Eastern Cove, Kangaroo Island

Where Next?
Bob Williams
Fri 19 Apr 2013 04:08
Position: 35 47.34 S 137 51.16 E
At anchor Eastern Cove, Kangaroo Island
Wind: East nor' east F4 moderate breeze
Sea: slight Swell: North east, 0.5 meters
Weather: partly cloudy, mild

Overnight we close reached into the freshening breeze and the short sea that is so characteristic of the Gulf waters of South Australia. Old RC seems to be one of these sailors who need a day at sea to get his sea legs, as after about an hour of bouncing around he decided to empty his stomach in a very impressive manner onto the cabin sole before retiring to his rough weather hide-away in the dark recesses in the back of the quarter berth somewhere. One day soon I am going to have to pull everything out of this foreboding recess and give it a good clean out. Scary thought!

We gained a little shelter as we passed within a mile of Cape Jervis, at which time RC reappeared to join me for the warm comfort of the settee berth, then, passing abeam of Cape Jervis just after midnight, we bounced over the short distance across Backstairs Passage. A bit over an hour later we tucked in behind Kangaroo Head, completing the day’s sail into Eastern Cove in very pleasant fashion, with a fair breeze and smooth seas beneath a star filled sky. I located what I assumed was the anchor light to my friend’s boat, Grapeshot, and used it as a beacon to guide us into the Bay. At three o’clock we rounded into the wind, handed sail and let go the anchor in five meters of water.

Since then the wind has backed into the east nor’ east, and what was a nice tranquil anchorage when I turned in a few hours ago has become rather unpleasant and less than ideal for any socialising. I have spoken with Tino, the skipper of Grapeshot, and plans at this stage remain fluid. My current thinking is to get underway again this evening and continue on our way.

All is well.