Our final week

Week four
Day three
We woke to grey skies and a cool breeze this morning, starting out the day with a walk along the foreshore towards Newlands Arm. After breakfast on the back deck we headed out again hoping to spend at least a couple of days away from civilisation and hoping the sun breaks through the clouds at some stage! We tied up on the beach at Egret Camp on the Bunga Arm again, happy to be back at one of our favourite locations on the Gippsland Lakes. The First Mate went "all out" for a delicious Sunday lunch - Prawn Caesar Salad!

A delicious Sunday lunch

We lazed the afternoon away with the grey sky and drizzle discouraging much movement. A steak barbecue sharing a bottle of red finished another lovely day!
Day four

Looking out on Ninety Mile Beach from the dunes

The rain stopped so we went for our favourite morning walk along Bunga Arm, over the sandhills and back along the beach - a wild looking sea this morning and ours were the only footprints in the sand. After a leisurely breakfast we cruised back to Paynesville, tying up at our mooring and heading out in the car to Bairnsdale to check out the local "big smoke"......we didn't stay long and after a short detour to Nicholson and a stop for supplies we returned to the boat. We had invited a couple of the Captain's cronies and wives for afternoon drinks on board and decided to tie up outside the yacht club for the night. Home made pizza was enjoyed on the back deck as we watched the Raymond Island ferry crossing and

re-crossing the Macmillan Straits through the evening.
Day five
We took the dinghy across to Raymond Island for our morning walk, out to the edge of Lake Victoria and then back through the gum tree lined streets, spotting koalas as we walked. Returning to Manookatoo, we enjoyed breakfast then got some extra supplies before cruising off past Raymond Island and Metung to Box's Creek, where we drove up onto the sand to stop for a few hours.

Peace at Box's Creek

We walked up up to the lookout to check out the view, and took the Brig out for a cruise along the creek, making the most of our short stay in the picturesque inlet. In the mid-afternoon we pulled off the sand and made our way back to Metung, our "home" for the night. We enjoyed pre-dinner drinks on the Flybridge and walked to the Metung Hotel for a delicious dinner - this is always a popular spot for mouth-watering food; seafood is a specialty so we go made the most of it, enjoying Salt and pepper calamari followed by Grilled Flounder, all washed down with a nice bottle of Merlot! We returned to Manookatoo to finish the bottle on the Flybridge before bed.
Day six

Lakes Entrance bar

We took a long morning walk out to Kings Cove Marina and back, then enjoyed a leisurely breakfast before untying our lines and heading off again, past Nungurner, crossing the entrance and tying up at Flagstaff Jetty for the night. We took a walk out to the entrance, then headed across to Lakes Entrance in the Brig to buy some food for the night's and tomorrow night's dinners, planning not to shop again until we go home to Melbourne on Saturday. Returning to the "Mother ship" we had leftover pizza for lunch and lazed most of the afternoon away, but a trip back to Lakes with a walk along the foreshores of both the front and back lakes with a stroll out across the footbridge to the main surf beach restored our energy levels! Returning to Manookatoo we enjoyed pre-dinner drinks and nibbles while the barbecue cooked our pork cutlets. Dinner was enjoyed watching the setting sun and as the fishing boats were heading out for the night we walked back to the entrance to watch them making their bumpy way out through the bar - some even waved to us as we watched.
Seals were frolicking in the waves of the entrance, no doubt enjoying many fish as they swam. Strawberries soaked in Port was enjoyed for dessert before bed.
Day seven

A fishing boat returns

A short walk back to the entrance this morning to watch those same fishing boats come back with their catch, then we left Flagstaff Jetty and headed west again, past Barrier Landing and Fraser Island, having breakfast and we passed Nungurner and Metung, then cruising across Lakes King and Victoria on our way back to Bunga Arm. There were no boats tied up at Ocean Grange and only a couple at Steamer Landing - things are quietening down after the Christmas rush! We made our way back to one of our favourite spots - Egret Camp - the tents were all gone and the campsite was clean and quiet, so we dropped anchor and tied up to the poles. A short walk to the beach, a swim, a delicious prawn lunch and a relaxing afternoon followed, interrupted by the sound of paddles as 12 canoes arrived! So much for solitude....but they were far enough away that they wouldn't disturb us. As this was our last night away from the Marina for the holidays, we had a celebratory seafood feast for dinner - oysters, prawns, flathead and salad - all bought at the seafood co-op in Lakes so deliciously fresh. Another beautiful sunset was enjoyed over the water before we retired for the night.

Another gorgeous sunset at Bunga Arm

Week five
Day one

Farewell Ninety Mile Beach - we'll be back!!

We woke to grey skies and, after our "usual" walk over to the beach and swim in the lake, the wind picked up and the temperature dropped! The weather forecast was not encouraging so we made our way back out of Bunga Arm and to Paynesville to begin the task of preparing to depart Manookatoo and return to reality. The rain started as the laundry and cleaning was done, food stocks checked and lists prepared, a shopping trip to Bairnsdale and Paynesville made. With the boat completely ready for our departure, we relaxed for the afternoon, then enjoyed final drinks on the Flybridge before dinner at the Cruiser Club. It was a lovely way to end our holiday, made even sweeter when we won a meat tray in the raffle again - there is our first dinner at home organised! Our summer holiday has been just wonderful but we are looking forward to regular trips to the Gippsland Lakes before  Manookatoo returns to Westernport Bay.

Paynesville with the parents

Week three
Day six
With the First Mate's parents arriving today, we rose early, walked across to the beach and returned to the lake for a dip before untying and heading back to Paynesville, having breakfast as we cruised along. We were very happy to get the parents aboard and head back out onto the water - the heat was fierce and the breeze was non-existent! We tied up at Ocean Grange and immediately leapt into the water to cool down. A delicious lunch of prawns and chicken on the back deck in the shade restored our good humour and a small cooling breeze kept us comfortable.

We cruised back in the afternoon so that the parents could have a "Nanna nap" and we could organise some food and refuel the boat. A Barbecue tied up at the main jetty capped off another lovely day.
Day seven
The parents boarded Manookatoo just after 9am and we set off for the "grand tour", through the MacMillan Straits and into Lake King, past Metung and Nungurnah towards the entrance and tying up at Flagstaff Jetty for a quick walk up the hill to admire the Bar and Ninety Mile Beach.

Back through the channel full of dolphins, past Barrier Landing and Fraser Island, tying up at Metung Jetty just in time for lunch!! The First Mate and Mum made a beeline for a dress shop and made a purchase while the Captain and Dad had time for their own quick purchase - a beer - before lunch was ordered and served on the deck in the shade with a lovely breeze blowing. It might be 44 and sweltering in Melbourne but it's very pleasant here on the Lakes!! Returning to the boat we continued the tour with a circumnavigation of Raymond Island before returning the parents to their motel for a rest and tying up outside the Yacht Club for tonight. We joined the parents in their motel apartment for a dinner of Pizza and salad to top off another great day.
Week four
Day one
Another scorching day was predicted so it was up to the Captain to find somewhere with a cool breeze and a trip across the lakes was definitely in order. We picked up the parents from their Motel jetty and headed west into Lake Victoria, turning into Duck Arm for a scenic cruise and then back across the water to Point Wilson and the Sperm Whale Head jetty. Perfect!! With a breeze across the water and a short jetty walk to a shallow beach, everyone was able to enjoy a swim. Drinks, nibbles and a chicken and ham salad lunch were enjoyed in the shade on the back deck. Cruising back, we detoured into the canals of Payensville for some "rubber necking" before berthing in the Marina - always  challenge when a fresh easterly breeze springs up!

Dinner at the Cruiser Club, Paynesville

Dinner tonight was at the Cruiser Club, with a lucky raffle ticket winning a bottle of "Two Buck Chuck" - a New Zealand Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc, before we returned to Manookatoo for a refreshing drink upstairs. The  breeze disappeared and the cool change did not really appear and the air was quite steamy in the cabin so we "indulged" ourselves with a blast of air conditioning before bed - it wasn't until the wee small hours that there was much natural relief but we were still a lot cooler than most of Victoria.
Day Two
Surrounded by boats in the Marina, we felt we were back in suburbia! We escaped early, first picking up the parents in the car and checking out the Farmers Market, buying some fresh salad ingredients, then untying and heading across Lake King and into the Silt Jetties of the Mitchell River - the second longest silt jetties in the world, beaten only by the mighty Mississippi! It's a fascinating place to cruise - with two narrow arms of land either side of the river and lakes either side beyond it is very picturesque. We cruised upstream and past Eagle Point and "the  cut" through to Jones Bay as far as the tall sandstone cliffs which show the power of the water of a river in flood, gouging out the cliffs as it roars around the bend.

Turning around we cruised halfway down the river to where there are no houses or people and dropped anchor for a peaceful stop. The Captain and First Mate enjoyed a quick dip before lunch, then we retraced our journey downstream and across the lake to Paynesville, tying up outside the Yacht Club for the night. We celebrated our final night with the parents at the local Chinese restaurant before saying a fond farewell and returning to Manookatoo.

Six days of exploring

Week two
Day seven
We farewelled Glenda and Peter and set to restocking the supplies and doing the laundry and other "housekeeping" before heading out on the water again! We cruised straight down to Bunga Arm to the same spot as last time - deep water right up to the shore, protection from the south westerly wind and a short walk to the beach had convinced us that this was the perfect location. We were lucky to arrive before a smaller cruiser and get the prime position! It was too windy for the waterskiers so we enjoyed a pleasant afternoon with a couple of walks breaking up our laziness. A delicious roast beef dinner and red wine finished on the Flybridge capped off  another day in Paradise.

Sunset and wine - a perfect combination!

Week three
Day one
Cruising out the channel this morning we stopped at Ocean Grange for a quick look - making plans for later, perhaps - then continued on, stopping at Metung for a couple of supplies before making our way east and finding a new place to rest - a swing mooring in Harper's Bight, halfway between Metung and Lakes Entrance. It's a peaceful haven where you can watch the boats zip by on their way east and west but enjoy calm water and lovely bird life along the shoreline. With the day warmed nicely we enjoyed an afternoon swim to shore, then returned to Manookatoo for a cuppa before a quick "squirt" in the Brig across the channel and along past Fraser Island to Barrier Landing, where there were crowds of boats along the jetty and the shoreline. We pulled up on the beach and walked across to the ocean - a shorter, steeper walk than Ocean Grange, with hot sand making our feet burn! It was nice to return to the peace and seclusion on Manookatoo, where our satay chicken and "Sue's famous fried rice" was our delicious dinner.

Another beautiful sunset - Harper's Bight

Day two
The first fishermen heading east woke us early and we enjoyed our cuppa and toast on the back deck before packing up and heading west again, stopping at the Metung Farmers' Market to pick up some fresh produce for lunch and dinner including local prawns, fresh rhubarb and even a couple of dim sims! Untying from the busy jetty we continued  our journey west, passing Raymond Island and Point Wilson on our cruise along Lake Victoria. We dropped anchor just off Loch Sport and enjoyed our prawns for lunch and cooked up our rhubarb for later, then we boarded the Brig for a trip to shore where the Captain caught up with an old friend at the Tavern. Returning to Manookatoo we continued west, entering the McLennan Straits and cruising past Hollands Landing and several fisherman along the banks.

Cruising in the Brig on Lake Wellington

We reached Plover Point, on the edge of Lake Wellington just before 6pm and tied up, enjoying a walk along the shore before our barbecue dinner. The views of the setting sun over wetlands enticed us into the Brig and we cruised out into the lake for some sunset photos. Rhubarb with fresh cream topped off our lovely dinner!
Day three
The sunrise woke us early so after an early morning cuppa we untied and started our cruise east again. We motored down the McLennan Straits and back into Lake Victoria, where we enjoyed breakfast as we cruised along. The journey from Griffin Point in the west to Point Wilson, or Sperm Whale Head, takes about 2 hours at our cruising speed, so we sat back and enjoyed the ride, interrupted only when a small boat, containing a family of four, with a dodgy engine needed a tow in to Wattle Point Jetty.

Follow the arrows......

Turning south again after passing the point, we cruised along the channel and back into Bunga Arm - obviously a favourite - returning to our previous spot at Egret Camp in time for lunch. In the  afternoon we took a trip in the Brig to Steamer Landing; walking across to Ninety Mile Beach for a look we were amazed at the crowd on the sand - so different to our usual walks! Dinner tonight was inventive - Zucchini Quiche, Chow Mein and Rice - but delicious!
Day four
With a hot week predicted we decided on an early morning "blast" into Paynesville to restock the larder, fill the water tanks and the Brig's fuel tank - at our speed it was a three hour journey! When we returned there were some ski boats at the previous mooring so we chose a quiet place a little further down - Dotterall Camp. As with all the camps along Bunga Arm it has everything well set up with toilets, barbecue pits, plenty of flat ground for tents and a short stroll through the bush to the Ninety Mile Beach. Every time we climb the last sandhill we marvel at the wild beauty before us - we never tire of that first glimpse of the beach.

We indulged in hamburgers and red wine for lunch then relaxed the afternoon away, with further treats of oysters followed by roast pork for dinner - we certainly don't skimp on our food when we are cruising!
Day five
A cloudless blue sky this morning promised the sun would be fierce, but with a cool breeze across the water we were certainly in the best spot! We enjoyed another early morning stroll to the beach with a short walk along it - the tide was up so the sand was quite soft. Returning to the boat we enjoyed our morning swim surrounded by a school of tiny fish.

Our own secluded spot on Bunga Arm

The Captain was keen to explore the top of Bunga Arm so after breakfast we took the Brig and off we went, zipping east across the calm water, away from the skiers and into the quiet zone,  passing only two boats on the way. We motored until it was too shallow, then tied up to the shore for a walk to the beach, however we could only get to the top of the sandhill as it was a high, steep drop on the other side. Returning to Manookatoo we enjoyed our second swim of the morning. Finding places in the shade is always easy on Manookatoo as her decks are so wide and well covered and we were certainly kept cool by the breeze. Late in the afternoon we strolled to the beach again, tempted by the flat conditions but returning to the safety of the lake for our swim. Salmon was delicious for our dinner, then we grabbed the camera and returned to sit on the beach for a gorgeous sunset.

Sunset on Ninety Mile Beach

A few days with friends

Our route over the four days

Week two
Day three
A lovely calm morning with blue skies, we drove into town and parked for a walk along the foreshore of Newlands Arm. Returning to the boat we had breakfast and then did some "housework" - washing linen, cleaning the bathroom, vacuuming - making the boat all spick and span before our latest guests arrive! On their arrival at 1:00 we were off, first anchoring at Montauge Point, beside Raymond Island for a prawn and chicken lunch, then cruising across to Boxer's Creek and back to Metung, tying up at the jetty and enjoying a drink at the Hotel before returning to the boat for Glenda's delicious three-course feast!

After a while the wind started to blow, and blow, and BLOW, reaching up to over 40 knots overnight.
Day four
The wind did not abate overnight. We started the morning with a walk along the Lake King side of Metung, being buffeted by strong squalls and admiring the waves on the water. We werent going to be travelling far today! Settling in for a day at Metung Jetty was no hardship though, with a few shops for the girls to explore, a few boats for the boys to investigate and lots of food to eat, alcohol to drink and books to read we couldn't help but enjoy ourselves. A delicious chicken curry, washed down with a few drinks, finished a very pleasant day.
Day five
A light breeze this morning so after breakfast we headed east towards Lakes Entrance, tying up at Flagstaff Jetty to show our friends the entrance then cruising past the main town before making our way west again.

Our destination was Bunga Arm, where we enjoyed a nice lunch just inside the inlet before we found a quiet spot for the night at Egret Camp. We walked across to stand on the beach then returned to the calm of the lake but it was a bit cool to consider a swim! After a relaxing afternoon we enjoyed a steak barbecue then took our drinks upstairs for a spot of Mama Mia karaoke........we would have scared the wildlife with our warbling :-)
Day six
Continuing our tour of the lakes this morning, we cruised out of Bunga Arm and passed close by Rottamah Island and Sperm Whale Head, turning into Duck Arm and motoring to the end and returning to Picnic Arm to pick up a mooring for a relaxing lunch on the water. In the afternoon we returned to Paynesville, doing a tour of the canals on the way. We celebrated the few days spent with our good friends with dinner at the Cruisers Club and late night drinks on the Flybridge.

Three nights in Paynesville

Day seven
Some wind overnight but we woke to sunshine this morning. We had visitors arriving before lunch today - the Captain's younger son and fiancé, so we left our mooring and enjoyed breakfast on our way back to the Marina. Tying up near the amenities, we got our washing up to date and did some food shopping before they arrived. They'd been keen to join us, so soon after 11am we were leaving port again, heading back to Duck Arm and into Picnic Arm, where we picked up a mooring and enjoyed lunch while the boat rocked gently in the wind.

Back at the Marina later that afternoon, son and fiancé took off for a whirl in the brig and we joined them in town for a drink in the pub before returning to the boat for a delicious prawn and steak dinner.
Week two, day one
The young ones were eager to be on their way and departed around 9am. With winds set to strengthen we decided a day in a river would be more pleasant, so we headed across Lake King and entered the Tambo River. We enjoyed a lovely cruise along past Johnsonville and up as far as Swan Reach, where the bridge takes the Princes Highway across the river. It has a height above the water of 6.6 meters but we were not sure we could make it without lowering the aerial and anchor light, so we turned around, cruising back down before dropping anchor near a wide bend for a relaxing lunch. After an afternoon nap we continued on, passing many other large craft doing the same thing as us - avoiding the wind. We returned to our mooring and booked ourselves a table at the Cruiser Club, taking the opportunity to join up while we were there. It is a friendly, social scene and after dinner we were invited to join new found friends and fellow cruisers for a few late night drinks!
Day two
The wind continued all night and as it was forecast to remain strong all day we thought we might take the opportunity to enjoy some "shore based" activities. After taking the brig across to Raymond Island for our morning walk, we had breakfast and set off for Bairnsdale, checking out the jetty on the Mitchell River on our way, then heading west and turning off for Lindenow. The drive is quite pretty along the river flats and looking over towards the high mountains of the Great Dividing Range. We turned left at Fingerboards and travelled back through Fernbank, stopping at Bairnsdale for fuel and some produce and returning to Manookatoo for lunch and a lazy afternoon of cricket on the TV for him and a book for her. We noticed smoke out west in the late afternoon and heard sirens in the distance. At about 5:00 we took the brig into town where we enjoyed an afternoon drink at the Paynesville Wine Bar and heard all the local news - fire at Rottamah Island and Loch Sport and a yacht running into the Ferry to Raymond Island! We returned to Manookatoo to cook a delicious dinner - Oysters Natural for entree followed by Roast Chicken washed down with  Morris Sparkling Durif - we felt like we were living like kings!!

Sunset at the Slip Bight Marina

New Years on the water

Day five
Another peaceful night's sleep with only occasional rocking as the fishing trawlers returned to port, we woke to sunny skies and a light breeze. We walked along the top of the peninsula and returned on the lakeside, having to wade through parts as the tide was quite high. After breakfast we cast off, heading first to Lakes Entrance for a couple of items then we cruised past Barrier Landing and Metung, across Lake King and around Raymond Island before heading up into Duck Arm. A large flotilla of yachts was moored just inside on the beach so we continued almost to the end of the arm, tying up at a swing mooring.
It is very peaceful in this part of the lake, even though there are a few houses on the Banksia Peninsula for the most part the only sights are trees and the only sounds are birds. After a late lunch we went for a cruise in the brig to explore all the sights and inlets in Duck Arm. It is a lovely spot, close enough to Paynesville for supplies, far enough away for peace. As the end of 2013 approached we reminisced over "the year that was" with champagne and seafood to celebrate....we made it to 11pm before deciding that sleep was too inviting to wait for the year to end!

Day six

The impending sunrise painted the sky a lovely pink and purple at 5:30am, but we didn't really wake up until after listening to the news at 8:00. There is silence here apart from the lapping of water on the boat and the chirping of birds in the bush. We took the brig across to shore  and walked along the Banksia Peninsula track, past houses facing the water of the inlet and many school camps, to where the track ended facing Lake Victoria. Returning to Manookatoo we had a dip in the fresh, cool water before enjoying breakfast on the back deck. Declaring this would be a "pottering day" we found some small chores to do while we relaxed in our lovely location - poor coverage meaning we were relatively undisturbed by the outside world. The Captain polished the chrome and cleaned his brig, the First Mate cooked bread and made Chow Mein for dinner; in between we read, lazed and enjoyed the peace, only occasionally disturbed by a boat cruising around or looking for a mooring - with wind from the south forecast for the evening many boaties are looking for  a safe haven for the night. After our delicious dinner we sat upstairs admiring the clouds painted purple by the setting sun and marvelled at the silence while the boat turned lazy circles in the breeze.

Our adventures on the Gippsland Lakes - part one

Week One,
Day one
We arrived just after 12 and the Captain's son, wife and grandson were there before us so, after unloading the contents of the cars onto Manookatoo and securing the little one in his life-jacket we cruised off and across to Duck Arm where we anchored and enjoyed a lovely lunch of Christmas leftovers. The Captain's son was keen to prove his naval skills so soon after lunch we hoisted the Brig off the roof and he took his little family for a cruise up to the end of Duck Arm and back. With cries of "go faster, daddy!" ringing across the water they took off out of the 5 knot zone and into Lake Victoria, laughing and enjoying life.

When they returned refreshed and excited, the son decided a swim was on the agenda - not that anyone else was keen. With the little one calling "1, 2, 3, jump!" he hit the water time and again, much to his own son's delight. Excitement over, we motored back to Paynesville in time for a delicious dinner at the Cruising Club - including a win in the meat raffle! Returning to the boat we sat upstairs in the balmy night air enjoying a late night Port and grandson cuddles before bed.
Day two
We farewelled the family early the next morning, back to Canberra then we made plans for the day ahead, starting with a trip to the seafood shop for prawns.....we headed back into Lake Victoria and turned to port, down and into Bunga Arm, a narrow waterway between the Boole Peninsula and the sand dunes fronting Ninety Mile Beach. We cruised past Ocean Grange and Steamer Landing and tied up further down, choosing a spot where the sandy cliffs showed that the water was deep almost up to the shoreline.

Our first look at Ninety Mile Beach

We relaxed the day away, with prawns and white wine for lunch and an afternoon siesta, feeling as if finally we really were on holidays. The day was warm and sunny and the water was inviting, so we had a swim - the First Mate's season-opening dip. With strong south westerlies forecast for the evening we cruised back to the Marina in the late afternoon, enjoying a barbecue dinner on the back deck before the weather turned, admiring the sunset and the passing parade of watercraft before bed.

Day three
The wind blew all night, rocking us to sleep, and the following day's forecast was for it to continue all day until about 9pm. Having checked out the moorings along Bunga Arm we were confident we could find a safe haven until the wind dropped, so we headed back out and made our rolling way across and into the channel, cruising past where we had moored the day before. Early reconnaissance had shown us there were several good spots further along the arm, almost to the end, so we cruised down. We passed the 5 knot limit, knowing we would be undisturbed by waterskiers further along and ended up at what had once been the "second blowhole" camping area, now closed for tents but ok for boats like ours. Dropping the anchor onto the shore and tying up to a couple of sturdy trees, we were totally on our own and didn't see another vessel or person for the day.

A short climb up a sand dune and we could see Ninety Mile Beach; with the wind whipping up the waves and spraying sand onto us we didn't stay long! We relaxed the day away with nothing but the birds for company - right on dusk we saw a kangaroo on the top of the sand dunes. Dinner tonight was corned beef with pumpkin and parsnip mash, compliments of our raffle prize! Delicious! The spectacular sunset only added to our sense of wonder, but it was after dark when the stars came out that was the most awesome - with no light anywhere the view was amazing.

Day four
We woke to silence - the wind had stopped and the sky was blue. We went ashore and  climbed the sand dunes again - the erosion on the sea side only emphasised to us how wild the coast is. Returning to the boat, we untied and cruised back down Bunga Arm while we enjoyed our breakfast, then headed back into Lake Victoria, this time turning to starboard and making our way across to  Lake King and then to Metung. The jetty was busy so we didn't stay long, continuing along the waterway to Lakes Entrance, where we tied up at Flagstaff Jetty before lunch.

Flagstaff Jetty

After the solitude of last night it was very busy here, with all the fingers of the jetty full and every type of watercraft cruising by. We had lunch then boarded the brig for a trip across to Lakes to stock up for a couple of nights - we have no definite plans but want to be prepared for anything we might choose to do! We lazed the afternoon away on the flybridge and enjoyed our dinner of chicken skewers on the BBQ with the First Mate's "famous" fried rice and a glass or two of red as the sun went down. After another magnificent sunset we walked down to the end of the breakwater where the Captain relived his boys' adventure cruise from Westernport.
It was easy to see the fishing boats in the distance with their bright lights making them very noticeable.

Lakes Entrance Fishing Boat

On such a clear night we could also admire the seals rolling around in the waves at the entrance to the bar. Back aboard we enjoyed strawberries and cream with a glass of port before bed.