Hells Gates and Strahan

Well, its well named...  Transit through Hells Gates at 1630, and understand that its well named.  I nearly missed it by having to go for a nervous pee.  What a hairy thing, all strong currents &tidal flows, cross winds, channels and shallow areas, none of which are visible due to the dark peat-stained waters (out of the Gordon River), even when only 6 inchs deep.
However, we are now tied up nicely in Strahan, a lovely place with lots of tourism and things to do.  Plan to investigate some over the next few days.  Stand by for more

Cape Grimm

on the way south... At 1600, passing Cape Grimm with all the wind turbines, and in good conditions, considerably better than last time I was here in 2009.  Good to be under way again, especially on a significant part of the journey.

The Hunter Group

What a great day.

Rolly again at this anchorage, but not as bad as before, and it was moderating all morning.  After organizing ourselves, we motored over to Nth end of Coulomb Bay, just as they were all leaving due to similar rolly conditions due to Bass St swell.  So turned and opened the headsail to sail back around the point, and into Spiers Nook but straight out again due to the obvious swell, and back into Chimney Corner and anchored there among a rapidly growing fleet of anchored boats of the rally.  The beach BBQ was planned for this area later, so stayed on here.  I went for a beach walk for 2 hrs during the afternoon, spoiled by March flies but it was still good and after some time back on board, we all went over to the beach BBQ and get together at the corner.  It was a good event in excellent conditions, and returned on board at dark, about 2100.  Hoisted the dinghy on deck to avoid the grind overnight, and it was all quiet; such a contrast to previous nights of howling wind, shrieking through the rigging etc. The anchorage is now a sea of lights in a remote island, normally deserted; quite a picture.

A front passes..

Wednesday overnight and Thursday early was remarkably rolly in the anchorage at Shepherds Bay – lots of things tipped over and rolled around.  The front passed through and left a belting 30-40 knt southerly, with wind making plenty of noise up in the rigging, and swell coming around the corner.  Hence we picked up and left immediately.
Heading out into Hope passage was ‘lively’ due to the strong wind against a southerly tidal flow, although the latter was just beginning.  We motored 4 miles downwind, around to the NW side of Threee Hummock Is, and into Coulomb Bay where we spent the day in warm sun, and mostly clear sky behind the front.  However the winds meant difficulty in using the dinghy and so stayed aboard, cooked and read.

Thursday night much quieter, winds abating and turning more easterly, but still a rolly swell coming in from Bass St.

Not much sailing action at the moment, just waiting on the right weather to head down the west coast

Chimney Corner

Crappy Wx today so having a lay day; we did actually motor 2.3 naut miles across the Hunter passage to Chimney corner on Three Hummock Island just a bit after lunch, but that was
1. to actually do something
2. escape a hoarde of biting March flies, and
3. To avoid the sloppy swell coming across the anchorage causing an uncomfortable roll
On this side it is good, calm, windless but cool, drizzly, cloudy, a bit of sea fog.  Otherwise a day of reading and not much else
I did bake a batch of White chcolate & swirled rasberry muffins for lunch, and later a gourmet Angus meat pie & mash dinner with veges and an onion/mushroom sauce, along with a couple of Gluhweins to feel rosier.
We're now surrounded  by several other boats on the rally, so not feeling so much like loners.

The Hunter Islands

After letting the poor weather wash over us in Stanley Harbour all day Sunday - rain, wind etc - we departed this morning in cool sunshine.  Sailed NW for 20 nautical miles around the northern tip of Three Hummmock Is, into the Hunter passage and past Coulomb Bay.  The wind, after being light all day and making progress poor, strengthened from the SW and was once again blowing from the direction we need to travel.  That made exhilarating sailing though and we lowered the anchor in Shepherds Bay, Hunter Island, at 1800.
A tiring day but all feeling good at arrival at this remote, wind-swept, beautiful place.  The wind is now hooting all around, but we all snugged up inside for the night.

Stanley

The wind has been fairly strong all day, so glad to be holed up here in a comfortable, safe and  lovely quaint location.  Walk through the village today, enjoyed coffee and scones, then a bigger walk this afternoon up the 'Nut' and around the top, followed by the museum

Tucked away in Stanley Harbour, but not nearly so busy as last visit so plenty of space;

Melbourne That Way.! looking out to sea the way we came form Yesterday, its now hitting 40 knts.

Stanley

0730 Departure from Mersey YC and a good following SE breeze of 20+ knts saw us making good speeds westwards.  Surging and surfing down the building swells - exhilarating times - saw us in Stanley Harbour in 9 hrs.  A good days progress, and a good spot to remain & explore while the strong winds of the next couple of days pass through.

Remained at Mersey YC

Remained here at Mersey YC all day and took the day out to explore the town.  Walked over the bridge and all the way to the Maritime Museum to find it closed for renovations for 12 months; typical.  However it was a good walk on a nice day, and returned via the passenger ferry, and then CO HMAS Sheehan came over for a beer & chat.  Steak BBQ and yet another crappy DVD 

Shabby Shop seen in town today - anyone know the owner..?

Mersey River

Departed Inspection Head at Beauty Point right after the radio scheds, adn sailed out with a strong Ebb tide, turning west & inside Hebe Reef.  The breeze, quite stiff initially soom moderated and we had a great sail along the coast in wonderful sunny conditions of 10 Knts and flat seas, making good times all the way.  Finally entered the Mersey River at 1430 and tied up at the Mersey YC shortly after.

Approaching the entrance to the Mersey River, and the Spirit berthed just inside.
At the direction of the No 2 heir, I went over to pay a courtesy call on HMAS Sheehan, which was present ona  liaison visit, then relaxed again in a nice afternoon.

Beauty Point

A lazy day in Georgetown, following the passage of a weak  cold front, with a touch of rain.  Attempted to walk to Low Head but too far.  Reading etc, all day, so a hard time.  Moved onto Beauty Point late afternoon in a rising stiff southerly, more than I would have liked, but the shelter at Georgetown is good and did not realise until committed.  However we managed to berth at Beauty Point and meet the Pipe Dremaers.  The wind is now howling through the rigging at 30+ with some boat movement, but after a nice bottle of rose, a chicken & Black Bean stirfry, and tomorrows fish cakes (more fresh fish today) all made and in the fridge, not feeling too bad.

And so, back to Georgetown

After the radio scheds, cast off and motored gently back to Georgetown at the coast.  An afternoon of our "own-thing" ocurred; I made two trips to the fuel station and re-filled th etank via can & trolley, Ian/Mark did the laundrette, and so on.  The planned walk to the Low Head pilot station museum did not happen as it was a little warm for such a long way.
Some pleasnt local fisher-men donated 3 of their big mackerel catch, which I  baked with veges for dinner.

Sunset tonight just in front of Georgetown