The westerly winds in Bass Strait were due to go easterly on Monday. The Geelong and Port Phillip Bay yachts had decided that they would leave Strahan from Pilot Bay (just outside Hells Gate) at midnight on Monday. The yachts Scylla and Rifftide planned to leave Wednesday and head up the west coast to King Island whilst Tainui would head back south to Hobart.
We wanted to head east into Bass Strait (for Flinders Island) so with the easterly winds forecast to persist until the following Wednesday we decided to delay our departure for a few days otherwise we‘d be sitting at Three Hummock island for a few days waiting for the easterly to turn. Cruising is great, but it can be frustrating when you get stuck in a port or bay waiting for the wind or swell to improve. Being impatient and departing when the conditions are unfavourable is usually when things go pear shape. The weather is something that we cannot control so we wait until Friday to pass back out through Hells Gate into Pilot Bay ready for our departure north at first light.
Whilst waiting for our weather window we went to the play “The Ship that Never Was” (based on a true events) which has been running for over 10 years. It was hilarious and both Georgie and I were invited up on stage to play parts. We all had a great time!
In 1823 the convict island of Sarah Island was due to be closed with all convicts to be transported to Port Arthur. A new ship had been designed and built for the task. Before the ship left Sarah Island ten convicts took over the ship and sailed it to Chile. As they arrived in Chile there was a storm in which the ship was lost but all of those on board managed to make it to shore. The convicts lived in freedom for a number of years until they were taken to court for mutiny. Because the ship had not been registered and they took over the ship whilst it was still inside the harbour (not on the high seas) the convicts escaped being charged on a technicality.
On Thursday we caught up with Al and Leanne from Bairnsdale who were over in Tassie for 10 days. It was so good to see them and catch up on all the latest news. We were super impressed that they’d brought their mountain bikes over and that Leanne was setting the pace when going for a ride (Leanne having an e-bike is not relevant 😊) .
Writing your own blog means you can choose what you include or leave out especially when something embarrassing happens. Mark and I had been discussing the forecast which has been continually changing. We were discussing the different options and trying to work out the best solution. After this discussion, I took Lucy for a walk to the supermarket to get some final provisions. I completed the shopping all the time thinking if Mark and I had covered all our options concerning the next part of our voyage. On returning to the boat I realised I had left poor Lucy tied up at the supermarket! Needless to say I felt terrible and ran back to the supermarket to collect Lucy. Lucy was not fussed sitting patiently with her front paws crossed waiting for my return.
Al and Leanne dropped by again mid-morning for a coffee. It was nice to have friends from home waving us off as we departed the jetty, it helped settle our nerves as we were not looking forward to going around the north west corner of Tassie with the wind and sea forecast.
Internet coverage will be hit and miss as we travel up the coast tomorrow. We may be out of contact until mid-next week.
From all aboard Escapade, take care and stay safe.
Ahh, the ‘Ship that Never Was’, played by the ‘actor that never was’, so fitting. I really hope that hasn’t ended the play’s 10 year run. I see Simone didn’t make the directors cut. Do you think they found out she was from Buchan? My understanding is that Simone was the best speller at Buchan PS and was able to correctly spell her own name by the time she was ready for High School.
Hope all goes well in your journey back to the mainland coast. Incredible overnight easterlies here last night and now west nor/west gales for today. Keep safe.
All the best , Chris.
Good morning Christopher,
Ha ha, it is really good to hear from you, even if it is to give me a hard time 🙂
Do not you go nocking my Primery school, I haz bin very well educatid. My staring roll in “the ship that never was” proves it!