The purpose of this page is to give an account of the  Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania's 2010 cruise-in-company from Hobart to the Gippsland Lakes and return, more or less as it happened. With the arrival of the last boat on the cruise (Josida) at Bryans Corner in the Schouten Passage and the end-of-cruise dinner in Hobart on Friday 19th February 2010, the cruise has now over, as is this blog.

If you still want to see how the cruise evolved, the blog entries below are in reverse date order, with the latest first. If you wish to read the whole of the story, start at the bottom of the page and read the blog entries back to the top.

Saturday 20th February 2010

Last night a very successful end-of cruise dinner was held at the RYCT. Unfortunately your indefatigable blogger forgot to take his camera and so is relying on others for some pictures of the festivities. Selected photos will be posted here if and when they come to hand.

 At 1140 today, Yvonne Trevaskis on Josida reported that they arrived in Bryans Corner in the Schouten Passage at 2230 last night. This was rather earlier than they expected because, having left Clarke Island early that morning, they picked up a fresh northerly at Eddystone Point that they carried all the way south along the upper east coast. Now they are back in familiar waters, they have signed off the cruise and will set out for Kettering in the next couple of days

Thursday 18th February 2010

 At 1650 this afternoon, Yvonne Trevaskis on Josida reported on what she described as their "last day in paradise". Last night and tonight Josida is at Spike Cove on the western side of Clarke Island, the southernmost island of the Furneax Group. It was very uncomfortable when they arrived last night - westerly wind and huge tidal swells. By this morning things had calmed down to be "gorgeous" once again.

Yvonne describes this today's adventure as follows:

Went up the hill this afternoon. I was in front and came across this large tiger snake sunning himself. Nearly died of fright. David got me to go back and take a pic, but I wasn't hanging around for a prolonged photo shoot  - this one had the tiger stripes quite clearly.

Anyway, I was persuaded to continue - with David as snake-beater up front! Didn't see any more and the view at the top was worth it.

(I don't know how she knows it was male! Ed.)

Wednesday 17th February 2010

At 1620 this afternoon, Yvonne Trevaskis on Josida reported that they has spent the day exploring Preservation Islandon a "gorgeous day".

Preservation Island in the Furneaux Group with Clarke Island in the background. (photo: Yvonne Trevaskis)

Tuesday 16th February 2010

At 1735 today, Yvonne Trevaskis on board Josida reported they were just anchoring for the night at Thunder and Lightning Bay on Cape Barren Island.

Monday 15th February 2010

 The RYCT's 2010 Gippsland Lakes Cruise is just about over. There will probably be one more blog entry following the cruise dinner to be held at the RYCT next Friday evening.

The second last boat (Wizard of Oz) is due home today so the only remaining boat still out and about in cruising mode is Josida who appears to have fallen in love with Flinders Island. This is what cruising is all about. If you want to stick with the mob, being rounded up by cruise officials ... fine. But if you find somewhere you like, you can stop and explore.

Here is an email from Yvonne Trevaskis, first mate on Josida, plus some of her photographs - received at 1000 today describing her impressions of Flinders Island by land as well as by sea.

===================================
Hi Jeremy,

We are still at Killiecrankie! Probably going to head off South tomorrow. Killiecrankie almost seems like home now and bumping into people on our travels in the hire car, they seem to know that we are the people on that yacht and even that I was considering taking a shower in the local little cafe ($5)! How the word gets around in an island of 1,000 people.

We had a delightful 2 days doing the island in the car as per pics below.

On Saturday we drove to Trousers Point, Lady Barron,across to Patriach Inlet and then back to Emita, Lillies Bay, Port Davies area. Lady Barron was fairly grim, especially in the gloomy weather. The pic of the "Coffee Club" kinda sums it all up for me!

Yesterday we went to Palana, North East river  - where we came across an artist painting "en plein air" and I bought the finished watercolour from her on the spot!  We had our beach BBQ for two here in a sheltered spot behind the dunes.She landed up coming back to Killiecrankie and having dinner with us on Josida. (She is an interesting person - she was the chef on the island trader Lady Juliet for a few years  - the only other woman, after Patsy Adam Smith to work on one of these vessels. She also had to assist hauling the cattle on to the ship, washing down the decks, doing two 4-hr watches  - and all the cooking - at $4/hr!!!!!)  The watercolour will always remind me of the lovely time we have had here. Then it was across to Mt Tanner for some splendid views over Killiecrankie Bay, Roydon island etc.

Today David is going to fossick for a Killiecrankie diamond. We have been told where to try!  Good luck to him.

I will be quite sad to leave - we will probably stop off at Preservation Island, weather permitting before hopping off homewards later this week.

Hope the rest of the fleet are safe and sound back at work!

Cheers!
Josida
=============================

A tin shed Lady Barron at the southern end of Flinders Island.

David Pope (skipper of Josida) and Dawn, a local artist, at North East River near the northern tip of Flinders Island.

North East River - the painting. This is the watercolour bought from Dawn the artist more or less as the paint was drying.

North East River - the photograph. (I know which one I like best! - Ed)

Saturday night on the beach at Killecrankie Bay - the locals are celebrating somebody's 30th birthday.

Sunday 14 February

 At 2045 this evening, Cruise Commodore Damien Killalea, reported from his home in Hobart that all the GLC Fleet were now home safely except for Charm who was in Chinamans on Maria island and expecting to transit the Dunalley Canal tomorrow, and Josida who was still hanging off her hired mooring in Killecrankie Bay on the NW coast of Flinders Island.

 At 0930 today, Cruise Commodore Damien Killalea, reported that Close Encounters, Ill Eagle, JEM, Sea Esta, Shonandra, St Arnou, Westwind had safely negotiated the Marion Narrows and were in Blackman Bay approaching the Dunalley Canal on the last leg of the cruise

Gitana, Masterpiece and Miri are home. Charm had arrived in Wineglass Bay last night. The Wizard of Oz did not come up on last night's sched.

Saturday 13 February 2010

At 2100, Yvonne Trevaskis on Josida reported they were still in Killecrankie Bay. It's a wild old night and they are quite relieved to be hanging off a mooring. The weather has been overcast with drizzle but they are hoping it will improve tomorrow for their continuing land-based exploration of Flinders Is. Josida will remain there until at least Tuesday.

At 1440 today, Damien Killalea, the Cruise Commodore on Close Encounters, reported that last night most of the fleet had a barbecue on Crocketts Beach in the Schouten Passage. The exceptions were Gitana was at Chinanmans on Maria Island intending to transit the Dunalley Canal today, Charm has been fishing at Musselroe Bay and is heading for Wineglass Bay today, Josida has hired a car at Killecrankie for a few days for some land-based sightseeing on Flinders Island, and the Wizard of Oz is anchored behind St Helens Point (and is not intending to move until the southerly eases on the general grounds that gentlemen don't sail to windward!).

The rest of the fleet is making the passage to Chinamans today to transit the canal tomorrow morning, Sunday.

Last night's barbecue on Crocketts Beach. RYCT cruises-in-company carry several gas-fired barbecue grills distributed amongst the fleet to facilitate just such ad hoc events. (photo: Damien Killalea)

Friday 12 February 2010

 At 1200 today, Damien Killalea, the Cruise Commodore on Close Encounters, reported that most of the fleet had now reached Feycinet Peninsula and were in either Wineglass Bay or the Schouten Passage. In Wineglass was Close Encounters (about to leave for the Schouten Passage), JEM and St Arnou. Masterpiece was en route from Wineglass to the Schoutens. Gitana,Ill Eagle, Sea Esta, Shonandra, Westwind are already in the Passage. Charm was still at Musselroe Bay (just S of Swan Is.); last night, the Wizard of Oz was at Binalong Bay and was heading S today. Josida is taking her time exploring Flinders Island and yesterday was at Killiecrankie. Miri has finished her cruise and is on her mooring in the Tamar River.

The Crocketts Beach anchorage in the Schouten Passage, Freycinet Peninsula later in the afternoon. The view is looking NNW across the Passage toward Bryans Corner with Mt Freycinet in the background. The boats are (from the right) Westwind, Ill Eagle, Close Encounters, an indentified fishing boat, Masterpiece (front), what could be Shonandra (behind), Sea Esta and an unidentified dark-hulled yacht not a part of the GLC fleet. (photo: Damien Killalea)

For most of the trip from Lakes Entrance the weather has been damp, light easterly with extensive patches of sea fog.

A foggy day at East Cove, Deal Island (photo: Yvonne Trevaskis)

Here are some of the reasons why Josida is dallying at Killecrankie. The photos are by Yvonne Travaskis.

The plan is for most of the fleet to be at Maria Island by Saturday , then pass through the Dunalley Canal on Sunday morning.

Wednesday 10 February 2010

Yesterday at 1130, David Meldrum reported that, having solved her cooling problem, Miri got away from Lakes entrance on the Monday evening tide. She intended to catch up with the fleet on Tuesday morning at Deal Island This she duly did.

At 2000 this evening, Damien Killalea, the Cruise Commodore on Close Encounters, reported that all is well with the fleet. With the exception of Westwind that was in KilleKrankie on Flinders Is., the whole fleet had arrived at Deal Is. by Monday night, and had pushed on S by midday yesterday, except for Charm, Josida, Miri and the Wizard of Oz.

Dinghies at the jetty in East Cove, Deal Is. In the background is some of the fleet. The boats are (from the left): Ill Eagle, Jem, Sea Esta (behind), Close Encounters, St Arnou (the catamaran), Charm (front), Josida (behind) and Shonandra. It is the 20th wedding anniversary of the crew of Miri, which is as good an excuse as any for a barbecue. (photo: Damien Killalea)

Some Deal Island locals (photo: Yvonne Trevaskis)

Tonight, Miri is at home on her mooring at George Town in the Tamar River; Charm and the Wiz are at Trousers Pt on Flinders Is. (just N of the entrance to Franklin Sound). Josida didn't come up on this evenings sched but is probably also at Trousers Pt, or heading there.

Of the others, Close Encounters, Ill Eagle and Shonandra are at Binalong Bay (just N of St Helens). Gitana, Westwind and Sea Esta are making an overnight passage to the Freycinet Peninsula. Jem and St Arnov are at Musselroe Bay (just S of Banks St) and will head for Freycinet Peninsula tomorrow. Masterpiece is at Gull Is. (near Cape Barren in the Furneaux Group).

The weather continues to be light, and is forecast to be southerly by Friday. ETA in Hobart for most of the fleet will be Sunday or perhaps Monday.

Monday 8th February 2010

The early morning light at Flagstaff Jetty looking E towards the Lakes Entrance township prior to departure for Deal Island. This photo was taken from the deck of Close Encounters; The boat in the background is Shonandra; the one in the foreground is local (Karminda 2) who was also intending to cross the bar that morning.

At 1100 hours today, David Meldrum reports that with the exception of Miri, the fleet put to sea across the Lakes Entrance bar, mostly heading for Deal Is. Miri is still at Lakes Entrance with water pump problems. There is very little wind and a sloppy sea. Masterpiece, the fastest boat in the fleet, reported at the 0903 sched that the sea had settled down once they were clear of the coast.

Sunday 7th February 2010

 At 2050 hours today, Damien Killalea, the Cruise Commodore on Close Encounters, reported that, with the exception of Westwind, the entire fleet was now assembled at Flagstaff Jetty just inside the Lakes Entrance bar. Westwind was only a mile away at Lakes Entrance itself. Damien conducted this evening's sched on the jetty.

There may have been an opportunity to put to sea on this evening's tide but the sou'easterly wind against the current made conditions problematical; hence nobody was game to try it. A couple of fishing boats did make it out to sea - with their powerful engines and local knowledge. Today was reasonably fine, different from the previous drizzly conditions. A BFH (= Big Fat High pressure system) is forecast to be over the Strait for the next few days. This promises stable weather but probably not much wind.

All being well with the bar in the morning, most of the fleet should make Deal Island sometime after dark tomorrow evening.

At 1100 hours today, Paynesville local David Meldrum (Criispian) sent several pics from the last few days. Several boats, Wizard of Oz, St Arnou, Gitana and Crispian braved the mist and visited Ocean Grange. This morning Josida left David's jetty in Sheerwater arm where she has been parked for the week, heading for the Flagstaff Jetty at Lakes Entrance to await this evening's tide; she plans to leave about 1900 for Deal Island.

David reports that most people have enjoyed themselves here, although the easterly weather has meant the fleet has had its fair share of windy and/or wet days.

Ocean Beach looking towards Deal Is. and Tasmania (photo: David Meldrum)

 
St Arnou (on the outside) and Gitana at the Ocean Grange jetty. The bow of Crispian is on the left (photo: David Meldrum)

Josida leaving David Meldrum's jetty in Sheerwater Arm of Lake Victoria; the stern of Crispian is on the lower left (photo: David Meldrum)

Saturday 6th February 2010

At 1600 hours today, Damien Killalea, the Cruise Commodore on Close Encounters, reported that the fleet continues its exploration of the lakes. The weather is still easterly and drizzly, although the wind has moderated. Everyone is looking forward to a fleet dinner this evening hosted by the Gippsland Lakes YC at Paynesville.

Damien has had a meeting with another representative of Gippsland Ports, this time with its CEO, Mick Murray. He is very interested in the concept of a fleet such as ours visiting the lakes. He has sent details on to the relevant part of the Victorian Government with a view to providing material encouragement for further such nautical pursuits on the lakes.

Damien is still of the view that the auspices look good to begin the journey home on Monday morning. The optimum time to cross the bar is at about 0730. More of that anon.

Pre-dinner drinks at the Gippsland Lakes YC at Paynesville before the fleet starts for home (photo Damien Killalea)

Thursday 4th February 2010

At 1220 hours today, Damien Killalea, the Cruise Commodore on Close Encounters, reported that yesterday he had a courtesy visit from the Gippsland Ports Harbour Master, Capt. Bruce Green who bad the fleet welcome and wanted to write an article on our cruise for the Bairnsdale Advertiser. Damien emphasised how impressive were the facilities on the Gippsland Lakes for boaties in general and the GLC fleet in particular. He also said how appreciative they all were at the hospitality and courtesy offered to cruising visitors by the local nautical fraternity, including Gippsland Ports and the Gippsland Lakes YC.

Today Close Encounters in company with Ill Eagle, Masterpiece and the Wizard of Oz are at Steamer Landing on the inside of Ocean Beach - in amongst the salt marshes SE of Paynesville. Because of 3 days of hard easterlies, the water level in this part of the lakes is down 18 inches so there was a certain amount of pushing keels through the mud to get there.

Charm is in Duck Arm; Westwind is at Metung and JEM is on her way there; Gitana, Josida, Miri, Sea Esta, Shonandra and St Arnou are at Paynesville.

Now that the fleet has got to know one another, crews are swapping between boats with gay abandon. At the moment, the weather auspices look good for starting the return journey back to Tasmania early on next Monday morning, 8th February.

Tuesday 2nd February 2010

 At 1715 hours today, Damien Killalea, the Cruise Commodore on Close Encounters, reported that most of the fleet were in Paynesville at the Gippsland Lakes YC, except for Westwind that was exploring the Mitchell River and Charm that was in Duck Arm. (The Mitchell River flows into Lake King; it is navigable by shallow draft boats as far as Bairnsdale.)

Having spent last night at Loch Sport, Close Encounters has returned to Paynesville and entered in tonight's GLYC twilight pursuit race with a scratch crew consisting of David Weir and Mick Hocking (from Ill Eagle), Bill Schu (Shonandra) and Alan Perkins (Masterpiece). Unfortunately a hard easterly of over 30 knots meant the club has cancelled the race.

Members of the fleet continue to be most appreciative of the efforts of Commodore James Frecheville and the members of the GLYC in giving the RYCT visitors such a warm welcome and in making the club facilities available. On Saturday night, everyone is looking forward to an evening function hosted by the club.

Although conditions are quite windy, the water temperature is a warm 26 degrees; for Tasmanians, that makes swimming a bit like taking a warm bath. Damien reports there are lots of non-stinging jellyfish but no sharks (... that anyone has told him about).

Monday 1st February 2010

 At 1120 hours today, Damien Killalea, the Cruise Commodore on Close Encounters, reported that most of the fleet were spread out in the Gippsland Lakes between Paynesville and Metung.

 
This is cruising life! Here are Sea Esta and Close Encounters rafted up on Sunday evening in Duck Arm in L.Victoria, 2M SW of Painesville. (Photo: Damien Killalea)

Saturday 30th January 2010

At 1530 today, Alan Perkins (Masterpiece) reported that several of the fleet were having difficulty adjusting to cruising life in shallow water. Apart from Sea Esta, Shonandra touched, and JEM and Charm were still stuck fast at 1830 (low tide) with the water level more than half a metre below their waterlines (see picture below).

(Photo: Alan Perkins)

 
It's called following a local! Here is Ill Eagle staying close on the transom of David Meldrum's Crispian in Lake Victoria, Gippsland.(Photo: David Meldrum)

At 0920 hours today, Damien Killalea, the Cruise Commodore on Close Encounters and David Meldrum on Crispian who met the fleet inside the Lakes Entrance bar (David is an Organising Committee member and Paynesville resident) reported that The fleet had a reasonably comfortable crossing to the Victorian coast in a 20-25 knot sou'wester which died during the night, to be replaced in the early morning by a light easterly. The Lakes Entrance bar was quite benign and the fleet had no problems getting into the Gippsland Lakes.

David Meldrum: GLYC member and sometime participant on Van Diemens Land Circumnavigation cruises in his Salar 40 Crispian. Much gratitude is owed to David by Gippsland Lakes Cruise participants for his indefatigable assistance in planning this cruise and facilitating everyone's arrival over the Lakes Entrance bar, and their stay in the Gippsland Lakes. (photo: Yvonne Trevaskis)

Masterpiece crossed the Lakes Entrance bar late yesterday afternoon. The remainder of the fleet arrived there at dawn this morning, with the last boat crossing the bar at 0710. The fleet rafted up to the Flagstaff Jetty for breakfast and now have dispersed to begin their exploration of the Gippsland Lakes.

 
Masterpiece tackles the Lakes Entrance barway in the afternoon sea breeze. (Photos: David Meldrum)

 The next morning, the barway was much more benign:

Close Encounters (Photo: David Meldrum)

 
Shonandra (Photo: David Meldrum)

Josida (Photo: David Meldrum)

Ill Eagle (bow only), Close Encounters, Crispian and Masterpiece at the Flagstaff Jetty, Lakes Entrance (Photo: Damien Killalea)

Many are heading for the yacht club at Paynesville for showers and to enjoy other aspects of civilisation. On the way there, Sea Esta missed a channel marker and got stuck on a sandbank to be towed off by Crispian.

While in the lakes, there are no formal sched requirements; although Close Encounters will stand by for calls each morning at 0903. Hence, entries in this blog will be made less often until the fleet puts to sea for the passage home to Hobart. It is intended that this will occur no later than Tuesday 9th February and may be earlier, depending on expected weather conditions. The fleet is likely to reassemble for a barbecue at the yacht club at Paynesville on Saturday evening 6th February 2010 when the departure strategy will be finalised. Once this is known, it will be announced as an entry in this blog - probably on Sunday 7th February.

Friday 29th January 2010

 At 1130 hours today, Damien Killalea, the Cruise Commodore on Close Encounters, reported that:

On the basis of a more detailed forecast for the Victorian coast than is publically available, all but one of the fleet has decided to make the Bass Strait crossing overnight tonight to arrive at the Lakes Entrance bar at dawn tomorrow. Apparently the forecast is for light NE (off shore) wind before it and the sea picks up later in the morning. At this time, Close Encounters was passing The Sisters Islands at the northern tip of Flinders Island.

The exception is Masterpiece. She is considerably faster than the rest of the fleet and expects to arrive at the Lakes Entrance bar at last light this evening.

Golden Haze, that did not leave Hobart until Tuesday 26th January, has decided not to pursue the fleet in the hope catching up and has withdrawn from the cruise. Instead she intends to cruise on the Tasmanian East Coast.

Thursday 28th January 2010

 At 1940 hours today, Damien Killalea, the Cruise Commodore on Close Encounters, reported that:

Close Encounters was still an hour or so away from her destination in Killecrankie Bay on the NW coast of Flinders Is. They were running late because earlier in the day, Josida reported engine trouble E of Mount Chapell Is. Close Encounters turned back to help. As it turned out, Ill Eagle at Trousers Pt was closer but had been having trouble with her radio and hadn't heard the distress call. At last report Josida had been towed by Ill Eagle to Trousers Pt and was well on the way to solving the problem.

Meanwhile, Charm and Gitana had arrived at Killecrankie B. and the rest of the fleet (JEM, Masterpiece, Miri, Shonandra, St Arnou, Westwind, WIzaard of Oz) were at or approaching Deal Is (at the 1833 sched, Sea Esta had 5M to run).

Skippers now have to decide when it will be propitious to jump off for the overnight passage to Lakes Entrance. The forecast for Saturday morning on that part of the Victorian coast is for E to SE 15-20 knots tending E at 15-25, up to 30 by midday with seas increasing to up to 4m on a 2m SW swell. Under such conditions, the Lakes Entrance bar can become quite difficult. For those interested, more information on the vagaries of this bar can be found on the Giipsland Ports website.

Sunday morning may be a better proposition, even if it means some windward work on the Saturday night passage across Bass Strait. We shall see ...

Wednesday 27th January 2010

 At 1040 hours today, Damien Killalea, the Cruise Commodore on Close Encounters, reported that:

The promised barbecue was held at Bryan Corner in the Schouten Passage starting about 1300 on Monday 25th January. Unfortunately, the tide was too high for beach cricket. On Australia Day, some of the fleet made the 11M passage round to Wineglass Bay ready for the passage N, once the southerly front arrived.

This it duly did at 1600 accompanied by 30 knot gusts. Once things had calmed down a bit, most of the fleet had put to sea by 1900.

At this morning's 0903 sched, the fleet was on the move, spread out between St Helens Point and Badger Is. in the Furneaux Group. The weather is partly cloudy with a light E wind and a confused sea - easing.
- Close Encounters has just left Binalong Bay heading for Spike Cove on the W. side of Clarke Is.
- Having stayed overnight in at Skeleton B (on the N side of St Helens Pt) or Picnic Cove (on the N side of Eddystone Pt), Charm, Gitana, Ill Eagle, JEM, Josida, Miri, Sea Esta, Shonandra, St Arnov are heading for various places in the southern Furneaux Group.
- Masterpiece was at Trousers Pt at the SW corner of Flinders Island for breakfast and then planned to head N to Roydon Is.
- Wizard of Oz and Westwind spent last night at Badger Is. (W of the southern end of Flinders Is); the Wiz is heading for Deal Is and Westwind to Whitemark, then Roydon Is.

Strong northerlies are forecast in Bass Strait on this coming Saturday so the fleet is likely to skip the planned stop at Deal Is to head across 'The Paddock' to arrive at Lakes Entrance early Saturday morning.

 
From the left, Miri, Sea Esta and Close Encounters in Spike Cove on the W side of Clarke Is. at the S end of the Furneaux Group. (Photo: Damien Killalea)

Why we go cruising! The serenity of Spike Cove on a calm morning with Josida's dinghy in the foreground. (Photo: Damien Killalea)

Monday 25th January 2010

 At 1020 hours today, Damien Killalea, the Cruise Commodore on Close Encounters, reported that:

- Masterpiece arrived at Clarke Is. last night; they will remain in the southern Furneaux Group until the fleet catches up.
- Westwind is heading for St Helens and will press on for Clarke Is. tomorrow.
- Wizard of Oz is at Wineglass Bay.
- The rest of the fleet is in the Schouten Passage where they expect to remain until the southerly change forecast for tomorrow afternoon.

The sail N from the Mercury Passage (inside Maria Is.) was a pleasant one, sailing into a freshening nor'easter. The fleet had arrived at Crocketts Beach in the Schouten Passage before it got too strong - up to 30 knots by later in the afternoon. Today, the plan is for a lunchtime barbecue and some beach cricket.

Saturday 23rd January 2010

The fleet left Hobart in a fresh gusty sou'wester that stayed in at 20-25 knots all day. A flotilla of 9 boats passed through the Denison Canal in the late afternoon.

At the evening sched:
- Charm stayed at the Dunalley jetty for the evening.
- Close Encounters, Gitana, St Arnou and Westwind were heading for Prosser Bay for the night.
- Ill Eagle, JEM, Miri, Sea Esta and Shonandra were intending to stay at Chinamans on Maria Island for the night.
- Masterpiece was in the Schouten Passage.
- Josida left from Triabunna and is at Bryans Corner and will join the fleet there tomorrow.
- Wizard of Oz left Hobart on Friday (22nd January) is now heading for Schouten Passage.
- Golden Haze has yet to leave Hobart and intends to do so next Tuesday (26th January) but may not catch up with the rest of the fleet until later in the week.