Quarantine to RYCT.

Had a bit of a lay in.Not far to home from here.

Light breakfast while discussing conversations had on shore last night.

A grey day but nothing until we rounded the point,a total whiteout,tuned up the radar and set a course on the plotter,no seventeen knots today,crept along at 8 keeping a sharp lookout,the radar should pick anything up but you never know.

Up round Pierson's Point and passed a couple of boats ,you could see a hundred yards now.

We passed a ship on anchor off Droughy Point but did not see it ,heard VTS talking on the radio to him,your pilot will be Saturday morning,be booring waiting I recon.

Masterpiece in full flight off Sandy Bay .Credit John Solomon.
 

Arrived at the club a bit after eleven and spent the next couple of hours unloading gear from the boat.We were surrounded by mainland boats already in the spare berths near us,Jerry and Penny in theirs next to us,fastest boat in the fleet last home again!

Ralph's daughter and grandkids turned up to pick him up.likewise Sandra called to get Ron,Vicky came for Bruce.My wife welcomed me home after five weeks away.

They divided up the fish and I put the dinghy on the trailer.

All done a little after 3 pm.

Of all the circumnavigations I have done I think this was the best weather ever,the light winds on the West Coast enabled us to go into most of the places where only the fishermen know,they lay close to their gear but only when the weather is right,we managed to see many of them in one trip,an exceptional experience.

Masterpiece travelled 1240 miles and used 4836 Liters of fuel at an average of 3.9 liters a mile.

This might seem a lot to the uninitiated  but it is quite good for a boat of her size and speed.

Crew on this trip.

Hobart to Tamar including Flinders Island.

Ross DeLittle

Clive Simpson

Skipper.

Tamar to Strahan including King Island

Tony Chamberlain 

John Choroszy 

Mick Hocking

Skipper

Strahan to Hobart

Bruce Craw

Ralph Wells

Ron Neave

Skipper.

I hope my readers have enjoyed the trip,I know I have and my crew although all different were a pleasure to have on board.

The photo from Par-Avion's aircraft of the fleet in Brambles Cove,most likely the only time they were all together in one place.

  ...

Monday,last full day.

Woke up to a SE wind with rain,the weather had finally broken,Had breakfast ,no hurry again today only have to get to Quarantine Bay for the last BBQ ashore tonight.

While we were eating the Swan,an St Ayles skiff rowed past into the gloom,after a while they came back past us chattering away while rowing at a decent pace.I think this was the women's crew.Some of them rowed down to Catamaran and then up to the Wooden Boat Festival and back recently,over a hundred miles I think.The enthusiastic movement to build them and the social interaction they provide is good to see,one member of the Circumnavigation told me he has a small grant to get them going in Geelong.

Not much visibility this morning.

The Swan out for an early morning row,quite a team by all accounts.

 A couta boat came out of the gloom.
 
 

Upanchored after most boats had left,I was hoping the weather would pickup a bit.No such luck the wind moderated so we could put the dinghy up a bit easier but the visibility was still only one quarter of a mile.No 17 knots today.

We worked our way out of the bay passing a few yachts doing about five knots,the radar comes in handy on days like this.

Down past Eggs and Bacon Bay,noticed the push to rename it has died a natural death,what were they thinking!

Round past Arch Rock and into the Channel where things were a lot better,how can I entertain the crew for a few hours.

Motored over to the area off Simpsons Point where I had been told the Flathead are often caught.

I did not have to ask Ron and Ralph twice if they would like a fish,yes was the answer.

I have to do one more blog so we pulled up and they began to fish,what a master stroke,the good sized flats were biting well kept them busy for a couple of hours.Got a nice haul to take home.

Arrived at Quarantine about five thirty,just in time to go ashore,there is a nice place there with a floating pontoon to tie your dinghy up and some bench seats around a fire pit,Some of the Queenslanders had been ashore earlier and scrounged some wood and lit the fire,also set up a couple of BBQ's.

The fleet dwindled to a bit over 12 boats but a good crowd of likeminded people,as usual you meet someone new even on the last night,Bruce is an expert at getting stories out of them,one skipper told him his crew were two people who were interested in doing the cruise from Queensland so he took them away for a week end to see how they got on,he must have been quite pleased to find the are an "item " now he thinks.

Another Irish fellow was cooking on the BBQ,turns out he is a retired chef,was running the hospitality car on a train in Ireland during the troubles when the IRA tipped a truckload of bricks off a bridge on top of the train killing the drivers,lucky I was at the rear of the train and the roof was a bit stronger in his carriage,flying glass cut of a fellows ear in the bar where he was at the time. 

The fire was welcome as we sat around and chatted until near dark,the prudent ones sneaking off before,we hung around and Ralph going out to get some buckets to put the fire out,Alison Stump from Rosebud was concerned the fire was going to keep burning.

We were last away but still about 8.30 onto the boat for coffee before bed.

 The venue for the last night,a bit slack missed the people,forgot to take the camera ashore.

Sunday Dover to Cygnet.

Had a bit of a sleep in,no hurry today .We have only to get to  Cygnet for the function at the Port Cygnet Sailing Club,a very active sailing club .

We had breakfast and I did a couple of days worth of blogs as I do not know how to save them without the Internet,Helen on Nahani has been my mentor on this activity said I should be able to but I have muddled around and have not found a way yet,quite frustrating as I did some earlier ones twice and one three times to have them go somewhere into space.

We up anchored and went over to the jetty to get a bit of water as we were on our last tank and I did not want to run out ,all cleaning stops on the way home without any water!

There was a small neat fishing boat using the tap when we pulled up ,had a word to the skipper ,are you off on a trip,no came the reply the Chinese have stopped buying our crays so the price is down,not going yet a bit worried.

I noticed the name of his vessel was Leprena and asked how she got it.He said the bloke who built it worked up around Eddystone and named after the rock there,the rock was named after a trading schooner wrecked there in 1925.

Another coincidence ,I told him my brother Andrew recently bought the ships boat from the Leprena which by all accounts the crew rowed ashore after the wreck.It has had a modern deck and fitted with a steam engine and he has had many pleasant hour pottering around in it.He told me she used to trade out of this area and seemed proud to have the connection.I will have to have a look under the deck to see if the rowlocks are still there.She must be nearly 100 years old now.

 Report of the wreck I found on the net,the whole article makes interesting reading,she was built by P&F's at Battery Point.

We were peacfully tied up to the jetty when some locals came along and said could we move as there was a broken down fishing boat coming in to tie up .

We looked out into the bay and the Southlander , a large fishing boat which has been homeported here for many years was along side another smaller red boat about a quarter of a mile away.The smaller boat was the Ella Rose which was along at Louisa the night before,I immediately thought she must have come to grief but looked spic and span and had all her pots on board.Seemed Southlander was in strife as they put her alongside the pier.David saving Goliath.

We slowly followed a string of boats out of the bay,had to kill a day,motored around Blubber Head and inside the many fish farm leases,along to the Huon River.A good rule made when they first started was they had to leave navigable water between the lease and the shore for passage making,it would be a large detour to get around this lot!

I think the visitor boats think this bit is a Chinese jigsaw puzzle.

View across the Huon,the day had brightened up.
 

We slowly motored across the Huon to give the batteries and freezer a good charge up before deciding to go into Gourlays Bay for the afternoon.Great minds think alike,as we came around the Point the Victorians were in there having a BBQ on the shore.Bill came over and invited us in but we declined as we had lunch on the table already,we are cooking fish he said.

We offered to put the net in to see if we could catch some bait for them as they were going back to Partridge Island to try and catch a cray the next day after the function ashore,three of them have now bought a small pot from Margate ,they love them.

Ron and Ralph put the net in after lunch but only caught a stingray which fortunately was not tangled too much so was released.No bait from us they will have to catch their own.

We up anchored about 4.30 and went up to Cygnet.Got spruced up and got into the dinghy to go ashore,the fleet dwindling now,quite a few boats have gone home to their respective ports to fulfill other obligations after quite a long time away.We have elected to run the full distance as by having three crews they only get one third of the time aboard.

As usual the dinner at Cygnet was an excellent affair,the volunteers have it down to pat,A production line of ladies dish up the veggies after you get your steak or hamburger from the two fellows cooking outside.Smiles all round and after they had done two others in the weekend at the Cygnet Regatta,be glad to see us go I recon,a shift working the bar as well.Helps their coffers though,a very active training club with small boats as well.

Sat out on the balcony as the weather was still warm.Returned to the boat after dark but still early,the nights closing in now.

Saturday Louisa to Dover

Up at seven again and had a light breakfast.The last fishing boat just leaving,had his gear around Louisa Island.

Beautiful morning in Louisa ,DeWitt Island out further.
 

We motored across the bay to check out the anchorage behind the Island,would have been good in there also last night.

Seeing it was almost flat calm decided to go out to the Maatsyker group of islands for a look.

Ended up circumnavigating them ,we could see the Mewstone clearly out further.

Set a course back in to the Isle de Golfe for morning tea,quite calm in the Lee of the now light Easterly breeze,no good for the "blow boats".It did not matter as they were mostly in Recherche or Southport.

The structures on the Maat.

A closer look.
 

View out to Sea.

 

Set off again for Ron's fishing spot off the Actaeon Island.

Along past Prion Bay ,South Cape and South East Cape and Whale Head.Arrived at lunch time but could not get the fishermen to knock off so Bruce and I had ours without them.Mucked around for most of the afternoon fishing before I said it was time to get going to Dover for the At Home in the club.

Back in phone range,all crew checked in ,Ralph had 12 messages ,mainly birthday wishes.

Arrived at about 5.30 and got spruced up to go ashore.

The evening was a beauty the locals had excelled themselves,steak or Atlantic Salmon with excellent salads to go with it.

After dinner the local musos started up,they were excellent,very talented people,just swapped positions whenever they saw an empty space,it did not seem to matter which instrument they picked up.There were more people than instruments,they were going well after midnight,the younger ones dancing.

We returned to the boat for coffee and bed.

Friday Big day Ralph 75 th birthday.

Up at seven to pull the pots,the other boats had left for their journey to Recherche Bay ,a long day for them.Weather had moderated considerably during the night.It would be a bit rough getting out of Davey but really good once around SW Cape.

Pulled the pots and anchored back in the bay for breakfast.Unbelievable nine size fish.I thought we would be lucky to get any! The crays were running better than I had ever known in Davey.

The fishermen are livid as the price is way down,the ones with no debt are staying home.

 

Had breakfast and cooked the crays,took till about 11.30 .Up anchotred and got under way I wanted to go inside the Big Caroline and Swainson Island on the way out.I don't know why but it is an accepted route to take but I had never been through there before.

Found it quite ok I can remember Rupert Denne going there when I first went on the Heemskirk as a teenager.

Swainson Island with the Caroline behind.
 

It was a bit bumpy clearing the East Pyramids but was a lot better once we set a course for SW Cape.

We made good time round the Cape and into Ketchem Bay.Ron had made a camping trip in behind the Island many years ago in a small dinghy ,must have been mad,got support from some fishermen dropping fuel off etc.

I had heard there was an anchorage there so we went and had a look.I was not prepared for the beauty of the spot,just large enough for one boat it was totally sheltered,the seas were breaking on the beach further in but quite safe for us today.

  

Leaving the anchorage behind Ketchum Island
 
 

We went in and anchored.Bruce made up Ralph's birthday lunch of Cray and white wine.I think he might remember his 75th birthday lunch.Pity more of his friends could not share it.

Not a bad birthday party.
 

Decided to move on for the night.Past New Harbour and Cox Bight and into Louisa Bay.Anchorage Bay looked ok ,there was one fishing boat there ,two more joined us later.The wind had dropped and the sea was moderating.

Had dinner and into the bunk at about ten after another good day,the only negative was we had our quota of crays and had to stop fishing,threw some size back ,that always hurts.The regulations say you can have 25 in the Western Zone but only 10 per boat in the Eastern.As we were travelling to the other zone in the morning and could not eat anymore .

Wednesday Clayton's to Spain Bay

Went back to my bunk at dawn,no hurry to get going today.A real Port Davey grey morning,raining and mist.

The pre front had gone through ,waiting for the wind change and the next blow.Only thirty knots forecast.There is often more wind in the Bathurst Channel as it funnels through the hills.

The rain gradually lifted and we got under way at eleven am.Did a Cook's tour of the North shore of the channel.First we did a lap around Oderlisque? In Kings as Pieter has a mooring there,said good morning to Shepperd.They had all their dinghies out so must be expecting a charter.

Saw Nahani And Caspian in Frogs Hollow,they seemed quite comfortable there.

Around the Point to Ila Bay there were two ketches anchored in the middle,both timber and wooden Boat Festival participants,along with us made three.

Toured the bay,a rather unexciting shore line,some people seem to like it though.

Back out to Joe Page Bay.I had heard from Morrie there was an anchorage for NW to SW change weather on the Western shore rivaling Wombat Cove.

Went up level with the Island and found a sheltered Cove about the size of Eds Cove but do not know if that or the larger one further up is which he was talking about.

Cooks Tour of Bathurst Channel
 

Back out towards Branson Point and up into a deep Bay which had a large creek running into it,did not know how far in you could go though.Around Deep Point and inside Monday Island,a lot bigger from this side with vegitatation right down to the rocks all round it.

Past Helby and May points to the shelter of Wombat Cove.

This is most definitely the best anchorage in a NW to SW change.It is where you put your anchor down and take a rope ashore and tie your stern to a tree to wait out the worst weather expected in Port Davey.

As it was only blowing about 25 knots up the channel today just anchoring was quite sufficient.It was flat calm there and the sun was trying to come out.Had lunch and a nap after a torrid night.

My fishermen were chaffing to set the pots so we up anchored about four and motored out behind Breaksea intending to set them and go back to Wombat.The five Victorians were now in Brambles getting ready for an early morning getaway.They were not happy,quite a slop in there from the now stiff Westerly blowing.

We found it too rough to set the pots outside so went over to my Spain Bay shots,I did not know if the sea would abate or get worse so went behind the Reef to set them,had never set in there before.Found some bottom with only a little weed and tossed them in.

Went over behind the Point in the bay and found it quite calm and anchored for the night.The mob showed up after a rough passage from Brambles,a lot happier here.

Wednesday Eds Cove to Clayton's Corner.

A quiet relaxing day,slept in till 8.30.Bacon and eggs for breakfast.Tuned into the sched at nine.

Received an invitation to attend a roast dinner on Crispian in the evening at Clayton's.

Accepted such kind invitation,never expected what we got.

Saw that Nahani a companion vessel on my marina wing was close by on the AIS.Called up Peter and Helen to see if they would like some fish.Come over for morning coffee was the reply,we are in Moulters Inlet escaping from the fleet.

Went over at eleven and took them some fish.Had a pleasant couple of hours comparing notes about our trips.

Left and motored over to Parker Bay as Bruce and Ralph had never found Chritchley Parkers grave.

Showed them the mossy bank where you go ashore for the track.Difficult to find if you do not know where it is.Must be the most visited remote grave I know of ,the track very well worn after this season.

View from our anchorage to Clayton's Jetty.
 

Returned to Clayton's for the dinner evening, the small event had snowballed,there were five boats at the jetty all with their ovens going as well as the wood oven in Win's house with the vegetables,not a mean feat as it must have been one of the hottest days in Port Davey for the year,it was 38 degrees on our boat without the stove going!

Went ashore to find all this going on,the tables and chairs in the house all out side in the back yard with the circle of people getting ever larger.There were fairy lights with Molly's battery to drive them.

They did not know there was a 240 volt plug under the house for a generator.

Just at dusk we were summoned into the front room to a wonderful sight,there were two tables of roast meats and veggies with various sauces and gravies to match the various roasts.Fed at least 25 people,as usual met more of them,some with interesting stories of their lives to tell.

We even had desert.A stupendous effort by all concerned.Had another couple of hours chatting especially as my crew had played a leading role in the saving of the cottage,the mainlanders-wanted to know all we knew about Den,Win and Clyde.I was fortunate to have known them all.

The forecast pre frontal trough was hanging around by now,little squalls in the trees above us ,the stars appearing now and then discussions going on where South was deduced from the Southern Cross and the pointers.

I had intended to move over to Kings Point anchorage after dinner but seeing it was getting close to midnight and there was little wind I gave out some more chain and set the anchor alarm.I really should have moved as the bottom here is notoriously unreliable in a blow.

We were lucky this time,the wind came through about 4 am,the maximum gusts being 40 knots .There was a large sailing cat to windward of us which dragged three times before he pulled out and went well to leeward and anchored.We had an anchor watch for an hour or so and I moved my  bunk up to the pilot berth till dawn.The anchor held though.The saving grace was the moon was lighting the scene up quite well.

Had about an inch of rain with the trough..

Tuesday Fishing day

Up at 7 and had a cuppa on the way to Hannant Point a favorite spot of mine,owing to the flat sea we had set the pots in closer than ever before.First one a good haul the second one a blank but had an occy in it,they come out around the full moon.Perfect we needed some bait for the deep stripie hooks.

 

I had watched the weather for a week after we downloaded it at Strahan.There would never be a better day to go out on my fishing spot.

Drifted around and had a light breakfast,got underway soon after,the target area was about 10 miles from the East Pyramid.Heard a few of the early leavers on the radio,they were making good time in perfect conditions unless you wanted to sail.

Does not get any better than this,waiting for the light sea breeze.
 

About 40 minutes after leaving we arrived and decided to put the pots in,a different ball game in 90 meters of water on the top of the rise.I had two 50 meter lines so that took care of one,for the other one we joined all our lines together even the mooring lines to reach the bottom.

Steamed around to find bottom,even put some baited hooks on for extra measure.

Had a few downers but no luck,got a few gurnards so we're close .

I consulted my fishing log and found the correct spot on the GPS.Stopped over it exactly and down went the sinkers,in two minutes Ron had a trophy fish on the deck,great excitement,we were in business.Fished for a couple of hours and all crew caught one some two.Total for the day six.

Ron's trophy fish 8.88 kg on the digital scales.
 

Drifted around and had a crayfish lunch with white wine.Total happiness all round.

Pulled the pots,thirteen in the first pot,the second one a blank.

After measuring we kept five.

Returned to Clayton's and gave a couple of crays away and a stripie to the Vic's tied up at the pier.

Motored over to Eds Cove for the night after another perfect day.

Monday Nye Bay to Bramble Cove

Woke up to thick sea fog.Had breakfast first before pulling the pots.No Point mucking about around reefs with no visibility.

The sun soon burnt it off so we got under way.One pot was a blank and one had four size in it.

Heard the fishermen complaining about the same thing,some blanks on good bottom,along with the low price they were not happy..We considered it a good result,I think they are spoilt around here.

Decided to go fishing for the day out wide.Morrie Wolf took the Gourmet Farmers out here somewhere when I did that trip,I did not know where but decided to have a go myself.We had a good day pottering around about six miles off but only landed a Perch and one Stripie.

Wound up the lines and headed for Brambles for the onshore BBQ.Stopped off at the Spain Bay Reef to set the pots.

Arrived at the event a little late for the cricket match as all my crew now too old to run.

Just as we arrived theTas Air twin engine aircraft was doing circuits over an incredible sight,over 40 boats anchored in Bramble Cove,surely a record.The plane did a couple of circuits flying  low as possible,going low through the gap in the hills ,itself an impressive sight.

40 boats in Brambles.Impressive drop back.

Some boats in Brambles,an impressive sight!
 
 

Anchored behind the fleet and got our things ready to go ashore,the tide being low there was plenty of beach for everyone.Had a pleasant evening catching up with news of other crews trip. .Half the fleet had been in Davey for a week so we're off in the morning.

Got back to the boat about dark.Turned in at 9.30.

Fog in Nye Bay.
 

Sunday Hibbs to Nye Bay

Up at seven the rain started at about four am.It was a grey morning with no wind,upanchored to pull the pots,crew keen to get their first crays,8 crays with three size,very happy.Not a bad result,back to the anchorage for breakfast.

The yachts getting underway,heard Bill got a couple of size fish and was suitably pleased!

Trolled around the Point to Nelson Cove,turned out to be a beautiful little anchorage ,flat calm sheltered by Bird Island.It is in the anchorage guide and was recommended also by Guy Grinning.

Had morning tea and cooked the crays.An advantage having a bit of speed as there is no hurry to get some miles early in the day,we intended to have another night on the coast.

Nelson Cove behind Bird Island.Conditions more like the Duck Pond.
 

Made our way across Spero Bay and had a look in Endeavour Bay and then to Christmas Cove for lunch.Still no wind to speak of.The day picking up with some blue now showing through the clouds.After lunch we went into Hartwell Cove for a look and then out round High Rocky Point and down to Accacia Rocks,gave the Mainwaring River a miss as we had a night in there on a previous trip.

 Christmas Cove,entrance to the Wanderer River.

Went in behind The Shank with the intention of having a night there,With very little swell it did not look too inviting to me and as we were not desperate decided to give it a miss.Cray boats lay there when there is a Westerly blow on I have heard.There are underwater reefs at both ends to offer shelter from the swell,the only problem is if it gets too bad you cannot get out as the seas break right across the bay and over the top of the rocks,covering the sheltering boats with spray.I have seen a photo of a boat in such conditions ,it sure must have been a nightmare situation!

The Shank,not very inviting,waves break right over it they say.
 

Went back out through the rocks and around Low Rocky Point to Nye Bay and set the net for bait and then the pots on the outlying Reef.

Anchored at the entrance of the Giblin River for the night,heard later in Port Davey from Bill the rest were going in there but got a shock when suddenly found the bottom came up quickly in the middle of the bay and decided to press on to Brambles.

Saturday Leaving Macquarie Harbour for Hibbs Bay.

Departed Double Cove after a quiet night for the new crew.Passed the Harbourmaster in the Kelly Channel,they had been out to Cape Sorell to give the tourists a run through Hells Gates and a look at the ocean.This morning almost flat calm.

Cruised down the coast past Sloop Rocks and Birthday Bay and had a look in Hibbs River,there was an abalone mothership anchored in a sheltered Cove we went in and around to see what was going on,a dive boat just coming alongside to unload their catch.

Motored down to the preferred anchorage behind the Pyramid just as

 

Maatsyker,Patternmaker,Crispian and Bunderberg were anchoring,waited a bit while they got settled as the sand does not go all the way in to the bay here.

We anchored and there was plenty of activity all the afternoon ,people fishing and setting what cray gear they had,some pots and rings.Bill went into action with his new small craypot.We had problems with little couta biting the hooks of the lines,unbelievable sharp teeth,got some fish in the net though.

My crew distributed the salmon fillets we had caught yesterday,very welcome by all accounts.

We up anchored late in the day and set our pots outside on some bottom I had used before.

Returned to the anchorage and had Vickes chicken dish for dinner.The ab boat came in and anchored pretty close to us,a bit inconsiderate as his pump engine went all night,not too bad though,they were gone when we rose in the morning.

Flat calm with no swell.

Saturday leaving Macquarie Harbour.

Off to sea.Will be off the air for a week.I hope you do not get withdrawal symptoms.

 

Crew changeover day at Strahan.

Everyone up early.Things to do,the crew packed and changed the sheets and pillow slips where necessary on the bunks.Out came the vacuum cleaner they did a good job for the new arrivals.

Had breakfast and washed up.I did my washing,was going to use the laundry but it takes a while for the drier to get somethings done.Decided to use one of the fish buckets .

Rigged a clothes line on the bridge as it was another perfect day on the west coast.Not a cloud in the sky

 

The Guy and Troy's tourist boat left for the river,160 on board said Guy when I spoke to him on the phone.

Went over to Banjos for a coffee ,quite pleasant sitting outside watching the world go by.Bruce  called at a bit after 11 ,we are at the servo filling up,be down in 10 minutes.They had made really good time.

We wandered over to the pier and made a line around the after cabin of the fishing boat to get their gear ashore.

Ron was the first to arrive with his gear.It did not take long with all hands loading and unloading,the last job was to empty the esky and put the B teams  fish in it for the journey home.

You always think you have too much stuff when setting out but if catered well there is usually not much left at the end of the trip.

.Good byes said and the old crew was on their way.

Bruce stowed much of the provisions and left some meat out for the BBQ at the sailing club,Ron went over and bought a loaf of bread ,only a simple one for us today.

Walked around the waterfront to the venue,only less than half the fleet as a lot had bolted for Port Davey taking advantage of the good weather.

Had a good few hours meeting old friends and making new ones,a fellow asked if Bruce Craw was with me ,I said yes that is him there,turned out he was billeted with Bruce for the Australian Rainbow Championships in Hobart in the sixties,Angus came first and he came last.He seemed to remember every detail,even driving around in Bruce's old Holden with long necks of beer in the back!

Then we got onto Diamond Yachts,he sailed with Harold Vaughan from Sydney to Melbourne and back for their Australian Champs.Small World!

He has had bad luck as be had trouble with his engine in Hobart so could not catch up,He and his wife decided to go the other way round and we will only see him the once,we gave him Angus Campbells number on Flinders so hopefully the will also catch up.

Off to set the net.

Skipper,Ron and Ralph with catch .

 Nice haul ready to freeze.
 
 

Returned to the boat at about three as the affair broke up early,most boats heading for sea or Pilot Bay for an early morning getaway.

We decided to go over to Double Cove for the night,I expected a smooth ,quiet night away from the fishing boats freezer pump.

Ralph and Ron put the net in,we intended to leave it all night but went over to check it before dinner to find two large and one smaller Atlantis Salmon in it.Decided too risky to leave it all night so came back on board.

Filleted the fish and put them into freezer bags,some more giveaways.Noy a bad effort,left the Strahan wharf at 3.30.fish in the freezer by six thirty!

Had a light dinner and desert and turned in early  ,it had been a long day for them.Flat calm.The only complaint,locals have plonked moorings in the middle of the swinging area of the bay,no idea if they would hold Masterpiece so anchored out a bit.

Pilot Bay to Strahan.

After anchoring outside most of the boats leaving for Port Davey in the morning we had a comfortable night until about three thirty in the morning when the land breeze came in lightly.

Just enough to put us side on to the small swell.The waves at time just matching the beam of the two hulls,that makes Masterpiece really roll.Quite a lot of things around the stove and the stuff in the cupboards make quite a racket.Only slept fitfully till dawn.

Did my blog and up anchored to go through Hells Gates to the Back Passage for breakfast.

Nearly found the bottom there,the sand bars seemed to have moved since I was here last.Anchored  a bit further out than usual in quiet water with a strong current running.

Saw Ibbott from Marine Solutions showed up in a small inflatable doing a bathymetric survey of the shoal area,he said they had moved a considerable amount recently,spent a fair amount of time dragging the dinghy around yesterday,got caught when the tide went out.

Looking back towards Hells Gates,not so hellish today.
 

Had breakfast and motored up to Strahan.Pulled in beside the fuel dock to fill up the tanks and get some water.The crew got busy and washed Masterpiece down from top to bottom.

Tied up beside a fishing boat as the wharf is being renewed for the charter boats and berths are in short supply.Only disadvantage is his freezer starts up every half hour or so,a bit noisy.

The boys walked around to the train,the boss there not happy with the driver not cleaning the engine to his standard,sounded a bit irate.

I went to the fisherman's wharf and saw Bill Newman and Julie from Geelong.The fishermen had looked after him and got him a small pot and some bait.He will have a lovely time at Port Davey trying to catch a cray,really looking forward to trying.Might even have a night on the coast,the forecast exceptional again for this leg.

Returned to the boat to find the crew getting read for an assault on the pub,you can usually find Guy and Troy Grinning there after work.And so it was,had a pleasant couple of hours there finding out the latest news and what they were up to.Troy has a Helecopter now and is having fun flitting about.

Offered me a ride but I will be busy in the morning.Got the same engine as Lesley's 172 evidently.

Would not take off today as one magneto was not working.Hmmmmm!

Guy has his new private cat here now and will keep busy fitting it out,happy with its performance,fuel consumption might go up a bit with more weight added.Got over their last monohull experiment by all accounts.

Guy more than happy,this is our best month,really suffered in January,all the tourists down south for the events and it rained almost all that month on the west coast.

No problems now,a perfect day here nearly too hot for a while.

Cheroz organized a couple of Pizzas for dinner,not being very hungry after the large hamburgers he knocked up for lunch.

Catering spot on by all accounts,nothing except fish and crays left in the freezer.

Turned in about ten.

 Got to use up the mince!

Sandy Cape to Conical Rocks.

Up before seven,need to pull the pots.Beautiful morning,the sea had gone down considerably during the night only a light wind.

Steamed around the Point ,found them easily as they were well off shore and the sun behind us.

Pulled the shallow one first,my hat was safe.Pulled the second one,some more.

Pulled up and drifted to sort them out and measure.

About a dozen , six size,smiles all round,put the small ones back and went back to the anchorage for breakfast.

Decided to get the boiler on to cook them as cray lunch was on the agenda.

 
 

We up anchored and as the sea was a lot calmer we cooked them as we trolled down the coast.

Some breakers but not as many as yesterday.Saw a fishing boat anchored in no doubt a favorite spot of his,seemed quite calm there but no idea how he got in there.

Arrived at the entrance of the Pieman River with the swells breaking at least a mile offshore.

Biggs Son Rod had sent us a map of how to get into Conical Rocks Harbour.I had seen boats there before but did not know the way in.

Not all that hard but not much room and a few just submerged rocks there,no reception so could not Google Earth it .His google shot ok though.

 

Got in but not much spare room,the sand patches not all being in the right places.Anchored of in flat water ,a pretty amazing place.There are a couple of shacks there and multiple dinghies.Some four wheel drives came past on their way home.

Had the long awaited cray lunch,worth waiting for.

The crew put the net in and went for a walk ashore to have a look around.Some of the assets in good order and some in disrepair.Took some nice photos.

 

We decided to stay the night so set the pots well out from any hazards.Just as well ,we anchored and had dinner,just as night fell and I was eating my icecream,we touched bottom,as I had minimum  chain out and the wind had changed we had swung over a bullie,We had been discussing where the fishing boats usually lay as they are quite a bit larger than us.We had decided they must lay further out so upanchored and went to see if we could find some sand to anchor in.After looking around for a while and only finding Rock we decided disgresion was the better part of valor.We found the pots and pulled them.Headed well off shore and set a course for Pilot Bay.

We knew there were about twelve boats waiting to leave for Port Davey in the morning.

Arrived about eleven thirty and anchored in Six meters of water,left an outside light on to supplement the anchor light for when the left early morning.

Quite a long day,good job I had a nana.

Had a nightcap and into the bunk,back into Strahan tomorrow.

Marrawah to Sandy Cape

Had breakfast and trolled around the Point as close as seemed safe,about a three to four meter SW swell running ,a light NE breeze behind us.Sun out.

Motored along at 8 knots enjoying the points of interest about three quarters of a mile offshore.The large ocean swells build up and eventually break well before the beach all the way down here.

Went in a little closer at Temma Harbour.

It would be a game skipper to go in there today ,the seas breaking right across the entrance.A large fishing boat moored in behind a natural breakwater.

Cruised the last half getting there at 2 for a late lunch.Quite flat anchored offshore in 4 to 5 meters of water.

Crew put the net in and pulled for a couple of kelpies ,baited the pots with some flathead frames and two small couta.

Went out at about five to set them well out there being extensive bottom here.Spent some time getting the best set as things getting desperate now.

Skipper made comment,I will eat my hat if we do not get any tonight.Found two spots,one deep and one shallow.Not much tide here,we're not shure about the sea lice though.

 

Returned to the anchorage,one of Hurseys red fishing boats had joined us.

A beautiful evening,watched the sun go down and had dinner.Turned in about ten.

Monday ,a quiet day at Marrawah

After consulting the weather charts we had decided we needed to kill a day to use it to our best advantage.We would like to have a couple more nights on the coast before our run into Macquarie Harbour.The crew have done the Gordon river quite a few times before and as the weather looks to be good we hope to stay out on the coast.

The only other boat in the bay is fishing,he came back in about lunch time after working his gear.

We could see the loom of two lights a long way off shore at night.

We had a lazy morning pottering about ,Mick and I had uncoupled the 24 to 12 volt converter from the HF radio and replaced it with my spare battery to see if it would improve reception.I have been plagued with poor reception ,some onboard interference which restricts my ability to hear other people's transmissions.My out going signal is always good.We tried it on a couple of scheds,the first  one we thought we had an improvement but later ones showed no difference.

 

The aim of the day was to get ashore for a walk.We all piled into the dinghy and motored to a very sheltered launching ramp to case it.The problem there was we had to walk about a mile through several electric fence protected cow paddocks to get to the lookout at the end of the beach.

We decided to motor along to he beach proper to see if we could land there.After watching the swells break on the beach for a while we decided the ramp was the better option.

Back along and got out with the dinghy still floating.

The next thing was to work out how to negotiate the shoreline and electric fences .Quite a task .Biggs nearly stepped on a large hare ,it bolted from only three feet away giving us a bit of a start.

 

After finally finding a track from a shoreside shack we arrived at the main road to the lookout.A very torturous route.Not so bad I suppose as we were after a bit of exercise.

There were a few motor homes and tents there sheltered by scrubby bushes and some end of the road tourists.

 

On the way back we took a more direct route through the cow paddock,I think they thought we had something for them as they all followed us to the far gate.

Back on the boat and put the net in for an hour and a half,got one nice salmon so not enough for the pots again.Biggs gearing up for an allout assault at Sandy Cape tomorrow.

Had a roast chicken and veggies for dinner and turned in about ten.

Sunday,Hunter to Green Point.

The morning dawned bright and calm,the wind having swung during the night ,very pleasant here.

Better go and see if we can get the pots before breakfast,had a cup of tea on the way.

Had no trouble finding them but the current was running quite hard .Formed a plan of attack,all four crew required to carry it out,I would need to back up and keep the engines in gear to execute it,the risk would be if I muffed it and got a line around the prop.All performed well and got the first one ok.

The second one was a bit more difficult as the line was across the stern a bit,we got it right though and retrieved no two .

The only problem was no crays,very disappointing.The old fisherman at Currie told us "the sea lice are bad,clean up the bait before dark" he said.

Our bait was no better,the bones were perfectly clean.

Back to the anchorage and finished the pie for breakfast.

Had a shower and decided we would leave and slowly work our way down to Ann Bay behind Green Point.

Went in behind all the rocks and islands towards Cape Grim and Woolworth.Behind Trefoil Island where the mutton birds are to be harvested soon I believe,did not see one though.

Went outside the Nuggets as not sure if you could go between them ,looked like it would be safe though,will have to ask some one.

 The Nuggets off Woolworth.

Once around them it got a bit rough for a while,the wind turbines had plenty today.About eleven miles to go so got up to 18 knots and put up with the rough ride.About six miles out the Point started to shelter us ,by the time we got to the anchorage off the little shed it was calm,a bit of offshore wind though.

Biggs put the net in for some bait,we spent the afternoon resting and catching up with the world with three or four bars of reception.

Pulled the net ,only a large shark and a bluenose resting against it,no bait so no pots tonight.

Spoke to my wife Lesley,great excitement,flew her Cessna today for the first time with Stan Tilley,an old flying friend and mentor.Went up over the city and down to Bruny and landed there for practice.

Landed at Leewave where she keeps it,thanks to Mac Forster for his hard work and foresight in making the strip.He would be pleased.Has only another Nav to get her private pilots license back.Look out!

Happy days.
 

We decided to cook our roast lamb in the BBQ tonight,the oven being a bit slow,I found a baking dish which fitted perfectly.Cheroz got things under way,it turned out a great success,done in under an hour.

Quiet night,no Ros Stewart ,no roll just a gentle breeze,a bit cold though.

Saturday at Curvier Bay

Had a bit of a dolly  night on a Lee shore with some sea finding its way around the Point.It eased considerably around dawn.

The first boat got away about 3.30,Mercury came by at seven and said good morning,they were going to spend another night on the coast before Strahan.

We had breakfast and towed some lures around the bay looking for a better day anchorage.No luck with the fish but managed to download some weather maps.Drifted for flathead but not even a bite.

Found a nice nook off a beach for the day,the wind to swing SE during the day.

Conditions now quite good.

Biggs put the net in about three and got quizzed by Bob Brown who had turned up on a nice cruising boat from Cygnet,They were doing a reverse circumnavigation.Suppose you got a pot as well,no said Biggs we have two.

Eat your heart out Bob.Responsible netting.

 On the job.
 

Pulled it at 4 ,had a  haul of silver trevally and a couple of nice trumpeter.

We cleaned them and baited the pots with the frames.

Went out round the Point to set them as there seems not much bottom in the bay,Found there was quite a current running and the bottom weed was only in small patches.Did the best we could setting them.

Interesting to note the difference in the two inflatable buoys I have for this situation.I noticed years ago the fishermen use teardrop inflatable buoys up here for the tide races they fish in.On old fellow we talked to on the jetty at Currie said we put rings of silicon around them to breath the suction when the flow gets strong.I bought a second one before we came away which on inspection had a pattern of rings on the outside,the difference between my smooth one and bumpy one was remarkable,the smooth one went down straight away but the bumpy one was managing quite well.

All we had to do was to work out when the tide was slack enough to get them in the morning.

Back to the anchorage and an entree of Sal's egg and bacon pie and trevally for dinner.Both received very well.The rest of the fish in the freezer.

Into the bunk at about ten.