The Great WALK – South Cape Bay

Southern Wright Whale, Recherche Bay TAS
South Coast Track Sign, Recherche Bay TAS
Brush Track, South Coast Track TAS

Broad Walk, South Coast Track TAS

POS S -43 34.830’
E +146 53.612’

9th March 2009

Departed Deephole Bay, Southport @ 0640 very early start, Plan A Port Davey/Bathurst Harbour or Plan B Recherche Bay. Wind very light 5 kts - motor sailing with Main only, bugger Plan B. Arrived @ 0850 and anchored in Rocky Bay after covering 13.5 nm in 2 hrs 22 mins @ AVE 5.7 kts. Sat down to a hearty breakfast of bacon and eggs before heading ashore. Walked the South Cape Bay Track (part of the South West Track to Port Davey) out to the Coal Bluff a distance of 7.7 km’s taking 2 hours one way, walking thought the bush then out onto a board walk across the swamp lands into the coastal bush. A neat view at the Coal Bluff looking out to South East Cape and a great walk to the furthest south in Tasmania/Australia.

Oh NO another SW Beat

Deephole Bay - Southport

Hunting & Gathering

POS S -43 27.195’
E +146 58.333’

8th March 2009

Departed Quarries Bay @ 1230 heading further down the D’entrecasteaux Channel. Wind SSW 15 knots gusting to 20 knots, sailing with a Double Reefed Main and Staysail. Head winds again, so decided on an easy afternoon sail to Southport. Anchored briefly near the jetty to allow hunting and gathering party (Tom & Leanne) ashore to find water, hot pies and ice cream. Arrived @ 1535 and anchoured in Deephole Bay after covering 24.8 nm in 3 hrs.07 mins @ AVE 7.9 kts.

Still anchored in Quarries Bay.

Tom & Bruce

Quarry Face

Quarry Prop

7th March 2009

Went ashore in Taylors Bay (Bruny Island) and walked along the beach until we found the track that goes along above the quarry face to Ventenat Point. We climbed down a very steep track into the quarry and explored. The old sandstone quarry was opened up in the 1860 to supply sandstone for the Melbourne General Post Office and other public buildings and ceased operation in the depression of the 1890s.Of the old workings, some are now full of water and with old props still showing.

What a Difference a Day Makes

Tom & Leanne

Salmon Fish Farm - Bruny Island

Quarries Bay - Bruny Island

POS S -43 21.383’
E +147 11.420’

6th March 2009

Departed Barnes Bay @ 1130 heading further down the D’entrecasteaux Channel. Started out motoring with the generator running, not much wind. Ended up beating our way down to Quarries Bay in a SW wind with no more 15 knots. Nice afternoons sail with full main & jib. Arrived @ 1640 after covering 31.9 nm in 4 ¾ hrs @ AVE 6.6 kts.
A big difference from a gusting wet and cold 35 kts, with a treble reefed main then finally no jib!

BWR on the Road Again

POS S -43 08.538’
E +147 19.139’

5th March 2009

After a week of suffering the delights of Hobart waiting for a 974 low to pass, we departed with Cousin Leanne and friend Tom into a cold Antarctic 35 knot south westerly to bring us back to yachting reality! Anchored at Rosebanks Beach in Barnes Bay, Bruny Island tonight, and will continue heading south exploring D’Entrecasteax channel over next few days.

W/Ending 1st March 2009

The week started with the hugh task of taking the main off the boat to deliver to the sailmaker, and then we finished the week with the fun of putting the main back on the boat. It’s very heavy and hard to handle, the reef lines have to be disconnected, then reconnected and the battens have to be unbolted and then rebolted and also need to be tensioned. Bruce spent time repainting the boom of Steve’s and Paul’s Chamberlin 14 Storm Bay plus rolling primer and antifouling on the hulls. Spent a few more nights catching with old friends.

Boats Galore

Diamond Princess

Blizzard Expeditions
David Pryce & Hannah Mickeand
http://www.blizzardexpeditions.com/index.html


Vendee Globe Open 60 Monohull
Derek Hatfield - Algimouss Spirit of Canada
http://www.algimoussspiritofcanada.com