Full of hopes for a spinnaker run all the way, based on a solid forecast of NE winds, we left Bittangabee at dawn on Thursday. Shortly after Green Cape, Big Red was flying and we were going great guns, into Victoria, past Gabo Island, Mallacoota, and Little Rame Head. But forecasts are not gospel and our NE did not last! The weather continued to play tricks on us. All of a sudden we found ourselves in a 20 knots SW, right on the nose, with a collapsed kite and riding a bronco. We decided not to turn tail but instead motored painfully slowly for three hours to take shelter at the Skerries, a bunch of rocks close to shore at Wingan Inlet. It pays to know the coast well. And there we anchored by mid afternoon, waited and had dinner in the company of boisterous seals, since the rocks are their sanctuary!
Anchored at the Skerries
By 8pm the wind had died down and we resumed our passage to Lakes Entrance with our two engines going. We hugged the shores, each taking our two-hourly night watches. We had a glassy ocean, no wind, lots of phosphorescence in the water, some swell and some sea mist. It was eerie in the darkness, not particularly comfortable and a rather long night.
Sunrise in Bass Strait!
Sunrise was breathtaking; with the mist it was hard to tell where the pink sky stopped and the mauve ocean started. We arrived at Lakes Entrance at 9.30am on Friday, rushing in with the tide through the breakwater. It should have felt like a celebration, but we were too exhausted for that.
Arrival at Lakes Entrance
We went and anchored at a favourite nook where we are staying until the official SW change (which came later) abates, some time next week. We could stay and end our voyage here, after all we are at our home port; but it is not over till we reach Port Albert where our summer mooring is, 70 nautical miles further west. Still, we have made it back into home waters with days to spare.
Here are some images from our eventful passage into Victoria.
Sv-Anui 
I am pleased you are in home territory safely. I will be home Monday and will discus weekends on Outback Dreamer with Michelle.
Fair enough!
So glad you came thru safely, Chris! Your photos are gorgeous and I enjoyed each and every one – even went back for a second longer look at each! Got a good chuckle out of Bengie too 😀
Pleased you enjoyed the posts Stacy, it’s nice to get your feedback. We’ll have a couple more to come before the end – then back to normal life with rather mixed feelings: happy to be home as the cruise was hard with so much contrary weather, but not happy to go back to work! As for Bengie she will LOVE being back on terra firma, running around in the garden and climbing her favourite tree! 😸
It’s never fun to go back to work 😦 But that’s what makes being away so much more fun!
Ok I believe you!
LOL!
So glad you made it back to Victoria and didn’t have to jump on a plane, I hope the next week is nice and relaxing for you.
Yes it’s good to have managed the whole trip just the two of us. I would have been disappointed otherwise. We’ll see what next week brings… This weather can throw some curved balls!
what a great journey and your photos are gorgeous!! Fair winds to home!
Thank you Cybele!
Home at last . Great trip and experiences this time around. Although not what you were expecting.
Yes. It is nice to be back home with comfort, space, and an easier routine. The trip certainly was an experience – not what we had hoped. But that is sailing and weather dependent activities!