As we prepared to leave Lakes Entrance on Boxing Day, we still cannot believe that our dream of 14 years has finally come true! It all seems a bit surreal…..
We departed Lakes Entrance for Deal Island at 13:30 on Boxing Day 2020. The forecast was for 10-15 knot easterly winds with wave heights of up to 1.5m. It was a lovely sunny day.
The tide was running out with a few pressure waves at the end of the rock walls as we crossed the bar at Lakes. Georgie had been given Travel Calm and was wearing Travel Calm bracelets in the hope that she would not get sea-sick on this voyage, but unfortunately after a late lunch of hot dogs and a couple of hours into the trip she was ill (maybe not the best choice for lunch).
This was Lucy’s first sea voyage and she was very nervous with the movement of the boat on the waves, after about 6 hours of shaking and reassurance from Mark, Georgie and I, she finally settled down in her bed which is situated in the pilot house.
We heard Music Maker from Paynesville call as it crossed the bar at Lakes approx. 6 hours behind us. Peter had been in the same situation as us with the closures of the borders due to COVID.
Mark put up the Main sail and the Genoa as we sailed across Bass Strait towards Deal Island. We all settled in for the 15-hour trip. (Thank you to Wes and Pam for the departure photos!)
WOW, no more words