And Out of the Gates of Hell

Where Next?
Bob Williams
Thu 21 Feb 2013 05:13
1500 Position: 42 07.0 S 145 05.6 E
Course: North west Speed: 6.5 knots
Wind: Southwest F4 moderate breeze
Sea: slight Swell: South west 2 meters
Weather: sunny, mild
Day’s run: 24 nm

This morning, as I munched on my gluten free muesli and sipped my tea, I contemplated what to do for the day and looked at the weather to see when would be a good time to depart. After poring over the charts and some grib files I came to the conclusion that right now was actually a pretty good time to leave, otherwise I was probably going to have to wait until Monday. I thought about what I might do for the next several days if I did not leave and, while there would have been quite a bit to do, I decided I would rather be sailing. I checked the water tanks, they were still almost full, I knew we had plenty of fuel and food, so I got to work stowing the dinghy and securing Sylph for sea. At 10.45 the anchor was cleared and we sailed out of Long Bay into Macquarie Harbour and out through Hells Gates. I was rather pleased that we did not resort to the BRM at all, so, while I was not able to achieve my ambition of sailing in through the Gates of Hell, I at least managed to sail out, and while perhaps not quite the same challenge, as a spiritual metaphor it is undoubtedly a better omen.
Outside we have found a nice fresh south westerly breeze which is better than I expected, as there is supposed to be a light south easterly blowing. Maybe this is a sea breeze but it looks more like a gradient wind to me. Regardless, we will make the most of it while it lasts, and currently we are doing very well indeed.
Next stop is Port Phillip to visit my niece and nephew, who are growing up at an incredible rate. It will be good to catch up with my brother as well of course, that sort of goes without saying.
Now I wonder where I might find the pearly gates? Hopefully there will be plenty of time left to locate this particular harbour. Perhaps it will have a nice little bookstore inside.
All is well.