From Eden to Lakes Entrance

We left Bermagui on January 12th. set off for Eden. There we met up with Gavin, who helped me 4 years ago by giving me a lift to Canbarra.
The next day we had an appointment with a diver to replace our anode on the saildrive.

In the small towns here, everything is open to you from the age of 17, except the supermarket. We stayed another night and then set off again. The next stop was Gabo Island. A small island with a lighthouse and its keeper.

The starry sky is gigantic, no light far and wide except the stars and our anchor light. Next to the ship we heard something breathing in the water. The imagination can sometimes do somersaults. But it turned out that it was just a seal hunting in the bay.

On January 16th We continued to Lakes Entrance. Approx. 100 nm. If you are traveling at an average speed of 5 kn (=5nm/h), you can calculate that you will not arrive in the evening, but will have a night journey ahead of you.

For two, this means sleeping and keeping watch every 3 hours.

The night was quiet and we only headed towards the destination with the headsail. Individual dolphins surfed in the waves behind us, 2 albatrosses sailed over the sea. Sunset and sunrise were gorgeous. The tiredness in the morning is intense. Before we could enter, we had to wait for the water to reach high level, as the river entrance is very silted up and too low for us at low tide.

Shortly before 12 p.m. we reached a berth. Right before the forecast rain started. That was just right for me, I just went to sleep for 2 hours.

Strong winds are forecast for the next few days, so the plan is to stay until Saturday January 20th. To stay. The kithara is shaken by the wind even in its sheltered berth, groaning and creaking under the violent gusts. But at least there is a laundry and a Thai massage, both of which I tried.

On Friday the wind dies down a bit and we take a tour boat through the extensive lakes. Pelicans, black swans, cormorants and countless other water birds make their home here. Seals cavort in the transition from the sea to the lakes.

Unfortunately, the tour went more through the well-heeled residential areas by the water; I had hoped for more nature. But that's just how it is, you can't do justice to everyone. Nevertheless, you still get an impression of this incredibly beautiful lake landscape.

Tomorrow we continue, another night trip. Direction Melbourne to Refuge Cove. Contrast program. While we are right next to a small town, we will anchor in a bay there. To have internet you have to go up a hill on land. Both have something