We're waiting for a "weather window" long enough to take on the leg to Deal Island which is smack in the middle of Bass Strait. The earliest opportunity currently appears to be early Thusday. So we're watching the clock. Not the clock pictured here, mind you, that's Te Moana's (one with a tide hand).
There were a number of reasons why I eagerly accepted an offer from Peter Style to join the cruise of Belage to Hobart. I have few opportunities to sail with experienced sailors, I enjoy long sea passages and it was time to get some sailing experience on a "monomaran".
And after the first three days, I haven't been disappointed. We've arrived in Eden after two interesting and satisfying legs (Pittwater-Jervis Bay, Jervis Bay-Eden). My sailing experience is a little lacking compared to the others, but I'm enjoying it and learning plenty. The heeling makes moving around the deck a lot more hazardous than on a "proper boat", but makes you feel closer to the sea. And with mainly following seas sofar, I'm getting a chance to acclimatise.
While there are some differences, many things about cruising on Belage are the same as on Te Moana. I love the sea, its moods and its rythm. And the companionship of friends and creatures of the sea. Dolphins are always welcome companions and this trip is no different. Between Jervis Bay and Eden, we enjoyed the company of a pod of at least 30 dolphins, including "mothers and indulgent dolphin kids". It so hard to get a photo which represents the thrill and enjoyment of dolphins playing around a boat at full speed. This picture at least show a hint of what it's like to be surrounded by dolphins playing with a 55 foot sailing boat.
All in all, a healing experience indeed.
Toch wel een hele mooie foto Marius, het geeft de snelheid van zowel de boot als de dolfijnen aan. Ik heb sinds zaterdag ook weer een camera en zondag heel koud in de diergaarde gaan uitproberen. Heb je interesse, je weet mijn blog, in ieder geval Willem erop gezet en van een paar van mijn favorieten. Voor de 1e keer met een nieuwe camera, niet zo slecht.
Amuseer je en oefen alvast voor het geval wij eens een keer langskomen. Maar dat heeft wel te maken met de oude beesten die we nog hebben. Wie weet.
Leaving on Belage for Hobart this morning, I couldn't help myself. I had to take a shot of Te Moana as we came past. I don't see her on the Marina from this side very often.
Anyway, as I write this, we're off the coast at Port Kembla. It's late afternoon and the North Easterly is finally getting up a bit. The current is helping us a lot and we've been making good progress, expecting to get to Jervis Bay around 2100 hrs.
En hoe ging het aan de touwen.
Ik heb ook nog een vraagje, hoe kom je aan de naam van je schip?
As part of another project, I've been doing a "mashup" of Google Maps to build an online log (as opposed to blog)for cruising boats. The idea being that someone on the boat posts regular position reports to a website, which plots the position of the boat using Google maps. That way, friend and family can follow progress by checking that web site. As I'm "crewing" on Belage, I thought that would be a good opportunity to trial the sytem. We're bound to have a glitch or two, and we'll find out whether it is practical to upload position every four hours or so. Follow along here and at the Skipr site.
Great site enjoyed the commentary. Say hello to Peter Styles for me. I have sailed with him on Belage and met you at Mooloolaba on one of those passages. Tim Armytage and I are departing RPAYC about the 18th Feb heading for Hobart on Cala Luna.
Ik denk dat het voor jou een makkie zal zijn. Een catamaran is volgens mij veel moeilijker om te zeilen. Veel plezier
In the past week we lost a Navigator, who occasionally joined us on Te Moana, bye Mum.
Hoi familie,
Als er iemand aan boord wegvalt en uit je leven, dan is dat verschrikkelijk. Een heel erg groot gemis, veel sterkte.
It was good fun to share our new year's celebration with a full crew
Mel and Craig on the trampoline
Troy was "hooking" some nice bream
Dawn joined us at Woolwich and came back to Pittwater with us
Careful observers will note that I missed out taking a shot of (at) Jason, but he was there! Joy and I really enjoyed have them all with us on the boat for New Year's eve.
Looks like an exciting sail across the Strait. You're wearing your life preserver I presume!
Glad to see you are under way again.
I'am sailing, I'am sailing. But the factor is that there must be some wind.
Marius, heb je mijn blog gelezen van de week over de engels. Ik bedoel er niets mee hoor, maar.........
Trouwens wel leuk dat je in het Nederlands heb gereageerd. Klasse van je.
Marius, fabulous photos, sorry I missed the dolphins. Hope you guys are all still speaking!!!! Carol.