Before we set off in the morning for our 2 day crossing we were privileged with a couple of nice looking (don’t know what they are) fish. It made a nice meal for the 2 of us that evening prior to our crossing window the next morning. We awoke on Monday morning to a beautiful sunrise and we took this as a good omen for our 2 day crossing of Bass Strait. Started off in good conditions, 10 to 15 knots of wind from the south. Had good sailing for about 5 hours …. and then the wind died…. and we ended up motoring the entire 200 nautical miles. This was the only window for crossing as the wind was going to turn north just near the end. We knew that it would be calmer, wasn’t expecting to be that calm.

Headed for Gabo Island on the Victorian border side but soon realized that the anchorage was not going to suitable for us so we kept on going to Eden and arrived at 3:30 am. As it turned out the decision to go to Eden which is in New South Wales was better as the Victoria State border had been closed and would have meant that we would be quarantined for 14 days. NSW had not implemented that rule … yet!

Eden, is a quiet fishing village that started as a whaling station back in 1791. The migration of whales, to and from the Antarctic resulted in large numbers passing Twofold Bay between May and November. We wandered up to the township for some supplies. Took the boat into the wharf the next morning to get filled up with fuel and water. Checked the weather and decided the next opportunity to move up the coast would be the following Monday. 5 days in Eden!

Not much going on in Eden, just a bunch of social distancing! After we had crossed the strait and been out of touch for almost 5 days we encountered a different world. Lots of new rules applied to travel, restaurants, stores, toilet paper …

Tried to change my flight home and discovered that the agency I booked with were having difficulties with customer support. Chat line did not work. Phone numbers that were available to call were not available … they directed all inquiries to the online support that had no options for changing the flight. Tried for a couple days to get a hold of someone to no avail. Finally decided that I would book direct with the airline. Then the airline came back a day later and changed my flight to an earlier one. Now, back to Canada on April 6 and that means getting back to Sydney or close so that we can secure the boat. With all of these rules regarding self isolating and quarantine it is making it very stressful for travellers. Being isolated on the boat means we have not had any real contact with anyone and now being forced to travel with 200 odd other people in an enclosed “tube” for 14 hours makes it very stressful. When I get back to Canada I will be hanging out with my sister and brother-in-law in Nelson.

Jacqui

There is no other option at this point but to put sailing on hold… (aaagggh) until this settles down, 3 / 6 / 9 months who knows, we will be countries apart from each other, Noel in Vancouver and I am very lucky that my sister, brother-in-law, niece and nephew are in Sydney so they have very nicely set up a room for me, Zena and Emma to come stay until that time we can resume. The Australian government have put a hold on any new visas being issued until this settles down. Who knows how long that will be.

We hope all our family and friends are staying safe and wish for a quick resolve to this trying time.