We have spent a week in Jervis Bay, doing a mix of hiding, lazing around and waiting for the conditions for our long-awaited dive. It was all worth it!
But first, maintenance!
You’d think that after all our work at Gladstone and the Boat Works, we would be free from hassles for a while… but no, Anui is a boat after all! What is it this time? we hear you ask. Both water maker membranes are dead, despite having been replaced this year. Salt water goes in and … salt water comes out! Why? Because while we were stuck in Gladstone, we did not ‘pickle’ the water maker but back washed the system with tap water to keep it clean while not in use. Yes, we did run that through a carbon filter, but no, that was not good enough! For the short term, until we get to a tap at a marina to fill the tanks, we are on rations! We have ordered two new filters which will be delivered to the Gippsland Lakes. Deep breath in, deep breath out.
Now for the fun stuff!
We have been shuffling back and forth between Boat Harbour and the Hole in the Wall for the past week, as the wind shifted from north to south multiple times with a few windy and swelly days. We saw 48.7 knots on the instruments!
It was a good opportunity for some more experimentation with Intentional Camera Movement (ICM). This technique is giving Chris a chance for some exciting new work. It appeals to the artist and rebel in her: no rules, just painting with flow and light.
But the main reason for lingering in Jervis Bay was to scuba dive with Grey Nurse Sharks and Australian Fur Seals. We had two previous attempts in the past couple of years which did not eventuate because the weather did not play nice. We are pleased to confirm the dive happened this time although we did not see the beasties on our wish list – it will be for a repeat visit!
We booked our dive with Sue Newson, owner of Crest Diving. She is an independent operator specialising in small groups and personalised service. It was just us and her. We went to the Nursery, in front of Bowen Island and hung around at about 12-15m in depth for 75 minutes. It had been many years since our last scuba dive, so we both started with a much-needed refresher to remember how it all works. Equalising was no problem at all, but managing our buoyancy was a bit hit and miss, particularly for Chris. It will be easier next time!
Jervis Bay is a protected marine park, home to diverse sea life because of its interesting mix of tropical and temperate waters. After the bout of strong weather and quick changes of wind direction, the underwater visibility was not great and the ocean had a milky green colour, quite a change from the crystal clear tropical waters we are used to. But it was still fun to explore and spot a number of different critters, some of which we had never seen before, from the tiniest of nudibranch to the impressive scorpionfish. Here is a selection in a slide show.
School of Diamond Batfish 
Blue Groper among the Sea Tulips 
Banded Wobbegong, well camouflaged 
Wade over the Sea Tulips 
Sweet Ceratosoma Nudibranch 
Old Wife 
Southern Scorpionfish 
Magnificent Ascidian 
Black margined Nudibranch 
Red Morwong 
School of Diamond Batfish 
Biscuit Star 
Stingaree 
Very friendly Blue Groper 
Lamington Urchin 
Back to Anui after the dive at the Nursery
We were impressed with Sue, and would highly recommend her. We loved her tailored approach, her flexibility and wealth of knowledge. We will definitely come back for more!
We would have liked to stay longer and go diving with the seals, but something major happened on Tuesday, requiring us to be elsewhere!
With 10 days to go before the scheduled public auction we received a solid offer which became the starting point for a ‘boardroom’ auction the next day between four interested bidders.
We are thrilled the house sold for a record price, but now need to get our hands on Chris’s property title immediately, as the 30-day settlement can’t happen without it.
As we post this, we are now in Bateman’s Bay. We intend to sail back to the Gippsland Lakes this weekend, then take a quick car trip from there to Jan Juc where all our gear is stored, to locate the title and deliver it to the lawyer in plenty of time for settlement! Then it’s back to the boat for a leisurely sail back to Melbourne with our friend Trevor on board.
Sv-Anui 
Love the purply fish! Well done on the sale and we know all about rations with water maker issues! Washing hands with salt water definitely has an effect on the skin!
That fish was a blue groper. He was incredibly friendly! The water rations were short lived thankfully. In Batemans Bay with full tanks now.
Milky green yet still very beautiful!! Are you guys purchasing that lovely home? I love the way it looks!
That lovely house is or was ours. It is the one we have just sold! Looks different after repainting 😝
Oh, I see. I hope you guys find another lovely home! 😊
Am having major problems commenting – hope this comes thru’! First things first – am thrilled the house has sold pre-auction with at least four parties interested – what a delightful way to increase the result! Some of your recent ‘Anui’ costs covered and a little extra for the future. Hope you find the ruddy papers without difficulty. Love the results of your trials with the camera . . . and that the dive in Jervis was at least interesting – absolutely love the photos and hope to repost later if my circumstances here allow 😦 !!! Wishing you a fast trip to Melbourne – the weather really has been lousy there of late . . .
Hi Eha, your comment has come through!
So much going on this week. Between the exciting developments with the house, the crazy weather, the dive, then the rush to get the papers, we both feel totally spent!
Glad you liked the photos… could have done a lot better with the underwater shots if I had managed the flash better… you live and learn… but the ICM photos are fun. The movement emphasises the weather conditions with the windswept, misty, swirly effect… kind of an impressionistic painting.
. . . and I love impressionism 🙂 ! Get the legal bit done . . . and then relax a tad . . . am smiling and clapping . . .
Fabulous photos Chris! Very much enjoyed viewing them. And congratulations on your house sale. It’s always a challenging process.
Thanks Jan! Glad you liked the photos. The house sale is exciting. It has been a big week… would you believe we feel exhausted?
Great dive photos… love the friendly groper & the milky light makes it look like a calm dive with great contrast there too with the colours of the sea life.
Congratulations on the very successful sale of the house, that must feel like a giant step forward but I imagine tinged with a little sadness perhaps.
All the best of luck re settlement
Hello Lindy, yes our dive was in calm conditions and good light… amazing after the days of rowdy weather.
The early sale feels unreal! Interesting how the changes introduced to the house (the ‘white wash’ inside and out and the staging furniture) started the process of distancing ourselves from it, so it didn’t quite feel like ours anymore. But once it settles and we make the decision to leave Victoria, we will be in a position to act if we see something to our liking. So it is freeing and exciting rather than a tad sad.
That’s great.
Happy future house hunting & Anui escapades ⛵️🙂🏡🌅
& safe sailing south
Thanks Lindy. Looking forward to enjoying the best of both worlds!
Second attempt:
Love the underwater images of JB i have snorkelled there would be great to dive.
Great news on the sale of your house. Houses are in demand they sell quickly. Next chapter for you guys.
Cheers Mick & Lyn
Hi Mick & Lyn, thanks for persevering! You did get through. The dive was interesting and quite different to what we are used to seeing.
Re the house, it is as you said the start of the next chapter. Very pleased it went so quickly and at such a great price.