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