'Houses are but badly built boats so firmly aground that you cannot think of moving them. They are definitely inferior things, belonging to the vegetable not the animal world, rooted and stationary, incapable of gay transition. The desire to build a house is the tired wish of man content thenceforward with a single anchorage. The desire to build a boat is the desire of youth, unwilling yet to accept the idea of a final resting-place'. - Arthur Ransome





'For the truth is that I already know as much about my fate as I need to know. The day will come when I will die. So the only matter of consequence before me is what I will do with my allotted time. I can remain on shore, paralysed with fear, or I can raise my sails and dip and soar in the breeze.'
-Richard Bode



Saturday, April 3, 2010

Port Franklin to Sydney

We departed Port Franklin as planned on time, with the weather Gods on our side on Thursday 1st. April. This date was chosen many months ago and with the luck of Ian all was on our side except the tides, this meant a 0300 start. The moon was at its fullest so a great help although we know the area well. Taz had offered to join us and help push us to Brisbane where we will meet Sandy and Bill from” Foreign Affair” who are traveling up to the Kimberly’s also.
I am writing this as we round Barren Joey .What a great few days. Easter Saturday and we are in the wonderful Pittwater area where we spent time with our family in 1986. Kiella needs fuel as she seems to use a little more than we hoped.
Our first 18 hours saw us crossing Bass Strait and anchoring at Eden. Boy did we all sleep well then. The sea state at the start was SE swell with a ESE light wind. We passed oil rigs which happen not to be were our charts said they would be, interesting. The usual sea life, of dolphins, seal, penguins and sea birds kept our watches far from boring. We passed Gabo light house at 1800 then started to head north and did we surf some great waves. We hit 21 kts. And as dark fell some on board felt we couldn’t do this all night. Our friend the moon was a little late getting up so we all felt that Eden was a good call. A 0730 start and a great track to Jarvis Bay and a safe anchorage in good time. Today the alarm went off at 0600 and our passage with an average of excess of 13knts. Saw Sydney entrance with a blink and now in Pittwater safe on anchor with drinks and nibbles after refueling.
Tomorrow another day. Taz would like to go to Port Macquarie while Camden Haven most likely will be our destination.
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3 comments:

  1. KyraApril 7, 2010 at 3:05 PM

    Thanks for updating us on where you are at. It sounds like you have had a great start to your journey and we can only hope that the weather gods continue to smile upon you. We would love to see the pictures of the dolphins if you could post them.

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  2. UnknownApril 9, 2010 at 9:38 PM

    Yes, please post more pictures.

    The 18 hours motoring was the longest Kiella had done in one voyage, the previous longest journey was 4 hours!! Good to see that the oil level was ok.

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  3. Terry & LorisApril 22, 2010 at 1:57 PM

    Still finding my way around your blog but everything sounds like it is going well and it is very interesting and we are very envious of your adventure.Keep sending the reports and we will feel we are with you.All the best.
    Terry & Loris

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