Misty Hill Blog

Video Anecdotes

2010-04-12T18:31:00.004+10:00

This was taken while sailing between Chappell Island and Trousers Point on Flinders Is. There was a gentle north westerly blowing as we left Chappell Is so the sails went up and without saying a word both of us just sat back, stowed paddles and sailed slowly towards Trousers Point which was about 8km away. En route as you can hear we caught one of the regular Coastal Waters forecasts broadcast from Tamar Sea Rescue on Channel 67. After some while of gently bobbling along Lynne mentioned the GPS was giving us an ETA at Trousers Point much later than we really wanted to get there, so in a flurry of paddling action to supplement the sailing we upped the speed and arrived at Trousers Point within 20 minutes.

Crossing Banks Strait from Swan Island to Lookout Point on Clarke Island. Big seas caused in part by the flooding tide against the wind and swell from the NW though both helped us along our way as we were moving along very nicely at 5 to 6 knots.

The South West

2010-04-11T07:17:00.027+10:00

With the weather looking very settled for the rest of the week and into the weekend, heading on down the west coast was most definitely on. If we had been held up in Strahan for any length of time we would have pulled out there as it would have been getting a bit late in the year to continue.

Such a settled long term outlook was essential as once we left Cape Sorell, we would have little or no access to weather forecasts until well down the coast when we would pick up the Hobart Coast Radio weather broadcasts from Maatsuyker.

Loaded up with 3 weeks food we left Strahan late on Tuesday afternoon and headed out to camp at Pilot Bay just outside the Heads, ready for a long day the next day to Point Hibbs. We still had phone coverage so Dave texted us the latest coastal forecast, which couldn't have been better. The swell had dropped considerably too opening up the opportunity of more landing spots if needed. As we rounded Cape Sorell at dawn the next morning we couldn't believe how calm it was, a gentle easterly was blowing too so the sails went up and the final leg of our circumnavigation was under way. It would have been nice to explore some of the coast but even with such a settled forecast it was no place to hang around. Point Hibbs provides one of those invaluable sheltered landing spots which are very few and far between on this coastline, we came ashore in the very aptly named Sanctuary Bay. A beautiful spot with lovely camping.

The next day too was another 60km to Low Rocky Point. Such a familiar name from the coastal forecasts and met observations I was quite looking forward to actually being there. Again with such settled weather it was tempting to explore the coast and check out landing spots for future trips but our focus was on reaching Cowrie Bay another reliable landing spot a few kms past Low Rocky Point. A very welcome northerly wind picked up when we were about 15km north of LRP so we had a great sail down to the point and around to Cowrie Bay. It was very tempting with the wind being so favourable to continue on a further 20km or so to Nye Bay, but first we needed lunch after 6 hours or so in the kayak. Earlier in the year with longer days we would have definitely continued but not now with the days so short.

Our two days of settled NE/E weather were over with strong SW winds forecast for the next couple of days. As landing spots were now a little more frequent we continued on as we could land if the headwinds became too strong. Leaving Cowrie Bay at first light we had a good couple of hours of calm before the south westerly picked up and we headed into Nye Bay. This was not a very sheltered landing spot but again with the relatively low swell we were sure we would get ashore ok. It was tempting to head straight into the Giblin River but the surf looked a bit complicated so we landed on the beach through horrible big dumpers a few hundred meters north of the river mouth. This proved a bit of a mistake as there was absolutely nowhere to camp. We walked along the beach to look at the river mouth and felt sure we would find a camp on the southern bank of the river.

There was no alternative but to head out through the surf where we had landed and come into the river. It was a very tricky steep beach to get off; any surf beach is hard in the heavily laden double but this beach was so steep with big dumping waves just meters from the shore. Our tactic in this situation is for me to stand at the bow holding the boat at right angles to the surf, Lynne jumps in and puts her spraydeck on and I jump in as she paddles out past me. There is often no chance for me to put my spraydeck on but this is not so important as usually only a little water gets in. In this instance with the surf as it was the boat had a lot of water in it even before I got in, even more got in as we paddled out through the dumping surf so by the time we got completely trashed by the last 1.5/2m dumper we were awash!

So our first capsize of the trip!

Back to the beach and really not wanting to face the horrible dumping surf again there was nothing for it but to unload and carry our gear then drag the boat along the beach to the river mouth. At least this kept us warm.

Once in the haven of the Giblin River and settled into an absolutely magic camp on the duck banks we could relax.

The next day was much the same but no capsize. We headed off into the south westerly but only made it to the next bay south, Mulcahy Bay, as it was obvious there was no way we would reach Port Davey. We had read about a couple of sheltered gulches in the northern tip of the bay and sure enough as we weaved in through the rocks we entered a sheltered haven but the very rocky beach made landing a bit tricky. Once ashore we gathered driftwood logs and made a wooden 'slipway' for the kayak to keep it off the rocks as we dragged it above the high water mark. There were no obvious campsites but with a bit a clearing we just managed to fit the tent into a tight spot in the scrub.

I climbed up out of the gulch and up to the top of small hill as I guessed there may just be a chance we would pick up the weather broadcast from Maatsuyker at just after 6pm. I was right but only just, it was very broken but enough came through to give us an idea of what was happening in the next couple of days. Most importantly it seemed the south westerlies were abating so tomorrow we had a good chance of reaching Port Davey.

And we did, paddling the 39km to Spain Bay on a glorious sunny morning with hardly a breath of wind, then spent the afternoon having lunch and relaxing in the sun on the beach.

Again the trip to the top of the nearest hill for the weather at 6, which came through loud and clear this time, giving the green light for rounding South West Cape the next day.

Even though we knew we still had a good few days of exposed coastline to paddle before we could really relax, reaching Port Davey and the very familiar surrounding hills and coastline definitely lowered the stress and pressure we had felt all the way down the west coast. Knowing the coastline from here to Recherche so well it really felt like coming home.

I had heard of kayakers having to deal with really rough conditions off SW Cape due to the rebounding swells off the cliffs south of Window Pane Bay so we started about 3km off shore slowly heading in closer to see what the conditions were like. We needn't have worried though with the low southerly swell we ended up less than 500m from the Cape as we rounded the tip and the oh so welcome sight of the south coast opened up before us.

A hour or so later and we were ashore at Ketchem and another slight lessening of west coast stresses. The next day's forecast was for 10-20kn north easterlies with 25kn offshore, so at first we thought at least we could paddle around to New Harbour or even bash all the way to Louisa Bay. On second thoughts though the idea of a day bashing into a strong headwind didn't appeal and we had a day off.

As it turned out there was hardly a breath of wind all day but I think a rest day, the first since leaving Strahan was definitely needed.

The next day's forecast was very similar but feeling refreshed a few hours bashing into a strong headwind was slightly more acceptable. First we had to get off the beach. The swell had picked up on our rest day but had dropped back a bit but there were still some quite large 2m+ dumpers, which was surprising given the almost flat beach at Ketchem, it must shelve off steeply just offshore. The waves were dumping then running smoothly into the beach so getting off was easy and I had plenty of time to get my spraydeck on this time, we held our position waiting for a large set to finish then put the power on to get out beyond the break line before the next lot. But suddenly having committed ourselves and judged it wrong we copped a big dumper just as it broke.

Capsize number two! Bugger.

Second time we got it right and we were off.

Despite the forecast the sea was glassy, not a breath of wind as we glided along past Cox Bluff and headed for Louisa Bay. Just off Coxs a small motor launch came alongside and we were more or less berated by the skipper, "Don't you know there is a strong wind warning today. I just want to know what you think you are doing out here in that when there is a strong wind warning." He went on to say something about 3m seas as he obviously assumed that we would have capsized and drowned long before they reached that size. The evening forecast had not mentioned a strong wind warning for the south coast though there was one current for Tasman Is to SE Cape and I am not quite sure how he could expect 3m seas with an offshore NE wind when we were only a few kms out at most. A little later at 8.30 we listened to the latest forecast and sure enough there was still no strong wind warning for the South Coast.

I felt I was living a dream, for over 20 years I have wanted to paddle the South Coast and even though we were not sightseeing he we were in calm sunny conditions surrounded by Mount Louisa, the Ironbounds, PB, Pindars, Ile de Golfe, De Witt, Maat etc etc. Luuch at Little Deadmans and the luxury of actually having lunch at lunchtime. There have been too many long days in the kayak with no landing spots until mid or even late afternoon so lunch almost becomes the first course for dinner.

We chatted to some bushwalkers from WA who had had a hard time over the Ironbounds the day before, one of them kept complaining that the walk description didn't describe how hard the day is. They asked me if I knew the forecast, I could only give them the wind strength and direction with any certainty but did say if there was any rain with the change forecast overnight it wouldn't be much.

As we left Deadmans and headed towards Rocky Boat Inlet and got a view of the sky to the NW it was obvious we were in for a blast with big black nasty looking clouds filling the sky, and sure enough within 30mins we were just hammering along with only one sail up and it started to rain. Those bushwalkers would have been cursing me and my homemade weather forecast.

Rocky Boat Inlet is a beautiful spot; it is not on the South Coast Track and is well defended by thick scrub so few walkers make the effort. The offshore rocks seem to keep the fisherman away too as there were very few fire sites and virtually no beer cans which too many of the west coast sheltered bays and campsites are just littered with.

Lynne was pregnant with Louisa the last time we were at Rocky Boat - 20 years ago. The food drop for the South Coast Track trips we were guiding in those days was located here so every time we walked the track we would come over from Osmiridium to stock up for the last few days out to Cockle Creek.

We thought we had the south coast in the bag as the next day's forecast was for NW 10-20kn backing SW in the morning at similar speeds. Wind strength and directions to give us some exciting sailing and take us exactly where we wanted to go, the NW would take us around South Cape then the SW would blow us around SE Cape and as far north towards Huonville that daylight would allow.

It wasn't to be. Even before the alarm went off at 4.30 I could tell that the wind was already SW and was a very healthy 20kn. We put the billy on for coffee anyway but I knew we would not be heading off towards South Cape as it would mean at least three hours of the wind and a horrible steep breaking sea right on the beam. So we settled in, to at least 11am; if the wind had dropped by then we could have lunch pack up and be on the water by 12 and still get to Cockle Creek. The south westerlies following a front quite often drop out more quickly than the forecasts predict but not today, the rain petered out during the morning and there was even some blue sky but the wind kept blowing.

With NE winds forecast for the following day we knew we would not get an easy ride to Cockle Creek but as it turned out we only had to bash into the wind from Whale Head to our lunch stop at Black Swan Lagoon. Rounding South Cape and SE Cape the seas were pretty smooth just a little chop left from the south westerly the day before.

As we approached Black Swan Lagoon we could see people on the beach which is unusual as there is no easy access, and as we landed of course it was another one of those Tasmanian moments - it was someone we knew, Rebecca and her two girls. She apologised for disturbing the deserted beach we had been expecting but on the contrary having had more than our fair share of deserted beaches over the last two months it was nice to meet up with a familiar face and have a chat.

By the time we had lunch the NE wind had dropped so we could anticipate getting a lot further north than we had originally expected. We were not sure where exactly especially as we did not have a map for the coast north of Southport and much of the coastline is rocky.

We could now though paddle much later than we had on the west and south coast where prudence dictated having at least a couple of hours daylight spare at the end of day. Muscles allowing we could get even get to Port Esperance after dark if we wanted to. Just north of Southport though, Lady Bay beckoned, a campsite Lynne had used in the past with work. We had paddled 65km but Rocky Boat Inlet seemed in another world compared to the benign waters of the lower Channel. The beach was steep and rocky but a very handy pile of seaweed provided an easy landing just above high water and an even easier launch the next morning. Whether it was this or the fact that we were camped very close to the kayak so didn't have to lug our gear very far or the fact that this was our last morning and the lure of Huonville and home was at full strength, or all of those reasons, but we were on the water at 6.15!

It was a nice day's paddle despite a bit of plod at times against a gentle NW wind and then the opposing Huon flow and the urge to just get there and finish. It also felt very strange to be on such calm water, for so many many weeks we had dealt with waves, swells and surf it seemed almost impossible that we were dealing with the same medium.

Then the last corner and a small knot of people gathered at the boat ramp to welcome us home. Meg and Louisa, of course, equipped with champagne and real glass glasses, wow! Kevin, Andrew and Sarah, Elizabeth and Rosie, Michael, Merlin, Kerry and John. Thanks so much for being there.

Dawn and Moonset, Cape Sorell.

Sanctuary Bay, Point Hibbs

Hibbs Pyramid at dawn.

The writing VSKC 2006 carved into this bit of wood at Sanctuary Bay and the ornate ropework and splicing indicate that a Victorian sea kayaking team must have had bit of time on their hands while camped here. I wonder how many days they were held up.

Nye Bay and the Giblin River mouth.

Duckbank campsite on the Giblin River.

Mulcahy Bay 'Gulch'

Mulcahy Bay campsite, the bush needed a little 'improvement' for us to fit the tent in.

Lovely sunny warm afternoon on the beach at Spain Bay.

'Weather Forecast Hill' above Spain Bay.

Approaching South West Cape, it seemed to take forever to get from here to the tip; we were down to 6kph, there must have been a current north up the coast.

Looking back to South West Cape.

Huonville and our wonderful welcoming friends. 61 days and 1800km from this very spot.

The Grip Is Loosened.

2010-03-29T12:58:00.025+11:00

Well we have made considerable progress since the last blog post, having arrived in Strahan at 5.30 yesterday after a 10 hour day from Granville Harbour.

Hanging out at Arthur River was sort of entertaining in a boring way, we got a lift into Smifton one morning and hit the Online Centre where I posted the last blog update.

We also got chatting to the Parks Ranger at 'the River' and ended up getting a lift with her up to Marrawah to the Cold Water Classic surf comp as she had to manage the access to the dunes and middens. Here we had one of those classic Tasmanian experiences bumping into two different people we knew, one of whom we had not seen for over 20 years, when we were guiding for World Expeditions.

The wx looked like it was settling down as the week progressed and more to the point the swell was dropping to a size (3 meters or less) that would enable us to get into the Conical Rocks 'harbour'. We had sort of lost track of the days so had left it a bit late to get back to the kayak for Thursday when northerlies/nw were forecast. With such wind we would in theory sail the 40km down to 'the Connies' by lunch time.

We had arranged with the Arthur River shop owner to drive us down to Temma to reduce the walking time back to Sandy Cape but then he put us on to some Telstra technicians who were heading down to the Cape in a helicopter on Wednesday. The next morning I had a chat to the Telstra guys and they didn't care and were quite happy for us to hitch a lift, then when the chopper arrived I realised I knew the pilot from Parks work - so we were set! It had taken us a day and a half to walk to Arthur River, it took 12 mins to get back. Cool.

The next morning we were off into the jobblyness of rebound, steepening swells and the roar of surf at 7.30. Once around the Cape both sails went up and we were off for an amazing downhill run to 'the Connies'. Being unfamilar with the area and knowing it can be tricky to get into, nervousness abounded - will we find the way in through the rocks? ... has the swell dropped enough? ... how much will the sea state with the N wind effect the entrance? ... and will we get there before the wind comes around to the NW and strengthens? Off the Pieman Heads the water was stained deep brown from the river water for kms offshore and surprisingly there were even signs of current too. Sails came down so we could see clearly where we were going; the basic instruction for entering Conical Rocks is to hug the shore and keep inside the sheltering offshore rocks. Easier said than done with 2.5/3.0 m swells breaking on the very rocky (but scenic) shore to our left. Suddenly there is the gap, between the mayhem of white water on our left and one rock ahead to the right which the swell waves were breaking over. The sea and swell were steepening in the gap but thank goodness didn't seem to be breaking and the white water spilling over that one rock wasn't extending very far. Go for it into what we later voted the jobbliest (technical sea kayaking term for rough unpredictable sea state!) water of the whole trip so far. Very very confused sea, going everywhere, the surface covered in foam from the waves breaking all around from the swell on the offshore rocks to our right, the rebound from the shore on our left and the sea waves from the wind right behind us. A 100m or so of lurching up, down, sideways and the surface calmed - we were in. Phew! I wouldn't have liked to attempt it in any even slightly bigger conditions.

Conical Rocks is an amazing place; once into what the locals call the 'Pop Hole' (for good reason) the water was mirror calm, with the crash and roar of the surf on the outer rocks only 200m away. We were still in our paddling gear chatting to some campers/fishermen who had watched us come in, when the wind changed north westerly and picked up a good few more knots. If we had been a few hours later once the nw sea had built up it would have been much more interesting getting in. Welcome to West Coast sea kayaking. Although in this instance we could have continued on to Granville Harbour 16km further south, if we couldn't get get in here, we probably wouldn't get in there either. We knew the next day was a no paddle day with strong SWesterlies forecast but the following day Saturday was a good day to continue on to Granville Harbour.

It was lovely a place to hang out; I even had mobile reception with my ordinary digi phone. Lynne's 3G phone battery was dead. Thanks to Kevin and Dave for texting the coastal water forecast as we are now well and truly out of range of the regular wx broadcast from Smithton on the marine vhf repeater network. In fact we won't get those again until we round SW Cape. To get that phone reception I did have to walk a km to a big granite boulder and stand on top with the phone held up above my head. We walked north over to the Pieman Heads in the afternoon, wild wild country.

With the swell dropping we were happy continuing to Granville Harbour on Saturday, where the swells if big can break right across the entrance. A headwind was forecast but as it was only 16km we had a cruisey morning and set off about 9.30. All morning it had been very still, not a breath of wind, until of course we turned south off Conical Rocks. We paid for our slack morning with a 3 hour slog into the wind. Again the nervousness of a new landing, as Granville is a spot that can be very tricky in big swells. Lots of breakers as we approached off the northern extent of the harbour but only the rare biggest swell was steepening enough to have a rim of white water along its top so we were fine; in fact all the rest of the afternoon we only saw two or three biggest swells steepening to that extent and they were still a long way off breaking.

The forecast was pretty perfect for the next day to Hells Gates and Strahan. It was going to be a long one, so the anticipated N/NE at 5 - 15knots with a NW change up to 25knots in the afternoon, would be perfect sailing for us. We were on the water at 7.20 out into a smooth windless day and calm seas, the endless swells even though 'small' still seem like mountain ranges rolling in from our right. They are so magnificent.

An hour or so south the coast changed from rocky to steep cliffs and we started heading out to sea away from the horrible rebound effect from the swells bouncing back. It didn't really abate until we were 3 or 4kms offshore. We didn't see much of Trial Harbour from this distance.

We paddled in the windless hot conditions well past Trial Harbour; our usual routine is a stop every 3 hours for a drink and something to eat. As we sat there I said, "whoever sees Cape Sorell lighthouse first doesn't have to buy the first round in the pub tonight". I had only just made that comment when without even trying, there it was, a thin white line visible only from the top of the biggest swells. Your round Lynney!

Just as we were setting off again there was a noticable change in the sea state but seemingly for no reason, then suddenly from the NE/ENE came the wind. Dark water spotted with white horses, sails up and in five minutes we went from hot windless boredom to the tension and struggle to stay upright in a straight line with a short steep beam sea. For an hour or so until it slowly dropped out we rocketed along, too fast to paddle as well at times, really nice to have the kms tick past without the slog of a calm sea.

As we neared Cape Sorell and Hells Gates more and more features became visible; the two lights marking the entrance, the headland itself and the dunes at the southern end of Ocean Beach. We were still 10 or 15km off Hells gates when I realised we were drifting south towards the lighthouse; there must have been a current coming south parallel to Ocean Beach. As we came closer we also realised we had an opposing current as our speed was down to 6kph - we should have been moving at around 7/8kph. Presuming it was the tide exiting Macquarie Harbour we anticipated a battle to get in through Hells Gates. Reaching the breakwater just outside the entrance we stopped for a rest and more to eat; 6 hours exactly since we left Granville. The anticipated hard paddling against the current didn't eventuate; we were up to 7kph + so the current that had slowed us out at sea mustn't have been the water leaving the Harbour.

Quick stop for lunch on the beach near the campground at the Heads and we were off on the last section to Strahan itself. There followed a farcical frustrating time with a huge area of shallows before rounding a point and Strahan was in sight.

Everyone knows the saying not to count your chickens and this is so true with sea kayaking. The day is not over until both feet are on dry ground and the boat is above the high tide mark. However close one is to the shore don't take it for granted that you will actually get there.

We rounded the point, Strahan in sight about 12km away, and we could even see the pub and relax - 'we've done it'!

Then the NW change arrived, the water turned white and it was a 3 hour slog virtually all the way to the beach near the caravan park. Lynne was storming along, I was having trouble keeping up at times, we were going to get there if it killed us! Relax, patience, concentrate on a perfect paddling technique so not a smidge of energy is wasted, don't watch the shore creeping past at a snail's pace as it is far too demoralising and put your mind anywhere else but Macquarie Harbour in a gale.

We hit the beach just short of 5.20, ten hours since we left Granville, 70km covered, our longest day (by 2km) so far.

Food and beer beckoned, so in the dreary grey drizzle of a west coast afternoon we put up the tent, jumped in the shower still in our kayaking gear and went to eat and drink.

What a day, what a place, amazing.

Just inside Conical Rocks having negotiated the gap between the surf on our left and the rocks on our right. Phew!

Conical Rocks harbour, from maelstrom of water to flat calm in about 200m.

Conical Rock campsite.

We had two evenings of spectacular sunsets at Conical Rocks.

The beach at Pieman Heads

In The Grips of The Wild West Coast

2010-03-23T10:11:00.011+11:00

Well our progress has been well and truly halted by wild west coast weather. We reached Sandy Cape last Thursday and have not moved since; we could have gone on to Conical Rocks but knowing we would be stuck there anyway we decided to stay at Sandy Cape. We also knew we would lose reception of the coastal weather broadcast from Smithton on marine vhf if we headed much further south. We knew it was going to be a good few days so rather than go mad with boredom at the Cape and more importantly eat away literally at the food we have on board we bailed out to Arthur River where there is a shop. This meant travelling very light as Lynne has a day pack and I improvised a pack from 20 litre and 15 litre dry bags. We knew we had to walk at least 28km to Temma before there was any chance of a lift any further; we ended up walking about 35km that day before we stopped for the night in a stockmans hut. This was especially cosy as the strongest of the four fronts we have had pass since Thurs came through that night. Walked another 10km the next morning before finally getting a lift the last 6 kms to 'the River'. The shops there were pretty limited so set up the tent and hitched on to Marrawah and a better stocked shop. Walked about halfway back to 'the river' before getting a lift. I don't think I have walked so far, over 50km over two days for decades, though after 5 weeks paddling the legs could do with some exercise.

Had a day or so rest in Stanley in a very luxurious campground, we baked chicken one night and pizza the next using the camp kitchen facilities. From there we had a long crossing to Robbins Island and a fantastic camp on the beach. The next day the tides were right for heading west around the northern tip of Walker Is and then Woolnorth Point. We had a following current south well past the Doughboys. The swell was very low, about 1.5m but we still had a wake up call when we only just avoided two big breakers over a reef as we approached the Doughboys; there had been no sign of surf at that spot for 15mins or more as we approached. That night we had a comfortable camp on the grass at Green Point before continuing on to Temma the next day. It was here we first started getting an idea from a local fisherman that our dream run of weather was about to end. That evening he printed off for us from BouyWeather the outlook for the next week. He uses this forecast in preference to the Met Office Coastal Waters forecast. Being only 24km from Sandy Cape we continued on the next day, rang the Met Bureau for an idea of what was going to happen this week - westerly stream weather and building swells all week. We knew we would not be going anywhere in a hurry. Thurs this week looks like the best day but the swell might be too big for entering Conical Rocks. This is where two kayakers were rescued this summer because the swell was too big, as we seem to be repeatedly told by the locals.

The west coast is certainly an intimidating place; in thirty years of sea kayaking and all sorts of other adventuring and epics in all sorts of places around the world I have never felt so exposed and committed. All it needs though is plenty of food and patience, though if we are held up for much longer it possibly puts the rest of the trip from Strahan in doubt as it may not be prudent to continue south so late in the season. When (if!) we get to Strahan and the outlook is good then we may still go for it as from Port Davey onwards the coast is less committing.

Camped on the beach on Robbins Is just south of Mosquito Inlet. It was a long drag up the beach to get the kayak above the high tide mark, though this was the last camp with a big tidal range.

Our cosy remarkably sheltered spot at Sandy Cape, though we were only there two nights before we headed off to Arthur River.

Lynne had brought a daypack with her so was relatively well equipped for the walk out to Arthur River.

My 'backpack' improvised from 20litre and 15litre dry bags and some rope.

Making good use of the Parks BBQ facilities at Arthur River.

Waiting for our lift back to Sandy Cape.

Sandy Cape beach.

Venables Corner right at the southern end of Sandy Cape beach. Our kayak is just visible to the right of the 4wd track, thankfully just where we left it four days earlier.

Stanley I Presume

2010-03-14T11:36:00.005+11:00

A quick few lines from what seems to be Stanley's only internet access, one of these horrible pielink kiosks, no usb so can't post any pics and it eats coins.

Our break in Bridport was a blast with Andrew, Sarah, Ottmar, Elizabeth and Louisa travelling all the way up from Hobart as it was a long w/e. Great meal together at the unit Elizabeth and Ottmar were staying in and another at the 'top' pub on the Sunday night. I would really recomend the meals there. We set off Monday morning as knowing the wx was forecast to deteriorate over the next day or so we were determined to get out of Bridport. Nearly got around East Sandy Cape but it didn't look very inviting with an increasingly big swell so turned back and set up camp for the day. After a big squall the wind almost dropped out completely so we packed up and were out on the water by early arvo reaching the Little Piper River 20km or more further west around West Sandy Cape.

Sat out the gales on Tuesday at the mouth of the Little Piper River and couldn't have asked for a better place to be storm bound. A really nice spot only marred by heaps of rubbish and 4wd damage. The SW headwinds forecast for the following day didn't really eventuate so we got as far as Low Head. Cathy visited us there with in her words a 'little Red Riding Hood' basket of goodies, fresh veg, cake, dried tomatoes, cherry tomatoes and fresh basil. From Low Head to Penguin the next day the wind was good for sailing so we achieved our longest day so far on the trip - 68km as well as having two lunches.

After a strange lunch at Boat Harbour, where we seemed to be the resort's morning attraction, we camped in Rocky Cape National Park, at the last sandy beach west of Sisters Beach, well within reach of Stanley the next morning even without the wind helping us along.

Arrived in Stanley yesterday at high tide after a fantastic sail from Rocky Cape with an ever increasing NE wind and we are here until Monday when the Post Office opens to pick up our next lot of maps to take us to Strahan. Wx still really settled so it is slightly frustrating to be here over the w/e but a few days rest will go down well. Had a lovely roast chicken and vegies for dinner last night, so good to eat roast, and toast for breakfast too.

The usual routine today after a sleep in, fixing little things on the kayak, food stocktake ready to go shopping this afternoon and charging phone, vhf and AA batteries. Wx forecasts now broadcast from Smithton Coastguard at completely different times to Hobart Coast Radio and Tamar Coastguard; we just about start to remember the times when we move into a different broadcast area!

Can't say the N coast of Tas provides much sea kayaking interest though it wasn't as urban as I thought it could be. Camped on the grass just behind the beach at Penguin was very social with lots of dog walkers passing our tent. Sorry no pics, that will have to wait until Strahan - not that we took many since Bridport.

All Stations, All Stations - Double Trouble. Over.

2010-03-05T14:58:00.011+11:00

Circumnavigation of Flinders Is completed and after a fantastic morning's sailing from Waterhouse Point, where we camped last night, we are now in Bridport. The north coast and most likely a lot of headwinds beckon.
Feeling really fit and strong now, surprise surprise, after nearly four weeks paddling. Crossed Banks Strait yesterday on an incredibly calm day. Left Spike Bay just about low tide aiming to be on the other side with the flood taking us around Cape Portland, and did it ever as the tides are quite big at present. The flow to the NW must have been 3 or 4 knots, we were aiming 40deg plus off to the south from our intended destination. Lunch on the western side of Cape Portland after four hours on the water. The forecast for the day was for 5 - 15kn NE to NW winds but there was hardly a zephyr all day so no sailing to help us along. Crossing to Waterhouse Point was another 26km crossing, nothing like a morning 26km crossing as a warm up for the same in the afternoon. Serenaded by dolphins in the middle of Ringarooma Bay for about 20mins including a couple that leapt completely out of the water.

On Tuesday we negotiated the Pot Boil, (the SE tip of Flinders) at just the end of the flood tide and only had to navigate around a few offshore breakers over the shallows. By the time we had lunch on Vansittart Is and continued on westward into Franklin Sound the tide had turned and we learnt quite how strong the tidal current was flowing east. We would have been paddling at around 7/8kph but were only making about 2 or 3kph over the ground, and this is at the start of the tide! This is why the Pot Boil is so named, it would be an interesting bit of water when such a current hits say a reasonable sized NE swell, throw in all the shoals and a bit of wind and it is a place you want to keep well away from, in any size boat.

Anyway a quick change of course to the south and we escaped the clutches of the eastward tide and continued on our way along the north coast of Cape Barren Island. All this tidal stuff makes for interesting kayaking EXCEPT when landing a fully laden double at low tide. Quite often the hardest work of the day is one trip up the beach for each of us with our gear for the night, the kayak is then light enough to drag above the high tide line.

Sheltering from the thunder and lightning squall that would have caught us 4km offshore in the middle of crossing a big bay north of Whitemark. I have read too many stories of sea kayakers being hit by lightning to be comfortable in that situation so we headed for the shore for a cuppa.

Lunch stop along the 40km of beach between North East River and Babel Island. We had paddled into the wind for 3 hours only to stop on a section of beach that looked identical to the spot we had left. Babel Is is on the horizon above the rear of the kayak.

Three of the dolphins that escorted us for about 20 minutes in the middle of Ringarooma Bay between Cape Portland and Waterhouse Point.

The hut we camped in on Cat Is (adjacent to Babel Is) in the middle of penguin and muttonbird rookeries. Mathew Flinders named Babel Is because of the cacophony of calls from the bird life. We can attest to the accuracy of this; the racket all night was unbelievable. If the noise reflects the nightlife these birds have then I wouldn't mind coming back as a penguin or muttonbird in a future life.

The Rest of The World, The Rest of The World, Double Trouble - Over

2010-02-26T14:19:00.008+11:00

Whitemark - Shopping, Beer, Showers.

Spike Bay, Clarke Is. Landfall for most kayakers crossing Banks Strait, and it even has mobile coverage from somewhere on the mainland.

Trousers Point campsite last night just as we were settling in to bed.

Gale force NE made it a hard couple of hours paddling from Trousers Point to get here, Whitemark, just on high tide. As it dries at low tide for hundreds and hundreds of metres it was a choice of a very quick visit or the next high tide tomorrow morning. The thought of a another couple of hours into that wind and a generally southerly/westerly forecast for the next couple of days made the decision to have another cruisey day an easy one to make. It was supposed to be a rest day yesterday, though the climb of Strzelecki Peak including 8km rtn trip along the road from the Trousers Pt campsite tired the unused leg muscles a bit. It really is fantastic to be back in the Flinders Group again; this has to be some of the best sea kayaking in the world. Big tides, big weather (sometimes) exposed coastlines, surf and the most magical beaches and granite shorelines. Endless offshore islands to explore too, you could circumnavigate Flinders without actually landing on the island itself (now there is an idea for a future trip). Having just paddled the Bay of Fires coast, this area, especially the SW coast of Clarke, Spike Bay and Preservation Is, makes that bit look boring.

Interesting crossing of Banks Strait from just after slack water with the start of the flood tide, good SW wind, one sail, GPS keeping us on course sometimes aiming off 30deg or more to the east to counteract the northwesterly flood current. Steep seas and lots of jobbly water like big rebound effect but no land within kilometers. Maybe it is just the relief of finishing a big crossing but the Spike Bay campsite is just a fantastic spot.

We stopped off on Mt Chappell Is enroute to Trousers Pt and didn't see one tiger snake let alone the monsters that are supposed to live there! I think it is a myth though I didn't wander very far from the beach in my shorts and sandals.

The night before we crossed Banks Strait we camped in a cosy spot out of the wind and sheltered from the frequent showers near one of the Bay of Fires Walk's standing camps, a rendezvous we tentatively arranged with Anna some weeks ago. Thanks Anna for the hospitality, I am sure we entertained the clients with our kayaking stories. The cheese was delicious, oh and the beer!

With a good forecast for the next few days we hope to make the NE tip of Flinders by Sunday ready for the long day to Babel Is, aiming to be in Bridport for the March long w/e. If anyone has any info on the Pot Boil please text, it sounds wild and looked it when we were there some years ago, I suppose we can't go too far wrong if we get there around slack water. Which slack water is best and which tide times to use are unkown at present.

Double Trouble, Out.

Kayak Trip Update

2010-02-21T10:22:00.005+11:00

Strong wind warning for the north east today, 25kn headwinds, so we have left our cosy campsite just north of Cosy Corner and hitched into St Helens for shopping, lunch and surprisingly the Online Centre is open.

We left Huonville on Feb 9th and this is the first time we have been held up by the weather so we are doing pretty well. It seems finally our fitness has caught up with our aims, we are not waking to stiff back and shoulder muscles quite as much as the first week when it felt as if a truck had been driving backwards and forwards across our shoulders.

Am trying to upload some photos but they are being blocked by some program or other this end, I am trying one at a time, which seems to be working.

So far the highlights have been.

- simply leaving on the trip after the madness of the preceding couple of weeks, just too many jobs to tidy up including installing a new solar water heater on the roof.

- Crossing Storm Bay from Adventure Bay to Safety Cove (Port Arthur) discovering first hand why Storm Bay and Safety Cove are so named. For most of the crossing we had at least the forecast 25kn SSW winds so simply flew along with only one sail up. We averaged 10kph for the 50km crossing and the GPS recorded our maximum speed as 18kph! As the seas built towards Cape Raoul the double seemed to alternate between being a submarine with just two conning towers above water or a surf ski.

-We also had a great days sailing with a ESE breeze from Fortescue Bay to Maria Is. Working on the theory that if the going is good, keep going, we travelled nearly 60km and caught a big feed of Flathead for dinner too.

- Louisa and Megan drove all the way to Bicheno to meet us on Weds 17th, for two weary kayakers their energy and big smiles were very invigorating. They also brought loads of fresh vegies from the garden, beer for lunch and news and gossip from the outside world. It was very good to see them. We had a meal in the pub then they set off home for college and uni the next day.

-Not so much a highlight but significant none the less is the marine VHF handheld purchased for the trip.
http://www.icom-australia.com/products/marine/marine_ic-m35.html

Access to the coastal waters forecasts broadcast by Hobart Coast Radio four times a day is invaluable. We finally came up with a call sign the other day "Double Trouble" and called St Helens Sea Rescue for the forecast as we were not picking up the Hobart Coast Radio broadcast on the upper east coast. Then discovered I had not set it to scan the Hobart Radio channel in the NE!

We have also seen loads of seals and dolphins, the seals basking, seemingly asleep with flippers in the air, presumably for cooling purposes. We have been able to get very close before they become aware of our presence and all disappear in a swirl, only to pop up all around us to check out what has disturbed their reverie. The dolphins have escorted us for hundreds of meters, swimming around and under the boat.

Campsite on Butlers Point at the northern end of the Friendly Beaches. We thought this corner would be sheltered from the surf which for the east coast and a 2m swell was quite big. It wasn't, and the beach was littered with kayak unfriendly rocks too; luckily a couple of reefs just outside the break line provided enough shelter for us to land comfortably.

This is on our long day to Maria Is, lovely ESE breeze pushing us along all day. The new sails (slightly bigger than and not stretched like the old ones) and heavily laden double have transformed our sailing ability, even making good progress with the wind well forward of the beam with no excessive leeway . This enabled us to sail much of the way the next day from Maria Is to Schouten Is with a ENE/NE wind.

Meg and Paddy

2009-05-04T12:32:00.000+10:00

Maria Island Sea Kayaking Cruise

2009-04-26T17:40:00.004+10:00

Five day trip, a very cruisey circumnavigation of Maria. I don't think we paddled for more than about 2 hours each day and one day we didn't paddle anywhere.

Wooden Boat Festival 2009

2009-02-13T17:03:00.009+11:00

All loaded up and ready to go at Huonville on Wednesday morning. Stuey, Julie, Rob, Lynne and I. Camping gear and a couple of nights food to get us to Hobart.
We didn't get far, almost to the first bend in the river when we hit a sunken log and cracked the centre board case. Here is The Sally full of water back at the slipway.
Pumping madly to keep her afloat while we get her back on the trailer.

Fixing the crack took most of the rest of the day.

Evening light on the stern and the new paintwork.

The Parade of Sail up the Derwent as all the boats arrive at the Festival Friday afternoon.

The square rigger below is the Young Endeavour, the sail training ship Louisa spend a couple of weeks on in May 07.

Stuey, the other owner of The Sally on the helm.

Giro Tasmania

2009-02-13T16:36:00.004+11:00

Over the weekend of 30 Jan - 2 Feb Lynne and I supported the Giro Tasmania endurance ride. From Hobart to Hobart around the State anti-clockwise, a hilly 1000km all within 75hours.

Seven riders started, six finished. Here they are at the start on Friday evening at Muirs down on the waterfront. One of them had not attempted a ride of such a length before and two (on the right) have completed dozens of similar rides between them.

Dawn on the first morning lovely low light over the granite headlands and sandy beaches of the east coast.

Lynne and I all set up and waiting for the riders at the junction of the Cradle Link Road and Murchison Hwy, this is about the 600km point for the riders.

Peter and Leigh, the old hands who cruised the ride and finished looking as fresh as when they had started.

Another finisher, Mark, a few hours after Peter and Leigh.

Hot, Wet, Wild and Windy

2008-11-13T20:02:00.002+11:00

Just one of those evenings when the evening light is an ever changing kaleidoscope.

Introducing Alexander!

2008-10-13T17:13:00.003+11:00

Here is our new nephew/cousin Alexander. He is three days old in the photo with me - the others were taken when he was born on Friday.

New Driveway

2008-10-04T20:25:00.004+10:00

This where the first truck to arrive came to a grinding halt with a broken drive shaft. All 5 cubic metres of concrete had to be unloaded and wasted before it could be moved. They sent an excavator later in the afternoon to clear up the mess.
Unloading the second truck load, well third really I suppose.
Finished concreting.
Finished driveway with the bricks joined up to the new concrete surface.

CM Hobart September 26th 2008

2008-09-28T19:01:00.001+10:00

Two Can Play At This Game

2008-09-18T21:44:00.002+10:00

My glass looks emptier than yours.

You Know The Scene

2008-09-17T22:19:00.003+10:00

It's way after bed time but the bread making has dragged on and you know you are going to be up for another hour before they are ready.

BicycleTim is waiting for a Dentrecasteaux mussel, olive, anchovie, garlic, red capsicum and australian parmesan pizza to come out of the oven.

2008-09-17T22:10:00.005+10:00

It was delicious and initiated a days kayaking this Saturday, as that was the last of the mussels

Bartlett. McKim,Hodgman - Courteous Mass 29 August 2008

2008-09-17T22:02:00.003+10:00

Visit to Paddy and Ezzie

2008-09-15T20:28:00.006+10:00

Braving the blustery solstice weather, I paid a visit to the ponies at Lucaston. They're revelling in the green spring growth!

Oak Tree Update

2008-09-15T10:27:00.004+10:00

Oak Tree

2008-09-08T08:41:00.002+10:00

Bursting with life - makes quite a contrast with the stringy barks surrounding us which look the same month in month out.

Kev's New Kayak

2008-09-01T08:13:00.003+10:00

The champagne launch of Kevin's new kayak. Mum is away at work so Richard came with me in the double. A very cruisey trip to Franklin for coffee and back through the cut in Egg Island.

Competition Time

2008-08-28T18:38:00.004+10:00

If anyone can guess what we did in this particular building then there will be a prize. Negative points for stating the obvious, no that is not what I am referring to.

OK I will give you clue - the middle door. Super duper prizes if you can name the small town in SA where this pic was taken.

The Port Arthur Oak Tree Confirms Spring Is Here

2008-08-28T18:16:00.006+10:00

I meant to take a picture of the very first green bud that appeared the other day when the 'tree' looked like a bunch of dried kindling. Suddenly within a day or two this is what has appeared. There were no leaves evident yesterday.

Oh and FYI the sub woofer died while we were away; whether as Kevin said it had reached its 'die-by-date' or/and some teenagers had a wild party while we were away : ) is not known. Have to make do without house shaking bass for a while.

Bush Poetry 21st Century Style

2008-08-23T08:20:00.006+10:00

As indicated by Thomas' rousing motivational speech he proved to be quite a word smith, composing numerous poems and ditties describing expedition events.

This little ditty is the only one that was recorded for posterity, it was a particularly cold and frosty morning so sitting around the campfire for a bit longer than usual to fine tune and record the poem was much more attractive than packing up and setting off before the sun had really started to warm the day.

Thomas inspired the rest of team to compose similar poems (except me who isn't able to string two rhyming sentences together if my life depended on it).
This one from Lynne as we traversed a particularly rough bit of track proved not only that she was up to Thomas' standard but also added a dimension to the trip that us blokes hadn't really appreciated.

I'm a huppin' cross the red dirt track
I spy me mates afar
These corrugations hold me back
- I didn't bring me bra!

More Flinders Photos

2008-08-22T08:53:00.018+10:00

On the summit of Hayward Bluff looking south. Brachina Gorge and Wilpena Pound, fantastic views of the ranges and desert to west probably inspired the best one liner of the trip from Rob.

"It's just like Google Earth!"

Just couldn't resist playing with various pieces of junk found en route.

Stu's only puncture, one of those pesky thorns. Very few punctures overall apart from Lynne who proved she was the Puncture Fairy, even getting two one morning before we had even left camp.

Open country and roads with a good enough surface to attain astonishing speeds of 20kph or even more.

After 10/11 days of cycling from Wilpena we reached the mining town of Leigh Creek and the luxuries of a shower and beer (or two).

Geoff and his wife Diane at Depot Springs. They put us up for the night, provided beer then coffee and cake the next morning plus a great insight into station life.

The area abounds with the remains of the various mining exploits in the 1800's and early 1900's. All it needs is a bit of grease and we would have had it going in no time.

Dreaming country - touch the earth.

After a hard game of horse shoe pitching at the Lively Mine hut, which Lynne won convincingly, it was felt that to overcome the rigours of another hour or so of cycling late in the afternoon we needed a motivational speech. Thomas took on this important role with a panache that kept the strength and cohesion of the group together for enough time for us to find another great campsite.
This coincidentally is that very day's camp, fire lit, billy on and tents pitched. It became a very nice regular routine.

We spent quite a lot of time sitting around the fire. There was much baking of vegetables, scones and damper too.

Thomas baking scones.

Voila! One of Thomas' scones.

Stu and Lynne at Moolooloo Station.

Words just can't describe this unique River Red Gum we discovered off track in the Warraweena valley. Surely an inspiration for Tolkien's Ents.

Very glad to be back on a road after a few hours of pushing and struggling off track following a fence line. The road shown on the map that we should have been on didn't exist on the ground.

Andy Goldsworthy eat your heart out. The creek beds were full of these 'installations', neat stacks of leaves and twigs created as flood waters receded.

Flinders Photos

2008-08-11T19:33:00.003+10:00

First nights' camp a few kms north of Wilpena

The team about to leave Wilpena, even though it is sunny you can see by the amount of clothes we have on how cold it was.

Me - towing the larder with 10 days food

Dust storm and mega headwinds coming into Blinman. At least there was pub there with beer to wash out the dust.

We camped just about every night in creek beds with some fantastic river red gums.

Wilpena

2008-07-16T17:23:00.004+10:00

Well as you know we nearly missed the ferry. Thank you Louisa for the 'if you are not living close to the edge, you're taking up too much space' sentiment - quite right! Just like penguins on an ice flow.

You know the routine, drive until it's bedtime then pull off and pitch the tent, this is a bit earlier in the evening coming into Mildura for pizza for dinner.

We didn't get here until midday Monday, a bit later than the planned Sunday afternoon, then the weather held us up. The day we arrived was wet with very low cloud just like Tas. It's been bloody cold too, I have not worn so many clothes, woolly hats and gloves for a long time. I think we and the weather are ready for the off tomorrow morning the mountain of food has been sorted 10 days with us, another five days in the car for later and we will pick up another 10/12 days in Leigh Creek.

We all went for a walk up St Marys Peak yesterday, quite a long way up and a circuit of over 20km, a few of us are nursing aches and pains today.

Here is Mum on the summit.

Look What You Have Done Girls!

2008-07-06T17:19:00.002+10:00

It all started with you posting pictures of your travels on Farcebook, so Mum joined just so she could see the photos. Now the poor soul is addicted to Farcebook , endless games of Scrabble with her internet 'friends', I can never get her away from the computer!

Very Frosty Morning

2008-07-05T08:14:00.002+10:00

Yes, paddocks are as white with frost as they look.
The sun just starting to catch the mountain summits

More Winter

2008-07-01T16:51:00.003+10:00

I know we seem to have posted on a wintery theme recently but there has been some great weather, not too cold and wet, just enough to put a useful amount of water in the tanks and produce some great dustings of snow on Collins Bonnet.

Too a certain extent it is novelty value as we had such a long spell of settled weather through the spring and early winter.

Mum and I had planned a lighting 3 day trip up Frenchmans last w/e but the weather wasn't suitable.

JJJ

2008-07-01T08:36:00.005+10:00

I bought a new tuner/amp before the last weeks film night as the erratic fault on one channel of the old one was getting worse.

And, dumdum da dum, once I had fiddled with the aerial we can now blast JJJ through the house as never before. You probably realised the sound track to Winter Again was JJJ. Its great to listen to new music if only so I don't say "who, are they?" when the Falls line up is announced.

Getting in to the free mp3 downloads such as this one which is being played a lot on air http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/triplej/newmusic/
dopusandroshambo/milliondollarbill.mp3
though why she wants bean bag beats me.

Winter Again !

2008-06-30T15:27:00.004+10:00

Really Interesting!

2008-06-29T18:28:00.002+10:00

Well, I was off to Melbourne for the day last Friday as part of a tour of the cities notable bicycle infrastructure. Most interesting for some I am sure. If you want more pictures of bike lanes let me know.

Here is our bus blocking a bike lane, cyclists really hate this.

Here are a couple of people blocking another bike lane, cyclists don't mind this so much as at least pedestrians are soft.

Winter at Last!

2008-06-26T22:13:00.007+10:00

Today brought that wonderful wintery weather with showers blustering through from the south-west, blotting out the mountain, then spotlighting it with pale watery sunbursts, showing off the new powder coatings of snow. Rain hammered on the roof for it seems like the first time in four or five months!
Kauri finally consented to having her rug on, and joyfully trotted back to her goaty home after a couple of weeks on Kevin's bowling green (or brown).

Horses @ Owen and Sue's

2008-06-19T18:32:00.002+10:00

Sorry I am a bit late putting these up and they are not crash hot really. Mum and I were around there for dinner and pick up hay for Karui Saturday before last. I tried uploading some video but it didn't work so you will have to make do with these pics of your darlings for now.

The Huon News June 11 2008

2008-06-16T19:19:00.004+10:00

It is quite readable if you click to enlarge. I just can't wait for the comments.

Mike and Wendy's For Dinner

2008-06-03T08:19:00.006+10:00

We were at Mike and Wendy's for dinner on Sunday night. Their big news is that they have sold their house and are busy over the next few months finishing it off for the new owners. They have bought a 100 acre block up the hills above Flowerpot. Most of it has a conservation covenant on it so they can only build on an 8 acre area but that is in a good spot with great views up the Channel.

Interesting drink - a Gimlet apparently. Honey, fresh limes, lots of ice and vodka and fancy swizzle (bush) stick.

The white boundary shows very roughly where their new block is, the red and green lines are the track of our Snake Is kayaking trip a week or so ago as mapped by Dave's GPS.

The Garden

2008-05-28T19:29:00.004+10:00

We have both been busy in the garden this year. I did more when Lynne was tied down with Green Corps but now it's the other way around as she is home more.

As you can see we have done well with the cauliflowers; these are the first three - there are probably another half dozen and as you can see, we still have plenty of tomatoes.

Snake Island

2008-05-25T10:56:00.008+10:00

Here we are Sunday morning and here is our brunch cooking on the stove after a great couple of days kayaking in the Channel.

Dave, Nicole, Kevin and the two of us kayaked across to Snake Island on Friday. We had been talking about the trip for some months and finally we were all free and the weather was suitable. Dave borrowed a kayak for Kevin, who is very keen on buying one; Nicole paddled a kayak we had borrowed for Kevin to try out which turned out to be too small for him.

We left Trial Bay in lovely winter sunshine, with a very light SE breeze.

Kevin wasn't comfortable in his kayak as the rudder pedals were too far away but it didn't take us very long before we were setting up camp at the usual spot. I hadn't been to Snake Island for a long time - certainly not since Craig and all the volunteers had completed removing all the erica. There also had been a number of bushfires in recent years but despite this the island was looking good.

You can tell it was a pretty cruisey trip as Dave brought along a camp table and chairs, lashed down on his back deck. We settled in around the fire and drank mulled wine (well what else do you drink on a winter kayaking trip?) and chatted and laughed into the evening.

The next day wasn't exactly an early start as we didn't get on the water until nearly midday! We still had plenty of time to get back to Trial Bay so decided to head south for a detour to Green Island and the fish farms en route. Saturday had started with a little drizzle and very low cloud but by the time we reached Green Island the cloud was breaking up. It was so calm though as you can see in the picture of Nicole above looking back towards Snake Island.

I thought I had discovered a dead seal on the rocks of Green Island until it woke with a roar; I am not sure which of us was most frightened as I bolted away from it in one direction and it headed in the opposite direction into the water.

Kauri!

2008-05-18T17:22:00.005+10:00

Sunday night, well early evening, it is getting dark now at 5.30 and Mum has just gone down to give Kauri a feed of Economix and vitamins. She is looking good (Kauri is anyway!) even looking round, not fat "just good".

The Helms Had A Party

2008-05-17T09:12:00.002+10:00

Well last Friday the Helms had a bit of a party, I didn't take many pictures, well only one actually - and here it is.
It was good to catch up with a few people we don't see very often.

Return of Washing Up Cam

2008-05-07T20:57:00.005+10:00

The recently released third instalment of last Thursdays washing up has its debut here and now on Misty Hill Blog. Reviews of the first of this exciting four part series have been very positive.

"Is mum standing there videoing that?? oh dear i have silly parents!
but thank you! :P haha" says Meg from Arsargo Seprio.

As the tension mounts to the finale of this quadrilogy public acclaim for this gripping action series is growing to levels never experienced ever before.

Washing Up Cam II

2008-05-04T18:32:00.005+10:00

Well here it is, the long awaited follow up to Washing Up Cam I. The action merges seamlessly from one video to the next. The tension is mounting as the big pots can't be avoided any longer.

Isn't the internet a wonderful thing - what would we do without it.

Washing-Up Cam I

2008-05-02T20:12:00.010+10:00

This girls is a very special event, 'washing-up cam' comes to the Misty Hill Blog. Just being able to watch the excitement and action happening in your absence will make you home sick and want to come rushing home so as not to miss out.
To sustain the excitement of this important event this is the first of a gripping series covering yesterdays washing up in full.

Well You Asked For It!!

2008-04-30T16:33:00.004+10:00

Mum says I can't post this because of the bedding piled up on your bed. The room was used when Pete and Sharon, their friends and the swarm of children were staying. And don't worry your vodka is still there!

Flat Out

2008-04-29T20:52:00.003+10:00

The Hat!

2008-04-29T18:00:00.001+10:00

Cool hat, I have been wearing it all day.

You can see I am going grey with the worry of you both being away!

Do you like my 'my space' pose?

Cape Barren Kayaking Trip

2008-04-25T15:45:00.000+10:00

Well as you may know Lynne and I escaped for a week straight after Lynne finished the Green Corp job to go kayaking around Cape Barren Island. I don't need to say much, the photos will show how you that we had a fantastic trip.

Yes, I finally bought a cheap digital camera so expect more updates on our home life soon.

First of all a map of roughly were we went.

As you can see it is quite a crossing from the mainland to Clarke Island, about 23 km. The weather and the tides have to be right to contemplate such a long open water stretch. We were lucky the weather for the whole trip was fantastic and we had a good SE wind so we sailed across in two and half hours.

Our first campsite was at Spike Bay on Clarke Island, certainly one of the most comfortable and scenic of the whole trip. We spent a night back at Spike Bay before heading back across Banks Strait on our way home.

The day we crossed to Clarke Island was about two days before a full moon so most of the trip we had fantastic moonlit nights as well as some great sunsets.

Lunch stop the next day at Freds Beach on the north coast of Cape Barren Island. We had a few hours of hard paddling into the wind on this day.

That nights campsite on the beach - we piled up a good thick layer of sea grass under the tent to make a very comfy bed for the night.

It is not often Franklin Sound is this calm. We had seen a couple of dolphins in the distance but a while later one came up for breath about half a paddle length to the left of the kayak, it gave both of us such a fright.

That day we camped on Vansittart Island, on the opposite side to the beach in the picture were landed on to explore the island in 2001. We climbed Gun Carriage Hill of course, this view is looking west down Franklin Sound. I took another series of pictures to make a panorama like on the one we have up from our previous visit.

This is the wreck of the Farsund off the east coast of Vansittart Island.

Another lunch spot on the east coast of Cape Barren where there were big pools of crystal clear drinking water in depressions on the granite slabs.

This video shows us sailing again on the south coast of Cape Barren approaching Sea Lion Narrows. The tidal currents through the narrows can be up to 5/6knots.

The last couple of days of the trip were pretty cruisey as we had plenty of time to kill. We had a long walk around Dyas Bay, from our camp on the beach. It was an incredibly calm day, absolutely silent apart from the crunch of sand under our feet.

2008-02-25T07:29:00.001+11:00

A variety of pictures from Louisa's new camera, finally we have a working digital camera in the house, if only for a week.

The three of all us congregated around my computer were taken when we were on the phone last night.

After what seems to be a very long hot January and February this weekend has been cold, wet and wild. As you can see there was a good dusting of snow on the mountain and we had the fire on all day.

The picture of Anna was taken on their way to see Joe Cocker at the DEC.

Just To Keep You In Touch With Home.

2008-02-03T17:18:00.000+11:00

Well Meg, Lynney, Sue and I were sitting around looking at your blog when Sue suggested we start one so you can see what we have been up to. The same thought had crossed my mind when I started yours - so here we are.

Mum and I went fishing today from Tinderbox in the double, the squid are running at the moment so we thought we would try and catch some. Despite pootling around in the Channel between Tinderbox and Dennes Point we didnt catch anything except a few very small flathead when Mum took the squid lure off and put a more usual one on the line.

The day was not totally wasted as we discovered some very nice mussels on the Dennes Point jetty.

Louisa is giving Maddy and Morgan horse riding lessons right now.