Wilson's Promontory (Refuge cove) to Eden (NSW) Tues 20/4 -Thurs 22/4

One of the many oil rigs, Eastern Bass Strait.

In our planning for this voyage at home, the fabled eastern Bass Strait, with its fearful reputation as a sea of storms, made us respectful of the dangers that lurked there for small ships like ours. For us departing Refuge Cove, however, apart from the thundery weather and the possibility of a squall, conditions were light. Forecast winds were to be light, but with us at last.

We soon settled into night routines of harnesses on when in the cockpit and whilst one of stayed snug on watch and monitored our electronics, the other rested in the passage bunk below. Thus we motored through the night. Although a deep darkness prevailed, broken only by the odd lightning flash to the north, Calista plunged on in a sea illuminated by phosphorescence that was amazing to behold. It was as though the sea had become a grasshopper cocktail as our bow wave turned over furrows of luminescent green. When a pod of dolphins joined us at the bow they danced and cavorted as though bedecked in rivers of green. Fairy lights at Christmas could not have held a candle to this. It was the best of nature, and unforgettable to see. The dawn brought a sunrise of exceptional hues and Cookie, being on watch, took the snap that we have included, from the cockpit. Stunning!

With the new day came the calm and the knowledge that we were to be treated to a Bass Strait passage that we could simply relax and enjoy. From Cliffy Is, some 12nm from Refuge, it was 150nm across the wide expanse of the Strait and we would not see land again until we closed Point Hicks, the promontory first spotted by Midshipman Hicks from the yards of Endeavour way back in 1770. For us, apart from keeping clear of the gas and oil platforms we might as well relax and enjoy the passage. There were still things to do and because the new day was light and sunny we... wait for this.... did a load of ships washing and hung it out on the rails. In remote Bass Strait! Unreal.

Bass Strait Laundromat!

We include here some pics of life on board by night and by day for your delectation.

After rounding Point Hicks we headed for Gabo Is and at 2.20 am on Thursday 22nd April we drew abeam of the Gabo light and completed our crossing of Bass Strait. Cookie was supposed to be off watch but refused to go below until Calista bore away to the north and we had officially entered New South Wales waters. After Green Cape we made for Eden, and after alerting Eden Marine Rescue of our arrival we came alongside the wharf at 8.00am. We had taken a touch under 37hrs to cover the 220.5nm from the 'Prom and we stepped ashore, trying to take in the fact that we actually, really, truly were here! Eden, you beauty! Show us thy garden.