After a long drive down there, we could sleep on the boat for the night, and found that due to a bung heat exchanger and forecast gale, we would not be taking the boat out the next day. The charter people very kindly refunded us the cost of the day, so we explored the region, searching for a pair of XL pyjamas as somehow this critical piece of kit had been overlooked in the packing.
We arrived back in Metung just in time to see the South Westerly gale sweep in and enjoy a pleasant meal at the pub watching the rain and the wind outside.
Next morning, we sailed for a while, in variable light winds, tacking back and forth, making very slow progress towards Raymond Island. We had bacon and eggs for lunch while drifting slowly in the sun off Point Scott, possibly the best bacon and eggs ever, then we fired up the diesel and motored through the Aurora Channel and up the Bunga Arm. We nosed the boat into a deserted beach, walked over to the 90 mile beach, which was deserted for as many of its 90 miles as we could see, then retired to the boat to watch the spectacular sunset, then the brilliant display of the clear night sky.
In the morning, after a swim off the back of the boat, and taking advantage of the nifty shower on the back step, and then more bacon and eggs, we retraced our track then headed into Paynesville, to stock up on a few supplies. Paynesville looked pretty nice in the morning sun. Yet another Southwesterly gale was forecast for the evening, so we consulted the book provided on safe spots for gales, and headed over to a swing mooring up Duck Arm. Picked one up no problems, and spent a peaceful afternoon. The gale hit about midnight with lots of unidentified sounds of heavy objects thumping on the cabin roof, wind wailing in the rigging, and boat jumping about, but it settled down after a few hours, and we were up in the early dawn to a wonderful clear morning.
We slipped the mooring and ghosted out, and began the nicest sail of the trip, which turned into a rollicking good broad reach and run down to Shaving Point, as the wind built up. We went back to the Riviera Nautic dock for a refill of water, a shower and a coffee, then sailed over to Boxes Creek nearby, nosing into the beach there.
The boat makes a fantastic bird hide. While we were sitting in the cockpit, a small hawk swooped down and attempted to carry off one of the neighbouring ducks. A huge amount of sqwarking and flapping ensued, with outraged swans flapping and hissing and ducks scattering in all directions, before one rather bedraggled but very lucky duck escaped and one hungry hawk flew off to look for lunch elsewhere. In the early morning, I discovered that the beach is phosphorescent, with a light like a torch appearing in an outline around your foot with each step.
We managed not to hit anything, not to run aground. We didn't go that far - about 64 nautical miles, and we didn't go that fast - max about 6 knots - but it was a really relaxing and enjoyable trip. The Lakes are a beautiful place to sail - good Mirror exploring territory if I can wangle it somehow.
I learned - through many omissions and mistakes - a few things about recording a trip like this on video. I will do better next time.
