Tassie!

We're Back!

After nearly a year living at home in Melbourne - work, school, boat repairs etc, etc, we finally made it out the heads and across Bass Strait to Tasmania! The last 12 months has been pretty difficult for some of us, integrating back into the 'real' world, while others have soaked it up - business as usual. You try and pick which ones...

We spent Christmas with family and moved on board Christmas night, ready for an early start the next day. Boxing Day had us heading South (a mini shakedown for us as the 'Cock of the Bay' fleet went screaming past) on our way to Portsea for the night.

Initial plans were to do a clockwise 'circumnavigation' of Bass Strait - heading for Wilsons Prom, Deal & Flinders Islands, across the top of Tasmania, then back up through the Hunter Group, King Island and home. However, the weather had different plans for us and after a day at Portsea waiting for a front to cross over the Strait, we headed South for Three Hummock Island (part of the Hunter Group of islands) first.

A passing squall as we dropped our mooring off Portsea beach had us on our toes as we headed for the Rip, fortunately which had passed by the time we got there. A calm transit at slack tide, sails up and off we went. The first 12 hours was beautiful sailing and everyone was stoked to finally be on passage again - though unfortunately a bit after sunset the wind dropped and on the motors came.

A peaceful night had us arrive at Three Hummock before sunrise and hunting for an anchorage out of the swell.

Three Hummock Island is uninhabited, with the exception of 2 caretakers who also run a fly-in homestead which you can rent on the West side of the island. It was fantastic to finally be out off the bay and at anchor again, with clear water and stunning views!

We planned to enjoy Three Hummock for a couple of days then head West, unfortunately when G was carrying out routine checks of the engines he found water in the Port sail drive : (

No more using that engine, we decided why not stay where we were and enjoy the local islands and serenity without rushing around anywhere. It turned out to be a great choice as we spent our days relaxing, playing on the beach, and doing not much of anything.

Too cold for P & G, kids loved it though!

Penguin spotting

Our fishing attempts snagged us a seagull and not much else..

Fortunately a passing fisherman shared his catch. Fish for dinner!

Around to the West side of the island and a visit to the homestead.

Pretty nice place to spend G's 50th birthday, family fun on a deserted beach, finished of with a beautiful home made birthday cake and a game of Monopoly (Scottish version, thanks Skylark!)