We are in our second week at Wilson’s Promontory, and Wade is in his fourth week since his brachytherapy. All is going well.
The alluring combination of adventure, self- sufficiency and self-discovery really is in full swing for us! We are all living through incredible times but for the Anui crew, what we know about resourcefulness and living afloat on our lonesome is taken to a new, more extreme level: we not only do it because we choose this lifestyle but also because we must!
We have chosen to spend time at The Prom, as it is affectionately called, on the way to the Gippsland Lakes. It is a scenic stretch of coast with pristine teal waters, sweeping beaches and rugged granite mountains. One of the iconic sights are the huge boulders that line the edge of beaches, and are typically covered with orange lichen. It is a bright as is shown on this photo:
We are alternating between two bays on either side of the Prom depending on the wind direction. Waterloo Bay on the eastern side and Norman Bay on the western side are our pick of the coves, with no swell and good communication.
Also alternating is the dress as the weather and temperature go from wintery when we rug up like little oldies and don’t dare go ashore, to warm, sunny days when we sit in bathers in the cockpit! On the cooler days, things look like this inside Anui:
But we have had warm, bright days when we have even braved the cold water – 15 degrees, a bit different to the tropics! We both suited up and cleaned up the water line… no more grunge from the Yarra River!
Staying connected
Staying connected is more important to us than ever. We have been pleasantly surprised with internet and mobile service at The Prom so we are making great use of our data allowance! We are in contact with family in France, friends on the phone, followers through our blog, the web for the news and online streaming of performances and courses!
Papa is reasonable although in a morphine daze, very lonely and bored, so we talk multiple times a week. The nursing home has mandated that all residents be confined to their room following a Coronavirus scare. If a case did start there it would spread like wild fire. But we don’t know what’s worse for him: being in exile and cut off from any company or catching the plague when his days are numbered anyway! The family is rallying so he gets calls each day, but it is no fun for him nor for any of us.
Life in ‘Coronageddon’, as a friend puts it, continues. Everyone we talk to is making gradual adjustments, finding things to stay busy while keeping ones distances. We won’t lie though. There are times on Anui when we both feel the grip of anxiety and the weight of forced isolation. There are times when it all feels a bit empty and sad, when our motivation is lacking; but overall we can’t complain about life too much.
A room with a view
We realise how special it is to be in the wilderness. We also realise this will soon change for us. With the increasing restrictions imposed by COVID-19 we will depart for the Gippsland Lakes as soon as the weather allows. But for now we are here. For all of you who are land locked or home bound, here are a few images to bring Mother Nature to you.
Hang in there!
If you can put up with the lack of physical personal contact, if you limit the amount of depressing news watching each day, if you get absorbed in learning new tricks, it can be a time of personal renewal, of reflection, of thinking about what you enjoy or want to do more of. It is not often you focus on yourself, your physical and mental well being, your skills development. Although we all suffer the misfortune of COVID-19, we are fortunate to live in an era when so many tools are available via the internet to stay active, entertained and connected.
How are you managing? What are some of the new discoveries you are making as you rearrange your life? Do share this with us in the comments.
Isolate, Reflect, Connect!
Sv-Anui 
Hello Chris and Wade,
Lovely to read your news and to see your beautiful photos. We’ve had decent rain here in Melbourne over the last few days which is good for the garden. I’ve also been learning the joys of on-line exercise classes. That’s been a learning experience! Hang in there. Cheers, Mary.
Hi Mary, yes lots of exercise and entertainment options on the net… much needed in these crazy times. Hope Mick can soon get back so you have company. It is easier as a couple than on your own. Stay safe and well.
Beautiful photos as usual. Hang in there!
Thanks Viki – it’s getting tough!
Our lives have changed soon after I came back from South America. We are now in the same situation that you are, the social distancing, quarantine, isolation, etc. have limited us to just stay at home and thank G-d for the internet. Take care, my friends. 🙂
Hi HJ – things seem to change and tighten daily. You take care too.
Wow those orange rocks are so beautiful Chris!
……so is this a ‘Prom date’?
xx
Yes Lisa … a Prom date with ourselves and you virtually! 😃
Hi guys, I’m glad things are going good for you aboard Anui. I’m tired of being stuck at home but make the best of it with cleaning the home inside and out and of course blogging. This time will pass but not soon enough. Be well!! 😎
Yes, our home on the water feels rather small and it will be worse once we are tied to a jetty in a few days for however long! There is a limit to how much cleaning you can do John, I say make a mess… nobody is going to see it! 😂
LOL yes there is, I just killed a few more weeds in the backyard – this house is spiffy inside and out.
I want proof – send a photo!
Terrific pics Chris, as usual.
Great that you’re blocking out the noise of bad news.
Life at COMPASS is interesting with Remote Access working well and client meetings by phone. We’ve stayed away from using Zoom.
Take care you both
Love Waz and Lisa (again)
Thanks Waz – good to hear you are making adjustments in the business to keep going albeit differently.
Blocking some of the ‘noise’ with nicer sounds of birds, wind and water slapping…
In the week before last, our caravanning in S Gippy was cut short by the ever-changing rules ! Week before that we had four days away on my boat “Tripod”, but now that ‘boating’ in Vic is ruled out, my visits to “Calypso” are classified as WORK ! There are currently 7 yachts in transit at Paynesville not allowed to move; some at Fishermans Wharf, so they are looking for berths with water and power for a long stay ! I hope you are able to find a suitable spot when you get here, it may be at anchor ! All the best, it’s good the technology allows so much contact anyway.
Hi Doug, yes we have heard about the group of yachts that are stuck. We would be quite happy to be at anchor somewhere in the Lakes and use the dinghy for shore provisions, in fact it would be our preference to being at a jetty and in our view much safer! We will see what happens when we get in. Stay safe.
Even one of the Ports transit swing moorings in Duck Arm or similar would be OK .
My advice is to choose your spot before berthing anywhere in sight of the Ports people !
We hear you!
It was nice to see your pics, I really love the rocks and sunset. I am keeping busy , cleaning gardening, walks with Pepa and lots of computer games and contact with friends. Golf is starting again, it has been approved as long as it is a group of 2. Stay well
Good that you are getting a bit of physical exercise and chat to people to keep sane! The last thing we want is to turn into couch potatoes and you really have to work at it to stay active. We have to be thankful we can still go out!
Lovely place the Prom (but it does know how to blow ). Was down there (walking) the week before all this nastiness started. Walked from Tidal to Sealers & back. Last time I was there we sailed down from Port Welshpool for friend’s 40th wedding anniv held at Sealer’s Cove. Would have loved to go on to Refuge Cove but weather forecast & time were against us. Sailed back up to Port Welshpool with a southeasterly gusting to 37 knots.(Ended up motoring as I couldn’t slow Catnap enough under sail to stop her driving into the back of the waves)
Sealers not an ideal anchorage, ended up 300m m off the beach to find 2′ of water at low tide! Also very exposed to easterlies.
Hi Don, yes it looks like it is going to blow hard again over the weekend. It settles in the West so we think we will be just fine at Waterloo. Lots of wind but flat water.
We do love Sealers in the right conditions (not in an easterly obviously). It is a much nicer anchorage than Refuge which is very scenic but has poor holding and normally too many yachts playing bumper cars! In Sealers we tend to pick a spot off the northern end and swing happily on our lonesome. We avoid the southern side which as you discovered gets very shallow because of the creek!
The prom is such a beautiful place. Onshore and off. Glad to read that you are both well
Even in storms and rain as we are experiencing right now it is special, Mick. How are you doing? Has your self isolation period ended? Is it looking like you can get back?
Technically the UK is on lockdown for another couple of weeks. In terms of getting back to Aus. It looks like there may be some flights back on again in the next weeks. When in the prom dont miss Corner Inlet. You might be able to get right up to Tin Mine Cove
Love it at Corner Inlet but not in this wind: blowing Westerly – current 25 knots, and forecast to get to 45 tomorrow morning! 90m of chain out at Waterloo!
Sounds like you are anchored well and in a good spot. Hope you have a calm night.
Thanks Mick. Take care and hope you can get home soon.
Hi Chris and Wade
Thought I would mention the “sealers” camp ruins in Keijsers Bay (South Waterloo Bay).
Left hand side of small beach less than 30m from the high water mark. You will notice the foundations of a small camp from the 1800s.
Regards Steve and Marg
S/V Beldisha
Hi Steve – yes we know of it. We haven’t been ashore this time around…. too rough to land the dinghy.