A westerly gale has dominated these last few days, forcing us into hiding, and limiting our communication with the outside world. Despite this, it has been warm and sunny which makes things so much more pleasant.
With a slight reprieve on Tuesday, when the blow was downgraded to a strong wind warning just for a day, we made the move from Moriarty Bay on Clarke Island, a protected but very plain anchorage, to scenic Jamieson Bay on Cape Barren Island.
The 16 miles passage was a brisk and exhilarating downwind sail in 25 to 30 knot wind and ebbing tidal current, taking us inexorably east. It was a committal departure. Once underway there was no turning back. Going only with a furled up jib, we averaged 8 knots speed, but peaked at 13.5 out in the open, away from the lee of the land. The sea was covered with white caps, the roar in the rigging loud, and for once our pictures showed the state of the ocean. So often, an agitated sea looks flat as a tack in photos!
35 knots on the stern!
Jamieson Bay is one our favourite anchorages in the Furneaux – just as well, since we are stuck here for nearly a week! With Mt Kerford and Hogans Hill overlooking the bay, huge granite boulders covered in the characteristic orange lichen at either end of the long sandy beach as well as in its centre, big sand dunes over the back, turquoise water close in to shore, it is a photogenic anchorage and there is plenty to entertain ourselves. Diving, beach combing, walking, snorkelling, spear fishing… that is when the howling wind is below 30 knots! At times we were stuck on board with 40 knot gusts sounding like a freight train. Wade caught us a couple of dinners, spearfishing a Banded Morwong and a trout like fish, while I enjoyed taking less lethal underwater shots of intriguing species like the Ornate Cowfish or Long-snouted Boarfish. The Cowfish are particularly fun to watch; they appear all puffed up with tiny little fins and seem to hover about in the water in an unstable manner. When they try to get away from us, they move in a silly little wiggle that makes us laugh.
There is only one negative in this paradise: absolutely no internet coverage in the curl of the bay where we are holed in, hence our silence for a few days. We have had to revert back to using our HF Receiver for weather reports. Even radio contact is slim. A day of NE allowed us to briefly move to the other end of the bay, where we were able to publish this post! But we will be out of phone and internet contact for a while longer as the westerlies are returning with a vengeance and forecast to reach over 40 knots during the weekend, so we are going back to our hole in the curl of the bay. Not sure where to next, possibly the eastern shores of Cape Barren Island when the weather allows.
As you can see from the photo gallery, this little piece of heaven is not a bad place to get stuck in!
Sv-Anui 
Wish I was with you guys on that one ….. NOT
Looks great from here and glad you enjoyed it!
The passage was an interesting one! Well worth the move as if there is one place to be stuck in for a week, this is it!
Such a beautiful place!! Theses looks really angry. 😳
The wind was really howling and still is, but we are snug at Jamieson!
Beautiful turquoise water!
It looks tropical doesn’t it? It is not – 14 degrees.
Wow, what a passage to the new spot. Great fishing Wadie, yum. But look at your swimming gear, boy the water must be COLD, bit different to Lord Howe eh!! Those fish are so funny
Hi Sue- all good with wetsuits, but chilly without although we have got used to it. The Cowfish are SO cute and very pretty!
Wild weather alright! Hope it settles for you soon. Great pics. Looks lovely!
We will be here for quite a few more days. It has been wild for this last week but we are having fun.
I love the ornate cowfish. I feel like he/she would have some interesting insights if we could converse.
We talked to it: ” you look a bit wobbly, but very pretty” – no answer! But a fin action that said “I’m outta here”!
It looks like a great place to be stuck in, are you doing some long exposures with those big boulders?
No I haven’t – that’s an idea for when we return to our hole and can land the dinghy!
Looks like you’re having fun taking screen shots from the new navigation instrument. Save some of the good anchorages for us.
We are checking out the best and may well bring you here! Not long to go now!
That fish looked like a tasty meal~!
It was, Elgar!
Really nice pics, the location looks fascinating.
One of our favourite anchorages. Just as well as we were there for 12 days, unable to get away!
Enjoyed catching up on your Bass Strait voyage! Gorgeous photos, avian and otherwise, as always!
I’ve nominated you for the “Sunshine Blogger Award” if you’re at all interested – I found it kind of fun. Details here: http://gonefloatabout.com/2017/01/16/sunshine-blogger-award/ Be fun to read your answers if you decide to do it, but no worries if not!
Cheers and happy sailing!
Ellen
Will have a look! Just got out of Jamieson Bay with communication for the first time in 12 days.
No worries if you decide it’s too much! Sounds like you’ve had a great cruise!
Still going for another two weeks!
Somehow didn’t put that together – sorry! Thought WiFi meant you were home! Hope you have milder winds than described in your last post!!
Yes with friends coming on board we are praying for gentler conditions!