Position: 37 04.30 S 149 54.03 E
At anchor Snug Cove, Twofold Bay (Eden)
Wind: SW, F1 light air
Sea state: 0 - calm Swell: nil
Weather: sunny, warm
Day’s Run: 138 nm

We continued to make good progress with a fresh breeze behind us. We negotiated the Bass Strait Oil Field, weaving in between the oil platforms and rig tenders, during the afternoon and were clear of the Field at 1700. At this point we were running square with two reefs in the main and 60% jib poled out to port We found ourselves being pushed more north towards the Victorian coast than desired so at 1740 we gybed onto starboard tack with the jib poled to port, allowing us to make a ENE course towards Gabo Island.

At 0015 the wind had eased a bit; I shook out a reef and unrolled a bit more jib. At 0150 we were approaching Little Rame Head, five miles to the WSW of Gabo Island where we encountered a wind shift from SW to WNW. We gybed and dropped the pole to settle on a broad reach, now on the port tack. While I was on deck handling sail and adjusting course, a rig tender vessel was approaching from the NE. Once we had settled back on our NE heading it was clear that we were in a head on situation. Figuring our movements with the wind shift must have been confusing, I called the vessel, the Fugro Etive, on VHF to clarify what was going on. He was on his way to the oil fields and we agreed to pass starboard to starboard so we could each continue towards our respective destinations.

We rounded Gabo Island at 0352 and then once past Cape Howe, marking the border between NSW and Victoria, we hugged the coast until we reached Twofold Bay. This forenoon’s sail was very pleasant with clear blue skies, lots of sunshine, and the land providing a lee and smooth seas, while the wind remained fresh and steady from the west. Staying in close to the coast meant we had to dodge a few small tinnies out fishing and some fishing floats, but the pleasant sailing conditions made the extra bit of vigilance required well worthwhile.

At 0940 we entered Twofold Bay, started the engine and handed sail. The two public moorings were already taken so I readied the anchor and we motored to our usual spot immediately to the east of the public moorings just outside Cattle Bay (cattle used to be loaded onto ships from here many years ago).

The forecast is for light winds over the weekend then N’lies Monday and Tuesday and a S’ly change on Wednesday afternoon. Therefore the plan is to relax here until Wednesday.

And now I might have a little nap.

All is well.