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.
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