It was an absolute pleasure to be on board Alcheringa for a week. We
travelled from Hobart past Raoul Point, into Port Arthur and onto
Fortescue Bay. Other fantastic sights were Tasman Arch, Triabunna,
Maria Island, the Schouten Passage, and we loved the beach at
Wineglass Bay. St. Helens and Binalong Bay were beautiful too. We
feasted along the way on the best flathead and indulged in delicious
fresh crayfish and oysters! Our journey ended far too soon at
Georgetown.
To Mark, Marita, Peter & Geoff - We thank you for the opportunity to
experience Tassie in a special and unique way, you are wonderful
friends & hosts
xxx Deb & Dean

Sent from my iPhone

Tassie Tour March 6
Leaving Alcheringa after 345 Nm of fabulous cruising.

Georgetown at the pier after a lovely mornings cruise

Our last sunset on Alcheringa (for this time, hopefully we will be
invited back)

Waterhouse Island

Small gummy shark caught and thrown back by Geoff

Navigation chart - used with Gps of course!

Tassie Tour March 5
Went for run up and down the hills in St. Helens and arrived back to a
hive of activity on the boat. The hulls were flooded due to the
freshwater tank overflowing and the bilge pumps were accidently turned
off . Took a while to pump out and clean up, but we were on our way
before 9, heading to Waterhouse Island. We passed the bay of fires,
then navigated north then west round the top. We all had an hour in
the captain's chair and travelled 69 nm for the day. We stopped a
couple of times to fish - Geoff & Peter catching 16 flathead to add to
the freezer. Absolutely freezing outside and a largish swell to
contend with while stationary and fishing. We made it to our
destination of Croppies Bay opposite Waterhouse Island at around 5.30,
and dropped anchor for the night. The evening will be spent reading,
eating, and possibly trying to beat Mark at cards!

Sent from my iPhone

Tassie Tour March 4
Awoke to cool weather and went for walk around town only to be
rained upon - absolutely freezing. Mark warmed us all up with a feast
for breakfast scrambled eggs (special recipe) and bacon. Explored the
town after brekky then hired some bikes and rode to Binalong Bay, some
riding on road with traffic a bit scary but got there and back safely.
Had lovely lunch and rest on the beach admiring scenery before riding
back to St . Helens. Went to tourist info then back to the Cat to
organise flights home. Afternoon walk then doz oysters for dinner
arranged by liasing with locals - another delicious feed . Tonight is
early night - miss my two boys xxxx love you Brock and Adam xxx thanks
mum for taking such good care of them , love you too xx Deb

Sent from my iPhone

Keeping up the seafood diet - scallops for lunch!

After all our feasting we managed to get in a bike ride

Binalong Bay south of Bay of Fires coastal reserve. Another lovely
white sandy beach

Outlook at cafe at Binalong Bay after our ride from St. Helens

Tassie tour March 3
After leaving Triabunna we headed across rough seas to Maria Island with the intention of mooring at Darlington and having a look around the island. On arrival at the pier we couldn't moor as the waves were so fierce we would have smashed the boat. So we continued up the coast toward wineglass bay via shouten island. We had several dolphin pods travelling next to us which was quite spectacular.
Our travel became smoother and we arrived in wineglass bay, absolutely beautiful beach and scenery.
We stayed for several hours - Peter aquired some crays for us, so all was good when we made our departure heading for St. Helens. Our destination was 50 Nm so would take about 3.5 hours if seas not too rough. Mark did the first stint of an hour steering, I did the second hour, Geoff did the third, then Deano did the last bit with Peter steering us in the channel on a low tide with help from coast radio guiding us in.
Thanks Brock for your comments it was good to hear from you xxx mum
Thanks also to everyone at work - we really appreciate that you are all so capable that we can have time away xx Deb & Dean

Sent from my iPhone

Sent from my iPhone

We will not be going hungry tonight!

Magnificent background to Wineglass Bay - very much like the Prom
rocks. PS not missing South Gippsland at all!

The most beautiful beach at Wineglass Bay - we walked from end to end.

Marita resting

After 3-4 m swell & couple m chop nice to have calmer waters near
schouten island

The Schouten passage on way to wineglass bay

At our mooring at Triabunna we were tied three across at the dock, all
crayboats and were moored as well as lots of visitors trying to take
shelter from calm seas.
After overnight rains the day is turning fine. I took the opportunity
to go for an early morning run for an hour round the streets and out
the road a bit.
Breakfast and check the forecast - strong winds and increasing
sunshine. We are hoping to head to wineglass bay today- if the going is
good we may go a bit further north.
Thanks for comments Jen & Adam - hi to everyone at work I'm sure you
are not missing us! Xxxx deb

Dad goes faster?

Ugly puffer

Look boys - mum is driving !! Xx

Tasman arch

Tassie Tour Wed 2 March

Departed from canoe bay around 8 to make the most of calmer waters as
coast radio said going to be s w winds of 30 knots.
Cruised past Tasman Arch near Eaglehawk neck and a lovely mooring at
Pirate Bay.
It was my turn to steer so I took the controls for a bit over an hour
heading to Maria island. Peter is good instructor and I felt very
comfortable in the captains chair. I steered it manually along the
coast unto we got into open water after navigating through 'the
sisters' . Then we went on to autopilot heading to Maria island, doing
about 15 nm to cut thru the chop. My job was to keep an eye on the
depth & avoid any bouys and other vessels.
Stopped for a spot of fishing before Maria island - Geoff & Peter
catching some massive flathead so dinner was sorted for tonight. A
puffer fish was not considered good eating so was thrown back. Dean
took over steering and we headed to darlington on maria island. On
mooring we were told 100km severe gale winds expected so we headed to
Triabunna where we shall stay the night. It's nearly 2pm so after
lunch off to explore the small wood chipping /logging town- not
raining so will enjoy a long stretch of the legs!
I'm missing my loved ones :) wish you could share the experience xx

Sent from my iPhone

Shipwreck 'william pitt' Canoe bay

Fortescue bay campground

Flathead & leatherjacket for dinner

Canoe bay

Tassie tour Tues 1 March

Woke up to lovely calm waters in Canoe bay, just around from fortescue
bay. Miserable forescast from coast guard of gale force winds today so
a decision was made to stay around our sheltered position for the day.
Whilst it was raining Peter & i made apple muffins, plenty of supplies
onboard. We travelled into fortescue bay and took the Tender ashore
for a look. Lots of good campspots on land right next to a white sandy
beach. Marita, Mark, Dean & I went for a small bushwalk. In the space
of an hour we experienced rain, sunshine then hail!
Made our way back to the Cat for lunch and a restful afternoon of
reading, fishing and chatting amongst ourselves.

Itinerary for the next few days will be Wineglass bay, then St. Helens.

Sent from my iPhone

Tasman Island track & landing point for lighthouse supplies

Very picturesque

Port Arthur

Alcheringa at Port Arthur

Note the seals at the bottom of Raoul pt

Tassie tour
On board the Alcheringa with Mark, Marita, Peter, Geoff & Dean.

Monday 28 feb
Boarded in Hobart at Constitution dock and departed Hobart to travel
to port Arthur past cape raoul. Magnificent cliff face at Cape Raoul -
we were averaging 14 Nautical miles (Nm)
Saw seals on cape raoul before stopping for a spot of fishing.
Dropped lines but only got small reef fish such as butterfly perch &
red gournet perch which were returned to the ocean. Travelled to Port
Arthur & spent a couple of hours checking out the historical site.
Said a little prayer for the victims & their loved ones at the
memorial cross.
Set sail again and travelled to Tasman island where saw the incredibly
steep and dangerous track built and used to supply the lighthouse when
it was in use.
The Lanterns were our last spectacular landmark before we headed into
Fortescue Bay.
Moored in Canoe Bay / Fortescue bay for the night, lovely & calm waters.
Slept like a log after dinner & a couple of drinks. 63 Nm sailed, 188
litres of diesel used for the day.

Sent from my iPhone