Sunday 22nd September - farewell Patch dog
We started the day with our farewell walk
for Patch, scattering her ashes along the Dandenong Creek track she had loved to run, then we packed
the car and headed to Yaringa for some time aboard Manookatoo.
We had no real plans, other than to spend some
time on the water. Hastings Marina was full, so we took the eastern channel
down Westernport Bay, mooring in the shallows off the ruins of Fairhaven Jetty
for a leisurely lunch. We continued south towards Phillip Island and picked up
a public mooring just off Cowes. We lowered the dinghy and motored ashore to walk
along the shop fronts, then returned to Manookatoo for a quiet night aboard.
Checking the BOM site, we started to talk options. With 10-15 knot winds
tomorrow, a trip to Port Phillip Bay was on the cards, but we would investigate
further in the morning.
Monday 23rd September - we're off!!
There had been a few rolling swells during
the night but nothing too worrisome and, with a favourable forecast we decided
a trip along to PP Bay would be fun. We left just before 6am and made our way
down the bay with the tide, doing up to 10 knots in the benign conditions
and rounding West Head just before 7am. The sun
was shining and the cliffs along the way shone bright green from the
lush grass cover. We entered the heads at 10:35 and, after notifying the Coastguard, waiting for a large container ship to pass, we made our way towards Queenscliff, where we had booked a berth for tonight. By late morning we were tied up at our berth, where we had lunch then walked
into town. A quiet afternoon, fish and chips for dinner and early to bed, ready
for our cruise up the bay in the morning.
Tuesday 24th September - the Western channel
After a windy night we woke to sunny skies this morning, so we cast
off and headed up the western channel
towards the city, enjoying breakfast as we cruised along. This channel
isn't used by the big container ships, so our passage was quiet and very
pleasant, with views across to Portarlington and further to the You Yangs.
We
reached Sandringham Yacht Club marina mid morning and tied up against the
walkway - home for the next three nights. In the mid afternoon we walked up to
the shops where we bought lamb for a BBQ dinner - after a drink at the
magnificent Yacht Club with views across the bay as the sun set.
Wednesday 25th September - Sandringham Yacht Club
Another windy night, with a promise of
thunderstorms tonight and bigger winds tomorrow, we took a lovely walk to
Hampton then came home for breakfast and a morning of "pottering".
After hamburgers for lunch we packed up and caught a taxi home to Wheelers Hill to do a few
chores, have a nice dinner at Fedeles and bring back more supplies tomorrow in
the car.
Thursday 26th September
The thunderstorms were fierce overnight so
it was nice to be ashore! We both hit the gym this morning and after a bit of
errand-running we returned to Manookatoo, where gales were lashing the coast
but we only rocked in the Marina. We whiled away the afternoon, had a drink at
the Yacht Club to admire the waves against the sea-wall, while our lamb shanks
cooked steadily in the oven. A delicious dinner!! The winds died down after
sunset, promising a smooth cruise tomorrow.
Friday 27th September - exploring the city and socialising on the water
This morning was breezy so, after our
morning walk along the cliff tops, we cast off and headed up towards the city,
having breakfast as we travelled. The winds had obviously put everyone off
water travel as it was very quiet cruising up the Yarra, under Westgate Bridge
and Bolte Bridge to Docklands, our home for the next few days. A lovely relaxing day
was topped off with a delicious Middle Eastern dinner with Yvonne and Martin, which made for a very pleasant
experience.
Saturday 28th September
A land based day; Captain Martin spent
Grand Final Day at the MCG, Sue went shopping!
Sunday 29th September
With Glenda and Peter aboard, we cruised
around the rivers - up the Marybinong as far as the first bridge, down the
Yarra to Williamstown and back to Docklands for a relaxing lunch. The wind picked
up as the day went on, it's lovely to be staying in a sheltered marina.
Monday 30th September - Williamstown
Strong winds are forecast for the next few
days, so we made our way back down the Yarra and only as far as Williamstown,
where we tied up at the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria. It is lovely to have no
real commitments and to be able to go where the whim and the weather allows! We
spent the day wandering the streets, getting a feel for the lovely old town and
planning a roast dinner. The Sea Shepherd ships make this their base while they are not saving whales in Antarctica, so we feel safe among friends!
Tuesday 1st October
The winds, with gusts of up to 142kmh on
Port Phillip Bay, made for a bouncy night. It was a little calmer this morning,
but there was the prospect of more wind for the next two days, so we cast off
at about 10am. Martha Cove or anywhere down the bay was out of the question
with the gusty weather so our next choice was Sandringham, but after leaving
the protection of port it rapidly became clear that it would be a rough trip,
so we quickly turned into the relative calm of the Yarra River, choosing to
stay at Marina YE, near Southbank, for at least two nights.
Wednesday 2nd October - city living
We walked along both banks of the Yarra
this morning; up the north side to Flinders Street Station, across the Princes
Bridge and down along Southbank - a lovely morning for a stroll but, with winds
picking up, not a day for boating. Sue headed down to Mornington for lunch with
friends, Martin went to Hastings to catch up with the "Mariners". We
headed home to Wheelers Hill that afternoon for a nice meal and a peaceful night "ashore".
Thursday 3rd October
After a few chores, we took a walk and then
the train and tram back to the boat to continue our city "holiday".
The weather looks promising tomorrow so we made the most of our last city
night, with drinks in a few different city watering holes and dinner at The
Wharf Hotel.
Friday 4th October - Martha Cove
Brett came to visit us this morning on his
way to work, then, with a mild day forecast we cast off from the Marina and
made our way down the Yarra. As we passed Williamstown and Hobsons Bay we
enjoyed our breakfast on calm waters, heading down the bay towards tonight's
resting place, Martha Cove. We were joined in our journey by two playful
dolphins, who kept us enthralled by diving in front of the bow, leaving and
rejoining us many times during our journey. Just before midday we entered the
channel at Safety Beach and cruised up past many lovely houses to our
destination, Martha Cove Marina. The water here is wide and calm, just perfect
for Manookatoo, which will stay here until Captain Martin can find a travelling
companion for the journey back to Yaringa. We enjoyed a relaxing afternoon catching up with family, walking the boardwalk, cooking a delicious dinner before our last night aboard - the holidays are over and it's time to return to
"normal" life....!
