Springtime on the bay

Cruising out to the bay, leaving the Yarra behind

We're back to Yarra's Edge Marina for some springtime fun! We're hoping a few of our friends and family join us for a cruise or two! We also plan to have a few week nights on the water - when the weather and our calendar allows us!
There is nothing lovelier than leaving work, catching the 109 tram to Port Melbourne, and being picked up by Manookatoo. It is an instant relaxant, changing my mood from work-think to rest-think!!

Not leaving the Marina!!

Of course, not every day lends itself to cruising. Springtime means windy weather and changing conditions. A planned weekend at Sandringham was not quite curtailed by gale force winds, but we certainly stayed well inside the Marina! Walking around the local markets and shops, with a restaurant dinner one night and drinks at the Yacht Club the other helped sweeten the weekend.

HMAS Canberra III

September was also a travelling month, with a weekend in Sydney spent on and near the water. We caught the ferry to Manly, passing Matt's big ship on the way, checking out likely coves for overnight stays next year.

A likely cove for 2017

Two weeks in South Australia didn't involve a lot of cruising, but we did manage a boat trip along the Murray to visit the Overland Corner Hotel!

Cruising along the Murray

Visits from a local paddle steamer also kept us interested.

Now, as the weather starts to settle and warm up, we look forward to visits from family and friends, before Manookatoo takes off again for the lakes!

Two junior captains on Papa's boat

Summer's End and beyond

Even as life returns to the city and the days get shorter, we try to make the most of times on Manookatoo. The Captain is always keen to spend as much time as he can on the boat but the first mate, with work commitments to balance, finds a trip to Lakes a fortnight quite enough!
We continued to enjoy a social time in February, with friends Ian and Joanne joining us on our first weekend; we enjoyed dinner on the Friday night at the Motor Cruising Club in Paynesville but cruised to the solitude of Bunga Arm for our second night, at Egret campsite.

Our next weekend on the water together was the Paynesville Music Festival so it was a great chance to catch up with friends, listening to "The Wizard" at the Wine Bar on the Friday night and enjoying a beachside three course dinner - complete with candelabra - outside the Yacht Club on the Saturday night. We certainly know how to enjoy ourselves!
 The Captain was keen to see the Classic Boat Festival on the following weekend - he particularly enjoyed seeing the boats cruise past while he was on the Raymond Island ferry.
The following weekend was Labour day so we made the most of three days on the lakes, with the first night relaxing at the jetty on Raymond Island, then a leisurely cruise to Bunga Arm for a night, a trip to Metung Pub to listen to "The Uncles" and catch up with (many different) friends, followed by a night at Boxes Creek, before returning to Paynesville then home.
Easter is early this year so we planned our return to Melbourne on Manookatoo for the end of March. The Captain stocked the boat with supplies and moved to Lakes Entrance in preparation and we travelled to Lakes by train and bus on Good Friday. We had a couple of lazy days in the lakes before the wind and weather was right for travel, so we relaxed on Flagstaff Jetty for a day - the first mate even made some hot cross buns, then we cruised around from Flagstaff to Bancroft Bay for a drink at the Metung Pub and a night at Boxes Creek, finishing with lunch in Lakes and an early night at Flagstaff with a 5am start on the Monday. We followed a fishing trawler out through the bar - it was certainly easy to see where to go!! Then we headed right, following the coast for the day and reaching Refuge Cove at Wilsons Promontory just after 5:30pm.
We cooked ourselves a delicious roast chicken and enjoyed the solitude as the waves rocked us to sleep. The next morning we left a little later - 6am - rounding the Prom just before sunrise and enjoying the trip along the coast with the southerly breeze. We entered Cleveland Bight, the eastern entrance to Westernport Bay, just after 3:00. passing under the San Remo bridge on the running tide and tying up at the jetty at Rhyll for the night.
Our plan was to head to Port Phillip Bay so we left Rhyll at 8:30 the next morning, however after rounding the island and passing Cowes, the outgoing tide met the incoming swell to create lumpy, unpleasant conditions, so we turned Manookatoo around and headed up the bay instead, deciding that Hastings was a much nicer alternative! The wind picked up as the day continued and we were very pleased with our decision, enjoying a nice dinner at the local tavern with Julie and Gary Plumley that night.
Not wishing our holiday on Manookatoo to end prematurely, we cruised the next day up the bay, enjoying lunch on the water and dropping anchor behind French Island, in Chicory Lane, for a final night on our own. The weather was perfect and we toasted our good fortune as the sun set - and another beautiful time on the water drew to a close.

Manookatoo Summer daze

Sunday 27/12 
Captain Martin travelled to Bairnsdale on the train then on the bus to Lakes Entrance where he boarded Manookatoo, cruising across and staying at Flagstaff Jetty - enjoying mussels and seafood for dinner
Monday 28/12 
Captain Martin took Gary, Julie and family to Metung pub for lunch then spent another night at Flagstaff Jetty, with BBQ steak for dinner 
Tuesday  29/12 

The First Mate arrived at Paynesville, where Manookatoo and Captain Martin were waiting - we took off as soon as we were ready, straight to Bunga Arm - second blowhole, with prawns for lunch, mussels then turkey for dinner, washed down with a bootle of sparkling red - what a way to start a holiday!! 

Wednesday 30/12 
The water level at second blowhole had dropped a little, so we moved 100m to anchor on the west side of the blowhole, enjoying turkey for lunch and a lamb mixed grill BBQ that night.
Thursday 31/12 
We cruised back to the Paynesville cruising club where we provisioned up ready for the Lynches visit - after lunch we all cruised to Duck Arm for an afternoon swim then back to Paynesville where we tied up at a mooring in the channel to watch the fireworks and celebrate the New Year, enjoying a seafood platter and lots of champagne!!
Friday 1/1 
We cruised across Lake King and into the Tambo River, stopping for lunch at the Swan Reach Hotel then we continued under the bridge and along the river to tie up under the cliffs for the night, swimming and lazing the afternoon away. We BBQed a steak BBQ and enjoyed a relatively early night.
Saturday 2/1 
We cruised back along the river, stopping for breakfast at Johnsonville then back to Paynesville for supplies, then we anchored in Newlands Arm for a sausage sizzle lunch. Back to the main jetty at Paynesville for the night with dinner at Alma's Restaurant
 
Sunday 3/1 
We said farewell to the Lynches, then headed off to Metung to meet Kirsty and Chris, with lunch at the pub then an afternoon cruise to Lakes then returning to park at Box's Creek for the evening to enjoy mixed seafood for dinner. The weather was inclement but the company was good!
Monday 4/1 
We dropped Kirsty and Chris back in Metung, then went for a walk, bought some food then returned to Box's Creek for some time on our own - baked beans for lunch and a lamb roast dinner

Tuesday 5/1 
We cruised back to Paynesville to await the arrival of the O'Connell kids, who all arrived mid morning. We spent the afternoon in Paynesville, with lunch on the boat and a barbecue dinner at their motel
Wednesday 6/1 
Today we cruised up to Lakes Entrance for a prawn and oyster lunch, with a stop at Flagstaff Jetty for a walk to the Entrance and so that the Captain could collect some mussels for entree before fish and chips for dinner.
Thursday 7/1 
The weather was lovely so we spent a beautiful day cruising and relaxing at Steamer Landing including swims and walks to the beach, then back to Paynesville for another BBQ dinner
Friday 8/1 - Sunday 10/1
Early this morning the families departed, so we restocked and headed back to Bunga Arm, second blowhole for a few days RnR, cooking bread, walking to the beach, zipping in the Brig, walking the Boole Poole Peninsula from Bunga to Mosquito Point and swimming in the lake. We enjoyed seafood pasta on the first night, a lamb mixed grill the second and home made pizza on the third.
Monday 11/1 
We returned to Paynesville to re-stock and meet Shaunagh and Mark, our guests for the night. We cruised over to Duck Arm in the sunshine to enjoy swimming before chicken and prawns for lunch, then headed south to Steamer Landing for a walk along 90 mile beach before BBQ steaks for dinner. A post-sunset beach walk followed before bed.
Tuesday 12/1 
We ventured further up Bunga Arm to Egret campsite for lunch before returning Shaunagh and Mark to Paynesville for their departure. After our farewells we cast off and cruised to Metung where we bought some supplies then continued to Boxers Creek for  the night. We found a nice sunny spot to plant Percy the Poinsettia, Martin tried his hand a fishing with no luck, so he cooked chicken satay for dinner.
Wednesday 13/1 
Continuing east, we cruised up to Flagstaff Jetty where we found a nice spot on the jetty and caught up with a few of the "locals". We zipped across to Lakes Entrance and got some prawns for lunch and salmon for dinner before returning  for a relaxing afternoon, interrupted only when we repositioned Manookatoo before a wind change. When it did blow we were well sheltered and able to BBQ the salmon for dinner.
Thursday 14/1 
The morning was grey and drizzly so we rang the Waterwheel Tavern to arrange a pick up for lunch in Lake Tyers, where we enjoyed calamari and fish and chips. Returning to Lakes Entrance we bought a small pork roast for dinner - a lovely choice on a cool evening!
Friday 15/1 
We cruised over to the fuel dock then on to Lakes Entrance to buy still more prawns! We headed west, stopping at Harpers Bight for toasted pork sandwiches for lunch then headed into Boxers Creek to meet up with Rick and Corinne on "Gently"; rafted together on the beach we enjoyed a few drinks, some prawns and a curry for dinner.
Saturday 16/1 
We had arranged to collect Gary and Julie, Luke and Linda plus Jasmine and Nick from the main wharf at Lakes Entrance for a days cruising the lake; we had also arranged to meet Rick and Corinne at Harpers Bight for a birthday lunch for Gary. With prawns and chickens, rolls and salad, we all enjoyed a very social occasion before we returned our friends to Lakes Entrance and ourselves to Flagstaff Jetty for another lovely night with seafood marinara for dinner.
Sunday 17/1 
A short stop at Lakes Entrance for water, food and alcohol then we cruised east for a chicken burger lunch at Harpers Bight. With more wind than predicted we cast off in the afternoon and continued west, into Box's Creek where the water was calmer! We perfected our pizza bases with more cooking time today :-)

Monday 18/1 
After a lovely walk around the creek followed by a swim and breakfast we cruised across to Metung to meet the parents just after midday. We parked on a small spit opposite Nungurnah where we enjoyed chicken and salad for lunch, returning for an afternoon rest and meeting Lynne and David for drinks before dinner at the Metung Pub.
Tuesday 19/1 
We arranged an early departure today, cruising via Barrier Landing and up to Lakes Entrance where we bought some prawns off the trawler, then cruised over to Flagstaff Jetty where we had a swim and enjoyed lunch on the back of the boat. We returned to Metung for an afternoon siesta before BBQ steaks and a nice red for dinner.
Wednesday 20/1 
A slower start today with a short cruise to Box's Creek for lunch, returning for afternoon rests then off to Paynesville for a delicious Thai dinner at the Motor Cruising Club, with a twilight cruise home afterwards.
Thursday 21/1 
We headed west again, up the Tambo River for a sausage sizzle lunch at Johnsonville. Dinner tonight was take away fish and chips and salad.
Friday 22/1 
We farewelled the parents early then after breakfast we headed back to the Tambo River, enjoying lunch at the Swan Reach Hotel then cruising back to Johnsonville as the rain set in, tying up for a lazy afternoon and seafood marinara for dinner.
Saturday 23/1 

After a walk and breakfast we cruised back down the Tambo River and across to Paynesville, where we filled the boat with water and the car with our belongings. We drove into town for supplies for lunch and tonight, then drove back to put these onto the boat before driving the car to the ferry and over to Raymond Island. Returning to the "mainland" we walked back to Manookatoo then cruised over to tie up near the car. We enjoyed a lazy lunch then the first mate went window shopping (very quiet in Paynesville on Saturday afternoon)! Later we cruised across and picked up a mooring in Duck Arm for our final summer night, enjoying oysters, roast chicken and pudding with a lovely bottle of sparkling red for dinner.
Sunday 24/1 
We left our mooring fairly early, cruising back to Raymond Island where we found our jetty spot, had a last breakfast and locked up the boat before heading back to the car for our trip home. The holidays have been wonderful - social, relaxing, rejuvenating and we look forward to a few weekend cruises around the Lakes before Manookatoo returns to Melbourne.

Back to the Lakes for summer

Williamstown Marina, first light

On the weekend of 15th November, it was time to depart Marina YE and start preparing for the journey to the Gippsland Lakes. We stayed Friday night at Williamstown, making the most of it with a delicious meal at the Anchorage Restaurant. Next morning, before 6am, we slipped our mooring and headed south down Port Phillip Bay, following the big container ships before heading down the western channel, picking up a mooring bouy near the Queenscliff Yacht club just before lunch. We lowered the dinghy into the water and motored over to the jetty for some chicken for a lovely BBQ lunch back on Manookatoo. After a relaxing afternoon aboard we returned to shore for a drink in the champagne bar at View Grande, looking down on our boat as we toasted the afternoon away. An early night followed.

Queenscliff Channel

Next morning, again before 6am, we dropped the bouy and made our way up the channel before the first ferry for Sorrento departed. Crossing "The Rip" on slack tide, we turned east, passing the cliffs and beaches, rounding Cape Schanck before a late breakfast. We cruised up the bay on the tide, dropping anchor for lunch just after Hastings and motoring into Yaringa Marina in the middle of the afternoon.

Refuge Cove

The Captain was keen to get his boat "ship shape" before Bass Strait, so many days were spent checking engines and batteries, cleaning carpets and covers, preparing for the journey. With a couple of busy weekends, it was early December before he was ready.

With Ian, a new crew member aboard, keen for a new experience, Manookatoo departed Hastings Marina at 5am on Thursday 3rd. They cruised under the San Remo bridge just after 7.30 and punched out through the eastern entrance into some fairly sloppy, bumpy seas in Bass Strait, due to a south westerly swell. It was a rocky ride until they were in the shelter of the islands around Wilson's Promontory, and they entered the protected waters of Refuge Cove just before 5.30, ready to relax with steaks from Mario's butchers and a couple of cold beers.
Next morning, with a forecast of light winds, they were keen to get away early, leaving the cove at 3.50am. Conditions were perfect, with the water like glass, and they set a course running close to the Ninety Mile beach, all the way to lakes. Just off Seaspray they encountered a large pod of dolphins, who gave them about 10 minutes of pure entertainment as they leapt through the water beside the boat. With the sun beaming down the water was sparkling and the boys were having the time of their lives.
Manookatoo arrived at the entrance to the lakes in calm waters, entering easily and cruising in to tie up at the jetty just before 5pm. After tying the boat up in a friend's berth just near the floating Chinese Restaurant on the Esplanade, they had a couple of celebratory beers before heading to the local pub for a meal of local Lakes crumbed scallops washed down with a Tasmanian Pinot Noir. Another successful trip and nothing but pleasure for the summer ahead!
Trip distance: 200 Nautical Miles
Fuel Consumption: 300 litres
Travelling time: 25 hours, 20 minutes
See the dolphins frolic.....

Manookatoo September cruise

19/9/15, 10.4NM

Half Moon Bay

After a lovely night celebrating end of term with Glenda and Peter, we packed our food and clothes, cast off and headed down the Yarra, bound for who knows where in the next two weeks. Cruising 10.4 nautical miles south, we headed to Sandringham Yacht Club, where we booked into our berth before cruising out and around the corner for a hamburger lunch at Half Moon Bay, a breezy location!
Returning to the Marina we lazed the afternoon away then dressed for a romantic anniversary dinner at Harbour View restaurant with bubbles and a seafood platter to celebrate our fifth wedding anniversary.

20/9/15 15.2NM

Mordialloc Creek

A morning walk to Sandringham then we slipped our mooring again for a trip south east past Black Rock and Beaumaris to enter Mordialloc Creek, 7.6 nautical miles away, where a variety of boats are moored. We cruised out and north again, dropping anchor just below the cliffs of Mentone/Beaumaris, out of the breeze, for a delicious chicken and salad lunch. We are back in Sandringham for a second night tonight, and a relaxing pizza aboard is the order for the evening.

Royal Melbourne Yacht Club, St Kilda

21/9/15 6NM
The wind got up overnight and bounced us around a little in the early hours of the morning, diminishing just after dawn. We cast off just after 8am to beat the change, cruising north to the Royal Melbourne Yacht Club at St Kilda in a fresh northerly breeze. We enjoyed a pleasant walk around St Kilda before the weather deteriorated, returning to Manookatoo for lunch and a lazy afternoon, then a Mexican dinner onshore to celebrate Brett's 27th birthday.






22/9/15 0NM (11.67KM walked)

Just for fun on a windy day

With a strong wind warning issued for Port Phillip Bay, we decided on a land based exploration instead. After a leisurely breakfast, and after the rain and hail stopped, we made our windy way along the pier and caught the number 16 tram down to Balaclava, where we walked along the shopping strip then re-boarded the tram and continued around to Malvern Road/ Glenferrie Road intersection. Changing to the number 72, we travelled along to the Prahran Market, where we alighted and enjoyed a cup of tea, sampled some of the food on offer and bought ourselves some linguini and seafood to cook tonight. Back on the tram around to St Kilda Road where we swapped again to the 16 to finish our circle and battle our way through the gusts and back to the boat, where we dropped off our supplies. 
We waited out the next passing shower, then headed back up to Acland Street, where we enjoyed a counter lunch at the Village Belle Hotel. Then we headed to the supermarket to buy tomorrow night's dinner before returning to Manookatoo - no cruising done today, but plenty of distance covered!

23/9/15 34.3NM

Point Wilson Jetty

The wind did not die down as much as expected overnight but, with the prediction it would do so during the day we cast off just before 8:30am and headed into the bay. It was certainly a rocky start to the trip, with quite a swell tossing us around - like a cork in a bucket of water! After a few hours, as we gained more protection from the Bellarine Peninsula, conditions settled and we cruised along comfortably. 

Geelong Grammar

Limeburners Lagoon

We passed the under-construction Wyndham Marina complex and the under-renovation Point Wilson jetty - at 2.6km long it is quite noticeable. There were only a couple of other vessels out today so it was easy to enter Corio Bay along the shipping channel then head north-west towards the refinery and Geelong Grammar, cruising into the narrow entrance to Limeburners Lagoon, where we picked up a swing mooring, secured ourselves and turned off the engine. It will be much more peaceful here tonight with just a few empty yachts and some sea birds for company but we intend enjoying our roast pork dinner in the solitude.
24/9/15 5NM
We awoke to the sounds of silence; no wind, no traffic noise, just the gentle lapping of water on the hull. After a leisurely breakfast we cast off and headed south across Corio Bay, past the oil refinery and shipping terminals, to the Royal Geelong Yacht Club, our home for the next two nights. 

 

Royal Geelong

After tying up we headed to the supermarket for some supplies, returning to pack them away then out again for a stroll around the city centre. There is a lot of history in the city of Geelong and nowhere is this better illustrated than in the city's pubs. We enjoyed a drink at the recently restored Lord Nelson, entered a couple of others just for a "look", then returned to the waterfront for lunch at the Fisherman's Pier, where the food was delicious but the service was ordinary! The captain returned from there to Manookatoo, while the first mate explored the shopping centre but bought nothing. A late afternoon drink on the flybridge was followed by a yummy chicken and mango curry and an early night.

25/9/15 0NM (25km cycling)
Another gorgeous start to the day with a walk along the promenade, around the lovely  swimming enclosure and through the botanic gardens, finishing along the elevated Eastern Beach road, with large ornate houses overlooking views across the bay.
After breakfast we took the bikes and headed south along Swanston Street, which has a terrific bike path all the way, across the railway line to the Barwon River. There we followed the well maintained bitumen track along both sides of the river front, past golf clubs, rowing facilities and numerous parks and gardens. There were many families walking, pushing prams or leading dogs, groups of cyclists too, everyone enjoying the outdoors on a sunny spring day.
On completing the 19km loop we rode back up Swanston Street, stopping for a drink at the Elephant and Castle, owned by Mayor and local identity Darryn Lyons. We visited the Diana memorial photo exhibition, on the first floor of the striking old pub. The food looked very appetizing and we will file it away as a must-visit next time we are here!

Instead we returned to Manookatoo for lunch of leftover roast pork with apple and gravy - yummy! - and a well-earned rest. As the sun set we enjoyed another drink on the flybridge then went out to dinner at the yacht club, another fabulous day well spent.

26/9/15 29NM
We returned the yacht club key and cast off the ropes before breakfast, heading out into Corio Bay on a still, sunny morning. Rounding Point Henry we enjoyed breakfast as we cruised along, passing many fishermen in small boats enjoying their Saturday and hoping to reel in a few big ones. We cruised along close to the Bellarine Peninsula, exploring but not stopping at Portarlington jetty, passing the wreck of the Paddlesteamer "Ozone" just off Indented Head, and dodging rocky reefs near St Leonard's before cruising down Coles Channel and entering Queenscliff at 12:30.

After a lunch  of leftovers we took a leisurely walk up to the town, meeting Yvonne and Martin in the Main Street and returning to Manookatoo in the late afternoon for drinks on the flybridge and a barbecued steak for dinner. 


27/9/15 0NM (4.5km walking, 15.5kms cycling)
We woke to a thick fog and the sounds of foghorns from Point Lonsdale lighthouse and the Queenscliff ferry. It was a good day to do some laundry! It was also the first day of the Queenscliff Markets, so we made the most of the fresh produce and freshly cooked food as we wandered around munching on a mixed breakfast and waiting for our washing to dry. 

Once the chores were out of the way we set off on our bikes along the foreshore, past the Fort and following the highway before turning south towards Point Lonsdale, stopping at the lookout over The Rip before reaching the lighthouse as the fog lifted. 

We rode back along the foreshore then turned on to the Rail Trail, following the shores of Swan Bay back past the old railway station, the boat ramp and some old fishing warehouses, reaching Manookatoo ready to enjoy a reviving cup of tea. Stowing the bikes away, we cast off, heading less than a nautical mile away, and pulled up a public mooring to spend a relaxing afternoon and  night bobbing up and down opposite the Queenscliff Cruising Yacht Club, enjoying the peace and serenity.

28/9/15 7NM
There was fog overnight and every so often we could hear the mournful sound of the foghorn, but soon after dawn the fog lifted and the sun shone. After breakfast we cast off the mooring and headed down the channel into the bay, cruising east towards Portsea the northeast following the Mornington Peninsula to Sorrento. 
We made our way slowly through all the empty moorings, checking out the mansions on the hills before pulling up at the Sorrento Couta Boat Club jetty for a stroll along the beach and into town, buying some food for dinner and enjoying a seafood lunch at "The Baths" restaurant on the foreshore.

Returning to Manookatoo, we cast off and picked up a public mooring within sight of the ferry terminal and the town jetty, our spot for tonight.

29/9/15 13NM (14km cycling)
The lovely thing about a swing mooring is the gentle movement of the boat, but when the breeze lifts as the tide turns it can be a bit more bumpy - as it was at about 4am! We woke to a freshening breeze and cast off just after breakfast, making our way between the bouys and back into the channel, heading north-east up the bay. 
With the swell coming side on it was a rocking and rolling trip and it was a small relief two hours later to turn into the Martha Cove channel, tying up at the Marina soon after.
After a "leftovers" lunch we set off on our bikes, riding along the pathway next to the canal, then following the foreshore path to Dromana, where we paid a visit to Shaunagh, Mark and the boys, shopped for dinner and returned to the boat. A lovely roast lamb dinner was the order of the evening before bed - no rocking tonight!! 


30/9/15 10NM
There was no sound but the tweeting of nearby birds this morning. We had a lazy time, relaxing the morning away before our cruising guests arrived.
Just after 11:00, Shauna, Mark, Tom and James boarded and we set off, cruising down the canal and turning south, traveling 5NM before dropping anchor just off Rosebud Pier. There we enjoyed a chicken and salad lunch, followed by delicious Apple Slice, watching the ships come down the channel from Melbourne and turning 90degrees to head out of the bay. Cruising back, we were thrilled to spy a dolphin diving through the wake of Manookatoo, following us along until we turned into the canal again. 

After farewelling our guests we hopped on our bikes for a short cycle to Provincia, a well appointed local grocery, buying a few provisions before returning to Manookatoo for sunset drinks on the flybridge then dinner - Nigella's "Slut's spaghetti" - a delicious combination of pantry staples such as sardines, tomatoes and olives served with pasta - yummy!! A clear, starry sky is promising good weather tomorrow.

1/10/15 29.2NM
The captain was up early and keen to be off, so we cruised out of the Marina before 8am and headed north, following the beaches past Mornington and Frankston, entering Patterson River but, with a low bridge even at low tide, going no further. We continued north and anchored off the cliffs of Beaumaris for a hamburger lunch. The sun was very welcome and we made the most of it - the captain even had a swim!! 

Later we cruised north to Sandringham Yacht Club where we tied up, headed to the supermarket for some salmon for dinner, then enjoyed a drink at the Yacht Club as the sun slipped towards the horizon before returning to Manookatoo for a quiet night.

2/10/15 (4km walking, 10.6km cycling) 11NM
With the promise of fine weather and a new Public Holiday declared today, we started with a cycle along the Esplanade to Brighton Yacht Club and a walk along the rock wall around the Marina before returning to Manookatoo for a cruise. It is hard to beat the serenity and clear waters under the cliffs off Beaumaris Bay, so we dropped anchor just east of yesterday's spot and sat back enjoying the sun, a glass or two of wine and a lunch of leftovers - our final chance to empty the fridge before our return to home tomorrow.

3/10/15 10.4NM
We heard the wind building in the early hours of the morning and by the time we were up and about it was time to leave, before it got any stronger. We cast off at 7:10am, with a 20 knot breeze and gusts to 30 knots. We were lucky, it was from the north so we could hug the coast north and miss the worst of it. 
We entered the Yarra soon after 8:30 and started breakfast as we cruised along - not much traffic on the river today!! Passing under the West Gate and Bolte bridges, we tied up at Yarra's Edge before 10:00 - happy to be back but sad our wonderful trip was over.