Lakes Entrance entry channel. The front door!
Through the bar and into the channel.
Yes, we're still in the Australian Riviera, at the mercy of the wind, which has been relentless for the past few weeks and making the journey eastwards very difficult indeed. And with the next safe port of call being Eden, around the south-eastern edge of the continent, there's two distinct weather systems to deal with. Progressing eastwards from Lakes Entrance with an easterly blowing is tough, but heading out with a northerly is tough once a sailing vessel turns North at the corner. So, patience and carefully studying the weather forecasts is critical to a safe and comfortable onward journey.
But finally, we're looking at gentle wind patterns for a few days, and planning an escape on Thursday morning.
But finally, we're looking at gentle wind patterns for a few days, and planning an escape on Thursday morning.
We can't complain about the food.
Fresh? You betcha!
So, Lakes Locals we've been for over a month. Which hasn't been too bad, but with engine problems, dental problems and wind problems, the month clocked over easily.
We hadn't planned on a break that long, but for all that, we've managed to keep ourselves amused.
There are 48 hour restrictions on how long we can tie up to public wharves, so we've joined the little group of local boat owners who move around from place to place to keep the Port Authority happy.
We were fortunate to have moved up the lakes to Paynesville in time for their annual Music Festival weekend, which was great.
We've become accustomed to living on the boat, and not having a car. So our lives revolve around the boat and wherever we can access from it, either on foot or by dinghy.
We hadn't planned on a break that long, but for all that, we've managed to keep ourselves amused.
There are 48 hour restrictions on how long we can tie up to public wharves, so we've joined the little group of local boat owners who move around from place to place to keep the Port Authority happy.
We were fortunate to have moved up the lakes to Paynesville in time for their annual Music Festival weekend, which was great.
We've become accustomed to living on the boat, and not having a car. So our lives revolve around the boat and wherever we can access from it, either on foot or by dinghy.
Paynesville's famous Tin Shed floats into town.
One of our berths in Lakes Entrance.
Because we're reluctant to either pollute the lakes or resort to the boat's smelly holding tanks, we've become used to public shower and toilet facilities and a transient lifestyle.
We've met lots of really interesting people, both locals and cruisers, and had time to potter around the boat and perform lots of little maintenance chores. And yes, we've eaten a lot of seafood and read a lot of books.
We were keen on finding an extra crew member for the Eden run, so after the Torquay crew excused themselves for various reasons, we started looking locally....and found the diminutive Pete Malone, who resides on the pier on his little ferro-cement converted fishing boat.
We've met lots of really interesting people, both locals and cruisers, and had time to potter around the boat and perform lots of little maintenance chores. And yes, we've eaten a lot of seafood and read a lot of books.
We were keen on finding an extra crew member for the Eden run, so after the Torquay crew excused themselves for various reasons, we started looking locally....and found the diminutive Pete Malone, who resides on the pier on his little ferro-cement converted fishing boat.
Lakes Entrance.
Pete's little boat, in the centre of the picture.
Pete's not quite the archetypical peg-legged pirate that you might stumble into hangin' out with Long John Silver at the Admiral Benbow Inn, but he's not far off.
So, he's moving aboard tonight for the planned 5 a.m. getaway in the morning through the bar.
We've studied the weather intensely. It looks as if we'll have an easy run, but who knows? The Beastly Easterlies are still lurking out there somewhere...
Wish us luck!
So, he's moving aboard tonight for the planned 5 a.m. getaway in the morning through the bar.
We've studied the weather intensely. It looks as if we'll have an easy run, but who knows? The Beastly Easterlies are still lurking out there somewhere...
Wish us luck!
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