A three Mirror Morning.

A lovely warm light wind Sunday morning, so I got up early and schlepped the Mirror down to the launching spot by Altona YC. When I got down there, a chap with a Mirror on a road trailer plus two young sons was already there.  The Mirror had been sitting in a garage for many years, and had arrived from his brother the day before.  The kids were so keen to go sailing they were up at 5.00.  You have to admire that sort of enthusiasm.

I helped get their boat in the water, then managed to get a few photos before they sailed off.

I headed off eastwards, then when I was away from the madding crowds, I dropped the sails and anchored in about two metre deep water.  I have put a stirrup on the back of Peregrina as I remember even twenty years ago I was pretty hopeless at getting back into a Mirror from the water.  Took a bit of adjusting, but if I tie the stirrup so my foot goes against the rudder, I can get back in.  Not elegant, and I would really not like to be doing it in a chop, but I can do it, with a few scrapes and bruises.

I sat in the sun with the boat bobbing at anchor and had early lunch and a thermos of tea while I dried off a bit, then I pulled in the anchor (how did I manage to get the line so tangled so quickly ?) then headed off to explore the shallow waters at the entrance to Koroit Creek.  Tide was falling so I didnt get too far before I was aground, even with the centre board up. Headed back, and as I approached the Altona boat ramp, yet another Mirror bravely sailed and paddled out of the sheltered harbour mouth.  Almost no wind so I rowed while he paddled, then the wind came back and I chased him but could not make any ground on him. We were sailing at pretty much the same speed, about 3.5 knots according to my GPS.  I gave up, headed back home, and as I was putting the boat back on the trolley I saw the sails heading back into the marina.  Another young dad with a young son and daughter.  A crack crew, I sure couldn't catch them.  The sail number was 57 thousand and something - a close relative of Peregrina 57868 - but in much better condition.

I resolved today to simplify things a bit, less sundry stuff in the boat, and take off the bits of string that I don't need. When I took the boat apart, I saw that one of the "P" rings that secure the rudder had bent almost straight - probably when I was reboarding. I small price to pay to get back in the boat, but annoying non the less.

Camino Anniversary ...

This time two years ago I was gearing up to walk the Camino, from St Jean Pied de Port to Santiago de Compostella.

It was a grand and completely unique experience, and I hope I learned a few things from it.  I often think about it.

Cape Conran Camping March 2017

The week before the Labour Day holiday weekend here, so we thought it would be a good time to get the teardrop back into action, and head off down to one of our favourite places, Cape Conran down in East Gippsland.  We stayed first night in Marlo CP, and had a lovely dinner in the pub, which must have one of the best views of any pub anywhere, looking out over the Snowy River estuary.

Great food and friendly locals as well - we formed a very good opinion of the Marlo pub.

Next day we drove to Bemm River to check it out but somehow it looked a bit cheerless, so we drove back to Cape Conran, checked in for three nights and found a nice camp site, which was pretty easy as the place was almost deserted.

Over the next few days we went for some lovely walks, both along the beach and through the bush, canoeing with our trusty inflatable Tahiti canoe on Yeerung River, swimming (carefully) in the sea, and spent a fair bit of time sitting round reading, as well as cooking, eating and meditatively staring into the camp fire.

The most excitement was the visit from three large goannas, who each investigated the campsite, before settling down for a brief nap.  It was quite companionable really and we were touched by their trust in us, that we were not going to eat them or do them harm.

All in all, a really nice trip and a good encouragement to get the teardrop out more often.

A two hour cruise

This morning, the first day of Autumn here, was clear, warm and just a breath of wind first thing, so I loaded Peregrina up - carefully referring to my check list given my recent predeliction for forgetting key bits - and headed off down to the launch spot.  A beautiful morning, and two people asked wistfully if they could come out with me as I made my way down to the launch spot.  I should be getting fit just from dragging the boat down and back - apparently they have things in gyms that people pay to use that deliver much the same workout.

There was just enough wind to ghost past the marina and off down past the dog beach, much to the amazement of the dogs bounding happily through the shallows.  The water was crystal clear, and gave me a very sharp view the boulders I narrowly missed by leaving a tack a little late.

Here is my course this morning.

 I picked up a few bits of flotsam and jetsam along the way, and managed to score a nice straw hat that was bobbing away far from anyone.

A propitious start to the season - I hope I get a lot of sailing done before it is over.