Intrepid Tasmania Sailblog

Slipped off the mooring in Lindisfarne Bay, on Hobart's eastern shore, at 9.45 am on Friday 8th January 2016. A mainly sunny day with light winds, we oiled down the river. From the Iron Pot at the entrance to Storm Bay the swell and and breeze picked up a little. With motor and a head sail half unfurled we were making good way up Fredrick Henry Bay toward Slopen Island.
Rounding Slopen Island a pod of 8 or so dolphins of various sizes ranged alongside, Some of them breaching right beside the cockpit, so close you could reach out and touch them if you were so inclined. I was taken by their cheekiness, the individuality of their appearance, the velvety skin. A small one about 700 mm in length swam between two adults. They swam, darted, breached and played with Intrepid for about 25 minutes. A most entertaining show it was too!
Arrival at Denison Canal and the tide was very low. At least if I were to get stuck in the mud it would only be for an hour or so! In the approach to the first markers, at 1.4 on the depth, I scraped the muddy bottom. At the second markers I was stuck firm, revved the motor hard but to no avail. There was a good breeze blowing so i unfurled the head to the port side and gave her starboard helm. She lay over and moved off the mudbank. Once in the canal and through the other side into Blackman Bay there was sufficient water beneath the keel and I headed for the MAST public mooring. It was time for a beer in the Dunalley pub and when I got there to my delight it was happy hour!.