Day 32 - Cygnet

We had a lazy 10 nm motor around the corner to Cygnet and anchored just near the Cygnet Sailing Club. We initially managed to anchor in a beautifully clear area with no other boats and then I saw the sign: "Race start line - please keep clear". Given that it's Saturday tomorrow we thought it was a good idea to move!

We went ashore and met Gillian and Lewis who are now onboard with us for a few days. This place is beautiful. I could live here. It has an estuary with over 70 species of birds, a yacht club with available moorings, beautiful views and houses that are about a third of the price of Sydney! It also has a wooden boat building industry. 

There is a folk festival on here this weekend but it has largely sold out and they were asking Sydney prices for the warm up evening tonight so we decided to retire to the boat for the evening. 

Cygnet Estuary

Cygnet

Day 31 - Randall's Beach

We went ashore this morning with a far drier dinghy ride than yesterday and picked up some more fuel for the outboard and refilled our gas bottle. We also took the opportunity to get breakfast ashore, though I am not sure that carrot cake constitutes breakfast (Debi?).

Then it was off on the journey north again to Randall's Bay. A nice picturesque anchorage at the mouth of the Huon River.  Went ashore for a walk on the beach and collected half a dozen oysters from the rocks for a pre-dinner snack. Fantastic!

Randall's Beach

At Anchor, Randall's Beach

Everyone enjoys gazing at the sea!

Day 30 - Dover but no White Cliffs

It's been a bit of a grey stormy day today. No rain but quite windy. We reluctantly said goodbye to Southport and headed north for the 10 nm trip to Dover. The wind was a cold south easterly so we had it behind us, but not too pleasant.

We safely anchored near to an old derelict jetty and took the dinghy ashore. There is a caravan park in the town so we managed to get some hot showers there which was nice. We then had a short walk around the town and stocked up on a few provisions. We then got very wet coming back on the dinghy as the wind and waves were blowing straight at us. Things are easing a bit now and we are settling down to steak for supper!

Our anchorage in Dover

Our anchorage in Dover

Day 29 - Southport

We left Tinpot Bay this morning and headed for the appropriately named Southport. This is probably going to be our most southerly point at 43 degrees 27 minutes south. We had a very casual motor sail here and it has to be said that this is probably our favourite anchorage so far. 

We anchored in an area called Deep Hole. We went ashore and had a trip on the Ida Bay Railway. If Postman Pat had had a train it would look like this! The line was constructed in 1922 to carry limestone from quarries south east of the Lune river. The engine was petrol driven and frankly I have had more comfortable rides on an underground rail system in a coal mine in west Wales but the view was better.

After appropriate refreshments at the Ida Bay Cafe we had a bit of a walk and then a shaky noisy ride back to our anchorage. It really is a stunning place here and after a nice walk long the beach we are now back on board X-Pat with a few glasses of wine and a stir fry!

Postman Pat's Train

Our Anchorage, Southport

Stunning views

X-Pat at anchor - Southport

Day 28- Chillin at Tinpot Bay

We were pestered by the dreaded mozzies last night so not much sleep. It was therefore a slow morning but we eventually got the dinghy inflated and went ashore to explore. 

It took us a while to find a path through the bush that actually went anywhere, but we eventually made it across the peninsular to a beautiful beach on the north side. I had a bit of a walk along the tideline surveying the debris whilst Debi sat on a rustic swing and listened to the sea.

We then headed back to the dinghy and rowed home. We collected a few mussels for bait on the way back and managed to catch the first edible fish (flathead) of the trip in the evening. Fish and chips for supper!

I also did further investigations on the wiring of our wind speed indicator which doesn't seem to be working.  Nothing obviously wrong and so we are resigned to having to guess the wind speed for the rest of the trip!

The contemplating swing

Plastic straws get everywhere. Please don't use them.

Tinpot beach

At anchor, Tinpot Bay, South Bruny Island

Day 27 - D'Entrecasteaux Channel

Today we have had a lovely sail down D'Entrecasteaux channel. We departed Sykes Cove relatively early and motored across to Kettering to refill with fuel. So far we have used 140 litres of fuel and travelled 855 nm. That's 1583km a much better fuel consumption than my car! 

We then set sail for Tinpot Bay. Our guide during our gastronomic tour of Bruny Island was from a sailing family and so she tipped us off that this was a beautiful bay. We had a lovely sail down the channel, though everywhere we go the wind seems to be on our nose. 

We saw lots of fish farms, farming atlantic salmon and a great view of a seal who was feasting on a large fish, possibly an escapee from the fish farm! 

We are now anchored in Tinpot Bay at the southern end of South Bruny Island. Our guide was certainly right about this being a nice bay, but a lot of other locals seem to know it as well so it has filled up a bit this evening. 

D'Entrecasteaux Channel

Arriving at Kettering

Debi enjoying the summer weather with a summer drink!

Days 20-26 : Mike and Shona and Mona and Clipper and Bruny and Happy New Year!

I've been a bit slack with the blog since we got into the Royal Yacht Club Tasmania (RYCT) so here's a potted summary.

Our first day in Hobart was spent cleaning up the boat and getting the main sail sent off for repair. We managed to visit some Tae Kwon Do friends as well and visited the Taste of Tasmania festival (basically lots of food and drink) and then finished it off by watching Comanche take Line Honours in the Rolex Sydney to Hobart. 

Mike and Shona arrived on the 29th and we have had a pleasant four days eating and drinking and eating some more. We visited to Mona art museum and watched the Clipper boats finish the Sydney to Hobart race.  

Our newly repaired main sail was delivered back to us just in time for us all to go for a sail down the D'Entrecasteaux Channel and then back to the RYCT to celebrate new years eve on the foredeck of X-Pat watching a very impressive fireworks display in Hobart. 

Yesterday we all went on a gastronomic tour of Bruny Island taking in an Oyster Farm, a cheese factory, a Berry Farm, a Winery,  a Chocolate Factory and a whisky centre. 

Mike and Shona have now left for adventures new in their camper van! So we are back to two persons onboard and have now departed the RYCT. We had a horrible windy and cold motor down the Derwent, following the Clipper boats. They have just left on their next race to Northern Queensland. We carried on down the D'Entrecasteaux Channel and are now anchored in Barnes Bay on the west side of North Bruny Island.

Reflections on Mona

Danang wins the Sydney to Hobart Clipper Class

Crew ashore on Bruny Island

Shona went for a paddle!

Rare Penguins eat Chocolate