Ulladulla 25/4/06
Eden to Ulladulla
We left Eden on Saturday 22nd at 0700hrs with the intention of heading to Narooma. 56NM away. The winds were meant to be SSW 15 to 20 Kts. Then later increasing to 25 Kts which would have been quite pleasant.
We spent a fantastic half hour or more playing with a pod of 8-10 dolphins who swam alongside Meander jumping up and even squirting us then turning on their side to look at our reaction!!!! It was an amazing experience.
After 9hrs of motor sailing we decided to turn into the little fishing harbour of Bermagui which is Aboriginal for “canoe with paddles” We had hoped to bypass this port because of the river bar at it’s entrance. It proved to be a lot less difficult than anticipated. Once we had the leads insight and a little direction from the coast watch we were soon all rafted up. We were now a fleet of 3 boats, as a couple we met in Refuge Cove with a 28 foot sloop had joined us from Eden.
Our three yachts rafted up in Bermagui harbour
Jo.
The next day we set off for Batemans Bay, about 40 NM off. Another bar awaited us, and this time we turned out to be negotiating it direct into the setting sun . Fortunately the Coastal Patrol guys saw our plight and with me on the helm and Jo on the radio, they talked us in. However, going into Batemans Bay also involved getting out again – and that meant that we had to be back over that bar before 6 am the following morning or be stuck there all day, waiting for the next high tide…
On the way to Bermagui
After such an early start, we were in Ulladulla by midday, in good time to get fuel (I’ve become paranoid about running out again!). And that is were we are as I write. We’re rafted up against a rotting, ancient rustbucket of a schooner that originally came from Russia…
Ulladulla in the rain
Today it’s off to Jervis Bay and then Wollongong, where we leave Gary, who is flying back to Melbourne for a few days.
Mike
Some shells we collected on the beach at Eden
