Final Hurrah

It was with a tinge of sadness that we departed Barnes Bay on Tuesday for our final leg to Hobart. Another day with the wind on the nose but the channel was calm as we motored to RYCT. In sight of the Iron Pot, Mavis and Nick declared the victory and champagne and smoked salmon canapés were the order of the morning.

We have spent the past two days cleaning, washing and preparing the boat for its stay in Tasmania. Last night the fleet celebrated with dinner at RYCT, lots of memories and laughs from the past few weeks.

We are looking forward to seeing family and friends in Nelbourne.

Thanks to all our crew who made the journey possible, Bob, Mavis, Luke and Linda and Rosie and David!

Quarantine Bay

The calmest night of the trip on a private mooring that a can of beer strapped too when we left. We are having a leisurely 18 mile trip up to Hobart, the end of a wonderful journey. We will all fly home on Friday and leave Odysseus to have a well earned rest at Royal Hobart.

Ingenue is about to give us a tow.

Ingenue to the r

Sailing Club at Cygnet where we were once again shown wonderful hospitality.

Port Cygnet to Barnes Bay

After another great dinner with fleet members at the Port Cygnet Sailing Club, we walked into town for a leisurely breakfast at the Pub and a stroll around.The bookshop is always a favorite for this crew and an armful of literature was carried aboard. The boutique chocolate shop, art show and local giftwares were popular. We headed off to Barnes Bay on North Bruny Island, a lovely sail up the D'Entrecasteaux Channel. Another lovely anchorage where we picked up a mooring.

Port Cygnet Sailing Club

Lots of local oysters

Lots of boats in Cygnet

Odysseus moored alongside the public wharf at Cygnet.

sunrise at Barnes Bay

Barnes Bay

Our mooring for the night. Many thanks to the owner!

Bathurst Harbour Port Davey

Walking at Melaleuca Inlet in March. Can't imagine what it must be like in winter. This was an hours dingy ride along the lagoon from where the boat was anchored at Claytons Corner.

Sally and Mavis with Leanne from Ingénue.  Nick and Sally 

Dover to Port Cygnet

Left Dover this morning after a fantastic evening at the Port Esperance Sailing Club with100 members of the fleet! Headed  around the Channel and up the Huon River past the Huon Wharf and into the Kermandie Marina- a tussle with the low tide! The scenery along the way was very picturesque and lots of activity around the many fish farms. Enjoyed a delicious lunch at the Kermandie Pub with Tom and Leanne. Heading back to overnight at Cygnet

Departing Dover

Kermandie Marina

Public Jetty at Cygnet

Full house in Port Cygnet

Claytons Corner

We came across 9 of these Yurts which seem to be great places for hikers to stay in Port Davey. Spot Odysseus in the distance. 

South West Cape

About to leave the west coast and head east inside Maatsuyker Island.

Arrived in Dover

14 hour trip to Dover. Pleasant conditions, sun and wind!

Rafted up to a friendly cray boat.

Exploring Bathurst Harbour

After a night in Schooner Bay we headed off to Casilda Cove. A small but sheltered anchorage from the prevailing north westerlies. Nick and Sally walked up Mt Balmoral to enjoy the spectacular views of The Bathurst Harbour and Channel. A great night was had aboard The Secretary with Tom and Leanne- Beef Rogan Josh, Butter chicken, cauliflower and potato curry, pappadums and yes for dessert- ice cream and liqueur !

The next morning we departed for Claytons Corner. Lots to do and see and also a safe haven to ride out the forthcoming cold front. Not long after arriving we headed off to explore Melaleuca Inlet by dinghy. An hour journey upstream, navigated by a series of Melaleuca stakes to avoid the sandbars. We tied up at the jetty and took the Needwone Boardwalk, full of history of the local aboriginal tribe from times past. Beyond this is a track to the house built by the fabled King family. Further on is the airstrip, catering for around 5000 visitors per year- bush walkers and day tourists.

The next morning we headed to the jetty to explore the "Clayton's cottage and take the hike up Mt Beattie with fantastic views over Kings Inlet and Melaleuca Inlet, returning aboard to weather out the cold front- a busy afternoon with several boats dragging anchor and repositioning themselves.

Today we have made our way back down to Schooner Bay and plan to leave at first light for Dover with a favourable weather window.

Heading to Port Davey

Our planned overnight stay in Strahan after leaving the Gordon River was put on hold after some contact with the fleet as we made our way back down Macquarie Harbour. The weather pattern was moving faster than expected and an opportunity to leave on Saturday evening had opened. Our plans changed, we headed straight for the fuel dock at Strahan, arriving around 1630hrs. Nick and David refueled, filled the water tanks and the cellar whilst Mavis, Rosie and Sally headed to the supermarket to reprovision- something of a dash all around!

We departed around 1745 keen to make the most of daylight to exit Hells Gates. the visibility was poor, low cloud and rain. We were met with a souwesterly swell of 2 m and little wind, so motorsailed overnight in sloppy conditions and arrived at Port Davey,anchoring at Schooner Bay early afternoon.

The Secretary in Schooner Bay

Internet free zone!

For the past week we have had the freedom of no internet.

Our journey up the Gordon River was cold and wet,but what else does one expect in a cool climate rainforest! After entering the mouth of the river at the eastern end of Macquarie Harbour, we made our way up to Heritage Landing and had a brief stop to enjoy the short nature Boardwalk. Continuing on we navigated up to St John Falls and rafted up against Summer Wind and The Secretary with Ingenue joining us shortly afterwards. Wet weather gear was the dress of choice for cocktail hour. Great to catch up with Robyn, Julie and Shane from Da Sec.

Overnight the rain persisted and by morning someone had "turned the tap on" , the falls were thunderous and the river was flowing. We headed upstream against a 4 knot current and much large debris- significant tree trunks and branches- with the aim of seeing " Big Eddy", the first of the Rapids and perhaps even tie up to a tree and throw the anchor out for the night. However, we decided against staying upstream and made our way back to St John Falls. Most of the fleet were back in Strahan enjoying a beach BBQ, so we invited the Ingenues to join us for dinner. Delicious hamburgers cooked by Tom, steaks by Nick, mixed roast veggies ans green salad were enjoyed by all.

Pizza and champagne for lunch traveling up the Gordon

Heritage Landing

Rafted up at St Johns Falls

Off to the Gordon River

Spent last night in Mill Bay sheltered from the 40 knot winds recorded at Strahan. Yesterday Rosie, David and Mavis explored Strahan, weather is cool, wet and windy. Today we are off up the Gordon River. Currently making slow progress into heavy chop and winds of up to 25 knots in Macquarie Harbour. Looking forward to the river shelter!

Strahan

Waiting for day light to come through Hell's Gate and along Kelly Channel yesterday assured safe entry and enabled us to appreciate our surroundings in morning sunshine. We are all enjoying the scenery around this beautiful bay and viewing the old township as we swing at anchor. 

Strahan

Motorsailed most of our way to Macquarie Harbour- the vagaries of the southern ocean! Arrived too early to transit Hells Gates so spent a few hours in Pilot Bay catching some zzz's. Beautiful conditions through the entrance and up the Kelly Channel to Strahan. Lazy lunch, washing, refueling and provisioning was the call of the afternoon. Now planning our next few days in and around Macqarie Harbour and the Gordon River. 

En Route to Macquarie Harbour

After a few days in the Hunter group without internet coverage we are off to Strahan. Currently off Cape Grim with a favorable weather window to Macquarie Harbour. We had "beach drinks" with the VDLC fleet at Coulomb Bay, fresh calamari for dinner at Shepherds Bay,lots of beach walks, bread making, wining and dining.