For followers of this blog, it is with mixed feelings that we advise of our recent decision to part with Sojourn. We have been so privileged to skipper our much loved catamaran over 32,000 nm these past 12 years and will always treasure the sights, sounds, smells and ocean bounty that Sojourn has enabled us to experience and share with family and friends. We started out as timid beginner sailors and grew with each sailing experience into a competent sailing duo. We took every opportunity to adventure into the incredible Kimberley region. Sojourn was our amazing platform from which to extensively explore the coastline, rivers and creeks of WA, the NT and QLD. We have spent 7 years and one month in total on board Sojourn so have come to know her every unique reaction to certain sea conditions, wind strength or wind direction. She is much loved and we are thrilled to be handing her over to new owners who appreciate her and are keen to get to know her before heading off on their own sailing adventures.

May you always have wind in your sails and sun on your deck Sojourn.
Forever in our hearts. Au Revoir xx

Friday 14th October Rottnest

The decision to make for Rottnest was validated today as the winds started from the east and remained from that favourable direction until noon then the winds went less than 10 knots variable. We motored the final dristance to Rottnest. Anchored in calm and glassy conditions and headed for the beach in the dinghy. We rewarded ourselves for the long, cold and sometimes challenging passage south these past few weeks with a beer and pizza at the pub. Very enjoyable sitting in the sun overlooking the bay with only a handful of boats on the trillions of available moorings. We made our way back to Sojourn and prepared for our final leg home.


Saturday15th October 2022 Wannanup

The sunrise was stunning this morning. A light fog over the mainland resulted in a blood red sun. We were out from the anchorage at Rottnest by 5am and with main and jib set we set course at 180 degrees for the 37nm sail to The Cut. Many whales are about in these waters at the moment all heading south after their long voyage to the Kimberley. We are feeling like kindred spirits with the whales having almost completed our own odyssey to the Kimberley and back ~ 3900nm

The return journey to Wannanup from Broome was particularly challenging this year with relentless southerly winds established much earlier than previous years. However after just over nine weeks we are now home and safe and well.

Tuesday 11th October Jurien Bay

Fortunately the sail went well and our super early predawn start in super cold conditions paid off. We had to keep a good look out for cray pot floats and that was challenging during the pre dawn period but a half moon put out enough light on the ocean for us to successfully avoided a few pots during the passage. We were secure in the marina at Jurien Bay mid afternoon and were able to catch up with Brian for the traditional fish and chips on board. Great to see you Brian and sorry to have missed you this time Wendy. After a very long day on the ocean we were happy to have an early night.


Wednesday 12th October Cervantes

Another early morning to take advantage of the light but favourable winds for the 40nm to Cervantes. We had never been in to this anchorage previously but found it to be well protected for the wind a with good holding just northof the jetty. (Be sure to avoid the few moorings in the area and avoid the weed ~ drop the pick in a sand patch.) We considered going ashore but it was so cold and windy we were content to stay on board and complete some tasks then prepare for another early start tomorrow.

Thursday 13th October Lancelin

Lancelin is always a good anchorage if the swell is below 2m. Fortunately despite the weak cold front crossing the SW at the moment the swell remained low so we motorsailed to Lancelin today with a light easterly assisting. There is some more unfavourable weather conditions forecast for early next week continuing for the following week. We reviewed our options this arvo. It seems a reasonable plan to make for Rottnest tomorrow instead of Two Rocks. It will give us an opportunity to get to Wannanup on Saturday before the southerly winds set in once again on Sunday. We prepared some snacks for the 12 hour passage as we are not sure of the sea conditions we will encounter and completed the engine checks etc in readiness for the early morning departure. Early night again.

Tuesday 4th October

Today we headed out from Turtle Bay allowing our destination to be guided by the wind. Forecast SSE wind did not appear and instead we had easterly winds so we used them to move to the Pelsart Group where we anchored at Middle Island. Too windy to enjoy a walk on the island so we settled in to read, update blogs and logs.

Thursday 6th October Geraldton

This morning we set off to Geraldton expecting southerly winds as forecast but in true form the wind had a different plan and turned easterly but fortunately only light. It was about 10nm out from our destination the southerly kicked in and strengthened to 20+ knots. We headed for the shelter of the marina where we had booked a berth for the night. Once Sojourn was secure we headed off to buy some fresh supplies then stumbled across a delightful bar/cafe on the waterfront where we enjoyed a glass of wine and a light dinner before a very cool evening walk back to Sojourn. Tomorrow we will head for Port Denison.


Friday 7th - 10th October Port Denison

We set off before dawn this morning hoping to get into Port Denison before the seebreeze strengthened later in the today. We navigated inside the reef at ‘Little Africa’ reef and had a good run. Sojourn was secured to the recreational jetty and we rinsed her down. We were surprised with a visit from Marty and Rose who were coincidently staying overnight in Port Denison on their way south so we joined them for dinner at the nearby tavern. We also caught up with Ian and Sharyn who cooked a delicious roast dinner for us during our stay. Much appreciated x.

The next leg of the sail home had been considered and debated while we were waiting for some favourable weather. With a window of weather presenting tomorrow we decided to make for Green Head only 40nm south however should the passage go extra well we would push on to Jurien Bay.

Wednesday 28th September - 1st October

The next few days were spent fishing down by 'the wall' at useless inlet, exploring the small creek to the east of the wall and catching up with friends.
Cosy corner is a bay frequented by the Useless Loop community. There is a shelter, fire pit, toilet and boat ramp for small boats. It was near here that Kevin collected Rose and Marty one afternoon. We enjoyed drinks and nibbles in the cockpit of Sojourn, very comfortable despite the 25 knots wind gusts. After a few hours of catchup and yarns as the sun was setting, Kevin dinghied them back to the beach. Great to see you both !!

Sunday 2nd - Monday 3rd October

It has been more than 3 weeks of patient waiting in Shark Bay for a suitable weather window for a sailing catamaran to get safely from Steep Point to the Abrolhos Islands. Eventually a window comes and Tuesday/Wednesday was shaping up as a safe opportunity. It was not brilliant for sailing however we could motor sail on the light ESE so we made for Shelter Bay to ready ourselves and Sojourn for the 24- 28 hour passage. There were 5 sailing catamarans, 2 monohulls and 3 power boats gathered at anchor by Sunday evening all heading south. Early Monday morning the power boats and monohulls departed. That afternoon the crews from the catamarans gathered on the beach for sundowners. We were all gifted a parcel of home made snack balls for our upcoming passage by Nicky and Pete from Singularity. Many thanks ~ very much appreciated and they were delicious!! Kevin completed all engine checks, Janie baked a quiche, a batch of date scones and made fish cakes for us to snackon during the overnight sail. We were well rested and ready. Early to bed tonight, ready for anchor up at 4:30am. The forecast is for light winds until mid morning on Wednesday then strong southerlies kick in! We decided to give ourselves every opportunity to be no more than 10nm out from West Wallaby Island by sunrise where North Island and the extensive westerly reef system provides a level of protection from the S and SW wind. Excited about tomorrow ~ good night all.

We woke to calm conditions and had a quick cup of tea while preparing Sojourn for departure. Lights were appearing on the other catamarans at anchor. There was an extra light! Another catamaran had joined us late yesterday evening. As we hauled up the anchor and navigated out from Shelter Bay (Shark Bay) we were followed by the other catamarans ~ Arabella, Singularity, Lamitsu, Kindred, Eureka IV

The passage was comfortable and we motor sailed for 26 hours. We were on approach to Turtle Bay an hour before dawn so we decided to push on to the Easter Group of islands however only 2nm and 20 minutes later the wind changed suddenly to be Southerly 25knots gusting 30+ knots. We turned around straight away and navigated Sojourn back to the well protected anchorage of Turtle Bay. A couple of the other larger yachts which were ahead of us by 5-6nm were well committed to crossing the passsage to the next island group and we monitored them as they were only making 2.5-3 knots into the strong S wind.

We anchored and launched the dinghy llater in the day and went for a big walk before an early night.

Monday 12th - Monday 26th September

There was cloud about earlier in the week which kept max temperatures around 22 degrees but the sunshine returned these past few days and the winds have eased so conditions are fabulous here. Mandurah has had rain and hail and max temperatures in the high teens so we are appreciating being in Shark Bay. It was great to catch up with Paul and Rose of sail cat Arabella. We also met the crew of sail cat Singularity and watched the AFL grandfinal with them and Clint from Le Tigre at the 'Monkey Bar'.

So the few days of staying put have turned into 2 weeks! There has been relentless southerly or south easterly wind but finally there was a weather window that looked promising next week so we made our way out from the anchorage at MM and sailed around the Peron Peninsular to anchor in the area protected by a huge sand bank near Cattle Well Hill. We were now in a good position to get ourselves to Shelter Bay if an opportunity to sail south was to eventuate.

Tuesday 27th September

Today was all about getting Sojourn across Shark Bay to Herrison Prong and provisioning on the way at Denham. We were on approach to the channel into Denham at 10:30am and anchored just off to the side of the channel at 11:15am. The dinghy was launched and we headed for the south end of the town beach where an IGA was located. List in hand we moved through the supermarket as fast as we could then headed for the liquor store for a few bottles of red, on to the post office to mail a birthday card for our nephew in Cairns. Then it was back to Sojourn, haul up the dinghy, unpack the groceries and weigh the anchor. We were on our way again by 1pm and anchored on the west side of Herrison Prong at 5:10pm. Too cool on deck for a sunset drink tonight but a stunning sunset.