore and explored the lovely township of Eden. It is very much a country town and a holiday place with lots of motels and places to stay. It must be in transition as there are quite a few shops closed down but overall a lovely tidy clean town.
We met a english couple who are sailing and have taken four years to get from Melbourne to Eden. They also have been doning a lot of land cruising as well. We had a cuppa on board thier yacht and enjoyed their company for the afternoon.
3 December 2006
Bittangbee Creek to Eden
2 hours
Heading off to Eden at 2am with a southerly wind we had a lovely sail staying close to the shore to avoid the swell. We got a call from Dave Henderson whom we were hoping to catchup with, he had just purchsed a new yacht and was heading back to Adelaide. He was at Gabo Island so we just missed seeing him. He had tried contacting us by phone but we had been out of phone range until we got to Eden.
Approaching Eden we saw a large pod of dolphins feeding close by. Entering Eden we anchored at East Boyd Bay, near the woodchip loading wharf.
30 November 2006
Refuge Cove to Bittangbee Creek
36 hours
Paul unable to sleep decided to head off at 11pm rather than at the agreed to 3am. Heading off out the cove we found little wind and medium swell so motored. The wind soon picked up to 30 plus knots and the sewll to nearly 3mtrs. We were lucky it was all behind us and we reefed in the sail. The winds abated about 2am, then we had a very pleasant sail. We saw one trawler who passed by very cloe to us. Deciding that the entrance to Lakes Entrance was too dangerous to pass over the bar we decided to head on thwards Eden.
Passing through the Bass Strait oil fields was interesting with the huge structures rising out of the water in the middle of the ocean. We were buzzed by a helicopter checking us out. Halfway across there was thunder and lightening, Paul placing our spare GPS into the microwave-just in case.
The next moring we were greeted by dolphins at our bow. Passing Gabo Island the swell abated and we were soon entering Bittangbee Creek which has three catamarans already anchored. We anchored and meet these sailors who were heading through to Lakes Entrance, having a BBQ on shore.
28 November 2006
Cleeland Bight (Phillip Island) to Refuge Cove
12 hrs 30 minutes
Waking early to greet a delightful day-with variable winds, we motor sailed leaving at 4am and arriving at 4.30pm in the delightful Refuge cove. Two other boats were already anchored and there were lots of backpackers walking the beach. We anchored in crystal clear water and took in this beautiful pristine marine park. The quietness and beauty austounding us. The two days here have been sunny and warm, we will wait out the weather and wait for the westerly to come through. We got a scare when our anchor alarm went off and we pulled up the anchor in rolly and windy conditions to move to the north side but it was even worse there so at early morning (still dark and no moon of course) we re anchored and when back to bed sleeping in late.
Getting to the beautiful beach was tricky at the waves we coming in but we made it and checked out the boat camping area. There is a wall (wood) with all boat names engraved on it. We found Azure's sign so Paul picked up a piece of driftwood, got the planner and router out and made a Cockatoo II sign and it is now up there with the rest of the yachts on the wall.
We are planning to head off 3am tomorrow am for Lakes Entrance – Lake Macquarie with a noptorious bar. Will let you know how that goes.
27 November 06
Hastings to Cleeland Bight (Phillip Island)
5 hrs 30 minutes
With a reasonable swell and little wind we motor sailed to Hastings staying at the Hastings Marina ($30 per night) where we caught up with Di and Ross (Dolphin III), Iain and Jane (Just Because) and John (Fidelio) we unfortunately headed off early and missed catching up with Evan (Fidelio) who called us on the radio to wish us all the best. We meet some lovely people in the marina including Ray and Maria, and Laurie (Pieces of Eight).
We had to leave Hastings early (after a post office and bank run) as the tidal movement meant that we had to get out before low tide. We were aiming to be on the eastern side of Phillip Island so we could leave early for Refuge Cove arriving in daylight. The wind was on the nose until we got out of Western Port, motor sailing we anchored at Cleeland Bight in rather rolly conditions due to tidal swell.
11th
Moved to East Boyd Bay as the Southerly is due in with a vengence-swell was almost 2 metres on the way from Snug Cove. A sever weather warning and thunderstorms due in the next several hours. SES states that loose objects be put away or secured, unplug computers, avoid using the phone, stay indoors and away from windows and keep cars from under trees and power lines.
Anchoring we nearly lost the anchor as the shackle had worked its way loose. Tying another rope on the anchor we pulled it up over the side and reshackled the anchor. Whew! If the anchor dragged last night it mught have been interesting re anchoring without an anchor.
We be staying aboard and keeping an eye on the anchor alarm. Ready to head off early am.
10th
Updated the photos in our website and I finished reading a book. Paul worked on the website and emails. Rather a lazy day again. We have decided to head off Tuesday morning to Bateman's Bay early.
9th
Lazy day-reading and doing a bit of maintenance. We went into town, had a shower, collected the mail, and did a bit of shopping. Visiting the Eden museum was interesting as there was a killer whale called TOM that used to herd the whales into the bay for the whalers to slaughter. Emptied the rope locker to fix the salt water pump, Paul altered the exhaust on the generator and we went over for dinks on Phencara this evening. It seemed like we were slowly drifting back (there is a hug barge behind us) so pulled anchor on return (pitch black) and re anchored. Slept soundly.
Paul got in the middle of the night to get the fly spray for one mosquito and left the cupboard open. When we got up the next morning half a packet of cat food had been devoured by Coco-she had eaten through the cardboard box.
8th
Just got an email from Raima-WA. She is taking 6 months off work and will be travelling around NZ. This is the third person in so many days.
Invited Carolyn and Stephen from Phencara and Sarah and Rupert from Burning Palms over from drinks. A very pleasant evening. Sarah and Rupert are heading off to Tasmania tomorrow morning and staying in Peter and Sue's pen at Kings Pier Hobart-small world. We told them to say a big hi for us.
7th
Having a rest day-Paul has a new Next G card and is playing around with the computer and I of course and here updating the blogg. We are wondering how Dave is going and how close to home he is. Wage Easy has been sold, Gene is off to France-it is all happening out there. Samantha heads off to Brisbane on Sunday. Tamara has to vacate her unit by 5th January. I'll put the kettle on and ponder on what is happening in the universe.
6th
We took the bus to Bega to check out the area and attend a doctor's appointment, I have been experiencing dizzy spells and have a virus. The dizzy spells make life interesting making the rolling of the boat even worse. I cannot wait until it passes and I am able to walk up the front of the yacht without feeling like I am going to fall over. Returning to Eden the winds had moved to a Southerly 25-30 so we had a very wet trip out to the yacht pulling anchor and reanchoring in East Boyd Bay again.
4th
We moved to Snug Cove close to the main town. We took the tender ashore and explored the lovely township of Eden. It is very much a country town and a holiday place with lots of motels and places to stay. It must be in transition as there are quite a few shops closed down but overall a lovely tidy clean town.
We met a english couple who are sailing and have taken four years to get from Melbourne to Eden. They also have been doning a lot of land cruising as well. We had a cuppa on board thier yacht and enjoyed their company for the afternoon.
3 December 2006
Bittangbee Creek to Eden
2 hours
Heading off to Eden at 2am with a southerly wind we had a lovely sail staying close to the shore to avoid the swell. We got a call from Dave Henderson whom we were hoping to catchup with, he had just purchsed a new yacht and was heading back to Adelaide. He was at Gabo Island so we just missed seeing him. He had tried contacting us by phone but we had been out of phone range until we got to Eden.
Approaching Eden we saw a large pod of dolphins feeding close by. Entering Eden we anchored at East Boyd Bay, near the woodchip loading wharf.
30 November 2006
Refuge Cove to Bittangbee Creek
36 hours
Paul unable to sleep decided to head off at 11pm rather than at the agreed to 3am. Heading off out the cove we found little wind and medium swell so motored. The wind soon picked up to 30 plus knots and the sewll to nearly 3mtrs. We were lucky it was all behind us and we reefed in the sail. The winds abated about 2am, then we had a very pleasant sail. We saw one trawler who passed by very cloe to us. Deciding that the entrance to Lakes Entrance was too dangerous to pass over the bar we decided to head on thwards Eden.
Passing through the Bass Strait oil fields was interesting with the huge structures rising out of the water in the middle of the ocean. We were buzzed by a helicopter checking us out. Halfway across there was thunder and lightening, Paul placing our spare GPS into the microwave-just in case.
The next moring we were greeted by dolphins at our bow. Passing Gabo Island the swell abated and we were soon entering Bittangbee Creek which has three catamarans already anchored. We anchored and meet these sailors who were heading through to Lakes Entrance, having a BBQ on shore.
28 November 2006
Cleeland Bight (Phillip Island) to Refuge Cove
12 hrs 30 minutes
Waking early to greet a delightful day-with variable winds, we motor sailed leaving at 4am and arriving at 4.30pm in the delightful Refuge cove. Two other boats were already anchored and there were lots of backpackers walking the beach. We anchored in crystal clear water and took in this beautiful pristine marine park. The quietness and beauty austounding us. The two days here have been sunny and warm, we will wait out the weather and wait for the westerly to come through. We got a scare when our anchor alarm went off and we pulled up the anchor in rolly and windy conditions to move to the north side but it was even worse there so at early morning (still dark and no moon of course) we re anchored and when back to bed sleeping in late.
Getting to the beautiful beach was tricky at the waves we coming in but we made it and checked out the boat camping area. There is a wall (wood) with all boat names engraved on it. We found Azure's sign so Paul picked up a piece of driftwood, got the planner and router out and made a Cockatoo II sign and it is now up there with the rest of the yachts on the wall.
We are planning to head off 3am tomorrow am for Lakes Entrance – Lake Macquarie with a noptorious bar. Will let you know how that goes.
27 November 06
Hastings to Cleeland Bight (Phillip Island)
5 hrs 30 minutes
With a reasonable swell and little wind we motor sailed to Hastings staying at the Hastings Marina ($30 per night) where we caught up with Di and Ross (Dolphin III), Iain and Jane (Just Because) and John (Fidelio) we unfortunately headed off early and missed catching up with Evan (Fidelio) who called us on the radio to wish us all the best. We meet some lovely people in the marina including Ray and Maria, and Laurie (Pieces of Eight).
We had to leave Hastings early (after a post office and bank run) as the tidal movement meant that we had to get out before low tide. We were aiming to be on the eastern side of Phillip Island so we could leave early for Refuge Cove arriving in daylight. The wind was on the nose until we got out of Western Port, motor sailing we anchored at Cleeland Bight in rather rolly conditions due to tidal swell.
