Friday Crays and beach party.

After a quiet night we motored out to the pots.The current was pulling the buoys under.We had a conflab as how we would get them back.

The first one was really difficult I think we were fairly close to the rock which seemed to make the current run harder,we had both engines astern just to hold position.Biggs is a good shot with the grapple then we had to get the line around the hauler,willing hands soon had it on.

Up she came,Biggs reached past me,one trying to get out !

We pulled the other one which was empty.

Four in our pot,measured and all size.About time,we had set them about six times all blanks.

Steamed back to the anchorage plenty to do now,Cheroz made some breakfast and then another bread mix.Biggs got the cray boiler on,salt water with sugar and a dash of vinegar,never heard of that before but thought it would not hurt the result.As usual every body had an opinion of how long to cook them.You are doing it Biggs your call.5 to 6 minutes was decided on.

A bit after 12 we got under way round to Coulomb Bay to the BBQ which was turned into a beach party because all the BBQ cookers had bolted for Strahan.

We motored slowly around the south of the island from Telegraph,as close to shore as was safe,Mick got a bit edgy when I failed to keep far away from a submerged rock for his liking.Quite a few inviting spots there but rarely visited we thought.

We arrived at the party site and anchored.The crew had cray and new bread for lunch,the skipper just bread as his big toe was on the mend but not willing to have a reversal of fortune,the pain still fresh in his memory.Beer will not hurt you they said laughing.

Waited for a while and an ultralight was buzzing the fleet of about ten boats,the rest bolted .

It turned out Nigel had gone up to the house to pay our respects when the pilot said anyone want to go for a fly.He took him up and went around the island .

The rest of the fleet looked leaderless as nothing was happening ,we called up Duncan on Lemaris and suggested a spot in from us sheltered by large rocks.Good idea ,so we went in and landed,plenty of beach as it was low tide coming in.Biggs went looking for Abs and came back with a couple which Eva from Lemaris conned off him.

We were amazed not even one March fly.

Had a quite enjoyable afternoon with some old friends and met the new circumnavigators.Many stories told and listened to,crew ran out of grog so a trip back to the boat was required .

Biggs delivered the Lemaris girls back to their boat as it was anchored well out in the bay.I forgot to tell him about pulling the wheels up,he took off with two rooster tails filling the dinghy up.He soon woke up to the problem and pulled them up.

Went back to the boat for dinner,Moved around to Spiers Nook for the night to get out of the roll and await the Northerly change.

Turned in after a busy day.

Nice haul.

Crew pulling the net.

Thursday,Up early.

Up at first light the promised light north wind arrived about 2 am.A quiet night , woken by a noise I thought on deck about four.Another mutton bird I assumed,went back to sleep.Found out in the morning Cheroz found it halfway down the stairs on his side.

Got underway to look for the pots,we had worked out high tide should be at seven am but wanted to be there an hour before if we were wrong.Arrived at the first one and pottered about the spot in poor light, no good. Went out about a mile away to look for the other one also not sighted.

Trolled back in to shore to the first one feeling a bit down.Still no sign.

Decided to try and find a spot to anchor and wait for low tide.

The sea had gone down considerably and the north wind had changed to a light west as forecast.

We went back to Rape Bay where we lay the other night but it was still a bit rolly so decided to have a look at Shark Bay. There seemed to be a small nook which would shut out the NE sea still going down.

And so there was,we crept in and anchored,only just big enough for one boat.

We had a ceremonial cutting of Cheroz's first loaf and breakfast of cereal ,toast with his homemade apricot jam.As with new bread cleaned up half the loaf.

Bigs was tidying up the cockpit and disconsolately threw some cleaned flathead remains overboard,won't need these he said.

We had spied a sea eagle about a quarter of a mile away up on the bank ,been there a couple of hours .He heard a squark and looked out over the stern,an albatross was getting a head down when the eagle showed up and took it off him.

Their eyes must be remarkable,he had been eyeing us off all the time and managed to swoop when we were not looking.Remarkable.

I seemed to remember there was a current flowing from the west in Bass Strait all the time,that is how Mathew Flinders found it .I had spoken to a fisherman at Flinders who said the flood is stronger than the ebb up there.Putting two and two together we worked out we had to be out there at about eleven thirty ,Biggs suggested we get there at eleven.We left the anchorage at a bit before and motored to the inshore one,the crew on the flybridge to get a better view .I heard a stomp on the roof,there it is they called,we went out and picked up the other one also,smiles all round but no crays.

Trolled up to Telegraph Bay and anchored in the south end.The crew put the net in .there were five or six boats in the top end .

Tried fishing off the boat with no luck.Pulled the net with a heap of Trevally in the last six feet.We cleaned them and up anchored to put the pots in near to where I have been successful before.Plenty of bait now.

Re anchored in the south end of the bay,Sancerre,Liberty and Pretty Woman now also there.After a while Huntress III showed up from Stanley.

Had fish for dinner,very acceptable but a different type trom the ones we are used to,very soft.Make good bait though.

Turned in after a rum .

The ceremonial cutting.

Masterpiece in Telegraph Bay ,a favourite spot.

Wednesday NW change

The change came through overnight.By daylight quite a few boats had left.Some to Strahan and some around to Chimney Pot bay.Only two cats left,we can suffer the roll better than monohulls .

We up anchored and moved down to the northern end of Coulomb Bay to see the condition there.It seemed good so we went out to pull the pots,I must have been dreaming when we put them in ,we had to punch into quite a large sea to get to them and when we finally arrived there was nothing to be seen.Maybe the current had dragged the buoys down and we did not have the state of the tide right.

Hung around for a while but the sea was getting up so we gave it away and went around to the anchorage.Trolled on the way in and caught another Albatross,bugger,got him up to the boat and on board,the crew still afraid of them.He had got the line around one wing so we untangled it and he flew away,hopefully wiser now.

Quite pleasant there,a bit of wind though.There was a yacht pulled into have a spell we thought,he left shortly after heading for the top end of Hunter Island and then Strahan.

The crew put the net in as Montagu arrived for the day.We had them over for a while and got a report of their adventures to date.

Pulled the net later with a trumpeter and some more Magpies.

The wind was not conducive to drift fishing so we had a bit of a go on the anchor with no luck.

Got my little modem going and downloaded the weather.Quite complicated so Mick wrote it down in columns so we could see each day.NE,W,SW ,then S all in one day.

Cheroz wanted to make his first loaf of sourdough bread so that took up a while,I think we got too much water in it too early,was really sticky.Worked out well though and rose up really well in the engine room.Degassed it and put it back for a while in its tin.

Baked it and he was happy,looks really good.Will refine the process next time.

Had a Greek Lamb roast for dinner,not impessed with Woolies carrots,turned to mush in their packet!

Watched The Two Men in a Punt video then turned in.

A  N change and then a west wind predicted in the morning then S later in the day worked out we should be out to the pots at about 6.30.

Who said Biggs could not cook ! Well he is good at stirring !

Lazy day on the north coast.

Some of the crew were up early.I wandered up about 7.30 to find Cheroz and Biggs locked in a fishing comp.Cheroz was smarting from a fish less day yesterday.

No problem today ,two nice big flats on the deck straight away.

They persevered a little longer but with no luck.

We had breakfast before pulling the pots,thought we would give the fisherman a bit of time to get his pot next to ours.It was a beautiful morning and we had picked a good spot to lay for the night.Nice and quiet,not always the case up here.

Steamed along and pulled the pots with no result.Had a troll around for an hour with no result also.

Boys moaning about a fish less zone.We also had a drift on the way in ..

Anchored in Mermaid Bay.It is a very pleasant bay with three beaches divided by rounded rocks.

Biggs and Mike put the net in with the dinghy and returned for Cheroz to go and have a look for some Abs .They returned after a while empty handed.

We whiled the day away ,they pulled the net during the afternoon with three un identified fish caught.

They had large black stripes on their bodies.Out came all the fish books on the boat.We settled for Magpie  Perch.But still not really convinced.

We had an invitation for a BBQ ashore at  1pm in Coulomb Bay but as we had the net in and I felt we were in a better anchorage declined the offer.

We baited the pots and went looking for some bottom further out,we put one in off Shark Bay and the other well out where the phone works.We also were looking for some phone reception ,we had some but not enough for voice or internet connection.I have a little modem with an external aeriel which usually can work up here if you find the right spot.

We needed to get the weather.The forecast is very complicated wind and sea all over the place,Molly has a bee in his bonnet about there only being a window tomorrow for at least a week to get to Strahan.We really do not want to go yet as we only got here yesterday.

The fleet is strung out from Port Sorell to  Cuvier Bay on Hunter Island,they no doubt have the same opinion as Molly and want to get going tomorrow.

We have a big advantage in our speed and are more flexible.

We intend to get a long range forecast in the morning and make a rough plan.I think about six are joining the bike race.

We went round to Coulomb late afternoon as the wind was predicted to come NE overnight.

It nearly always a rolly place and so it was this time but not too bad .A heap of boats.

We had a nice lamb curry for tea brought by Mick.

Cheroz was keen for us to watch a video called The Castle which raised a few chuckles.

We turned in about 9.30 after another good day,not many fish but we will get some I am sure.

Doctor Cheroz administered some Gout pills to the skipper as his left big toe was giving him trouble and as usual had left his pills at home! Even got a prescription and bought some,paying now for forgetfulness.

Stanley to the Hunter Group.

The crew were up at 7.30 on the dot.We had worked out the SW change was forecast to come through during the morning and did not want to get caught if it came through really hard.The idea was to escape from Stanley before the mass invasion which usually happens two nights out of Beauty Point.

Nothing about not wanting to be there but you usually end up three deep and a few hassles getting away,good fun the first time but been there ,done that,we wanted a few fish.

Got a doing making some ground to windward to clear the Nut ,the left over sea was about 2 meters and short.Biggs got wounded when my new electric reel crashed down from the roof and landed on his hand which was on the back of the settee.

Nurse Cheroz put a few band aids on.He might have a bruise tomorrow but he is tough.

Cleared the Nut and tacked about to clear North Point,a couple of miles away and then an easy run to the islands .Saw a couple of boats working over to port ,one we talked to in Stanley only had a few kilos of crays to catch for his quota so had his gear down not six miles from the port.They have a different calendar up here.

We also saw a set of buoys down about a mile long ,probably a shark line.

Along with the cattle barge unloading from King Island the port was working well by the looks of it.

A little while later I could see heavy rain on the Radar over the Islands and as it was black over Smithton the change was on the way,a short while later the wind swung to the SE for a while and the SW.Visibility now only about a mile.We still had 22 to go so plenty of time for the front to go through.

Heard nattering on the radio from a few boats already over there,SW is not he best wind to be at the Hummocks especially with a left over North quadrant swell.

You can find a reasonably lay out of the waves but when the tide changes the whole scene often does too.A lot of rolling up here.

We heard Molly on Crispian was in Coulomb Bay and considered Spies Nook a bit rolly so we steamed past to find him and Bill on Maatsuyker rolling quite hard when anchored.

We elected to return to the Nook for breakfast,a little while later they left for Shepherds Bay where there was a mob already.Later on in the day we heard Bill comment on the radio it was a bit rolly there.

That is Three Hummock Island ! Lots of options but sometimes you just have to tough it out.

We had a fish while anchored and as it was not really successful decided to move on to the top of the Island ,it would be more sheltered but the swell unknown until you get there,Saw one boat coming back from there but thought he may have only been lonely after hearing a heap in Shepherds. 

Arrived and had a few drifts,the flathead few and far between,I put them on a bit of hard bottom and Biggs pulled up two parrot fish on one line straight away,Good we had enough bait for the pots now.

Decided to have a troll as not much happening on the drifting front.

Got the tuna gear out as it is not unheard of catching one up here,more likely to be Aus salmon though.And so it was a double strike as soon as we put the lines in ,two salmon,that's better,we trolled for an hour and no more.

We did catch a young Albatross ,not to happy about that,Got it up to the boat and through the gate onto the deck,I did not get much help as I think my brave crew  seemed frightened of it.Got a tarp over it which did no good as it's wings were half out, fortunately it only had the hook through its beak,came out easily and with little damage.

Held it around the neck for Cheroz to get a short video,obliged with a squark.I pushed him out the gate and he then flew away.

We baited the pots and joined a fishing boat which had been setting his for an hour or so.We tried to keep inshore of him ,out of the way.The current although here does not seem to pull the buoys down like Flinders but no doubt we will find out later.Not much use worrying about it ,got to get the timing right.

The fishing boat moved up to Three Gullies Bay and anchored with his flopper stoppers out.

We followed but was not really happy there Mick advised him we had put a pot nearly on top of one of his and apologized you can pull it if is in the way we said,don't worry she will be right he said.I was so engrossed looking for a bit of bottom I missed his buoy in the sun.Always a strong current also up here.have to keep a better look out.

We stayed there for Fish entree when I suggested we move before dark around to Rape Bay.We arrived just as the sun was setting for mains.

Then Biggs said look out there ,the fishing boat was coming round the point.First time we had seen a fishing boat following a scrubber into an anchorage.

Turned in a bit after 9.30 after a good day.

A photo of the colouring at Rape Bay.

Tamar to Stanley

A The new crew up early for a shower ashore,The TYC annex at Beauty Point fits the bill perfectly.The members built a beautiful club house here a few years ago now.

The toilets and showers are very welcome for the circum navigators.Clean ans spacious.

Cheroz got on the pots and pans for some very good mushrooms on toast.He and I helped Lester move his boat out of a difficult berth to an easier on on the end .Would make his departure easier in the afternoon.

Ron was updating his mooring plan as many boats had left.He was on the job at six thirty but one left at three he told me.A great number off today.I thanked him for  looking after us and gave him my key back.No doubt I will get my bill soon.

We departed at 9.30,fueled up and left the Tamar on an incoming tide.The reason a lot of boats left early as it was starting to run hard.Gave the PDYC a donation for their junior sailing .The Rear Commodore was down in a flash to thank me.You were here with the SBS show weren't you he said,that's right I said.I watched the first episode he countered.I told him Ron did also but was disappointed he was not in the back ground.Ron I said we are not up to the Tamar yet,just keep watching!

We motored along to Port Sorell for lunch.Negotiated the channel in without trouble.Would have been unlucky to have had a misshap as there were three navigators and I had a track on my little plotter from when I was here last year with Ben.

It is a beautiful area and with the exquisite Miss Eve from the wooden boat festival back home anchored  ahead of us with quite a few people swimming off her offered some entertainment.

We had alight lunch and as we left one of the sailing cats turned up ,can we anchor here he called,anywhere you like we advised him,I think Jerries notes talk about a power boat lane here but there were no skiers today.

We SE a course for Stanley the crew taking over the driving ,we arrived at about 5.30 I think passing a few boats on the way,some electing to go right through to the Hunter group as the weather changes tomorrow morning.

Stanley Harbour.

Tamar Yacht Club.New crew.

Ralph was up early probably happy to be pulling Masterpiece to bits.

Decided to have breakfast first,been caught before on days like this getting none once things get rolling.

Pulled his bunk apart as I thought the offending hydraulic valve was behind it.Replaced one valve and tried the flybridge steering,no good so replaced the diverting valve cartridge,still did not work.Found one solenoid was quite hot so replaced that.Still no good.Bugger,when all else fails get out the instructions.Well in this case the design drawings.

The valve is the anchor up and down they told me.I had a think about it and opened up the forward hatch where the switch which diverts the oil to the port or starboard anchor winch must have been bumped by the boat hook when we were in Port Davies.

This seldom used winch has a pawl to stop the anchor going down when travelling.

I returned to the main station and found I must have knocked the down switch with my binos during the trip across.

Problem solved ,nothing wrong with the system only operator error,ie ME.

Departed York Cove for the club,Ron's eagle eye saw us approaching,I saved you a berth he called,over there,thanks I said.Nothing seems to rattle him got it all worked out,we always seem to be on the same page.You are last in he said.

The old crew set about abandoning ship,Bruce had the boat squeaky clean and they were packed up so it did not take long .Ralph was driving my ute home so I got a lift up to the Laundry to wash the linen and do my clothes,put the water on before leaving.

Got a couple of machines going and went back to the boat just as the water tanks were full .

Gave the machines half an hour and walked up to put the driers on.Back to the pub for lunch.

Collected the washing and had just got on board when the new crew arrived,Biggsy,Mick Hocking and John Choroszy.

After a couple of loads out to the boat Bigs suggested we drop the dinghy down and get the rest by sea,turned out to be a lot easier,he even had his life jacket on!

We had a celebratory drink as it was really quite hot now with no wind.Wandered round the marina to see who else was about.There are some really nice boats on this trip,I counted ten larger than Masterpiece,maybe I won't get teased about how much fuel we use now.

Had a natter to the crew of Fargo about various things,they were quite interested in my involvement with the GFA trip.

Went up to the clubhouse as the dinner was about to start,met many old friends an some new who were first timers.Seemed a good mob raring to go.

The dinner was a good job as always.

Returned to the boat for a coffee with brown sugar,a yachtie tradition.

Called up Lesley to see how the BBQ she had today went,a beautiful day here,one person even had a swim in the river.

Turned in about 10.30.

The faceless men.Top crew though.