26/08/2020
It was a bit rolly last night at Whitehaven beach. Today we moved to the nearby Chalkies beach on the west side of Haselwood Island, where there are several public moorings. Wind was relatively strong in the morning. We were sailing even though it’s only a short distance like 1.5 nautical miles. Wind got stronger while crossing the gap between the two islands. Just before we reaching the mooring, came a strong gust of wind, we immediately head to the wind and dropped main sail. Since I am already familiar with the moorings of the national parks here, I know how thick the loops at the end of the floating ropes are(wrapped with a plastic sleeve). Our boat hook is too small to pick up the loop (I failed at Scawfell Island, and also many other people we watched! ), this time I aimed directly at the rope bit between the loop and the buoy. The rope was thick and heavy too, our boat hook could just hook it up. Then had to pull the rest with hands, and drain water from the plastic sleeve, hang the loop on the bow winch, then the boat would be temporarily moored, only need to fix it up with more ropes.
Staying at Chalkies beach was much more stable than the Whitehaven Beach. Though strong gusts of wind came from the hill at times, the boat was not rolly, but the mooring buoy would bang on the boat when there was no wind.
In the evening, J made delicious sardine and cheese pizza. With my suggestion, he wrapped some cheese inside the edge of the crust so Mum will not have to worry that I don’t eat the crust.
Sea Journal 