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