Just an update, since we planned on getting a few jobs done on the boat once we arrived at Brisbane, a boom bag made for our rolling furler, & few other jobs done by Quinrig (Rods mate from Adelaide). We got a very good deal on a monthly rate in the marina here giving us an opportunity to potter, shop & garden at my friends, with 2 weeks to go before we get back out there!

With the threat of severe thunderstorms, lightning & hail storms coming over the next few days & visitors changing plans we decided at 9am to come in to Newport Marina today, so off we went into the northerlies which ended up being 30 knots, tides against us, hideous trip doing barely 3kn(so not happy, extremely stressful). Finally arrived in marina and safely tied up with the help of locals (thanks Mandy for that). So low and behold with drinks in our hands we look around and we have moored directly in front of another boat we know from Adelaide who left 7 years ago, Gypsy Lover!

We have just moved over to Horsehoe Bay, Peel Island, tucked in from expected Northerly for the next couple of days, away from the maddening weekenders and their jet ski's!

Have left Macleay Island and gone back to Raby Bay this morning for another change in wind direction this afternoon. Bit to windy to venture off into town in the dinghy at present, and with Gale warning on for tomorrow, will just hang on anchor for the duration of the storm & catch up on work & continue with horrid flag.

We woke up yesterday to a complete fog out, and then a jet ferry who lost his way & ended up doing a 360 right in front of us, travelling outside of his track, passing by an hour later inside of 5mtr (commuters freaking, taking happy snaps)! Then up half the night with boat spinning on anchor we decided to move around today to Perpulpa Bay, Macleay Island, tucked in from a South westerly for the next few days.

Well having left Blakesley Anchorage this morning we aimed for Silver Sands for overnight anchorage & upcoming NW. Having anchored there, tide would have made it uncomfortable in expected 30kn winds tomorrow, so we continued downstream & ended up effectively circumnavigating our very first island (hysterical) took all day and have ended up anchored between Lamb Island & Karragarra Island just on sunset!

Didn't much like Deanbilla, bad vibes so we haved moved downstream to Blakesleys Anchorage, near Canalpin, Nth Straddie, much nicer, off in the dinghy to explore.

We left RQ Yacht Suadron yesterday to Raby Bay for the night to collect a book of maps this morning and have now moved over to Deanbilla Bay on North Stradbroke Island for a bit of a look about, wander on beach etc.

We have parted ways with "the Tramps" & will meet up at the end of October. The time has finally come for new batteries (the others lasting 11 1/2 years - gotta be happy with that). So we have gone into the Royal Queensland Yacht with 597 berths, for 1 week (having successfully lassoing marina) to change over & get a few jobs done.

Have picked up our visitors at Raby bay, welcome Auntie Eva & Peter and cruised back to Peel Island for the evening with the "Tramps" and had a lovely afternoon/ evening together away from the wind and will return back to Raby for drop off this afternoon then back here away from next blow. Expected top of 27 degrees!

Still anchored in Raby Bay, as is close to Cleveland, shops & visitors. We had a dinghy come up to us the other day, calling out, "G'day Kath", turns out to be a friend from Nth Haven Marina who took of sailing 9 yrs ago, had a great catch up on local knowledge. Have been into town for supplies & ride out the blow, then had another visitor who braved the sea (quite blowy) to come bringing new charts & spend the night, with upcoming trip to "Bunnings" today yeah!

We have up anchored with Alcatraz and moved over to Raby Bay anchorage to go into town (Cleveland, 29km from Brisbane). Tramp II have gone over to Macleay Island, all protected from upcoming expected Southerly of 30 knots this afternoon.

Finally anchored at 26.5hr's later (approx 4.5hr trip up "The Broadwater" after arriving at Gold Coast) all a bit weary especially after birthday event the previous day. We have come up stream to meet up with Dave & Sue from Alcatraz & tuck up away from northerly until tomorrow. Quick drinks on Tramp II for Ali's birthday & early to bed.

Hi Auntie, well woo hoo, we've just hit the 27th parallel, offshore of the Gold Coast, Queensland, yeah! Been stooging at 3kn for last 2hrs waiting for daylight & an ingoing tide into The Broadwater to an as yet undetermined anchorage along with Tramp II (Birthday girl Ali) & "Enough". We are just a short distance (4hr) away from "Alcatraz, yeah!

We have had a smooth and sunny motor/sail up the coast from Iluka, with whales and dolphins about. Passed Balina as the sun set and have just now passed Cape Byron the eastern most point of Australia under a clear moonlit sky, all is good!

We have crossed the bar with the Tramps and are now on our way, Queensland here we come!

Came back to Maclean for the night & stores, then back to Iluka, up early for the markets over at Yamba & a day wandering the town. Met up with the American couple from "Enough" for drinks on Tramp II. Lots of prepping (75 handmade rum balls) for birthday boy yesterday and Bbq onboard w/ Tramps, Ke Sera & Enough and had a lovely afternoon/evening soiree. Readying ourselves now for departure to Gold Coast 20hr overnight sail!

Travelled upstream to Brushgrove, free mooring, with Tramp II rafted alongside us. Dinghy trip over to the Bushy hotel for tea, very nice. Attempted to go on up to Ulmara (still blowing easy 30-40kn), too hard to moor in that so back to Bushy then caught bus in the next day for a visit to the galleries & op shops, back in time to watch The Power win, woo hoo!

Didn't get under Harwood bridge had to wait for opening finally at 6.15, (really eerie screeching) then lassoed up to the wharf in the dark (no more jumping off for this girl) with Tramps rafting up for overnight stay. Carried on up to Maclean (the scottish town) with tartans on the lamp posts. Moored up behind Liberty 2 and joined them for drinks and a very pleasant evening. Met lots of lovely people on the marina before departure to Brushgrove for the night, it sure is pretty along here.

Travelled upstream to Harwood waiting for 5.00pm bridge opening under the Pacific Highway. Absolutely stunning day.

Arrived safely in Iluka 11am, lovely night, all good, bar relatively user friendly, leads really hard to see! We will spend up to 10 days exploring the Clarence river before moving on up to Bryon Bay!

Motor sailed through a clear starry night, with calm smooth seas. We have passed "Look at me now Headlands" (too cute) and are now in The Coral Sea! Water temperature 21.4 deg, another 3.5hrs to go.

Departed Coffs Harbour with Tramp II 11.30pm for night sail for flood tide entry across the bar into Yamba/Iluka eta 11am. Spent most of my time resting foot for this "leg", managed a hobble down for lovely hamburger & ordered "fender step", supposedly will make life easier tying up vessel in the future! Turns out that another chap broke his actual foot at Coffs whilst we were there, so a lot longer recovery for him.

Arrived 1.30pm yesterday into Coffs Harbour Marina after losing wind along the way. Have great photos coming into entrance, thanks Renae! Went for a sixer jumping onto marina tying up, few injuries. A couple of 30kn days ahead of us now so will stay in here. Got a lift to the hospital by Craig from the marina & it's official 1 broken toe!! Need to learn how to lasso low slung cleats or ask marina office for assistance!!

With winds & seas as they were yesterday we decided to sail (along with the Tramps) straight through to Coffs Harbour, keeping close to the shore, and have just another 25nm to go. It was a clear starry night with minimal swell & 10kn of breeze making for a lovely sail averaging 6kn.

We have departed Port Stephens for Forster/Tuncurry eta 1600hrs. Albatross, whales & sharks abound, sun is shining with pleasant seas!

Having left Fame Cove we returned to Nelson Bay for 2 nights and we have been reunited with Tramp II & now moved around to Shoal Bay for departure tomorrow.

Have finally left marina ($500 later $200 for fuel), just too windy to get out of marina! We have had a lovely spring clean whilst there with 6 loads of washing, sun shining, cleaning & servicing all, just stupid cold wind when off the boat, so now back at Fame Cove for 2 nights, for hopeful departure Wednesday (Thursday to Forster/Tuncurry)! Anchoring is verbotten in Port Stephens due to seagrass destruction so only 5 courtesy moorings all at Fame Cove. Back to making my flags!

We have been stuck in Fame Cove for the last 8 days, weather is just gale force up & down the coast & looks like another week of it still. We have had white caps & 40kn winds in the cove for most of the time, using up our supplies so skipper has braved the seas & brought Bubble over to Corlette - Anchorage Marina for $100 overnight stay to get supplies. Very tight maneuvering in here with 20kn pushing us back as we tryed getting into pen, thankfully we had Dane from the marina help us tie up.

Still tucked in at Fame Cove, weather all over the place, completely fogged in yesterday morning & then beautiful 26 deg all day. Today, drizzle as we went back into Nelson Bay to drop Michelle off after a sail up the coast & lovely 11 day visit. Alcatraz have departed, with as yet unknown destination.

Caught up with Alcatraz for a bit last night, then early night. Off to laundromat this morning, then moved boat around to Corlette to the Shell museum, which was very nice. Have just picked up 2 moorings at Fame Cove, have the place all to ourselves (with Alcatraz) over to theirs for joint dinner.

We have arrived safely at Port Stephens, all very calm, sun just starting to set. Our new crew member did very well, not being sea sick & watching out for whales. Well done.

Just turned off Point Stephens heading into Port Stephens. Whales, whales & more whales. Skipper was showing signs of stress & then came 2 very loud, low flying & very fast jets giving us a buzz. Several hours later they came around again, excellent! Alcatraz is still here & have saved us a spot in Little Nelson Bay, bravo!

We are finally getting to depart Lake Macquarie for Port Stephens after 2 weeks of strong wind warnings, bar crossing/channel warnings & then stupid northerlies which of course put's it straight on the nose!!! So here we sit at the Swansea bridge awaiting 9am opening, expected eta Pt Stephens 1700hrs.

We moved from Valentines over to Bennetts Park this morning. We had a lovely lunch at the Bowling Club yesterday & a stooge on up the creek at the back. These guys all have their own varying ideas of boat ramps come "launch pad's" in their backyards. Lovely sunny day today with a green lawn area where the skipper finally got to play with the drone again (about 3rd time since purchased), not quite ready for lift off whilst at sea! Should also mention our dolphin was back playing at midnight & has turned again this afternoon as well, had a field day yesterday, full belly flops for ages, too cute.

Yesterday we had a special arrival with my friend Michelle flying in from Brissy to Newcastle and then she "Ubered on down" to Wangi Wangi RSL for dinghy collection on a very rickety (closed) jetty! It was all champagne & sunsets, then Rod got news that his good mate Horris had passed away, it appears a sudden heart attack, no warning. Take every opportunity to live life, don't waste a moment!

You can only stay on courtesy moorings for 24hr's at a time so having stayed 2 nights at Croudace we have moved back to Pulbah Island, being the weekend most other moorings taken! Weather is just awful, windy, cold, wet & miserable so stuck in the Lake for another few days before we can move on up to Port Stephens.

Spent the day, re-fuelling, 120ltr's, water & stores, 3 trips! Coles so much cheaper than horrid IGA's we've had to buy from in the past. Now moved over to Croudace Bay avoiding SW blow tonight.

We have moved from Pulbah Island over to Rathmines to collect our mail. We were escorted by the friendliest dolphin who upon dropping the anchor decided he had his very own scratching pole by way of the anchor chain. He was having a great time pulling on the chain, rolling over & under, even tryed his hand (or should I say his back) on the dinghy straight under us, very interactive!! We have now tied up at Toronto Marina, with shops, fuel & gas having got the latter already, & skipper taking me out for tea, woo hoo!

Moved over to Pulbah Island, lovely secluded bay in the lake. Catching bream & silver whiting, none keepers, still trying for another big flathead, skipper just lost the lot, hook & all! Been for a stooge in dinghy & walk on beach, looks like Chilli Con Carne for tea!

We have moved from Wangi Wangi, we we're going to Belmont for some shopping but blowing 30kn to hard to get alongside marina, so moved on over to Rathmines (were apparently dad did his RAAF Communications course) & have anchored just before it started raining, perfect timing.

Just picked up a mooring out front of the Wangi Wangi RSL, all good with skipper traversing channel expertly! Saw a runabout going out of the channel with 2 big, dead sharks hanging off the back, being taken out to sea for dumping, don't think I will get on my paddleboard here!

Just coming alongside Moon Island for a left hand turn into Lake Macquarie where you have to navigate a channel and across a shallow bar and await the Princess Highway bridge to open. Sailed through massive pod of whales, still trying to get a good photo.

Very sloppy getting to our next left turn in the direction of the sun, nasty black clouds heading into the river.

Departing Hawkesbury River for Lake Macquarie eta 1400hrs will meet up again with Alcatraz at sea. Tramps arrived late yesterday and will hang here for a bit more Sol fest! Amazing to have contact from people recognising Double Bubble (Dutch). Never heard back from Sherjk the other builder which was a shame.

Woke up to 7 deg this morning with no sunshine, good thing about a movable home, start the engines and get out to where the sun is shining (ha) so on the move early down to Smiths Creek. Good thing too as a runabout came alongside asking if she was once called Double Dutch, which she was, it was only the Grandson of Hugo & Ricki one of the couples who built her. He remembered following the boat on the truck with police escort down to where she was launched, amazing!

Just leaving Palm Beach having had Garry picked up in motor launch for his awesome sea flight. Sun is disappearing and dark clouds are looming overhead, so here's hoping he has a safe flight back to Sydney. He has left us with various additions to the boat, homemade hammock, a portable clothesline etc, even a kite, so adieu brother & thanks for the memories, cheers

Being that I' ve had no signal these past few days I have missed uploading some great shots so as we aim towards First Head (& I have reception) will quickly upload some of mine & edit in some of Garry's later.

Heading around to Palm Beach where Garry is departing via Seaplane to Sydney for a few days touring. We have been tucked in some very scenic little bays.

Met up with Alcatraz for fun night yesterday onboard the Bubble & bacon & eggs onboard there's this morning. Currently in Cowan Creek inside of Hawkesbury River, reception is very spasmodic. Our friend & previous owners daughter (Ricki) received an email from her friend, with a picture of Double Bubble taken in America Bay on Sunday seems they remembered her parents boat, - it's a small world after all (sing it)!

We have departed Manly enroute to the Hawkesbury River eta 1300hrs, we're we get to catch up to Alcatraz for a couple of days, prior to the "Tramps" joining us too! Sing the song - Gypsy's, Tramps & Thieves....ha!

We have just pulled up a mooring in my home town, Manly yippee! The shark nets are still here that I apparently floated over in my duckie! So were off to the shops!

We have moved on from Taronga zoo mooring and left "The Tramps" whilst they stay in Sydney to catch up w/ friends, had a great fun night saying goodbye prior to departure today. We have now picked up a mooring at "The Spit" were I have always wanted to live. So I have now baked a cake in my home here with "The Spit" as my address! Can tick that off the list ha! Oh, ps it's raining again!!

We have turned around & gone back under bridge as anchorages a bit to close for comfort in Blackwattle Bay so we have come over to courtesy moorings at Taronga Park Zoo which should give us a much better view of Vivid light show with Opera house in our sights. Weather sure is 100% better than last Monday!

Gone through the harbour and under the Anzac Bridge (through the gab below) and around to Blackwattle Bay to anchor just down from the Fish Co-op, & Johnno who we met in Eden & again in Bermagui.

After days of endless wind & lots of rain we have finally been able to go ashore & collect some supplies & have now departed from Rose Bay passed the Chinese Warships (& ours) into the harbour having just gone passed the Sydney Opera House and under the Sydney Harbour Bridge woo hoo!.

Arrived in Sydney on mooring in Rose Bay opposite the Sydney Harbour Bridge...woo hoo! Have front row seat's to Vivid Light show on bridge, bit tricky trying to take night shot's with boat rocking.

Just turned the corner passed Hornby Light into Port Jackson, rather unpleasant trip, swelly, rainy. Skipper navigating beautifully. Passing "the Wedding cake" beacon.

Had a refill of fuel, water, shopping, several loads of washing & general clean up whilst at Cronulla marina. Had a fun night with the "Tramps" for Sol's birthday yesterday and are now off to Port Jackson, Sydney harbour!! Eta 1300hrs WOO HO!

Arrived safely at Cronulla marina, end berth for 2 nights. Time for collecting of stores etc. Lovely to have sun & warmth!

Tucked in at Sth West Arm, in a lovely protected bay, like a mini Refuge Cove. Had a lovely day of sunshine getting here yesterday, with lots of boats on the water. Went off in the sun this morning in the tender to do a spot of fishing up the creek, half an hour later the clouds came over, temperature fell & the rain started, so the fish are safe today.

On the move from Jibbon Beach to Bundeena with their little ferry that goes to Cronulla. Boys off in tender to outragously expensive IGA for supplies, then move over to wait out a nthly front to Sth West Arm, Port Hacking hoping we can fit under cables. Lovely day, warm & sunny finally in shorts. Some amazing properties along waters edge & plenty of speeding boats. Skipper found a house for us, very flash. Lots of elevators etc down from houses to boat launches. Came into lovely little cove away from the maddening crowds, very nice.

Arrived safely in Port Hacking, slow sailing to begin with overnight, then sloppy w/ 20knots on the beam, super..not!

Have decided to bypass Jervis Bay and go overnight straight through to Port Hacking ahead of the next front, then onto (drum roll please) Sydney. We have had a couple more whale sightings & dolphins along the way, they taunt you for photo op's then dive off, little sods! Pretty cool rock cliffs along here, like some weird stepladder. We have just passed Point Perpendicular lighthouse our eta to Pt Hacking 6am tomorrow.

Departed 0630 hrs for Jervis Bay eta 1600 hrs. All foggy over the hills, bit chilly, looked quite pretty.

Arrived safely Batemans Bay, rather pretty. Picked up a mooring (eventually), no lead line on it & can't get boat hook through little eye & slides off plastic, you have to pay $40 for it too, very poor! Picked up 2 more lots of weed around props, both sides, getting to be a royal pain. Saw a few whales splashing about to far for any decent photo's & had a happy pod of dolphins escort us into the bay.

Departed Bermagui bound for Batemans Bay eta appro 1500hr. Spent yesterday with domestics. Had general tidy up, re-stock food, fuel etc. Catch up with the "Tramps" & check in with Alcatraz who are now in Sydney. All being well we will spend tonight at Batemans Bay and move on tomorrow to Jervis Bay.

Arrived safely in Bermagui, tied up on wharf with much appreciated assistance from Water Police. Saw a number of small whales jumping about enroute and skipper spotted a shark right beside us. Have tied up right out the front of the...wait for it " Har Bar", how clever!

Have had another couple of lovely days, sunny & dare I say it "warm". Had great anniversary day yesterday where Alice worked, Garry went kite flying & exploring in "Ralph", their tender. Rod went fishing with Sol in "Little Bit" ours, and I had a great time yelling on my own at the footy! Go the Power....geez! All ended back on Double Bubble for another great night (poor liver)! Departing 7am for Bermagui tomorrow, warmer weather still to come (colour me happy)!

Off "in a cab" ( no more climbing hill's for these knees) to hairdresser & walk back, whilst Garry & the "the Tramps" go to Whale museum to see Old Tom & skipper sorts boat ( read plays with flight simulator)! Move boats off wharf and anchor at Boyd town, get settled & dinghy ride to Seahorse hotel on the beach for tea. Have the best oysters ever here & enjoy a lovely meal in the warmth until you get to go back in dinghy (read - wade in really cold water)

Entered into East Boyd Bay in the dark, a bit of concentrated night navigation trying to pick which lights are which, but once leads were sorted the skipper skilfully had Bubble safely anchored after 38hr sail. We arrived with last 4 beers & a bottle of champagne, so 2 congratulatory drinks each, then sleep. Woke up to a lovely morning, in a tranquil bay before moving boat around to the northern wharf where Tramp II rafted up to Double Bubble. Proceed into town up "yet another hill" with rubbish & washing, have lovely brunch whilst machines on, suss out shops & re-stock vessel, catch cab direct to our front gate on wharf, hooray! Have sundowners and lolly gobble bliss bombs, long overdue showers & great nights sleep.

When we first left we had only one plan, to keep turning left and away from the cold, well woo hoo that day has finally arrived as we have crossed the border into NSW & rounded that corner & are now on our final approach into Eden. We have had very light winds for the last 38 hours, so of course it's picked up now for a pleasant sail, the skipper no longer playing that game!

It's been 8 weeks today since we left North Haven SA & I swear we have had like 5 days of full sun in all that time (don't mention the equinox please), check out the sky as we left The Prom yesterday! Our voyage across Bass Strait commenced with relatively calm sea's albeit a bit foggy as Mother nature did her thing culminating in a beautiful sunset. We sailed between some 18 lit oil & gas rigs throughout the night, speed 6kn and approximately 25nm out from Lakes Entrance, we watch the glow as they burn off their spoils. As we approached Point Hicks this morning we saw an equally beautiful sunrise.

Just passed Seal Islands, Bass Strait and thought I would share a few more pics of our time in the Cove. Amused myself whilst there by making a pair of "Happy pants" for Alice who did a lovely painting of Double Bubble in return. Had a great night aboard DB, and impromptu guitar playing sing along, great fun night, topped off with whiskey and a "wee dram or two! The skipper made a wooden plaque he burnt Double Bubbles name into and added it to the "Vessel Board" (a place set up where the cruising boats place a name plate of some description) Tramp II going for a wooden spoon with her name etched in. Garry carved a name plate for Keiths urn to remain in the Prom with the other name plates. As we continue our voyage through the Tasman Sea we will get to pass all the oil rigs that will be lighting up the sky tonight, Bream will be the 1st at approx 9pm.

And where off, along with Tramp II, out of the "no reception zone" but very beautiful Refuge Cove bound for Eden, NSW, our last "left turn" 220nm and a 48hr sail away, eta 8am Friday. It is a beautiful anchorage, away from the world, the rocks full of colour, the sand thick and squishy! You have to climb up to Telecom rock and maybe get a signal (not Optus) were upon we made new friends with Rod & Judy from Tringriz and met up later on their boat for sundowners along with Tramp II alternating boats & nights, where lots of fun was had by all. They were exceptionally generous upon their departure bestowing us with treats, coffee for Trampi, crackers, eggs, lime, lollies etc as they headed home Sunday to Lakes Entrance.

Prior to our departure our friend Alf asked if we could forefil his mates dying wish to have his ashes scattered between Wilson's Prom & Rodondo Island. With our initial onset of drama's upon leaving Adelaide we couldn't help but think that maybe he had a hand in them, but as we approach the southern most tip of Australia, we feel his peace. So it is that we now, in the early hours of the morning, raise our whiskey glasses & bid adieu to Keith Alexander Morrison, aged 52, Alf's friend and fulfil this wish. 39:11.000E 146:25.000S

Departed Cleeland, enroute to "The Prom"

Finally the day has arrived with the weather looking somewhat hopeful for us to make ready our departure at 2000hrs from Cleeland Bight and head 74nm to Refuge Cove, Wilsons Prom, eta 1000hrs Monday. We've been here 13 days but it has been fun, despite the weather (Cranium who knew)! Tramp II will be travelling with us and hopefully we will meet up again with Alcatraz who left 3 days ago.

All three boat crews came together onboard Double Bubble for sundowners, which kind of grew legs from there. First started with 1 pedicure for Sharne and another 5 to follow. When thoughts of food sprung to mind so did the word pizza with Sharne co-ercing her son & girlfriend to drive 40 minutes with pizza's for all, well done! Someone had contacted the "yit" website when he saw our boat was on the site and forwarded through a couple of shots he had taken from the beach in the morning, so a big "thank you" to Dennis, awesome shots, cheers. Had great yoga session on the beach this morning with the lovely Sue who is an excellent teacher.

Have had our friends from Alcatraz join us here at Cleeland Bight and now waiting for appropriate seas to be able to get around Wilsons Prom to enter into Refuge Cove (14hrs away) currently looking like Sunday for departure. Have awesome Chocolate factory here (40min walk), Dame Edna made out of tiny little choc's!

Rocking & rolling on mooring, 40knot bullets and pretty swelly. Biding our time waiting for this front to go through, wind generator getting a full on workout. Garry's been amusing himself with the rope we retrieved from the cray pot we had wrapped around our prop & turning it into a hammock, not quite happy with it yet so undone again now & Version 5 commences!

Hanging on a Vic Parks mooring in the bay on Anzac day, waiting for the next front to pass apparently 100mtr from Anzacs beach (missed that), will go over & inspect later. Guys got rather wet in the dinghy on their 2 mile jaunt across the bay yesterday to fill some jerry cans for a top up of our tanks, I couldn't take up valuable space in dinghy so had to stay behind, safe & warm!!!

Arrived safely after 28hr overnighter at Cleeland Bight, Phillip Island. Caught more seaweed enroute, efficiently displaced by skipper & crew & again, coming into Cape Woolamai. Pretty night sail through Bass Strait with diamonds on the water & sparkles in the sky until moon broke through. A rather daunting sunrise seriously looked like threatening rain, but all good.

Just passing Apollo Bay (& big ship), all good so far.

Caught 2 lots of seaweed, 1 on each prop after 20 deg detour for survey ship!

Preparing for departure to Cleeland Bight, with Tramp II waiting for sunrise & tide to change. Here's hoping we have calm winds & smooth sea's around Cape Otway & no craypots or kelp wrapped around props! Eta 1500hrs tomorrow.

Waiting for todays front to go through and head off on it's tail in the morning. We have decided to go straight through to Cleeland Bight, Phillip Island and not go into Apollo Bay as there is a another nasty front coming behind us & we could end up stuck in there for weeks. We have spent our time in town at the shops, the markets & a wander down to the beach. 30 degrees here yesterday & the place sure fills up. Garry went on a day trip with our friends off Tramp II to the Tower Hill Volcano & saw an abundance of wild life. We are tied up to the wharf here right beside the boat ramp & fish cleaning tables (& a gazillion fly's) with the majority of our time being taken up with the antics of 1 very cranky bull seal who hangs out here for fish scraps, he has already taken a chunk out of a womens leg last week & we had to call the rangers in to stop the crowds of people harassing the poor thing.

Arrived safely Port Fairy averaged 8 1/2kn wind speed max at 35kn, 4 1/5hr sail. All good.

Departed Portland for Port Fairy, eta was 1400, someone just turned off the wind!!!Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Tab A on the Telstra Mobile Network

Portland is quite a lovely town, no Bunnings but awesome store that sells all sorts of "stuff" excellent. No matter were we go Rod always meets someone he knows & bumped into his cousin, 3 times, 3 different places over a couple of days, amazing. Our friend Maureen (previous owner) had one of her Women welcome women worldWide group come down to meet us & was kind enough to take us out for a drive to Cape Bridgewater to see the Petrified Forest, blowholes etc & a had a humongous hamburger for lunch & a drive around town, very nice. Have 4 boats from North Haven here, 2 of which were on the slip in Adelaide with us at the same time, Golden Cowrie & Tramp II (with whom we had a most enjoyable evening, albeit late) and Pappion II who is berthed here for next 12 months. Off into town today for a few supplies had lunch & then Garry & I went off for a walk to the Botanic Gardens where they have 181 Dahlia varieties in bloom, very pretty (had to go there as we have a friend called Dalia, cheers).

Arrived safely in Portland Marina 5pm after 30hr haul, tired and super ready for drinks, feed & showers, flopped in front of telly where the guys promptly fell asleep. Big sleep in this morning. Had alternator collected for testing then gave the girl a big bubble bath and general tidy up. Off to the Richmond Henty for tea tonight and pool tournament continuation. Just got excited about possible trip to Bunnings but alas there's not one here, colour me sad!

Heading smack on 090E to Cape Nelson, as we motor past the Wind turbines (there's an irony) as there's been barely a breath of wind since Robe & what there has been, is.....you guessed it, on the nose! Lucky if we get into Portland Marina by 5pm at this rate, distance travelled this run approx 145nm.

A 15kn nthly was predicted, however despite several course changes throughout the night the wind has stayed on the nose all the way! We are now well past Port Macdonnell & Mt Gambier and have crossed the border into Victoria. Cups of tea & hot cross buns for breakfast, yeah! Our crew has complimented us on his accomodation & has stated he would much prefer a coffee machine rather than the bread machine in his cabin ( had to wait for bread to finish before we unplugged from marina prior to departure, to hot to put away, hence his cabin floor!

Just coming up to WPT5 waypoint between Cape Banks & Cape Northumberland SA to change course to heading 115 as several large (read 285mtr)ships are approaching. Counting flashes on lighthouses and confirming whereabouts on chart with Lat & Long checks hourly.

Just departed Robe enroute to Portland, eta approx 12pm tomorrow. Quite swelly leaving entrance and getting around reefs, all whilst trying to spot craypots. Robe is a lovely tidy town with neat marina, adjustable cleats & hose runs. Our new friends on "Time Out" have departed behind us enroute back to Adelaide & we wish them well.

Waiting for fronts to pass prior to our departure for Portland. Gave up on alternator repair for now & put back old one. Had a fun evening on Friday with Peter and Caroline from "Time Out" who are waiting on the same fronts to pass..Garry managed to buy a kite after his homemade one crashed an died so spent Sat arvo flying kite with some locals, who promptly went and bought their own kite. Had a few walks into town, dodging rain squalls, ended up at the Caledonian for lunch yesterday and "Pool tournament" at Robe hotel, back to DB for card comps, really not sure who wins these things as no scoring involved! All good fun.😊

Arrived safely 5pm yesterday after a long 30hr haul, ready for well deserved drink, feed & flop in front of telly where the guys promptly fell asleep. Big sleep in this morning, had port alternator collected for testing and gave the girl a big bubble bath & general tidy up. Off to the Richmond Henty for tea & possible pool tournament continuation. Just got excited at the prospect of a trip to Bunnings but alas, not one here, colour me sad!

Enjoying Robe Marina, had our friends on Alcatraz join us for 2 days before they departed today for Portland. We have had a diode going dodgy in the port Alternator, and had to freight a new one in, better to be safe than sorry! Lucky I have a Marine Engineer husband & Electrician brother to render any repairs! Still having an issue with our track appearing correctly on this site but I'm sure it will be sorted soon. Have Mike here from Robe council who is incredibly helpful and given us a few lifts into town.

Just departed Robe bound for Portland, approx eta 12.00 pm tomorrow. Quite swelly getting out and around reef, but hey we've had worse! Quite a nice marina, with adjustable cleats & channels for hoses, very tidy town too. Our new friends on "Time Out" are commencing their run back to Adelaide just behind us, we wish them well!

Arrived safely into Robe marina after 27 hrs non stop sail, shame that you can't say, "stop the bus, I want to get off" (so to speak) when the sea's are dodgy, read as blah!!! All over the shop, sail up, sail down, 5-6mtr sea's at time's luckily not to high a winds between 15kn to 3okn then down to 3kn's on the nose w/ super sloppy sea's. On a brighter note the dawn brought in a lovely sunrise with albatross greeting us into the new day. Relatively reasonable for the rest of the trip with much plotting and verification. Pizza & beer's, showers and sleep to follow. Still not quite worked out getting tracking right, should show Robe!

Departed American River, thanks to Katie for trip into Kingscote and great photo xx

Preparing for departure shortly (hooray), destination Robe eta approx 10am tomorrow.

Waiting for this next front to go through!. Beautiful clear 22 deg yesterday, watched crabs & stingrays swimming about, polished stainless, whilst guys get new mobiles up to date & Iridium to work. Cooked up pizza's & soup to freeze for "meals underway' today whilst getting thrown about.

Improved - Collection of replacement wind gear has finally fixed this issue, we now have wind info, hurrah! Awesome shot taken from mast head. Also new mobile phone collected from the big smoke as Rod's S7 died, so an expensive day out. We have now missed our weather window to proceed onto Robe and are now waiting again for next window. Used the time to make fresh water (500 litres) and replenish stocks (read more beer)!

Initially named "Double Dutch" when she was built in Sydney by Hugo & Sjirk in 1998. Then re-named "Double Bubble" by the previous loving owners Bob & Maureen until her sale to us in 2008. She has been lovingly upgraded and maintained and is finally ready for her cruising life. We departed from Adelaide at midnight16/3/19 winds ranged from 3kn - 30kn throughout the entire evening depending on when we put the sails up or not, as is the way. Somewhere in the middle of the high seas the 2 yr 5mth old TickTack Wind indicator MN100-2 decided to die so we could only estimate wind speed/direction. We arrived at 8.45am into Second Valley, and enjoyed a pleasant afternoon with the Catamaran Alcatraz before departing on the 18/3/19 at 8.15am for Eastern Cove, Kangaroo Island, arriving at 12.30pm Rocky Point, KI. We anchored there for 2 nights whilst trying to work out issues with wind indicator eventually sending brother dear up the mast for removal and inspection. As high northerly winds were predicted we then entered into American River on the 20/3/19 and have remained here awaiting an Airbag with a new battery which of course, once received, was not the problem (naturally not long out of warranty). So sending off brother for whole new unit via ferry and bus to Adelaide and hopefully get this cruising show on the road so to speak!

At Anchor, American River

Second Valley

Test drive with new GoPro at North Haven prior to midnight departure.