Gippsland Lakes - Repairs and Departure

Our time at Metung (Merrrily Merrily) was not only a great time to get our land legs back, have a break from the boat, but also a good time to complete some much needed repairs, and work on the Sao Raffael mast re

varnish (normally once every ten years).

So thanks to all who helped with the work, see below:

• Dick Blake for his really helpful advice and sourcing the varnish for Sao's mast. We went for Allwood which was great to use. Although we were hampered by intermittent weather, Rowie and I managed to remove the mast and put 4 coats on (4 to go), Thanks  to Alan  Lancaster for his help removing the mast and removing some rot in it's base.
• Using the opportunity whilst varnishing the mast of Sao, I replaced the handrails with machined African teak (Iroko) timber sourced form Master Woodturners in NSW who provided great service with quick quotes and delivery, at a reasonable price.
• Whilst tied up at Chinamans Creek, I managed to reconnect the AIS (GME) after replacing the faulty unit.Also, after a great deal of research, I managed to make up an NMEA cable to input data into the chartplotter.  This has been really useful in getting the depth and wind  info oon the chart plotter display. For some reason, though, the NMEA data is converted into feet units rather than metres (still trying to figure this on out).
• Also thanks to Aaron at The Canvass Barn in Swan Reach who repaired our dodger, bimini and mainsail cover.
• Thanks also to Tom Beveridge and Brad Luxford (the best fitters in the Latrobe Valley). for their great work on replacing the 'dunny' valve on Sapphire, many 'stunned mullets' have now passed through the valve trouble free!
• Thanks to Rowie for his help removing and reinstalling the covers (always seem to be more difficult putting the covers back on!).
• Another thanks to Rowie, Jan and Pilar for ground support, food, transport and accommodation in Melbourne and Metung.

We had our 'last supper' at Mirium's at Lakes Entrance and even managed to get our photo's in the local paper. We set off on an overnight trip to Eden on Saturday 2nd May.

Sao with no Mast, Sapphire with no dodger (under repair).

Wollongong

We made it too Wollongong and we went to the science centre. After that we went to the botanic gardens  and then the pool to cool of Wollongong was really fun.

Gippsland Lakes - Easter

The week before Easter (29th March) we had a very enjoyable lunch with Brian and Eve on Zofia and Steve and Leanne from Easy Tiger (who we met at Robe), both yachts from WA. The weather was fantastic for most of the week.

Easter started with the traditional Fish Pie, and Isabel did a great job learning the secret family recipe from Jan and after many phone calls to clarify the process, the pie was a great success and was consumed on the spot.

Isabels Fish Pie

On the Sunday, we had the traditional Easter egg hunt at Noamunga.

Ready, Set, Go!

Time to Enjoy the loot.

Gippsland Lakes - Arrival

We had another overnight leg, arriving at Gippsland Lakes (approx 20 hr). We managed some sailing, however, were on the motor most of the time, The conditions were perfect for crossing the bar, and we found the Gippsland Ports webpage fantastic with the tide and currents updated and published every 10 mins, and also live webcam views of the entrance. On arrival we caught up with Brian and Eva on Zofia, who, I had met earlier at Wirrina Cove, SA and finally thanked them for their glass of wine and nibbles there. At that time our trip was really not certain, and probably unlikely. It was great to Arrive at the Lakes and only the second time I had been through the entrance.  The first, on a delivery many years earlier.We sailed through then due to engine failure. It was a relief to arrive at the Lakes and a great opportunity to catch up with family and friends for Easter, and get some much needed repairs done. We waited at Lakes for a few days for out pilot (Rowie) to get us up to the end of Chinamans Creek.

Beckies shot of Sunrise at Lakes Entrance

The crew with Pilot and Assistant Pilot onboard, arrival up Chnnamans Creek

Refuge Cove

Refuge Cove is a very picturesque cove surrounded by forest and rocky outcrops. We stayed overnight. Have you seen the Rastafarian beaver sitting in judgement of the yachts anchored in the cove. You need to pay your respects, or your anchor might drag!!!, see below.

The rocks overlooking Refuge Cove

The Rastafarian Beaver

We were anchored securely all night mostly drifting around in circles, however,  at about 0130 in the morning a blow came through from SW and there was a yacht or two that apparently did not appease the Beaver!

The next day the kids had to treck up the hill to enable them to get wireless access to log onto their school. As the weather was threatening to drop some rain on us, we took the tent to protect the IT gear. They set up their gear and only just received a wireless signal.

Trekking up the hill to get WiFi access

Logging on to Lesson

View from 'School' down to Sapphire in the Cove

Eden whale museum

Today we went to the Eden killer whale museum. The story about Tom and the other killer whales was very fascinating. The killer whales would round up whales and then alert the whalers that the whale was there. The whalers followed the killer whales to their target. The killer whales did it to earn the lips, mouth and tongue of the whale that no one needed. The whalers cut the blubber off the whales and boiled it to make whale oil. The museum was built in honour of 'Old Tom'. .

(Skeleton of old Tom)

We also went for a good walk around the rocks and the whale lookouts which was good fun.

(Me on the rocks)

We had a great day in Eden.

today we went to the Eden killer whale museum and we also visited the town of Eden.The killer whale museum was very interesting and awesome.   by Rebecca

Refuge Cove Wilsons Prom.

We had a difficult sail to to Refuge Cove with the wind approx 10 knots SE then turning North East. We sailed on the way out off Western Port, however, it was soon on the nose and we motored to make better headway. We were at the bottom of Wilsons Prom at dawn and had a warm north wind off the prom rocks,  Great looking coast line and lighthouse but the sea was confused at the south end of Wilsons Prom making it quite uncomfortable.

The sun is coming - South off Wilsons Prom

Wilsons Prom Lighthouse

Hastings Marina

Next morning (19th March) the north wind was building quite quickly and we had to get away from the lee shore and headed off to Hastings.  By the time we arrived at Hastings it was blowing 30 knots and tying up to the marina was difficult, especially considering there is  not one cleat on the floating berths! RJR

Great Catch Robbie

Seal Rocks Philip Island

Sunset near Philip Island

Cowes Philip Island and the penguins

We set off from Queensliffe at day break on 18th March and had a 6 hour motor/sail to Cowes and found a  public (Victoria Parks) mooring near the local yacht club. We caught a 'slimy mackerel' on  the way and Isabel made some yummy fish patties for lunch. IT was calm weather and we managed to sneek off to see the penguins, although it was difficult to get  there (and expensive). We had a great Pizza at the restaurant at the end off the esplanade. The penguins were a bit far and few between but managed to follow a few small groups as they waddled to their nests. We had to find our way back on the dinghy in the dark which was quite a challenge.

Dinner in Cowes

Anxiously waiting to see penguins

Beckies drawing of the penguins

Queenscliff & the Heads

We arrived at Queenscliff on Saturday 14 March at 2 p.m.  We crossed the famous 'Heads' to enter into Port Philip Bay.  It took us about 45 minutes to an hour to get across.  We were fighting against the RIP and only making 1.5 - 2 knots SOG as our timing was at low tide and NOT slack water (which is about 3 hrs before and after), although it was perfect conditions for the crossing, the wind picked up just as we were entering Queenscliff harbour making for quite a tricky landing. RJR

Queenscliff is a lovely and historic town. The new Marina was fabulous, with great facilities (great hot showers, laundry and they provide you with nice white towels to use during your stay).  On Sunday we were lucky to receive a visit from our Ground Crew: Jan & Rowey.  Rowey, our Specialist weather adviser shouted us lunch at the local "2012/2013 Awarded Pie Bakery"  and Jan our Technical support manager provided an amazing afternoon tea of 'mini pavs with whipped cream' (yum).

Due to the wind and not very good conditions we stayed on at Queenscliff which ended up being a good thing!  We took a tour of the Historic Queenscliff Fort (highly recommend).  It is worth taking the tour, we learnt so much about the importance of the Fort (which was the largest in Australia) not only as a defence of the land but as a deterrent in time of war.  We really enjoyed our stay in Queenscliff! The story of the 'cows on the beach' is fascinating....

Robs on the water.

A feast of Australia's gold medal pies

The Old fort and Queenscliff

Arrival at Apollo Bay

We arrived at Apollo Bay on Wednesday 11 March at 11 a.m.  We sailed about 6-7 hours and motored the remaining hours from Port Fairy for about 15 hours. Once we changed direction and sailed NE with the swell it was much more comfortable and less rolling .  The moon was shining on us the whole night which made our trip really enjoyable.  (IC)

We really did not sleep well  as the surge from the swell kept jerking the boat all night. As I was kept awake I timed the jerking/jolting motion every 10 to 13 seconds. The break water seemed to bend the waves around and into the marina rather than keeping them out. It is also quite tricky getting in and out of the marina with the sea running across the entrance. Apollo bay is a very busy town being on the Great Ocean Road tourist route. RJR

Sunset at Apollo Bay Marina

Apollo Bay Beach

Arrival at Port Fairy

We arrived at Port Fairy Saturday 7th of March after a short 6 hour sail from Portland. The Folk music festival was on for the long weekend. Robbie has done a bit of surfing and Beky has done alot of fishing. In the port we saw two huge stingrays and a big fat seal.

Departure from Robe

We left robe at 11:30 heading to Portland . After a 25 hour sail .We arrived at Portland at 12:30 on a Sunday 1st of March. The wind blew s to SW all night 15-20 knots.  We have to thank Leanne & Steve from Easy Tiger, they gave us the best dinner that night on our arrival to Portland.

Me with all the Gear

Robbie and Becky at Portland

Departure from Port Adelaide

Finally left Port Adelaide for Robe one mild evening, 20th Feb, 2015. Warm night and motored for 36 hours to Robe.

                                                      Sunset on the way to Robe