Two XS Relaunched

After nearly seven months, Two XS is finally back in the water, with her gleaming refurbished mast bearing new rigging,new sheet ropes, radar dome, radio and tv. aerials -all we have to do is learn how to work all the new electronic equipment installed inside. At the end of March we will be taking her back up the Hastings to the jetty at Hibbard, and gradually moving back on board, preparing for our first shake-down cruise probably down the coast to Port Stephens.

And after that- well Darwin and the Kimberley maybe!

Bodi braving the floodwaters

Hi !

Well we're still in Port Macquarie, and it looks like for the duration. At least we are still on a very convenient private jetty river mooring and we're enjoying catching up with friends and family. We survived the Hastings River flood in June, having to be towed by Sea Rescue to the neighbouring pontoon jetty when our mooring was almost submerged.

Upriver sunset from Two XS

Bill has rebuilt the port motor and is in the process of reinstalling it, the watermaker is ready to go back in,and many other long-needed repairs achieved.

Yesterday a mighty bolt of lightning struck Two XS and from the top of the mast down everything electronic and electrical was zapped, so we're in the process of advising our insurers and then having it all replaced and repaired-could take months! Even the fridge and our brand-new tv. are useless.

We were not on the boat at the time, but poor Bodi was home alone, and fortunately no permanent damage to him,except the trauma of all the thunder,lightning and the explosion as the mast was struck.

So there won't be any further sailing adventures to report for quite a while.

We've made it ! Mon.28 March.2011

Hi to all!

We have sailed back into Port Macquarie-even caught a wave over the bar to complete our Oz circumnavigation -only took nearly three years ! Oh what a feeling !

We will be spending at least a couple of months here, catching up with friends and relatives,as well as some necessary repairs to one motor, freezer and watermaker.After that,a trip to Lord Howe Is. with friends, then head further north to paint our shabby Two XS,then who knows where? Our first grandchild will be arriving early September in N.T. so maybe back to Darwin

Thanks to you for your encouragement and interest, much appreciated support in attaining our goal, and hope you have enjoyed the trip with us.We have had a ball!

Trish, Bill and Bodi

Swanning around The Lakes

We're back in Victoria,and have been enjoying exploring the Gippsland lakes for about 2 weeks,easy sailing from one end to the other,with trips up rivers to Sale in the west and to Bairnsdale to the north-east.Well-maintained public jetties are everywhere .Friendly swan families are abundant much to Bodi's fascination,swimming right up to the boat and through underneath it.Mainly based at Paynesville,we've met more great people and been made very welcome by the locals.We were delighted that Marika and Khan were able to come down from Melbourne and cruise with us for a short time .And the weather is hot!
Sadly Bruny Is. is far behind us now,but we made sure we netted a good supply of oysters,as well as cheese from the local factory.Seals and dolphins farewelled us as we sailed briskly across the top of Bruny Is.into Storm Bay,then the short narrow Dennison Canal,where the highway bridge had to be opened,and finally out through a beach channel into the Tasman Sea.Wineglass Bay was revisited,then on to St. Helen's,where we waited several days for the right conditions to recross the bar and head north for Flinders Is.There was little wind at first,but as we approached Banks Strait,gusts of 30+ knots battered us-we had great sailing speed, but it was a very rough crossing,one front trampoline was ripped loose by waves,and we were relieved to reach Cape Barren Is. anchoring near Harley Point,virtually in the surf.Next morning it was calmer as we found our way through narrow,shallow channels via Vansittart Is. to Franklin Sound,and a peaceful mooring in the bay at Lady Barron on Flinders Is.
After an early start to catch the tidal current west through the tight rocky passage,we followed the reefy coastline as far as Port Davies,the former settlement of Wybalenna,site of the last vain attempt to save the Tasmanian aborigines.From here we sailed northwest to Deal Is. in the Kent group,an ideal sheltered anchorage approximately halfway across Bass Strait.A surprisingly beautiful bay amongst three rocky islands,we visited the historical museum and chatted to the volunteer caretakers and maintenance group working to eradicate harmful weeds.Leaving here,we could make out the mainland and with a good wind we speedily reached Refuge Cove,the only shelter on this part of Wilson's Promontory,a sandy beach,with huge rocks like gnomes lining the sides.We waited here for a couple of days for the wind to turn and the seas subside,then overnighted along Ninety Mile Beach,passing lit-up oil platforms,to reach Lakes Entrance at 8am and a flat calm bar to enter easily.
We are now waiting for a good weather window to launch out into Bass Strait again,as there are no safe anchorages between here and Eden.

Photos are at http://picasaweb.google.com.au/crewsers3

Will we ever get out of here?

Springtime in Tassie!We are moored in peaceful Surges Bay on the lower Huon.It's raining and when we ventured ashore an hour ago,sago snow was falling on us as we walked.There are gales all around the coast,and it's snowing on Mt.Wellington.
Since the last post we have been around in a circle; after leaving Franklin we sailed south to Dover on Esperance Bay,where we met former Port Macquarie boaties,Tom And Dawn Elford,who took us home for lunch to their beautiful new home,enhanced with Huon pine,set in wooded acres,high on slopes overlooking the bay.We found we had many aquaintances in common,and caught up on the gossip as well as swapping travel stories.From Dover we crossed to South Bruny Is.,Quarries Bay near Lunnawanna,former source of sandstone for many of Hobart's historic buildings,then north to Barnes Bay again,and huge Pacific oysters all around the bay at low tide.
As we had a few on board problems,we decided to return to Bellerive for a week,then reprovisioned and problems sorted it was down the Derwent to Bulls Bay,Nth.Bruny,an idyllic sandy beach cove,with a farm overlooking the anchorage,and even a border collie dog rounding up the sheep.
Sailing further south,we visited Cookville,Adventure Bay, site of the first Tasmanian apple tree planting,and known for its Bligh Museum of Pacific Exploration,containing fascinating material and artifacts associated with Tasman,Furneaux,Cook,Bligh,D'Entrecasteaux,Flinders,Baudin and others.The remains of the tree which Cook inscribed here-'Cook 26 Jan.1777'-is preserved amongst the collection.The museum caretaker, after closing up at 4pm,insisted on giving us a lift to the store and cafe,2 kms.further around the foreshore,where Bodi was treated to 'dog chocolate'by the owner ,while we enjoyed homemade cake and great coffee.
The scenery was spectacular all down the coast,around Tasman Head, then through the rocky passage past Cape Bruny Lighthouse with quite a lumpy,surging swell,then joined by dolphins,to Bodi's delight as we crossed the channel to Southport,on the mainland.There we were able to obtain top up fuel at the fishing jetty,then headed further south through the reefs to picturesque Cockle Creek (pop.3),the last habitation south in Tas., on Recherche Bay.A beautiful,historic bay to explore while we considered the possibility of venturing around South East Cape and on to the West Coast.After much deliberation,consulting local fishermen and weather patterns,we decided it was just the wrong time of the year to try it,with continual cold fronts and huge seas,so turned back north.
Just after we reached Dover,by chance we met our friend Matt from Esperance,on a holiday trip around Tassie in his van,and enjoyed a great catch-up over dinner on Two XS.He had helpful local knowledge as his father had grown up there and sailed the area.Of course we also caught up with Tom and Dawn,invited to lunch again,where we met other locals,Colin and Elizabeth,who also owned a cat,which we had noticed moored further up the channel.After a trip to Partridge Is.near Cape Bruny,Mickeys Bay,and again huge oysters galore,we called in to visit Colin and Elizabeth in their beautiful cove at Police Point,then to Randalls Bay near Garden Is.where the swell became too much,so back to tranquil Surges Bay.
We are now intending to sail north around the top of Bruny Is.then north east through the Dunally Canal to the east coast,then weather permitting head north towards the "Big Island" eventually.
Photos are at http://picasaweb.google.com.au/crewsers3

The Long Way Around

It's two months since the last blog post and we're only two-thirds of the way around Tasmania-we're at Franklin,a quaint historic village,moored next to The Wooden Boat Centre,on the Huon River.As usual,the weather has dictated our route-east across the north coast of Tasmania,then clockwise around.After a brisk sail,we landed at historic Stanley,where everything was closed for winter,then on to Wynyard,where we received a warm welcome first from local boaties showing us in and locating a spot on the town jetty,and then former Lighthouse Beach dwellers, Sue and Pete.We had a great time catching up,being treated to home-cooked meals,as well as being taken around all the best features of this region.
Our next port of call was Devonport,where we were made honoured guests at the Yacht Club,moored at the visitor pontoon, with a front row view of the 'Spirit of Tasmania'arriving and departing,making precision 360'turns in the narrow river.Further east,to reach Launceston required a 75km.trip up the Tamar River,with stopovers at George Town,then Rosevears, outside the historic pub,to Home Point Pontoon right in 'Lonnie'.It was an interesting old city,apart from the mandatory Boag Brewery,the walk up the scenic Cataract Gorge,then steeply down through the old part of town,amongst the elegant old houses.After several busy days it was back down the Tamar with the tide,in perfect weather,to Beauty Point,and a fascinating tour of Seahorse World.Back at George Town,Bill was given a lift in a ute to the distant local servo to top up our diesel-no on water fuel anywhere in the Tamar!
Continuing east,we stopped over outside Bridport,then with lively winds behind us averaged 9-13knots sailing through Banks Strait,Flinders Is. in the distance, but as we rounded the corner we had to speedily down sails with 'bullets'of strong winds 30+ hitting us.After passing miles of beautiful coastline,we spent a quiet night in the calm clear water of the bay north of Eddystone Lighthouse, then on past the Bay of Fires to Georges Bay,and the sheltered St.Helen's.This was to be entered via a bar,and a narrow,shallow channel,so we were grateful for the radio offer of the local Sea Rescue group to guide us in.While we waited in the bay we were treated to visit from a whale family,Mum,Dad and baby very close by for almost half an hour.
We spent a few days at friendly St.Helen's to avoid strong winds,enjoying fish&chips at the floating paddlewheeler cafe,and walks around the bay,then after a bumpy,wet bar crossing we were off again south,staying at Long Pt.,not going into Bicheno as seas were still not settled enough for comfort in Binalong Bay.The scenery was spectacular all down this east coast,but particularly on the Freycinet Peninsula,and our visit to Wineglass Bay was superb,including a great sunset glowing on the surrounding rocky peaks.From here we decided to sail through the Schouten Passage,across Great Oyster Bay,and up the narrow,shallow channel to Triabunna,an historic fishing village.Here we were directed to squeeze in at the jetty amongst the local trawlers,then we walked around the town with its old pub,churches,ex boarding house for staff of Maria Is.,historic houses,and Dead Isle-a cemetery which flooded at extra high tides.
Another perfect day as we set off to visit nearby Maria Is.in earlier days site of a convict settlement,whaling,flour and cement enterprises.We were alone except for the Cape Barren geese wandering everywhere,and the young ranger and family who drove by to say g'day,among the well preserved buildings of the former prison,a site of desolation and despair.That night we anchored further south on the island in tranquil Chinaman's Bay,near a convict-built stone jetty and roadway,and found ruins of former farmhouses.
The next section of the coast was even more spectacular,along the Forestier and Tasman Peninsulas,with huge rocky cliffs,amazing rock formations,like the Tasman Arch,the Blowhole and the Devil's Kitchen boiling and erupting as we sailed close by.To reach the calm anchorage at Fortescue Bay,we had to motor almost to the shore,past giant kelp beds,and in behind an old shipwreck,which prevented surge and swell entering.Leaving here we passed close to Cape Hauy and the rugged rock outcrops called The Lanterns.The passage between Tasman Is. and the mainland is said to be navigable only 40 days a year,saves a rough trip around,so we gave it a go-feeling the surge and the boiling effect as the waves rebounded off the sheer cliffs beside us-but it was actually more uncomfortable for the next hour after we emerged from the passage,as the winds had increased as predicted.
We were glad to reach the calm waters of Port Arthur,sailing right into the bay in front of the historic site,tying up at the public jetty.However we moved to a nearby vacant mooring next day because of the surge against the jetty as bad weather came up.We spent two days here,wandering around this eerie but beautiful site,mindful of how miserable it must have been for the earlier guests in the bad old days.
The weather turned for the better-we had a good sail around the peninsula into Storm Bay,past Wedge Is.and into peaceful White Beach,near Nubeena,then next day motorsailed on up the Derwent to Hobart-we sympathised with the Sydney-Hobart racers as lack of wind made this last section such a long haul.After a sail-by of Hobart docks we crossed to the east and tied up at the friendly Bellerive Yacht Club.This proved to be a very convenient location-within 500m we found cafes,bakery,newsagent,laundromat,fruitmarket,doctor,dentist,chiropractor and vet and the watertaxi picked us up at our boat to cross to the Salamanca Markets.Also nearby was Eastlands Shopping Centre,with Bunnings etc. close by.
We had a great two weeks in Hobart,caught up with Gill and Ken Procter,with whom we had lost contact when we all moved from Port Mac.about 40 years ago.Sadly they are no longer together,but we all got together to enjoy reminiscing.As well as taking us sightseeing to Richmond,Mt.Wellington and all over Hobart,Gill lent us a car for a week,so we were able to go to Opossum Bay,Dunally,and other areas we were unable to visit by boat,as well as provisioning easily.It snowed on Mt.Welli. several times during our stay-a great novelty to view from the front of Two XS!but it was only cold when windy.
After Hobart,we called at Margate,the only place in Tassie we could obtain a new prop for our dinghy motor,conveniently delivered to the jetty.Then to Kettering,and over to Barnes Bay on Nth.Bruny Is.where Bill gathered a yummy feed of huge oysters-nearly as good as Kimberley memories.As strong winds were predicted we headed back to the mainland and up the Huon River,dodging fish farms,admiring the forests of huge golden wattle lining the hills,and the snow-topped Harzt Mts.behind.We stayed at Surges Bay-calm despite its name-then on to Port Huon,where we dinghied as far as the weir up the Kermandie River,then walked to Geeveston the timber town,with carvings of local identities and the Southern Design Centre.
Moving further up the Huon,we stayed at Franklin,then spent a few days up through the channels at Huonville,where a local friend of a friend lent us a car.We are now back in Franklin,having been able to go exploring by road up the mountains and down to Cygnet,across the hills east to Peppermint Bay,a very scenic drive with views across to Bruny Is. and beyond.
We're still keen to do the West Coast,but weather predictions are not promising,so we may have to return via the East Coast,maybe visiting different places along the way.

You'll love the photos at http://picasaweb.google.com.au/crewsers3

Southern Comfort

Sunday, June 27,2010.
It's been a while since last blog post,but we've been busy travelling or socialising with family and friends in Melbourne,so settle in for a long read.We're moored comfortably courtesy of local fishos on a giant chain buoy in Grassy Harbour,King Is.Tas.,waiting for a strong front or two to pass,as well as unwinding metres of crabpot line off our port prop.We've done the uphill walk to the ghost mining(tungsten) town of Grassy,about 6kms return.It was weird to see abandoned,delapidated houses with some of the best coastal views of Bass Strait.Unfortunately the KIng Is.dairy is situated about 40km north of here,and no samples in the local store.Bodi nearly exhausted himself chasing the numerous wallabies through the bush.It's very isolated as nobody lives near the harbour,only the fishos turning up at 5am every morning from somewhere else to head out for a few hours then return.The highlight of the week is the huge freighter ferry which turned up this morning on its weekly visit,bringing supplies from the mainland.
The giant pandas at Adelaide Zoo were a disappointment-one slept through our visit and the other wandered aimlessly around the outdoor yard,looking for its jungle.The hippos and meerkats were much more fun to watch.
Our stopover in Adelaide at an end, we were off again back south to Wirrina Marina where we stayed until 2am.,leaving at this time to catch the tidal flow around Cape Jervis and through the Backstairs Passage.Quite a fast smooth ride,favourable winds,then on to arrive at Victor Harbour early afternoon,where we anchored off Granite Is.near the causeway where the horse-drawn tram shuttles tourists back and forth.John,whom we had met in Albany,and his wife Paula took us for a great drive,showing us the spectacular coastal scenery as well as to historic Goolwa,for lunch at the Aquatic Club,watching the old wooden boats sailing by.While in Victor Harbour we stocked up on winter woollies as it was getting colder.
On our overnighter to Robe the wind was so good we had to slow down to wait for light till 7am,to avoid possible crabpots on our way into harbour.Strong winds set in for two days so we stayed in the nearly new marina,tourist-walking around Robe,checking out the many old buildings, the old gaol and the Governor's residence,reminders of when it was a major port and arrival point for the throngs of Chinese on their way to the goldfields.
S/SE winds delayed our arrival at Beachport ,also the increased the danger of crabpots,set just outside the harbour.aftera quick coffee break ashore next morning,we moved to the other more sheltered end of the bay to Southend(Greytown),a tiny community.Next day we headed for Port McDonnell,arriving after dark-such short days-but moonlit enough to find a convenient,suitable mooring buoy,just inside the harbour.We followed the fishing fleet out early next morning,just light enough to avoid lurking lines of crabpots,making good time to Portland,where it was cold,darkening and too wet to dinghy ashore.However a family of seals decided to use Two XS as their cubby-house,and to Bodi's delight spent most of the night doing tricks underneath and around us.Bodi cried as we left them behind leaving harbour next morning.
We entered the narrow channel at Port Fairy along with many small power boats returning from their tuna fishing competition,and were invited to tie up at the main wharf with the large pro-fishing boats,only metres from a fish and chippery.It's a friendly town,a popular pastime walking the wharf,so just about everyone passing by stopped to talk to us,and a group of tuna fishermen gave us a large fresh slab of bluefin.A lovely old town,sheltered from the next bout of strong winds,we had plenty of walking exercise.From here we set off for Warrnambool,gathering giant kelp around the props,surfing our way in through the reefy entrance channel to the calm harbour,which unfortunately is several miles from town.Dolphins escorted us out next morning,heading for Apollo Bay,on the way a close look at the Twelve? Apostles and London Bridge,but later we ran out of daylight,and anchored half a mile off the coast at Station Beach two miles west of Cape Otway(thanks to Kevin Lane's clear directions in his book). Parallelling the Great Ocean Road about two miles offshore we passed Apollo Bay,Bell's Beach where we could make out hardy surfers in the waves,all with a background of towering cliffs,Lorne and on to Anglesea,where we anchored inside the reef,but could not go ashore because of the swell and surf on the beach.
From here we set off to catch the tidal flow into Port Phillip Bay at the Rip,which was tame compared to some of the tidal whirlpools we encountered elsewhere.The wind dropped so we had to motor twenty miles up the bay to anchor off the jetty at Altona in cold fog and mist.It was an interesting trip up the Yarra next morning,yielding right of way to a huge freighter near the Westgate Bridge,then on to the almost new Waterfront City Marina at Docklands,which Marika had found for us months before.In The heart of Melbourne,Looking straight up Latrobe St.to the city,with Etihad Stadium in front,all for $30 a night!and the free city circle tram 200m. walk away,via the Docklands shopping complex of fashion outlet stores,restaurants and cafes and the studio where Huey could be seen at 4pm every day making his cooking show.
We stayed here for 10 days,with never a spare minute,catching up with so many people-Marika and Khan (until they took off on their trip to N.T.to visit Ben & Bianca),sister Jen and Barry,and friends from Melbourne we hadn't seen for so long,as well as fellow boaties in the marina.We were taken sightseeing,wining and dining,shopping,and even a bbq and sleepover at Barry's brother's home,Bodi included.What a great time we had,and so much help in getting necessary things done-our thanks to everyone who made it such a satisfying stopover.For our trip back down the Yarra,and on to Sandringham Yacht Club Marina we had extra crew on board and a perfect sunny! day with just enough wind to fill the sails.The best weather we'd had in all our time in Melbourne.A SYC member, Jeff, met at Docklands(now owner of Lionheart,Jesse Martin's round the world yacht)arranged a berth for us at the visitor jetty,where we stayed for a week, very convenient for our friends living nearby,Ken & Faye,Judy & David.
Next stop down the Bay was Mornington then Portsea,then back out into Bass Strait,where with good winds we decided to do an overnighter to King Is.,sailing most of the way in bright moonlight.Our destination was Currie on the west coast,but daylight showed it to be a no-go, waves breaking across the entrance and full of large fishing boats bouncing around in the swell.We kept going south around Stokes Point, in almost similar conditions to the Leeuwin experience,but with the added degree of difficulty provided by hundreds of nests of crabpots set across our route.Past the point we headed north for the shelter of Grassy Harbour-both props by this time obviously disabled by either giant kelp or crabpot line,but conditions too rough for Bill to try to clear them.However the wind turned to our advantage,so we were able to reach port safely and recover.
Since I began this post,we have moved on,fortunately there was no internal motor damage and Bill was able to remove the rope wound and knotted around the prop,after a couple of chilly,strenuous hours spent under the back of Two XS,in the dinghy armed with a fearsome -looking knife mounted on long boathook.Today presented a weather window for us to reach Hunter Is.at the extreme N.W tip of Tassie,where we will wait for a chance to sail down the West Coast,or across the top, if conditions are more suitable.

Photos are at http://picasaweb.google.com.au/crewsers3