Finally in Hobart

Finally, we are in Hobart. We motored a whole mile down the Derwent, under the Tasman Bridge and arrived at the Elizabeth Street Pier mid-day. The port seems warm and welcoming. There was plenty of space for us and we tied up just forward of the Lady Nelson, a square-rigged brig replica of her 1798 namesake … quite a lovely neighbor to have. We had hoped to tie up at the Constitution Dock (ConDock), but our draft is too deep for the ~2m (6.5') depths in the tiny dock area. We're happy enough where we are though ... on the historic Hobart waterfront, smack dab in the middle of Tasmania's capital city. For $127.75AU/ week, it's quite the bargain for this primo location. The plan is to stay here through Boxing Day (26 December) and enjoy the downtown life and holiday festivities for a few weeks and we're really looking forward to it.

We have a long list of to-do's while we're here, some fun, some not so much, but as usual, we'll find time to get all the important things...fun and otherwise, done by the time we're ready to depart. David's list includes buying a new outboard engine (yikes!), finding a chandlery someone told him about and doing several boat chores he's says he's been putting off. (When has he had time to “put off” any boat chores??) I, on the other hand, have researched downtown walks including a self-guided historical walking tour, a pub tour (for research purposes only), a tour of the downtown parks and some community Christmas activities. I'd also like to return to the Botanical Gardens, get a haircut, purchase some new foam for the settee cushions and perhaps do some poking around in the local shops.

The downtown area is all decorated for the holidays. I couldn't help thinking of the lyrics from Silver Bells, “Strings of street lights, even stoplights blink a bright red and green” as we passed through the Elizabeth Street Mall. We managed a few errands our first day in town...post office, Mitre 10 (think Home Deport), Wooly's (supermarket), the Telstra shop.

Being on foot and walking through alleys and up crowded streets, peering in the shop windows as we pass by, all of this is part of the fun experience of being in a new city. No matter how many times we've visited a place by car, it always seems different when we arrive by boat. We think we're really going to like it here. Stay tuned as we tick off the to-do's in Hobart Town.

Sailing to Hobart Town

We anchored the night in the lovely Duckpond anchorage at Bruny Island, but saw no ducks. This anchorage is considered “bullet-proof” since it's so protected, but we didn't needed any protection this night. The water was flat and calm with nary enough wind to turn the wind generator blades even a little. The flags were limp. The temperature was mild and our first night back on the water was dreamlike. We woke to bright sunshine and a distinctly strong aroma of eucalyptus. I wish I could post a “smell bite”. It was a wake-you-up smell that permeated the air. Birds sang; water lapped gently at the hull. All in all, a pleasant way to be greeted by the day.

We hauled anchor, and headed to Hobart town, but not without a few hiccups. The handheld GPS in the cockpit has a corroded connector. It's a backup to the main GPS system, but we use it for keeping track of our nautical miles. It's on the fix-it list. The cockpit radio's LCD went out. We just had it checked out at Standard Horizon while we were back in the States and it was working then … but not now (sigh!). Put it on the list. As Marcie was raising the muddy anchor, the spray nozzle on the wash-down hose popped off and immediately found its way into the water. We were able to recoup it with the boat hook and our handy-dandy canvas bucket, but it needs to be fixed. The automatic bilge pump does not seem to be working properly.

Enough to-do's...on to the good stuff. It was a gorgeous day, but not enough wind to sail. No matter, we motored out of the Duckpond and into the D'Entrecasteaux Channel. I would call it a “blue” day. One of those days when the water and the air itself seem to reflect the blue, blue sky. The water was still except for our wake. The smell turned from eucalyptus to salty, sea air with a hint of fish as we passed close to the salmon farms.

Blue penguins floated in front of us, then dove shyly before affording us a chance for a photo. Sea lions languished in the sun, their flippers raised in a hello gesture as we motored past. Gulls, terns and cormorants dove for breakfast. We saw a whale … only long enough to identify it as a small whale and not a large dolphin. We reckon it was a southern right, but we really couldn't tell for sure.

We passed lighthouses, bluffs and sandstone cliffs. Mount Wellington was shrouded in clouds. We saw Ironstone Light in the near distance marking the entry to the Derwent River. Passing along Hobart's historic waterfront, the smell of the city overcame the smell of the sea. We weren't quite ready to tie up at Hobart yet. We were still enjoying the freedom of being on the water. We headed under the Tasman Bridge and though there was nearly 75' clearance to spare, it always looks like the mast is about to brush the bridge.

We anchored just after midday outside the mooring field in Cornelian Bay with views of the bridge on one side of us and views of the Queen's Domain and Botanical Gardens on the other. Several boats were moored in this protected area of the river. Colorful boat sheds line the shore.

The wind increased to 20 knots and kept the wind generator churning out power throughout the day, but conveniently calmed down by 7pm, allowing us a peaceful evening. We are indeed heading to Hobart Town, but not quite yet.

It's good to be sailing again

The morning we head out of a marina after having been settled in for several weeks is always a bit hectic, even if the passage is only across the channel. This morning there was lots to do and remember and we set about our chores as soon as we rose while saying to ourselves all the while “There's no rush. We can take our time. There's no rush at all.” There were all the usual things that have been out and used at the dock or on deck like hoses, extra lines, and buckets to stow. Then there were those items below which needed stowing, like wine glasses and fruit bowls and computers. I wrapped the glasses carefully and tucked them away. The fruit went back in the fridge and the basket went into a locker. I laid out non-skid on the salon table and the computer rested there securely. Fiddles (shelf retainers) were put into place. Plastic crates were secured. Nothing can be left on flat surfaces that can easily land on the floor when an unexpected wave or wake hits us. We made sure all the portholes and hatches were dogged (latched and secured).

David had already refilled propane tanks for cooking and jerry-jugged diesel fuel in for the boat. Fuel jugs stored on deck were secured. Last night we charged every possible device we own while we still had shore power. We filled the water tanks this morning and emptied the trash while a fresh water spigot and trash bins were easily accessible.

Fuel and oil levels were checked and, since we haven't used the boat in awhile, we checked that forward and reverse are working and the steering seemed to be in order. We were backing out of our berth in Cape Town, South Africa one time and the shift handle broke off in David's hand while we were in reverse. Luckily, we were able to back right out of the marina and get some vice grips on the nub of the handle quickly enough to be able to shift into forward again. But since then, we always check...just in case.

Yesterday, we made sure all of our bills were paid at the marina and the chandlery. We said our goodbyes. Though we're staying in the area, I doubt we'll be back here again. Saying goodbyes is always a difficult part of the leaving process. The folks at the Oyster Cove Marina have been very friendly and hospitable to us allowing the free use of cars, trucks and vans … something a bit out of the ordinary and definitely appreciated.

We attached our ensign (US flag) and the Australian courtesy flag and hoisted them.

The last things to go...the electrical hookup to shore power and the docklines. Scott from across the dock came over, said goodbye and handed us our last line. Anne and Ian and the folks at the marina came out on the wharf at the fuel dock and waved goodbye as we backed out of the berth and headed out into the Channel.

Don't get too excited, we're only heading five miles across the D'Entrecasteaux Channel to Bruny Island to a snug little anchorage called The Duckpond. We have to ease into things. All this for a very short ride. But oh my, it's good to be out on the water again.