January 2014

Although the forecast was for another fine day wind strengths were expected to increase during the day to about 20 knots from the north-east, so we decided to return early to our Marina berth at the Bellerive Yacht Club. With a head wind and an outgoing tide in the Derwent River the trip home took about three and a half hours instead of the usual 3 hours.

No photos today.

Another fine day in paradise so after breakfast we motored out to the Roberts Point Ferry Terminal to recharge the batteries and cool down the fridges. By the time we got to the Ferry Terminal the Mirambeena was just departing for Kettering with a full load of cars and trucks. This ferry is so popular in summer the Government have recently announced that a second ferry will operate in busy periods. We also noticed a large seal sunning itself near the fish farm - perhaps contemplating salmon for lunch.

Bruny Island ferry Mirambeena leaving Roberts Point for Kettering

Playful seal near the fish farm

As the forecast for that evening was for winds from the north-east we went back to North Simmonds Bay for the night. That evening a full moon came up just on dusk.

Full moon rising at sunset

Although a fine day was forecast we woke to fine misty rain that put a stop to our painting plans. We had intended to paint the deck in the morning and go across the Channel to Woodbridge for papers in the afternoon. We decided to reverse the order of things and see if the weather cleared up enough for painting in the afternoon. About mid morning we headed across the Channel to Woodbridge and tied up on one of the Peppermint Bay Pub's moorings in the Bay. They have about 6 moorings in the Bay available for visiting boaties free of charge. After going ashore and walking up to the shop for papers we had coffees and friands at the Peppermint Bay Pub before returning to the boat.

Who pulled the plug out?

Moorina moored at Peppermint Bay

On the way back across the Channel we passed a Tassal work boat towing a fish pen down the Channel to a new location.

Tassal work boat towing a fish pen down the Channel

Fish pen under tow

We returned to Sykes Cove and as the weather had improved - now fine and sunny, we spent another afternoon on hands and knees repainting the deck of the boat. Not sure that my knees will ever recover. We start at the wheelhouse door and paint our way around the boat then when get back to the starting point it is time to retreat inside the wheelhouse for a cold refresher or two, while the paint dries. The deck paint is quick drying and can be walked on in a couple of hours.

We woke to a beautiful morning, sunny and still without a breath of wind. After breakfast we pulled the anchor and went for a cruise around Barnes Bay to re-charge the batteries and cool down the fridges that run from an engine-driven compressor. In Alexanders Bay we noticed a very large cruiser (perhaps 100 feet long) at anchor. As we motored past the Tassal fish farm at Roberts Point we saw their ship Ebenezer unloading fish food at the fish farm.

Barnes Bay Jetty in the early morning light

Large cruiser anchored in Alexanders Bay

Ebenezer unloading fish meal at the Roberts Point Fish Farm

After a couple of hours we anchored in Sykes Cove and spent the rest of the day on hands and knees sanding the deck of the boat ready for repainting the next day.

Blue Heeler at rest

Mt Wellington from Sykes Cove

With a forecast for a week of warm weather with light winds we decided that it was time for a trip away on our boat Moorina. Moorina is a 40 foot Huon Pine cruising yacht built about 55 years ago. Since we bought a fifth wheel caravan about 5 years ago Moorina has been a bit neglected.

Moorina at anchor

We were all packed up by 10 am and on our way down the River Derwent for the 3 hour trip to Barnes Bay on the northern end of Bruny Island. Barnes Bay is a large bay on the northern end of Bruny Island about 20 nautical miles from Hobart, with a large number of anchorages sheltered from all winds. Moorina has a cruising speed of just over 6 knots at 2,100 rpm.

Barnes Bay on Bruny Island

On the way down the river we passed the luxury yacht Arctic P, owned by James Packer. The vessel was previously an ice-capable ocean going tug converted to a luxury cruiser by Kerry Packer.

James Packer's Cruiser - Artic P - originally an ice-classed ocean going tug

We also passed one of Rob Pennicott's cruise boats (really just large rubber ducks) on its way back to Hobart from the Iron Pot.

Pennicott's Iron Pot Cruise Boat returning to Hobart

Old Tinderbox Pilot Station

We anchored for the night in North Simmonds Bay near the small settlement of Barnes Bay.

Yacht moored in North Simmonds Bay

Nice looking vacant block on the waterfront at Barnes Bay

Nice looking ketch out for a sail

Sunset in North Simmonds Bay