Monday Cygnet to Quarantine .

A bit late rising this morning,no crew to stir me.

Did get up early for the compulsory just before dawn,I could see the outline of the surrounding hills but the thing which took my eye was all the riding lights.As they are nearly all white LEDs now, the whole bay looked like fairy land quite amazing.

Had breakfast and heard Nigel on the morning sched, he said Quarantine Bay for the final get together,we will have a cooker and a fire at the landing for the station.

Start early and finish early.

Most boats had a very enjoyable day fishing or just pottering along,some up to Shipwrights Point for a look.The weather had come right at last,a little cold in the breeze but pleasant in the sun.

Les and I thought we had done well by catching over a dozen flats until we went ashore and saw Molly's haul,all cleaned an battered ready to cook.Plenty for everyone to have a taste.

Quite a few elected to travel home but a good mob turned up at the final night get together for the Hobart people,The Geelong boats have almost half to go yet.

Met more crews ashore,left my run a bit late !

Returned to the boat at dusk for a cuppa after a pleasant evening.

Caught the most Flathead in the Channel after travelling right around Tassie,maybe it was the fisher people !

If anyone wishes to send me photos my address is alanp592@gmail.com

Mob is 0419374494

Home tomorrow.

Sunday Round to Cygnet.

Crew up at usual time,skipper quite a bit later after finishing the blog.

Had a light breakfast and got under way,crew packed their things and tidied up the boat.Arrangements had been made for Ross's wife to pick them up at Cygnet.

Clive to go to town to pick up his truck and skippers wife to finish off the trip.

He was busting to get to his farm to see how things were going.

Anchored off the launching ramp in a good spot until other boats arrived and anchored on top of me.

The holding being poor here I elected to move just to be sure.I now have another one close by but should be ok.

Clive and Les showed up and he got the remainder of his gear off the boat,not forgetting his cray.

Off to the farm will see you at the dinner in the club.

Caught up with all the home news and went along to the Cygnet Yacht Club dinner.A really beautiful meal as always.A bit of a big ask as they had just celebrated their 150 th birthday just last weekend.

The members doing themselves proud.

Met a couple of more circumnavigators who have been elsewhere when other meetings were held.

Returned to the boat before dark for a change and put the heater on.

Very quiet with only Les and I.

Just a small sample of the fleet at Cygnet.

Saturday Louisa to Dover.

Not all that bad a night ,the fishing boat pulled his gear with lights early.Steamed over towards DeWitt Island no doubt to set himself up for the forcast gale later in the day.

We had a cuppa and pulled the pots,very disappointing ,two hermit crabs,bait all gone and on good bottom.

Left the sheltered bay and contemplated visiting Pedra,soon changed our mind as the 30 knot NW was kicking up a big sea.Down the waves we went.Thought some breakfast would be good so headed for Isle De Golfe for shelter.Too deep for us to anchor though.

I have seen boats there before,a very pleasant spot in these conditions.Ross got on the pots and pans as the rest tried for a Stripie.Got a couple of red faces so we had the right bottom but no target fish.

Had breakfast and tried some more,no good.

Left for South Cape,not too bad for a while but as we got further along the sea built quite a bit.Down the waves we went ,some times back to 12 knots up the back of a big one and then 28 down two or three in a row.In these conditions I need to help the autopilot with a little joystick for more rudder,the speed helps the small rudders work better.

Every now and then we get water over the front windows as spray flys about.A bit of trim tab up helps keep the bow up.

The current always seems to set you in onto South Cape when coming along here and as we were attacking it from Louisa quite a bit in to start with I had to concentrate to keep things under control,a bit like a surfie but for an hour or two.Too busy to get a photo.

Sheltering under Isle De Golfe,very deceptive as to what is going on outside.

Passed S Cape and on to SE Cape,not out of the woods yet,the sea kicks up here for a couple of miles.We were over a mile offshore and going well.

Rounded this cape and the sea got quite a bit easier,a few miles on and almost flat calm,the sky a lot clearer but still overcast and plenty of wind squalls.

We steamed past Blind Reef up to the shelter near the outside of the South Port Lagoon.My two fishermen wanted some flathead to take home.

Phones going flat out,mail being read after a week out of range ,no real dramas reported,shows the world does not stop if the phone does not work.

Pottered around along this shore for a couple of hours and got a feed but the fishing on this trip has been very poor,places one would expect to be very lightly fished produced nothing,the mainland crews very disappointed .

Left about three for Dover with Huntress whose crew had a dive outside the entrance to the lagoon,the owner evidently used to drive  inflatables in the surf so gave his young son a thrill in the breakers.He will no doubt get more once his new well over a hundred mile an hour speed boat is finished!

Arrived in Dover and picked up Ricks mooring off the launch ramp.Had a small nana and got ready for the evening celebrations in the Sailing Club.This is becoming a tradition and the locals do the club proud.A very good meal as usuall.Weakened and bought Jerry's new book to read,got a suitably snide comment and signature inside the cover.

Some of the crews had switched off after a night in the sheltered waters and had not considered the forecast SW gale which came through just after dark,I must admit as I was on a mooring I had too.We left our dinghy along with a heap of others on the wrong side of the launching ramp jetty.Duncan sought me out to tell me so I had to put my beer down and go back to sort it out,got pretty wet doing so.There was some chaos on the jetty as well for a while.

Fortunately it only lasted a short while.The forecast for next week is quite good,typical.

Returned to the boat for a coffee,Joel from Huntress ,a Maritimo 65 ,showed up to get some Tuna ,he is the paid skipper and chef on her,the owner evidently a busy man and shows up from time to time with his family,elected to stay on board tonight.Only arrived a Port Davey for the trip around yesterday.

Gave him some fishing spots for his delivery back to Newcastle.

Lights out about eleven after another busy day.

Friday Travel and fishing day.

The first boat left very early,by daylight there were only a few left.Breakfast time and Montague was the only one left.As he travels at twice the speed of the yachts there was no real hurry to get away.

We departed at 9.30 and headed for a fishing spot off SWCape.Unfortunately I had not recorded the spot and had to do some detective work to find it.We drew a blank there not really finding the bottom before heading off as there was quite a sea running and a bit rolly.

I will slow down to troll if we see any birds was the go.About fifteen minutes later some showed up so we put the Tuna lure in,a couple of hundred yards and we had one on,Tarmo had a great struggle landing it.Had a discussion as wether to put the lure in again.A little while later we had another one.

They were school fish both about the same size.

Steamed towards SWCape and a bit of shelter,not much for a while it kicks up a bit a mile and a half off we were shooting down the big ones at 25 knots.

Went to Louisa Bay for lunch and clean the fish,not a small task.

There was a fishing boat anchored there with his gear set.Anchored in a small sheltered cove.

After checking the weather we baited and set the pots a little away from his,surprised how much bottom there is in the bay.We have heaps of bait now ,too much really.

Bagged the fish and nearly filled the freezer,Ross cooked a sample,quite good,not really like fish at all.

Saw Huntress III motoring past with the Big Witch as a backdrop,they had picked up a flyin crew from The airstrip this morning.The fish cleaners had a shower to get sparkling clean again.

Plenty of hot water.

Listened to the Maat sched,the caretakers had company as it was changeover time.Saw the chopper go over with some building material hanging beneath it.

Heard sailing vessel Lucy reporting in having just arrived from Strahan to Port Davey.They must have been in Macquarie Harbour some where when we were there,just missed them.Gerwyn goes onto stealth mode if he sees no use to have the AIS on.

Anchored in Anchorage Bay for the night.I thought I might be a bit close in if the sea made in the night.

Had three goes to get the anchor to hold,hard bottom there.

I decided not ot put the snubber on and sleep in the pilot berth for the night.The anchor chain growled all night.However we did not drag.Forecast 25 knots NW did come now and then.

Plenty in the freezer now,will have to give some away.

Thursday BBQ day

The wind gave it away just after we were in the bunk.Up about seven thirty.Ed's cove peaceful .A few showers,went over to Swan Cove for breakfast,aptly named at least sixty swans sheltering in the Cove.We had intentions of going up the Old river for a look but the wind freshened up and we would have got pretty wet coming back and decided against it.Saw a large sea eagle up in a tree surveying the goings on ,no doubt looking for an easy meal.

Motored around to Casilda Cove for a look,passed a few boats as the fleet was on the move towards Schooner for a lunch time BBQ.A small trimaran tied to the bank was very snug there.Went back out to Parker Bay across the channel.In all the trips around here I have never found Critchley Parker's grave.

This time I studied Jerry's directions and got the right bay,should not have worried too much.There were six canoes ashore there with two people in each  with the Roaring 40's fellow.Maybe Morrie is about.

As we anchored they walked the track up the bank to the site.All with red and yellow jackets they made an unmistakable snake up the track.They were just leaving so we had a coffee and put the dinghy in.

Arrived at Schooner and anchored close in.A few dinghys ashore but no people,they were in the campsite sheltered from the wind but we got a few showers during the afternoon.Most people enjoying the get together despite the weather.

I can say the weather has been rather ordinary on the West Coast this trip.The scenery still spectacular but a few more sunny days would have been good.

Met a few more of the circumnavigators,most quite interesting folk from all walks of life.Discussions about the weather for tomorrow as more than a dozen making the run around the bottom in the morning.Seems like we may get a good run as the forecast is for light SW turning W to NW during the morning and freshening.

Had a lasagne dinner with pasta entree.Watched Gary Kerr's crayfishing DVD and turned in at 10.30.

Simmo taking a sea sick pill he botted off a lady ashore.

We will see if it works tomorrow,I personally think he has his sea legs now and would not need one.

Counted over twenty riding lights in the bay,should be quite a parade around tomorrow.

Some of the fleet in Schooner Cove.

Wednesday Mount Beattie

We had a comfortable night in Moulters,the wind picked up a bit about three am.All slept in a bit one in particular still snoring at 7.30.

Had breakfast and sat around for a while,the weather not all that good.Up anchored to have a look for a large Huon Pine tree I had been told about further around Bathurst Harbour.We found the area as described but as it was on a Lee shore and it was blowing 28 knots in the squalls we decided it would have to wait for another day.

Simmo was badgering me to go back to Clayton's to replenish the water as we had used half our supply.You usually do if you rinse the plates under a running tap before you even fill the sink!

Tied up beside the jetty as only Lester on the port side.We decided to tackle Mount Beattie as quite a few crews had,left at about twelve for the assault .One of those walks which are reasonably easy to start with but become unrelenting later on.Ross and I got about half way just before the track emerged from the scrub.A couple of windows where one could get a view of Bathurst Harbour etc.

Tarmo and Clive continued on but Ross and I gave it away.As we arrived back at the boat a rain squall came over which somehow justified our decision.Simmo was about to give it away later on when another crew passed them coming down and convinced them to keep going.

There is no doubt the view from the top is spectacular ,you can even see the Maat they said.I might see a bit on the GFA show,I have respect for them now as they lugged all their gear up to film on top.

We cooled down and changed clothes .The intrepid climbers arrived back well over an hour later.We had a beautiful Crayfish lunch and a quiet afternoon chatting with the jetty traffic when it arrived now and then.

The weather by now had packed up,rain squalls and wind gusts.We decided to give the jetty a break and go somewhere else.

We went over to Eds Cove to check it out.It was calm in there but the squalls were all over the place as Jerry describes.After a short time the rain really came down and the wind eased off.With less windage motor boats lie reasonably well here.

There were over twelve vessels in Clayton's and copping it a bit.Say ten more under Kings Point.

Roast chicken for dinner and watched the second half of Gary Kerr's piners DVD.

The camera man was used by Essential for the Chopper shots in the Gourmet Farmer Afloat production.

Turned a bit late but the wind had given it away and it was flat calm,I hope it stays that way for a while.

Bathurst Harbour from half way up.

A sample of the easy going.

Tuesday,up to Clayton's

AThe conditions in Spain Bay were quite good for the night,still an onshore breeze but the reef shut out most of the waves.

Crew up early as usual,heard them talking at seven.Worrying about the crays getting out of the pots as usual.Not a lot of bait in them.

We set them outside the reef which was breaking heavily.My tactics are to try and find a small piece of bottom away from where the main area people normally set them.In this case it was not safe to go in too close to the reef as every now and then a big one would pick up and break.Saw a buoy in close,probably the sea had made and it had been abandoned.

We had steamed up and down well away a couple of times and found some spots which had the right weed on them.

We had a cuppa and then pulled the first one ,it had three crays in it ,one size.I thought the second one had a better chance and so it was,sixteen fish with four size crays.A very nice haul.Most of the ones we threw back were just unders,a common event where an area is fished hard.This being a popular place for fishermen when the weather is bad.

Motored slowly into Hannant Inlet to tidy up and have breakfast.Crept in further past Lourah island in a NE direction.i was surprised how far we could get in there.Nearly up to the beach.

Left for Clayton's showing Tamo the sights on the way,the waterfall was running well.We had decided not to go to the BBQ on in Brambles as it would really waste a day.

We were lucky when we arrived one side of the jetty was vacant so we tied up there for lunch and to cook the crays.We met a couple of walkers who had slept in the house as there were quite a few Victorian walkers at Melaleuca  who they did not approve of.

I cooked the crays while the crew climbed the hill behind Clayton's .The ladies had put us off Mount Beattie as they encountered horizontal rain there during the morning.Freezing they said.

Ross whipped up a seafood pizza with flathead and crayfish for lunch.He had brought a ceramic stone which you put into the oven first to heat up.It does do a good job cooking the bottom of the bases making them light and crispy.

A young pilot showed up in the large dinghy to pick up the bush walking Occupational Therapists to fly them back home.One was from St Johns and Simmo informed her the Simpson Ward was named after his father.

He had a half day tour on and unloaded his charges for lunch in Clayton's house.We had a talk to the elderly travelers,they were a walking group of friends,one trom the Hydro,one exForestry and one worked for Ray Kemp building Iluka at Woodbridge.Their wives already in the boat we did not get any further as the pilot was keen to get going.They got a ten minute tour around the corner at twenty knots and passed us going like a bat out of hell up to Melaleuca and the aircraft.Not a lot for $460 bucks each,but a memorable trip I am sure.

Tied up at the old piles for crew to go up to Dennie's for a walk.Andrew had told me there is a new jetty near the Tasair set up but I was not sure If I could turn around there or how deep the water was.I have a good dinghy now courtesy of Essential Media and SBS so they were not wanting.The boys sounded a few places and said I would be ok so maybe next time.I recon the old one is going to get the chop soon.Both would be nice,yachts would have trouble at the new one I recon.

Fargo showed up and anchored,I told Barrie I would be off as soon as my crew returned,good oh he said,some of his crew followed mine up to the airstrip.

Crew returned and we went around to Moulters Inlet for the night,anchored as the evening sched came on.A few boats already made the trip to the Coal Bins.

Had a roast pork dinner and watched Two Men in a Punt video made by Gary Kerr and Ron Morrison about the Gordon River Piners,I think Tamo was fascinated being in the business .

Turned in about ten after washing up.

It was as black as out side as the moon is late now,this is the place to see the Southern Cross.No city lights looming here,just a bit cold to hang around outside.

Colourful sky early morning Spain Bay.

Nice catch,threw 18 just unders back.

Monday Fishing day.

The crew were up early,heard them talking,not much bait in the pots the crays will get out etc.Had a cuppa and got under way to pull them .Trolled out around the South Passage as we had great success once before there with the Couta.No such luck this time ,not even a bite.

Arrived at the pots still a westerly wind but the sea had gone down considerably since we came in,may have been a better day to come down from Strahan  than yesterday.

First pot had two,one rat and one male size,pulled the other one all rats six of them.Well one is better then none so trolled back towards Breaksea,what are we going to do today,tossed a few ideas around ,when the sched came on and the BBQ had been moved to Tuesday we decided to stay out for another night.Changed course for  Whalers Cove for breakfast ,Simmo now ravenous.Far cry from yesterday.

Washed up and spent the morning line fishing with little success ,two small sharks and two tiny Couta one the smallest I have seen only five inches long.

Went up to Carvers Point for the crew to go up the Davey River,we will have lunch when we come back,could be a bit late.

I cooked the cray and had a quiet time.

Crew returned in no time,Simmo driving ,been there seen that,got up to the gorge.

Steve from Sancerre  arrived and came over in the dinghy,have been to Spain Bay,sent one of the crew in for a report before I got my wet suit on.Visibility about three feet so no good for diving.We are going up the river today as the forecast is for rain later on,he did not quite make it as it was pouring as we left.

We planed to go behing Breaksea to catch some bait for the pots.After an hour and one gurnard  caught and one lost we gave it away and headed for Spain Bay.

Set the pots outside the reef as quite a big sea still running.I have hopes for one but the other one may well be a blank,not much cray weed there.

Motored into the bay and drifted for a while,maybe I can lift the spirits with a flathead before anchoring.No such luck.

Anchored in a spot nearly out of the swell.

Nice dinner of a prepared dish finished off with Legacy Plum Pudding and the remaining ice cream. 

Turned in about ten.My crew of keen fishermen almost empty handed after quite a hard days fishing.

Last of the sun in Brambles

The best he could manage today the smallest Couta I have seen.

Sunday The run to Port Davey.

After a very surprisingly quiet night the crew were up early keen to get going.

A very dull day so we had a morning cuppa and got away at 7.30.not really early but visibility was more important to me.No real hurry as our speed gives us a great advantage over the slower vessels.

Adgio had left just after midnight and would be well down the track by now,probably a good move as the wind did pick up from the North in the morning some times up to 26 knots..The SW swell of about three meters made conditions uncomfortable but not unreasonable.Most of the yachts had left before dark,some at midnight.

After clearing Cape Sorell we pulled away for Sloop Rocks and then Hibbs Pyramid for breakfast arriving about 9.30.We anchored in the lee and Ross got on the pots and pans,one member a little green and abstained from a feed.

Had an hour off there and then trolled for Tuna for an hour to High Rocky point without success .Have caught fish here on two other occasions but not today.

Resumed our trip South at 19 knots.Called Lemaris up to see how they were going a bit out to sea of us.Eva answered to say all well and making good time.

Slowed to have a look into Christmas Cove,you would have to be a brave man to get in there today,the seas breaking right across.A fisherman told me once you can lay in Hartfort Cove up to six meters SW swell in there.You would have to judge your entry but it looked as if you could today but I would not attempt it !

Set a course out of there and trolled for a while also with no result,had a good line watcher who was preferring a bit of fresh air.

Rounded the next point and wound the lure in,good job the last crew left some cray bait in the freezer.

Down past Low Rocky Point and turned in towards Nye Bay,we were about a mile off and could not see the land so as there is quite a few rocks and islands on the last run into Port Davey I decided to go back out to sea and approach with caution around all of that.No point if you could not see anything.

Slowed about half a mile from Breaksea Island to bait up the pots,found some reasonably bottom to set them on.Experience here is heaps of just unders,I hope they have grown a bit since last time.

Steamed into Bramble Cove and anchored in the Northern corner,very sheltered here.The yacht Marni was already there anchored further out.One member sparked up immediately asking what was for dinner,corned beef said the cook.Sweated on him all the time it was cooking,it was only three thirty !

We convinced him there were fish here but only a puffer fish landed.

Gradually more boats trickled in glad to be out of the washing machine type confused waves.We reported into the six thirty sched when Molly wanted  the World Series Cricket match brought forward from Thursday till Tuesday.He was on his scare campaign already saying he wanted to go on Wednesday because of the weather.

He did that in the Hunter group and quite a few boats followed him bolting early.We stayed till the designated day had a pleasant trip to Strahan,there were three or four windows after his prediction of doom.Now he was at it already.

Nigel said he would think about it but as he had only arrived twenty minutes before he said he had not thought about leaving yet.

It sounded there were only a couple of boats still in Strahan,one awaiting a repaired mainsail and one a fuel pump,.They were spread out in Bathurst Harbour already .

We had our corned beef and turned in about ten.A light rain on the deck.We did see sun on the hills around just before sunset.Might be a nice day tomorrow.

Hibbs Pyramid for breakfast.

Al Capone a bit quiet,not for long though,as soon as the rolling stopped.

Saturday up to St Johns Falls.

Anchored off the Sandy Spit three quarters of the way up.

Had a very quiet night as I managed a quiet spot not in the current or backwash.

Woke up in the morning to find the boat facing down river and light rain.

Had a cuppa and then light breakfast.Ingenue and then Odysseus appeared around the corner moving down river,a little while later Dream Spinner showed up.Politely asked if we were ok,I said yes thanks.It did look as we were a bit close to the spit but were in 10 meters of water.

Simmo saw a piece of driftwood making its way down river badgered me to go over and rescue it,unfortunately not Huon Pine.

We motored up to St Johns landing in drizzling rain and tied up.Now the rain pelting down.

Had a coffee and waited for the rain to ease,after a while it obliged and we walked along to the falls which were really going after the rain.

Ross and Timo went up the river for a spin.

After a late lunch we left for the harbour,we intended to go back to Strahan and get some forgotten supplies.

The visibility was very poor especially in the canyons so we got a bit behind schedule and realized we would not make the shop in time.

We had been off the air for the day and had not seen the latest forecast but had planned to escape on Sunday morning.

The 6.30 rollcall indicated the charge was on.We changed tactics and decided to anchor for the night in the Back Channel for an early morning start.

I thought of going to Betsey Bay for the night but when I looked at the chart it looked a bit hard and as visibility was only a couple of hundred yards I decided on the easier Channel spot.Stormbreaker anchors over night there he told me.

We anchored on dark and checked our mail etc.

We heard a rumbling noise and the search was on,no fans or pumps running.I ended up in the port engine room and found the prop shaft spinning slowly,must be quite a current running here.

Had another good meal and put the kettle on ,another enjoyable day.

St Johns Fall going full bore.

Coffee coloured water.

Off in the morning will be off the air for a week.Hope not too many withdrawal symptoms .

Friday.Crew change over day.

We were tied up beside a fishing boat on the outside of Strahan Wharf as there were many boats in the sheltered cove.Three deep and nearly filling it up.

Today was BBQ day at the sailing club .The whole fleet was together apart for a couple of boats still up the river.Some in Double Cove and some in Mill Bay.

The wind came around a bit in the night and we were moving a bit but our hosts big red buoys made good fenders.

We stuck it out as the convenience for carting gear ashore and loading the new crews stuff far outweighed a bit of up and down.

As usual Biggs and Cheroz were up early and walked around to the club before I was up.Blogging takes a bit of time with one finger.Left hand at that.

We stripped the beds and loaded all the used linen along with my clothes into the doby bag.They cleaned up the boat,we had turned the friges off the night before.They have an automatic defrost feature which is rather inconvenient as you never really know when it might happen,one day into the leg from the Tamar.

I collected single and two dollar coins and set off for the laundry.Was lucky there were two machines empty .Loaded them up and returned to the boat for brunch.

The relief crew were due after 11.30 so we had time to get Masterpiece ship shape ,most bags packed now.

Back to the laundry to find Julie from Geelong was there.She had put a load in and was waiting,they were at the Fisherman's jetty further up the bay and too far to nick back to.It was then I had a bit of luck,there are three driers,I got the single old one.The double ones are hopeless.Probably take an hour and a half to dry a load,must be something wrong with them.

Put one lot in and hung around talking.I did not want to loose my machine to do the second load.

Got my second load on a real backlog now three or four people waiting.Dave Norman sitting outside on the bench moaning about the cold weather,Cooky going crook about him,seems to have dropped his bundle,no BBQ for him,in bed !

Returned to the boat to find the crew patiently waiting for Ross and Simmo,got a call 30 minutes away.

They went into action and took all their gear ashore ,we sat under the booking office verandah out of the wind and in the sun,quite pleasant but they wanted to get going.

It did not take long to unload the BMW with eight people carrying stuff.Ross unpacked the eskis to go back and after some good byes they were away.

The new crew settled in and after a while we went around to the BBQ which had been going for a while.The wind was cold but the club has a big " west coast" stove burning Huon pine scraps and an inside cooker as well,quite a popular place,only the die hards outside.Wandered around talking to the different groups while Ross cooked our snags.First timers taking advantage to ask questions about things they were not sure of,their excitement to get to Davey quite evident.

I had a talk to Ross's brother in law who has joined us for the trip on the walk back.Inspected the fish farm feeder gear as we passed.Much expenditure there.

Back on the boat for a coffee,I suggested we go up the river for the night as it looked like Sunday would be the earliest we could attempt the trip to Davey.No fishing boat movement so if they are staying put so are we.

Need some bread so they wandered over to Banjos a bit late,up to the shop then.

We pulled out at about six,don't think we will get right up but can anchor if need be.The light gradually faded and after hitting a reasonably large log decided to anchor for the night as Simmo was getting hungry and needling Ross about his dinner.It was quite dark when we lit the BBQ.

Turned in about ten thirty.

A bit wet.

Thursday Back to Strahan.

Had a cooked breakfast and up anchored,it took well over half an hour to get the mud and weed off the anchor and chain,we had never seen such a big ball on the anchor.Thick sticky mud ,we would never have dragged our anchor in a cyclone.

Three crew up forward with boat hooks and the gaff.Biggs reckoned later we should have put the dinghy in to free it. 

We steamed around to Pillinger and anchored out,went in by dinghy and walked the old railway line and had a look at the shack,some rough repairs have been done.Returned to the boat for coffee and headed for Strahan .

Jetty remains at Pillinger 

Still raining ,passed a couple of boats heading for the river on our way,they might as well as the weather forecast is for bad weather for the foreseably future!

We travelled slowly at 10 knots as I was unsure of how much fuel we had left,not much I thought.

We arrived at the fuel bowser with another vessel,the Liberty  filling up.We tied up beside Stormbreaker and filled the water tanks while waiting.They seemed to be having trouble with the card reading machine,we found out later it must have been on the blink,tried three cards and it did not like any of them,even the bank managers.Mike came to the rescue and we filled up,worked out we had 34 miles of fuel left.Have done 460 miles from the Tamar,must have seen a bit !

The crew went over to the pub for dinner,I stayed on board to try and help Les get the internet sorted at home.One and a half hours later I spoke to a person who was very helpfull and accepted my transferring authority to my daughter to get it going again.

Cheroz arrived to get me as the kitchen was about to close,it was still going two hours later as people trickled in for dinner.Our meals were superb,two seafood fettuccini s ,one fillet steak and one braised wallaby.

Biggs as usual found someone he knew who contracted to the fish farms,they were next to us and come from Dover.

Got back to the boat reasonably early and had a brown sugar before turning in.

Wednesday The crew brave the Franklin.

Woke after a quiet night,some showers but only light.Had a bit of a lay in.Probably a mistake as at about nine it started to rain .The wind had made during the night and turned westerly.We were well sheltered but had little wavelets slapping now and then.The anchored out boats had swung on their anchors to face down river.

Then it really rained,with horizontal sheets going up river against the green background made a sight to see.I had elected to stay on the boat when the Franklin trip got under way.Three in the dinghy enough .

We waited for a break in the weather before they set out.Two other boats at the landing getting ready as well.One left before and one after.

Pottered around the boat,finished my blog,washed up the tea cups and had a fellow over off Finesse who's daughter used to come down home for sleep overs with my youngest when I was building the boat.That is Tassie ,we are all connected in some way.The owner and his wife's son is dating Cheroz's daughter.

They had a good  run up the rivers ,only a couple of strandings and managed to find an overhanging rock for shelter when the worst rain squall came.

Got a call on the handheld to get some meat out of the freezer for lunch and dinner.Noticed it was well and truly frozen with a little whispy smoke when I opened it.Keeps my icecream just right.

They returned full of beans about the run in the dinghy and not too wet.We had sausages in bread for lunch washed down.

The sea plane had arrived and was up river when two other boats arrived,we advised them to keep over our side to avoid his runway just as he came roaring down the gorge,The wind in his favour today he was flying well before the landing.It was spectacular seeing the almost vertical bank to get around the corner.

After lunch we piled into the dinghy to do St Johns falls and Jill O'Rielly's grand fathers house remains.

We did not get the landing place quite right and had quite a scramble to get up the bank.We were too far down the river but did not like to take the inflatable in between the two nasty looking steel stakes in the river.Much puffing all round when we arrived at the old winch.

Had a look around the area the hydrangers well out this time ,most likely not but seemed much larger than two years ago.

Went back to the boat and vacated the jetty,two other boats ready to take our place,Montague had left an hour ago.

The visibility now not very good along with the light in my eyes full astern required at the first corner,Huon Pine leaves on the foredeck but thankfully managed to stop before any contact with the shore.Much ragging by the crew who obviously did not see it coming either !

We motored down the river passing quite a few boats which had elected to wait out the forecast blow either anchored out or tied to the bank.You can tie for and aft if you find a little indentation in the river bank,the trick is to find one in a sheltered spot.There were two boats at Heritage Landing which would be ok for the night as the cruise vessels had finished for the day.

We elected to go out of the river to Farm Cove.I knew a very sheltered spot which I called the duck pond.Asked the locals and evidently it does not have a name .John Brettingham Moore calls it South West Arm.It looks like a boot so it could be boot bay also.

Although quite straight forward the entrance to Farm Cove is ringed with rocks.One is guided first with a pile and afterwards by a white buoy anchored on the end of a reef

The bay we were headed for is in behind all this and is very sheltered from the South and then the SW blow expected.We passed Fargo making good time heading in the same direction with a headsail drawing nicely,one helmsman on deck.no plastic goose coups for them. He did not see me coming as he was concentrating on his steering in the now  20 knot breeze.We steamed past at 21 knots .Decided to give her a blow out after a couple of hours crawling down the river.Must have been a sight.

They elected for the next bay in.

We anchored with one meter under us as it was low tide and would only get deeper.No sooner had we anchored when the rain began.Showers of varying weight,wind squalls also,this went on all night.We were very comfortable but the wind in the tree tops was something else.Just before dawn we were awoken by hail on the deck ,the wind now gone to the SW.Getting quite cold now ,called for long strides and sox.

There was much mirth at the expense of the skipper when Biggs tried to light the BBQ for our steak.He failed and after a while I said I will fix it.I use a lighter rod to get it going ,I went out and pressed the start knob and clicked the lighter and bang with sheets of flame coming out of every opening,he had left it on.,fortunately the lock catch was in place to hold the lid on otherwise the result may have been very different ! Biggs banned from the BBQ now.

We had another steak and salad meal,the butcher has excelled him self with the meat,Cheroz to tell him.Probably only make him zealous he was not here though.

Turned in reasonably early at 9.30 to rain on the deck.

Sorry about the horizontal rain photo Folks,mine did not come out.I hope to add it later when Cheroz works out how to get it out of his camers and send it to me.

Tuesday Up the Gordon River.

Biggs and Cheroz were up early,walked around to the train which had steam up across the bay.

It was out of the shed and on the turntable when we looked.Mike went for a walk and I finished my blog.

They fire up the ferries an hour before departure with them in gear to warm up the engines and gearboxes.As we were quite close the underwater noise was quite loud.They have learned from experience over the years running full power cold is destructive on engines and gearboxes.

They do not muck about after clearing the harbour as they have a tight schedule once under way.

It seems the run is tailored to give the passengers the same experience over all from the two companies.They seem to take it in turns to leave first and therefore return first or a while later.Hells Gates,Sarah Island and Heritage Landing with a fish farm stop fitted in.One does it back to front.

Troy told us it has been a good year for tourists.They are contemplating a new boat ,a little bit faster cruising,no doubt the design work is under way,a narrower hull to reduce the drag should do the trick and a different drive system.

Cheroz and Mike walked up town for some essentials we had run out off,a visit to the chemist for some pills as insurance for the skippers toe,now behaving but you never know,a new crew arriving Friday.Biggs and I washed up.We returned the favour to Huntress and took her lines when he changed berths.A big boat to handle on his own.My owner returns on Friday he informed us.Interested to meet him as we have not met yet,they always seem to be on a different schedule.Not happy as plenty of time diving but as yet no cray,contemplating buying a second hand pot.

We departed and motored around to Mill Bay in West Strahan for a look,surprising how many boats there,quite a few private jetties.The remains of many more on the way.I have been told this is the place to be if there is a really big blow.Pleased I now have a track on my plotter into it as the entrance would be a bit tricky in the dark.

Left to go up the harbour to Sarah Island to pay our respects.Steered over to the fish farms on the way,they certainly have expanded since my last visit twelve months ago.Surely they have enough room now.Some of the new feed barges in action,I believe there are something like twenty on order.

Tied up at the old jetty ,seemed to have been made for Masterpiece ,she fits perfectly and it is still in good order.Most other visitors anchor out and dinghy in.Probably wise as there are a few snags in one area but I did notice the small tourist cat from Strahan going inside them.Must have local knowledge.

Noticed Eagle went inside Grumet island as well.I go outside.

Good to see the island has had some TLC since here last,but only a little,new signs which only one or two people can read at a time and some blackberries sprayed,may be they should bring back a few selected convicts.

Back to the boat and heading for the river,after a natter to some other circum navigators on the jetty who asked about anchorages in Port Davey.

We entered the river and anchored at the Boom Camp site now a fishing club setup.Had the last cray for lunch,the skipper weakening and having a small amount .Put the dinghy down and went into the floating jetty.

They have done a good job over many years setting it up.We were quite surprised at the gear they have here,any one is welcome to use it for a small donation.A large custom wood stove ,cabin with plenty of bunks a generator shed and an excellent toilet with fairy lights on the walkways.Many good days spent here I suspect.

We saw a sea canoe leave Strahan with a small red sail on our way up,we stopped at Sarah Island and  as we turned into the river we passed him again.

When we were about to leave a tall English gentleman arrived at the boom camp to have a bite to eat.

He certainly had covered some ground during the day.

Going to Heritage landing for the night he informed us.He showed up there as we left and quipped about diesel burning,gin drinking sailors.He had binos around his neck looking for some bird.Evidently quite enjoying himself.

We arrived at St Johns falls at about 4.30 to find four boats rafted up and two anchored out.

Biggs reckoned we would fit at Warner's Landing between La Vida and Montague.We backed in and had a foot to spare.

A quiet night with a good meal,turned in about 9.30 with the crew gassbaging for a while longer.

Cheroz had not been up here before so was suitably impressed I believe.

View from Warner's Landing.

Monday The run to Strahan.

Some of the fleet got away about five am.

We were up a bit after six ,no real hurry for us.The yachts had an overnight passage for the over 100.mile trip.Their plan was to arrive at Macquarie Heads at daylight Tuesday.They plan on an average of six knots with a bit up their sleeve.

The trip down past Stack Island inside Hunter Island was calm with a very light headwind and the current behind us.

We were the last away at six thirty.After the engines were warmed up we were up to cruising speed of 18 knots.A bit mean really as we soon gobbled up the ones in front of us.

We passed the last one Bomoh ,Beautiful S&S sailing under full sail in the Hunter Passage.

Passing out between the islands the open sea was a taste of what was to come for the next few hours.There was about a two meter Swell with a slight slop on top .Fortunately the south wind had abated over night and there was a light offshore breeze to steady them.We thought maybe a current running up the coast which would not please the smaller ones.

  

We soon were off Cape Grim which still looked Grim but quite a bit more friendly than when I was here last with the Farmers.Missed the second episode and have had no reports yet.

Mary came on about 8am to check up on where we were ,we reported in at Ann Bay ,going well,the sea starting to go down and the wind building a little for the blow boats.

We worked off shore a couple of miles because of the waves,there are some shallower areas inshore and the waves break well off.

We arrived at Sandy Cape at about ten thirty for brunch.We had been eating a bit too well and elected to cut our steaks in half the night before ,the butcher being very generous with the size.

Cheroz said we will have a steak sandwich with the lot. ,sounds good ,they were really good meat.

I went down to the port side bathroom which had been sounding its bilge alarm on the way down,bloody thing has caused me some pain,first in Melbourne and now here,I rebuilt the little tank which catches the shower drain when the float switch failed and it over flowed before.

Had a quick look on the way down I see water in there again.The bilge alarm has a silence button which only works when you push it.The buzzer is designed to be a noisy thing and it is!

Dissmantled the tray to find the pipe which sends the water to the tank had broken,well at least the mechanical side of things was ok.Pumped it out and left it for Strahan to fix.

The conditions under Sandy Cape were perfect,on a good day it is a truly memorable place,the white beach and dunes , green  vegitation and blue water .A lone albatross had been hanging around and was now sitting in the water quite close to the boat .We remembered our old mate Bill who recently passed away.They say old sailors souls live in these birds and one can see why on days like this.

We were sheltered from the waves and the breeze had died off getting ready for the NW change predicted.

Well we had had an hour and a half off.Mary came on at 12 to take position reports,we could hear some boats but I think we were too far away for her to hear us.

We up anchored and got away,the waves now considerably less so I worked out round the cape and headed for the Pieman River .The seas were breaking right across the entrance as usual ,we stood off and Cheroz got out his video camera to record the experience.

We then then moved down to Conicle Rocks.The plotter says Conicle Harbour,I know it is a popular place with Ab divers and they do lay there but a harbour?rather cheeky I think ,like Temma and Granville,can you have a harbour which can only have foam in it at times,must be joking.They probably thought name would stick as in calm times it is good.

It looks so forbidding I have never been interested in going there,one Ab diver I know teased me once ,why didn't you come in when you went past.

We slowed down and debated where the entrance was but we saw what we thought were a couple of options but it is still a mystery to me.Migh have to do some work on it,a mud map would be handy.

Set a course for Hells Gates and arrived at 3.30 to a low tide so not much current.Some cloud so visibility good.Cheroz on the flybridge recording and the other two making sure I went the right side of the red piles.

Ben had a track on my small plotter so we had a backup.

Arrived at the Strahan wharf and tied up beside a fishing boat for the night with the assistance from a fellow off Huntress 111. I will have to thank him when I catch up.

Sent a text to Mary to confirm our arrival and just managed to hear Steve on the six thirty sched.

We had a celebratory Beer.

Went over to Hammers for a quiet one which soon was not quiet as Troy Grinning was there with a couple of mates one was Randall Morrison who is part of the legend of the west coast,the other one we think was one of the legends from Waratah,kept saying the Lamb roast is on,I better get going or it will be spoiled,he might have made it but it would surely be well done.

We got the true story of the delivery of Toby's new boat ,Calypso ,from the mainland ,sounded like an epic voyage ! What else would one expect with Toby,Ron,Guy and Troy on board.I don't even have to imagine the chaos as I got the truth.A memorable voyage indeed.

Returned to the boat for a chicken curry and watched Garry Kerr's Flinders Video after a good day,said good night to those still at sea,I recon a couple would gladly pay my fuel bill to be here !

Turned in at ten.

Brunch at Sandy Cape.

Beautiful Strahan.

Sunday A day of waiting

The high tide was about 9am.Biggs and Mike went out to pull the pots in the dinghy.A very nice cray in the first one only about 2 meters off shore,the bottom being very narrow here.The second one a blank.

Had a leisurely breakfast.No real hurry to do anything today,South wind so no one going anywhere .

We decided to try and get closer to the point to get out of the roll and managed after a couple of tries to find a quiet spot.

Cooked the cray to Biggs satisfaction.

The crew went ashore after lunch to have a look for some Abs,Rod had told Biggs you can pick them up at low tide up there.They managed an entree for tonight's dinner.

Had a talk to Mary at Smithton Radio who offered to keep in touch with the fleet on the run south tomorrow.Steve now in Strahan and too far away to be of any use.

Went out and downloaded the weather,the forecast getting better all the time especially south of Sandy  Cape tomorrow.The south wind all ready dying off.

Not much else happend as the wind gradually died off.We up anchored and reanchored Behind the fleet.

Had a steak meal and after turned in about ten.

A quiet spot

Saturday.A quiet day.

We had a quiet night,the change came through early morning.Cheroz woke me when the anchor alarm went off.Just the boat moving as I had plenty of chain out.Reset it and went back to bed.

By about eleven am the wind had swung around to the NW and blowing right into the nook.

We suffered it for a while but had to move eventually over to Shepherds Bay across the channel.

Some boats already there,the rest in Chimney Pot having moved from Coulomb earlier on.

We moved over while having lunch,the crew crays and me leftover lamb and new bread.

Cheroz now honing his skills.Watch out when he gets home,the bread king is coming !

We anchored in a day anchorage close to the shore under the northern cliffs to get out of the leftover roll.

Down went the lines,not even a bite.The only thing biting was the March flies.Flights of them.Cheroz has a theory a squirt of fly spray around the door frame will keep them out,I hope it does not take the paint off !

Biggs and Mike put the net in and then went over to a Blue boat in the bay which I recognized as Slanchivar from Wynyard,they were cleaning a heap of Australian Salmon they had caught in the net,glad to get rid of some as they had too many,a few other boats got some too.

I remember years ago he joined the Circ up here,was a fisherman I seem to remember,we bashed our way down to Ann Bay tacking into a stiff south wind ,after a couple of hours of crashing and banging he appeared out behind a rock off Cape Grim.Local knowledge there,still do not know how he did it.

We now had bait for the pots.Later on Bruce the owner came over to say hello but I could not remember his name before now.They are a week out and have been around but we have not seen them until now,shows there is more than one way to skin a cat up here.They are off to Flinders next and then Port Davey by the east coast,good to see him again as I had heard he was unwell a couple of years ago.

Just put my pot in he said ,chuck your buoy up on the rocks,you can get it when the tide runs.We would never have thought of that.

Biggs managed to do it with one but not the other,too much surge he claimed.Slack water high tide at about 9 in the morning so should be ok.

The forecast SW change slowly came through with lightning and some rain,we put the squid lights on but only managed one small one.

Put the Bee Gees on and then Rod Stewart while having a good roast chicken,ended up a bit late after repeated requests for Maggi May at full volume.I hope we did not keep the rest of the bay up.

Only about ten boats left now,looks like Monday is the day for the run south.We may  move out to the outside of Hunter island today .I have considered Woolnorth Bay but some how it does not seem to have any advantages .

About ten left in Shepherds Bay.