Gippsland Lakes - Repairs and Departure

Our time at Metung (Merrrily Merrily) was not only a great time to get our land legs back, have a break from the boat, but also a good time to complete some much needed repairs, and work on the Sao Raffael mast re

varnish (normally once every ten years).

So thanks to all who helped with the work, see below:

• Dick Blake for his really helpful advice and sourcing the varnish for Sao's mast. We went for Allwood which was great to use. Although we were hampered by intermittent weather, Rowie and I managed to remove the mast and put 4 coats on (4 to go), Thanks  to Alan  Lancaster for his help removing the mast and removing some rot in it's base.
• Using the opportunity whilst varnishing the mast of Sao, I replaced the handrails with machined African teak (Iroko) timber sourced form Master Woodturners in NSW who provided great service with quick quotes and delivery, at a reasonable price.
• Whilst tied up at Chinamans Creek, I managed to reconnect the AIS (GME) after replacing the faulty unit.Also, after a great deal of research, I managed to make up an NMEA cable to input data into the chartplotter.  This has been really useful in getting the depth and wind  info oon the chart plotter display. For some reason, though, the NMEA data is converted into feet units rather than metres (still trying to figure this on out).
• Also thanks to Aaron at The Canvass Barn in Swan Reach who repaired our dodger, bimini and mainsail cover.
• Thanks also to Tom Beveridge and Brad Luxford (the best fitters in the Latrobe Valley). for their great work on replacing the 'dunny' valve on Sapphire, many 'stunned mullets' have now passed through the valve trouble free!
• Thanks to Rowie for his help removing and reinstalling the covers (always seem to be more difficult putting the covers back on!).
• Another thanks to Rowie, Jan and Pilar for ground support, food, transport and accommodation in Melbourne and Metung.

We had our 'last supper' at Mirium's at Lakes Entrance and even managed to get our photo's in the local paper. We set off on an overnight trip to Eden on Saturday 2nd May.

Sao with no Mast, Sapphire with no dodger (under repair).

Wollongong

We made it too Wollongong and we went to the science centre. After that we went to the botanic gardens  and then the pool to cool of Wollongong was really fun.

Gippsland Lakes - Easter

The week before Easter (29th March) we had a very enjoyable lunch with Brian and Eve on Zofia and Steve and Leanne from Easy Tiger (who we met at Robe), both yachts from WA. The weather was fantastic for most of the week.

Easter started with the traditional Fish Pie, and Isabel did a great job learning the secret family recipe from Jan and after many phone calls to clarify the process, the pie was a great success and was consumed on the spot.

Isabels Fish Pie

On the Sunday, we had the traditional Easter egg hunt at Noamunga.

Ready, Set, Go!

Time to Enjoy the loot.

Gippsland Lakes - Arrival

We had another overnight leg, arriving at Gippsland Lakes (approx 20 hr). We managed some sailing, however, were on the motor most of the time, The conditions were perfect for crossing the bar, and we found the Gippsland Ports webpage fantastic with the tide and currents updated and published every 10 mins, and also live webcam views of the entrance. On arrival we caught up with Brian and Eva on Zofia, who, I had met earlier at Wirrina Cove, SA and finally thanked them for their glass of wine and nibbles there. At that time our trip was really not certain, and probably unlikely. It was great to Arrive at the Lakes and only the second time I had been through the entrance.  The first, on a delivery many years earlier.We sailed through then due to engine failure. It was a relief to arrive at the Lakes and a great opportunity to catch up with family and friends for Easter, and get some much needed repairs done. We waited at Lakes for a few days for out pilot (Rowie) to get us up to the end of Chinamans Creek.

Beckies shot of Sunrise at Lakes Entrance

The crew with Pilot and Assistant Pilot onboard, arrival up Chnnamans Creek

Refuge Cove

Refuge Cove is a very picturesque cove surrounded by forest and rocky outcrops. We stayed overnight. Have you seen the Rastafarian beaver sitting in judgement of the yachts anchored in the cove. You need to pay your respects, or your anchor might drag!!!, see below.

The rocks overlooking Refuge Cove

The Rastafarian Beaver

We were anchored securely all night mostly drifting around in circles, however,  at about 0130 in the morning a blow came through from SW and there was a yacht or two that apparently did not appease the Beaver!

The next day the kids had to treck up the hill to enable them to get wireless access to log onto their school. As the weather was threatening to drop some rain on us, we took the tent to protect the IT gear. They set up their gear and only just received a wireless signal.

Trekking up the hill to get WiFi access

Logging on to Lesson

View from 'School' down to Sapphire in the Cove

Eden whale museum

Today we went to the Eden killer whale museum. The story about Tom and the other killer whales was very fascinating. The killer whales would round up whales and then alert the whalers that the whale was there. The whalers followed the killer whales to their target. The killer whales did it to earn the lips, mouth and tongue of the whale that no one needed. The whalers cut the blubber off the whales and boiled it to make whale oil. The museum was built in honour of 'Old Tom'. .

(Skeleton of old Tom)

We also went for a good walk around the rocks and the whale lookouts which was good fun.

(Me on the rocks)

We had a great day in Eden.

today we went to the Eden killer whale museum and we also visited the town of Eden.The killer whale museum was very interesting and awesome.   by Rebecca