Arrive Eden
01 January 2011
We made it! Joy, relief, and a real rest! Arrived in Twofold Bay about 2 pm, after an exhilarating beat into a 20 - 25 knot southerly.
When the north wind died, we stopped sailing, the boat turned right around to face north, and started going backwards. That's when I spotted the seals, there were 3 of them sporting around, having fun. Then the south wind came on. In the middle of breakfast.
The engine was started, but soon after became overheated, so it was shut down. I still don't know the air gets in the line, but once I "burped the baby" (as Adrienne calls it) again, and allowed it to cool, it worked just fine.
We saw some dolphins as we motor-sailed towards the anchorage. Then, getting the anchor ready, I came across a bluebottle, washed up on deck at the bow. I photographed him, and was intrigued to see what looks like markings on a ruler, along the top edge of the sac. All that's missing are the numbers!
It's exhausting, ocean sailing, watchkeeping - just hanging on - so with the anchor down after 2 days and nights and after some lunch with a bit of tomorrow's birthday shiraz, I was ready for a good long sleep.
Pic: Our very own bluebottle. I can imagine 1/4", 1/8", 1/16", 1/32" markings on a ruler. This one is 1 1/2" long, by its own measure.