Amazing Raid

 

Next time, take a tripod.

Up the creek

 

A good test for the dodger in the rain. It works. Next time, two rain coats.

As others see us

 Khiem from the Sydney Raid group was down in Melbourne and came out in the Skerry with the AYC Cruisers. He did a short video and write up of Derry.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/raidsydney/permalink/5258084204320005/

It was great to sail with Khiem, and I learned a few things on light airs balanced lug sailing.  We got over into Kororoit Creek, then back over to raft up with Greg and Andy and Campbell and Mary and Duncan off Altona Pier. A great day out.

AYC Cruisers

 A nice group of younger locals have started an informal group  AYC Cruisers. Mostly young dads with kids. I am invited as honorary geezer. My oars have come in handy, towing fleet members to the raft up in no wind, and the anchor has come in handy in a bit more wind, stopping us drifting down on the coast before lunch is finished.

Only one other boat out last week, and they didn't stay out long after lunch. We did have a great procession of a pod of dolphin, led by a seal, that swam by quite close to us.

After I retrieved the anchor I sailed over to the mouth of Skeleton Creek, Nd we stopped for some shore leave.

Tide was low, and getting out over the shallow mud was fun, sailing standing up so I could better see possible channels, and shifting weight to free the boat when we got stuck. About 8.5 NM for the day. I was seriously tired afterwards.

I  am starting to think about set up and packing for the Murrar trip in October and Tawe-nunnugah-2023  next Feb. Jamie gave me a screw top barrel ages ago which I finally got round to trying in the boat. It fits so well it is like they were made for one another. Have to get another, they will be perfect for food and cooking stuff I think.

Circumnavigation

A 15 NM sail round Corio Bay, a grand sail, and good practice for Tawe Nunnugah. 

Training

 I have paid my money for the Tawe Nunnugah next February so I better be in good shape for it. I was helping Anne make some videos in the morning but got down to AYC beach and launched about 12.30. Wind was South South Westerly.  I rowed into and at an angle across it. Bom recoded 18 knot gusts at nearby Laverton while we were out. 

We rowed to the beach on the western side of Altona Bay, where a large yellow buoy with "exclusion zone" on it had washed ashore. I wonder where that came from? 

Feeling somehow as if we were trespassing we set off back home, which somehow seemed to be about as much into the wind as the trip over. 🤔   A bit over 5 miles, but a very good workout. I will sleep well tonight.

Good day

 Last day of winter had a fair forecast so I  posted my intention to get out on the PPB fb page. I didn't hear from Anyone but as I was launching I saw Andrew with Mars over at the ramp. We helped Gerardunload then load his boat so he could weigh it to get a VIN then headed off to raft up for lunch off the mouth of Kororoit Creek. 

I tried out the new dodger I have been working on for ages. Oz definitely liked it.

It was a good day.