No more sailing news to report, other than the fact that I’m currently in the process of getting a marine survey and valuation completed for Australian Customs to ensure I DON’T have to pay duty on Chimere’s value.
You might be thinking … that’s strange … he sailed the boat to New Zealand last year and now he’s sailed the same boat back again this year … why would duty be payable?! After all, Australian Customs cleared him OUT and then cleared him IN, both times.
A fair and logical observation … but the fact is, because Chimere has been out of Australia for more than 12 months, her return is considered an “Importation” … for which duty is payable, unless I can prove that I …
1/. Left the country, and
2/. Have returned again; in the same boat, and can provide an official valuation
Now, I have all the correct bits of paper, and will soon have a current valuation from a qualified marine surveyor – despite the required 30-day time limit just happening to coincide with Melbourne’s latest lockdown – but in amongst it all, I’ve been compelled to employ a “Customs Agent” to collate and lodged it all – at a cost of several thousand dollars!
That’s the bit that really hurts, particularly since I’m the one chasing up all the requirements – most of which I already had stored on my laptop!! It feels a bit like a job creation scheme. Anyway … looking on the bright side … “it’s good to be home!!”
Speaking of Home and Lockdowns … I’ve been making good use of my time … locked down as I am, at home … and have just completed a video of the trans-Tasman voyage.
The link is HERE But you will also find it on the Home Page of this website.
I claim no special skills as a “film maker”, having cut and pasted this “production” on my laptop using the rather basic (at least if you are really into this sort of thing) … Windows Video Editor 2021 … but I got a chance to watch it on our big screen TV this morning and I can certainly recommend this if you know how.
The seascapes, the skies and the beauty of the ocean, really came to life on the big screen, so again, if you have the technology to play it through your TV, then it’s definitely worth it – even if I say so myself.
So, thank you again for your encouragement and support. If you haven’t caught up on the photos that have been uploaded to each of the trans-Tasman Posts then just click back through each of the days … or just have a look at the video … they are all in there… and more!
Smooth seas, fair breeze and trans-Tasman Voyage – The Movie
In some ways, tonight’s title is a bit misleading. I don’t have anymore reports of sailing adventures to post. And I don’t think anyone wants to hear about me nearly mowing the lawns, but deciding instead to sleep and stay in my pajamas all day …
… but I am keen to have a go at sorting through some of the video footage from the trans-Tasman voyage and putting a few clips together for general viewing.
I see Harm has already uploaded some video clips onto Facebook, which is great and I’m sure some people might already have seen them. But I’ll try and edit a few video snippets from each day, between 19/7 and 3/8, and upload it asap – it won’t be anything slick or fancy, but will build a bit on the photos already uploaded
With lockdown here in Melbourne I’m not able to travel down to the boat, which is a bit frustrating. At the moment I need to obtain a marine survey and valuation of Chimere – within a month of arriving back – so as to avoid paying customs duty, essentially on the importation of a boat!
I’ve got to prove that I first exported the boat, and am now returning the same boat. Once I’ve done this, I can then legally use Chimere again and avoid the duty. All because Chimere has been out of the country for more than 12 months. When I sailed away in January 2020 I never thought this would be something I’d have to do, but there you go – no concessions for delays due to COVID
And whilst Chimere is still technically on the market, I’ve decided to delete the current online adverts, in order to focus on doing a bit of a tidy-up and de-clutter onboard. I’ll then re-advertise her in a few months time. I’ll also need to do a new sale promo-video given so much has changed since I did the last one in January.
Thanks again for your interest and encouragement, sorry there’s nothing more to report
So, tonight I’ve uploaded the last of the photos for the trans-Tasman voyage for the second and third days out of Opua.
This was, mercifully, a quiet section where we were able to ease into the voyage, in preparation for what was to come.
At some stage I hope to put together some video, which I hope you enjoy. Thanks again for your interest and encouragement, it’s nearly a week since we arrived back and I must say, it’s nice to sleep in and just muck about in the garden … for a change … oh, and also share time with my ever-helpful, long-suffering wife Linda!
Just click on the links below to be taken to each page …
I’m close to uploading photos for the whole two-week voyage from Opua. And as we go back in time it’s nice to see the weather improving the closer we get to New Zealand.
Whilst we always expected there to be rough patches over the course of a 1,900 mile voyage, getting a few good days at the start, is always a good thing. It’s a chance to get familiar with the functioning of the ship, gain some sea legs and develop solid routines.
Hopefully you can see this in the current batch of photos – not just hanging on in wet, wet weather gear.
Here’s a shot out of the blue … I received a Facebook contact from someone who was diving down at the Westernport Marina this morning. No bad news … they just wanted to share this sea level view and let me know that Chimere’s bottom looks pretty clean – cool!
I hope you enjoy the photos from three more daily blogs – Saturday 24th, Friday 23rd and Thursday 22nd of July – just click on the links below to be taken to each page …
Again, I’ve included a few shots from each day to whet your appetite …
In uploading photos for the 27th , 26th and 25th of July I discovered just how difficult it was for Mike Clarke – my IT back-up-man in Melbourne – to actually post the blogs I was sending from the boat at this time.
Not only did Mike have to reconstruct my many SatPhone text messages, but as it turned out, NOT all of the text messages got through.
Good ol’ Hills Hoist … a wet weather gear’s friend …Quite a change of pace from trimming sails and keeping watch at sea
In some cases, words were missing, at other times whole sentences. I’ve hopefully been able to put the blogs straight, so if you read them when they were first posted, you might like to have a re-read now to get the full story.
With Melbourne having recently gone into their sixth lockdown, the states of NSW and Queensland suffering their own COVID outbreaks and the so-called, trans-Tasman bubble having pretty much burst, I reflect on just how fortunate we have been over the past few months … fortunate in so many ways.
First, there was the opportunity – when the trans-Tasman travel bubble opened up – for me to fly over to New Zealand, after a 13 month break, to be reunited with Chimere. That was in mid-May, and after preparing Chimere for sea again and recruiting a crew, we finally made it Opua in the Bay of Islands.
Then the “bubble” remained open just long enough for Linda, Matt, Cathy, James and Eva to join me onboard for a week or two and in the case of Matt and Cathy, flights from Victoria to New Zealand being suspended just hours after they arrived in Auckland
Likewise, Linda, Matt, Cathy, James and Eva were able to fly back to Australia at a time of their choosing – and in the case of James and Eva they also had to transit through Melbourne back to Canberra.
Next, there was the almost miraculous arrival of my three crew – Harm, Matt and Sam – coming just a few days after the lifting of the Victoria/NZ travel suspension, made even more complicated because Harm had been to Queensland in the 14 days prior to flying.
Then, there was the stressful realisation that the trans-Tasman bubble ONLY referred to travel by air, NOT by boat, which we finally managed to circumvent by securing a (rarely granted) hotel quarantine exemption from the Victorian Health Department.
Finally, we sailed into our home port of Westernport – near Melbourne – on Tuesday 3th August, after 15 days at sea, only to have lockdown number six introduced by the State Government two days later at 8:00pm on Thursday 5th August.
Now, I can’t even return to the boat to continue the clean-up onboard because it’s more than 5km from my home.
Like I say, we have been very fortunate!
I hope you enjoy the photos from three more daily blogs – Tuesday 27th, Monday 26th and Sunday 25th of July – just click on the links below to be taken to each page …
Here are a few shots from each day to whet your appetite …
It’s been fun sorting through the photos and videos of our trans-Tasman voyage of the past couple of weeks. A chance to re-live some of the moments – the highs and the lows – and to bring the NZ2020 blog – spanning more than 18 months and some 170 separate posts since January last year – to some form of completion.
The “After Shot” – Sam, Harm, Rob and Matt – happy to be home
With our clearance through Australian Customs and Quarantine on Tuesday morning (3 August) at Westernport, still fresh in my mind, it’s hard NOT to reflect again on the Government resources allocated to the occasion. In total … six armed Borderforce Officers, a helicopter, a sniffer dog and two bio security officers … all for one small yacht returning home from New Zealand
It got me thinking … did we really present such a “threat” to national security? … and after doing a quick Web-Search, it would seem that “innocent looking” yachts feature quite prominently as the modern-day drug smuggler’s vehicle of choice. Who would have thought??
The Australian Border Force public newsroom Australian Border Force – Newsroom is full of drug-bust related stories, including a video of their newly trained COVIF-19 detector dogs; including a black Labrador that looks just like the one that came aboard Chimere.
Here are a few more links to stories that feature boats in the importation of drugs …
… given what really goes on in the big wide world … our voyage from Opua, at the ‘wrong’ time of year, to an ‘unusual’ first point of entry, obviously rang a few bells in the law enforcement arena.
MORE PHOTOS UPLOADED
Three more daily blogs have now been updated with photos … just click on the links below to see all the photos for Friday 30th July, Thursday 29th July and Wednesday 28th July …
Here are a few shots from each day to whet your appetite …
After reporting out negative COVID test results (did anyone think they were going to be positive) early this morning we were all free to go – out into the big, wide, dangerous world. No strong winds and treacherous seas … just crazy drivers and all the other risks on the road and that you find on land.
I’ve been away from Victoria for a while … so this is how you do it now…??
I know it’s very late, but after seeing Sam off – picked up by his dad around mid-day, and then Harm and Matt, who drove off late afternoon – Linda (my ever-helpful ground crew and wife) and I got home around 8:00pm only for me to fall in front of the TV watching the Olympics … Oh yeh, the Olympics are on?!
I returned to a nice, easy berth here at Westernport MarinaFinally, after several loads to the car, it was time to say good bye to Chimere againLos of stuff to bring home
There is a strange, surreal quality about sleeping in a real bed. A bed that isn’t pitched this way or that. A bed that has more than a metre headroom and where you can’t bang your head, or other parts of your body, as you enter and exit.
It’s been a big day – the ground still has a sense of movement about it … or is it me, I had a hot shower that was a bit longer than the average, but for now I’ll have to let the photos do the talking. Sleep has a way of catching up, taking over and demanding its way.
It was 556 days ago that I set out on my NZ2020 Voyage to New Zealand. A voyage that WAS intended to take just 16 weeks, or 113 days.
Like everyone of course, COVID took its toll on my plans … but now I can safely say that the “mission has been accomplished”. It’s a great feeling of relief, now that we are tied safely to a marina wharf. No more important decisions to make. No responsibility for keeping the show on the road … or water, so to speak … everything from ensuring the batteries are always charged, there’s enough diesel in the header tank and selecting which sails to set, to that most complex and challenging of tasks … dealing with the “authorities”, in order to fully comply with all the regulations … Border Force, Quarantine, VicHealth, being the main ones.
Having rounded Wilson’s Promontory after lunch yesterday, it was a dream run all the way to the Westernport harbour entrance. Over to our starboard side, the loom of the coastal lighthouses came and went … in particular Cape Liptrap, then finally the Nobbies on Phillip Island, indicating it was nearly time to hang a hard right up the Westernport Channel.
Taking a sharp turn around the Nobbies and Seal Rocks The glow of Melbourne in the distance
Matt kept a precise watch on our course, and with the Seal Rocks given the respect they deserve, the sails were trimmed, as our course went from north-west to something closer to north-east – the red, green and white channel markers being ticked off one at a time as we drew ever closer to our final resting place.
Our arrival was timed to catch the incoming tide, which had us drifting up the bay at more than 8 knots for a time, the cold darkness illuminated here and there by developments on land, plus the glow of Melbourne and Dandenong in the distance.
By 5:00am, amid the darkness, we were entering the Hastings Channel – on final approach to the Westernport Marina. Sam and Harm endured the cold at the bow, searchlight in hand, calling instructions back to the helm about lights, beacons and obstacles, all the while ensuring that Matt’s “instrument guidance” from the cockpit didn’t miss anything.
It’s tricky in daylight, let alone at nightA few lights in Westernport BayMatt plotted the course with precision Just to prove I was thereHarm Social-Networking
In the end, after making a hard left turn around the final red beacon, we were able to line up our marina berth – conveniently positioned at the end of A Row and well lit by the lights within.
Final instructions were called back to me at the helm, as we came in close, a clear view of the wharf being obscured by the darkness and Chimere’s high sides – “more to starboard … back up … too fast … turn to port now, slooowww” And in the final analysis, our perfect “landing” in the dark, can largely be attributed to Harm’s athletic manoeuvre in “stepping” onto the wharf, in order to attach the vital spring-line. It was then a case of securing the bow and stern lines, before the immortal words … “Chimere has landed” … were uttered.
“Lines secured … well done guys … engine off … time to celebrate!” … pretty much summed my words in the end. We had finally crossed the finishing line, all in one piece, with a huge sense of satisfaction all round. It had been around 15 days since we’d stepped on land, and Sam was taking full advantage of the opportunity, walking up and down, jumping and generally soaking up the realisation of the moment.
Still dark at 6:00am … the Chimere has landedThe wharf was ideal, but you still can”t see the sides form the helm
The time was 6:00am, it was dark, and soon after the initial euphoria, we began the task of cleaning, sorting rubbish, tidying up and preparing for the arrival of Borderforce and “Biosecurity/Quarantine” in around 2-3 hour’s time.
For some reason, this is where a certain amount of anxiety began to creep in … much like before sitting an exam. At the very least I was extremely pleased that Quarantine agreed to do their inspection of us here at Westernport, in common with Borderforce. And whilst we felt we were squeaky clean and totally compliant … there’s always that element of doubt … that you’d overlooked something.
Our Quarantine “Q” flag, must be flown on arrival
Harm’s wife Lisa kindly dropped by around 8:00am, (having driven down from Melbourne) – with a few essential supplies – and along with Harm’s son Nathan, also dropped off a car for us to use. Soon after, Australian Borderforce turned up … we knew this because Lisa called Harm from the carpark, with Harm exclaiming to us … “Lisa called and said there are six Borderforce (ABF) officers in the carpark”
About half an hour later they still hadn’t come to the end of A Row, choosing to instead remain in the carpark. Finally, when they did make their acquaintance known, they were preceded by two “BioSecurity” Quarantine officers who apparently needed to do their bit, before the six ABF officers did theirs. Fully kitted up with gloves, mask, blue plastic gown, and in the case of one chap … full goggles like you’d see on the ski field. “Sorry, it’s just part of the protocol, that we wear this” said the lead guy, who then proceeded to take down all my details on a form attached to a clipboard. As he did this, the thought occurred to me … “I’m sure I’ve emailed this information to you already … several times” But some thoughts are best left as that.
still doing it …
Checking the boat’s wood trim, (for borers) food items for signs of deterioration and rounding up anything that was fresh, kept the two guys busy for an hour of so, with what seemed like a further hour devoted to working out how to invoice me the $360 fee.
The payment process could have been completed quicker, but I baulked at their paper form, which captured not only my credit card number by also its expiry date AND CVV number on the reverse side. “I thought I was supposed to keep that CVV number separate … and not to write it down … along with the card number??” I inquired.
The two guys … kind of … agreed and said they could bill me in a different way, but they’d need to get their laptop from the car. This dragged on, all the while the six ABF officers stood chatting with themselves, along with Matt and Sam …. till eventually I suggested … “can’t you just email me an invoice, then I can do a transfer?”
So that’s pretty much how it all ended up … But we can’t email you the invoice, it’ll have to be through the mail” explained the “boss” … “Ok, no problems” I replied. So much for modern, paperless systems and IT-led customer solutions…?
While all this was going on, Harm, Matt and Sam were completing “Arrival Cards” for the ABF guys … just like at the airport, declaring such things as whether they were carrying more than $10,000, or anything to declare.
“Anything to declare” … filling out arrival cards
About this time a police helicopter turned up, and as Matt said … “did 5 circuits of us”. At the time I thought nothing of it, after all, you can see the police chopper anywhere … but later in the day when I was clarifying details with the marina manager about the VicHealth imposed COVID testing and movement restrictions, he described the goings-on at the end of A Row as a “circus” … having observed it all through the closed-circuit TV which places Chimere front and centre. “You know they also had a helicopter?” declared the manager … “What! You mean the helicopter was connected with us turning up in a yacht?” … I inquired, with an element of disbelief.
“Yes, I was talking with a couple of the guys, and they said they get so few boats into Victoria, and rarely in winter. Most go to Queensland at this time and so they wanted to check it out. Also, it’s a bit of an exercise for training and the like”
In addition, ABF also had a sniffer dog, which did its thing in a very happy, tail wagging and efficient manner, moving from cabin to cabin, doing what it does, while one officer lifted floor panels for greater access.
For a while, it felt a bit like an episode of Get Smart, where Max is seized by a Kaos agent at the point of a gun and tries to stall for time by declaring …
“… would you believe, this entire precinct is currently surrounded, by six Border Force officers, one helicopter, two Border Security officers and a highly trained black Labrador”
… and the reply … “I find that very hard to believe Max”
On reflection, it still seems amazing that so many resources appear to have been directed our way. It was also interesting when I sat down with one of the ABF guys, who seemed to be in control, to answer some more questions … he pulled out a map.
Now, I wasn’t totally surprised by this, but the map showed our track across the Tasman – the clear zig zag line – I illustrating our disrupted course, as recorded on AIS (Automatics Identification System)
My guess was that the officer was more used to straight-line aeroplane or cruise ship travel itineraries, because he asked – pointing to the biggest zig zag line … what were you doing here …? I joking replied with something like … “we were going through hell”, only to then go n and explain the impact of the big seas on our progress on our chosen course, and that once we’d battled south fr half a day, we tacked and then went back the other way.
Our homeward track is a lot bumpier than the outward bound course
“And here?” he asked, pointing to a similar pattern closer to the Australian coast … “Same thing”, I said … “The wind was coming from the south west and all we could do was sail at right angles to it, choosing a course that minimised the uncomfortable roll.
In further explanation, I observed that our chart plotter showed exactly the same pattern as his printout, and seeing the very close encounter with the coast at Refuge Cove yesterday, I volunteered …. “and this is where we did a drive-by yesterday at Refuge Cove, Wilsons Prom … two of the guys had never been there and since we were passing I thought it’d be nice for them to see the place … “like, sightseeing?” he said … “yes, sightseeing” I replied
“Why did you come back to Melbourne, at this time of year? Don’t most yachts go to Brisbane, or Coffs Harbour?” the Officer enquired …
I then proceeded to explain some of my background and what had led to me essentially being here – which all seemed to stack up from their perspective – at least I assume it did.
At one point it got a bit crowded with all six officers on board, (then the dog) each seemingly keen to learn a bit more about how the boat performed out at sea and something of our daily routine enroute. Then after a couple of hours they all packed up their things and headed back to wherever they normally go … explaining that because the boat was now under “Customs Control”, we were not permitted to move it, without authority. We now have 30 days to satisfy them that it is simply a returning Australian vessel on which NO duty should be payable.
With all officialdom now out of the way, we headed to the Frankston hospital for a (drive-thru) OVID test – plus a much-craved (at least on the part of Sam) McDonald’s drive through meal.
Saying good bye to Border Force agents
At the testing station, the process seemed very well organised, with the good-natured staff curious as to what four blokes in a smallish car might be doing that would require a COVID test … “You guys off to the ski-fields?” the first young woman asked “Keep guessing” replied Harm with a smile in his voice, “… I think it’s going to take you a while to guess correctly…”
Harm was right, they were never going to succeed … “we’ve just sailed from New Zealand” he said. “When did you arrive, and how long did it take? She inquired.
Fully compliant One tired puyppy
Back at the marina, we climbed back onboard to start the process of awaiting the test results – which we guess will be with us tomorrow. Meanwhile we are taking the time to share photos and de-brief on the events of the past couple of weeks. We all agreed, it was a nice thing to be able to do … rather than all racing off in our respective directions, which often happens with an exercise like this.
It’s now late once more, I’m battling sleep – which I haven’t really done for 36 hours now. Outside there’s a cold windy-rain which I’ll soon be able to set aside, as I embrace my pillow for the last time.
Can’t resist a good rainbow
Again, thank you everyone for your interest, comments and concerns – I was hoping to get some photos up tonight, but I think it will have to wait
If the adventure and romance of sailing from one country to another draws you into the world of cruising … then navigating the maze of red tape, compliance and bureaucracy may well give you second thoughts – maybe to buy a campervan instead. Probably wise for me to say as little as possible at this stage – after all, I’m not yet cleared into the country.
But what I CAN say is that “Helpful Dave”, who answered my call of desperation on Saturday afternoon at Australian Quarantine, was a breath of fresh air – and I’ve come to know and understand fresh air a little more over these past 2 weeks.
Dave listened to my dilemma, told me what to do, immediately sent me the correct form to complete, and when I’d returned it to him, he then immediately sent it to the person – “Delegate” – in Canberra who could make a decision – quickly. (Would you believe the surname of the person who did finally sign off on the authority was someone by the name of “Seaman” … I kid you not)
Getting close now, off Wilsons Prom, knowing the worst is behind and taking time to pose for a selfie on the foredeck – note the sheets and bedding out to air In range of shore-based communications – Harm and Matt take advantage A magical sunny, calm day off Wilsons Promontory
And what WAS my dilemma … well, as some would know … Australian Borderforce list Westernport as a “First Port of Entry” and once you tell them you are coming, they arrange to meet you there. Australian Quarantine, (ie Department of Agriculture Water` and the Environment) on the other hand do not.
You instead have to arrive into the ports of Melbourne, Geelong, or Portland. Arriving anywhere else – such as Westernport – and you require special permission. Getting that “special permission” is not as straightforward as some might have you believe, particularly when you don’t have web-search capacity and those who are supposed to be helping you don’t seem to understand your position.
Just like the airport, I thought Borderforce and Quarantine – plus Immigration, as well – came as a “package”. You proceed from one to the next, checking passports, identity, eligibility to enter the country, plus whether you’re carrying undeclared salami, lizards, cheese, illicit drugs, or a food-hamper from grandma … I think we’ve all seen the TV show.
Rodondo Island, off Wilsons Prom, is always an impressive sight Passing the distinctive Wilsons Prom coastline
So, after considerable anxiety, plus more emails, to more people than I’d care to remember – AND less than a day to spare – I finally received confirmation late today of “Permission to arrive at a Non-First Point of Entry – Westernport”, effective between 2-4 August 2021.
To say there was a collective sigh of relief on board, (not to mention CHEER) when the news was received, would be an understatement. Having rounded Wilson’s Prom and already set our course for home, we were bracing for the possibility that if approval was not granted, then we’d be required to sail on to the Port of Melbourne – another day away.
Right now, we are closing on Westernport, whose entrance is guarded by Phillip Island’s “The Nobbies” (and Seal Rocks) on the eastern side and Flinders to the west. We plan to arrive at the harbour entrance at approximately 3:00am tomorrow morning (in just 2-3 hours’ time) , when the incoming tide (or “flood”) really gets running. It’s a well-marked shipping channel, and of course we have the chart plotter, but special care is needed – in fact all along this coast – because of boats and ships of all types. And whilst we are close to our finish line, we won’t cross it until we are safely tied up at the end of “A Row” at the Westernport Marina (I might have said D Row earlier, but I really meant “A”)
Tonight’s blog is later than I’d hoped. I started typing a few hours ago, got a couple of paragraphs in, then couldn’t fight back sleep any longer. I put my head down and stayed that way for over an hour.
Just prior to that, I received a phone call … “who could that be?” I thought?? “Linda Latimer” … oh, yes, my wife … Linda … “Hello darling” … I said … and so did she. That’s a good sign. Forty years of marriage has taught me that?! Anyway, we chatted away … organising and planning this and that … while in the background I was also confirming the occasional matter about the boat with Matt, by use of hand signals and a few spoken words.
Then, all of a sudden, the idling engine that was chugging away in the background, went very quiet. “Did someone turn off the engine?” I asked, holding my head away from the phone. “No”, I heard from inside.
It was at that point I felt it might be time to wind up the conversation … and NOT by saying, “… darling, the engine has just cut out, I don’t know why, we are just a few hours from docking, and I’ve got to race … seeya … darling”
The phone safely turned off, we all looked at each other, wondering the same thing … “why, all of a sudden, did the engine stop?” Knowing that, whilst we can sail the boat to the Westernport channel, even sail up the channel and most way to the marina … an operational engine will be really handy when we come to making our way the final part of the windy Hastings channel and then to actually dock.
Pretty soon we had the floor panels up to expose our beloved, blue Perkins … looking and poking this and that … all the while seeking inspiration. “It has to be the fuel” … “yep, has to be the fuel” … “air in the lines somehow” …
I’ve seen others bleed the fuel lines, even thinking each time, “this’d be a useful thing to remember if ever the engine stopped all of a sudden and I needed to bleed the lines…” Mmmmmm
Channelling my darling wife, I said … “I’ll dig out the manual” … and what would you know, there was a whole section devoted to … “To remove air from the fuel system” … meanwhile Harm was looking for a “hand priming lever”, his arm and torch reaching deep down into the bilge.
To cut a long story short … after releasing four separate nuts, turning the engine over a few times by means of the key and then closing up each nut – in the correct order – good ol Perky sprung back into life and hasn’t missed a beat since.
Earlier in the day … after making our way past the oil platforms south of Corner Inlet, and heading as far south as we dared, another tack had us aiming back to the coast and in time able to lay a course directly for Wilson’s Prom. This was about 2:00am this morning and from then on it was a solid, smooth ride, like we were stuck on rails. So much so that I even managed to get about 6 hours sleep in the end
With a small amount of time to kill, we made a slight diversion into and then out of the aptly named Refuge Cove – primarily to show Harm, who after years of sailing and hearing about Refuge, still hadn’t had the opportunity to visit the place all yachties rave about. And if anyone asks, no, Sam and Harm didn’t jump off the stern for a quick swim – and a drag behind Chimere on a long rope – as we did a circle in and out of the place. The main thing is that no one went ashore, or touched land … your Honour…
The weather was brilliantly sunny and as we glided along, I said out loud “where are all the dolphins?? We haven’t seen any dolphins”
A few minutes later, what should we see but three very large Bottlenose Dolphins, playing and darting at the bow. They didn’t stay long but soon after, another group turned up, which included a very cute little baby dolphin, moving faster than the rest to keep up.
Joined by some big bottlenose dolphins off Refuge Cove, Wilsons PromA family of dolphins including a babyEntering Refuge Cove for a quick drive-by It was a pipe-and-slippers kind of run down the Wilsons Prom coast Finally rounding South East Cape “the Prom lighthouse” and charting the final leg homeLeaving the Prom lighthouse in our wake … it was about here that we finally obtained confirmation from Australian Quarantine that we had been approved to land at WesternportLeaving Wilsons Prom behind in the evening glowLaying a course for Westernport up the Victorian coast, with our last sunset at sea
Lunch consisted of the remains of the enormous Shepherd’s Pie that Harm made last night. At the time, the boat was rocking about and Harm declared … “would anyone eat a Shepherd’s Pie if I made one?” Now, what sort of question is that?? Certainly, at the time, it seemed a courageous gesture, if not practical, given we were likely to lose all meat and other goods to Quarantine the next day – so we might as well cook it up. It was around that time I fell asleep last night, at least the first time, waking to Harm’s delicious creation – which definitely hit the spot.
As we get close to the finale of this wee adventure … a four-month trip that’s taken more than 18 month, it’s been great to experience everyone’s encouragement, prayers and interest. I’ll keep the blog going for the next few days as things come to a natural conclusion – after all, I’m also keen to see how things transpire with Borderforce and Quarantine tomorrow morning (actually, this morning around 8:00am as it turns out) – again, it’s not quite like arriving by plane from another country, if you can remember back to when that was a common day thing, but in many ways it’s the same.
I’m looking forward to uploading photos for each day of the voyage – and even developing my multi-media skills enough to compile a series of short videos covering each of the 10-or-more stages of this trip, dating back to January 2020
Again, thank you to friends and supporters – and most especially to my crew, Harm, Matt and Sam. In some ways we are the most unlikely of companions, but in other ways not. Our range of differing skills and experiences have contributed greatly to the success of the voyage – and who would have thought you could put 4 blokes in a space barely half the size of an average lounge room, for 15 days, and for them to still be talking to each other at the end. It would no doubt make for an interesting TV series?! Along the lines of Survivor or Big Brother …
Smooth seas, fair breeze and last piece of the puzzle falls into place
NZ2020 