Crew still in bed got up and had a look around,went back to my bunk but my legs wanted to get going.
Had my shower and stirred them up.
Biggs and Mick went to pull the pots,no need to ask when they bought the first one back ,the body language said it all.Went back for the second one with no better result.
Cheroz got some breakfast going,we had worked out that later in the day would be the best time to go but seeing the wind was light now we left about 9.
Around the top of Hunter Island and set a course for Albatross Island.
Not exactly a flat calm but reasonable conditions,it is almost always bumpy across this patch of water,got a few shallow spots in it.
There were quite a few birds out seeking a meal,looked like young ones,as we got closer we could see heaps up in top of the Island.I was well named,not all Albatross though.
After clearing we set a course for the Reid Rocks on our way to Stokes Point the southern tip of King Island.There was quite a large SW sea running against the N E wind now about 18 knots,still reasonably comfortable.We would not be going the other way!
Saw some cray boats working along the bottom of the Island they were earning their keep in this weather ,the quota season just started.Mick talked to the port man,he said go in on the North side of the pier in near the slip,you should be right there,and gave us directions on how to get into the harbour,not easy if you mucked it up .three sets of markers ,Blue,green then red,I got chastised when we got close to the jetty,you have to keep on the red nearly up to the jetty,I allowed the boat to drift with the wind a bit when nearly there,had a look at our track later and we nearly collected a sand bank,fortunately no damage done.
Came alongside the pier,never seen so many truck tires in all my life,it gets real jumpy in here with a Westerly swell I have been told.We are lucky with the weather forecast should be ok while we are here,weather forecast says we leave Saturday morning.
Mick had arranged a two door Rav 4 at 50 bucks a day so he and Cheroz walked up to get it.
Biggs and I secured the boat and checked the fenders.They will be pretty black rubbing on the three layers of tyres as we go up and down with the tide and the ever present gentle swell in here.Not too bad only a little more than a meter,a lot better than Stanley!
Went up town to check the pub out,decided to walk to get some exercise,passed the car on the way.
Had a round in the bar ,a couple of locals there,the manager served us,he used to own the pub but sold up and moved away,he had just returned to manage it,how long for we asked,don't know but by the glint in his eye and the locals hoping he would stay I recon he is back for good,he seemed capable and really on top of things,a real publican John.
Booked for dinner at 7.
Went back to the boat for a while,I rewrote a couple of blogs which had disappeared,bloody nuisance,if I have less than three bars of internet when I try to post they go into cyber space never to be seen again.The app I use seems to need the Internet to even save them.
Tried to call in for the sched but we are right beside a large power box and my antenna is about three feet away.Got plenty of noise.I had sent a text to Jerry earlier about our arrival.
A large West Coaster charter boat had arrived for the night,the lady deckhand was cleaning fish on the aft corner,they had quite a variety of fish,a school tuna frame and head on the deck.She looked well set up and in excellent condition,the Skipper was affable so we got plenty of info.I think he comes from Port Fairy? He comes over here for a couple of months each year,interesting to see lots of rods mainly with the large speckled paternoster fly type lures and sinkers on them.
Time to go up to he pub for dinner,no nominated driver came forward so put the walking shoes on and walked up,a girl practicing her dressage moves on the grass near the port,brought her horse down in the float.
Plenty of rod holders there,on both sides.
Will have to wait until tomorrow to see if we can fit in the two door buzz bomb.
Had a nice meal up at the pub dining room.you could have a whole cray served for two at 180 bucks.
We had pork cutlets and Bigs flathead.Was excellent.Talked to some Victorian Golfers they had done Bridport yeasterday and one here today,absolutely raved about this one ,unbelievable,they will do Wickham tomorrow.The publican said the Island is really buzzing,getting enough permanent staff is going to be a real problem for the planned developments,not enough houses for them etc.
Walked back well after dark and had a nightcap.
Nice boat.
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