VDLC 2015 Day 12,13

Leaving the Tamar on a sunny calm Sunday morning we made the most of the last of the runout tide to clear Low Head breakwater and head west. Still undecided where we would spend the next evening we motor sailed towards Port Sorrell. Upon finding that Barries brother was not going to be at home at this fair estuary we continued westward. Our next potential stopping place was Wynyard but on close analysis of the tide charts we realised if we put in to that port we would be stuck there for 48 hrs or more due to impending changes in the weather and lack of daylight high tides to allow us to clear the shallow entry. We motor sailed on past Table Cape with a variable breeze and very little seabird activity. Sunset found us close to Stanley but not able to see the iconic "Nut" due to the sea fog. Having trolled all day with no takers to our two lures we pulled them in on dusk and made our way into the snug fishing port of Stanley. On Monday morning after a sweet nights sleep in the quiet but brightly lit marina a heavy band of morning rain saw us scurry to put up the blue boom tent but it soon cleared to the east leaving us in warm sunshine. Exploring the marina in search of an extra fender board I found this interesting little business which is a combination of Fishing Charters, wooden boat restoration, tackle shop , marine museum and marina manager. This restored couta boat is soon to find a new home in Sydney with a family promising to cherish her Huon pine hull and celery top pine decks dating back to 1920. Next door to the Marine Centre the cray processors have the fresh crays housed ready for live export. The wharf was very busy for a time with a barge load of King Island beef unloaded on to lorries on their way to nearby processing. With the warm sunshine Barrie Mark B and I took the opportunity to walk to the top of the Nut and continue on to do the 2 km circuit around the summit with the above view showing Highfield in the distance and the aboriginal fish traps in the lower right. A lot of walking back and forth to the village thru the day saw me enjoying coffee and cake at the Brown Dog Cafe with some of the crew from Great Sandy. A late decision was made to take an evening booking at the popular Stanley Pub for dinner giving the cook Duncan a break from his galley chores. This view from the Nut shows the snug fishing port with it's narrow entrance and tall piers allowing for 4 metres or more of tidal variation. On the right the above picture shows the tour boat for the local seal colony and lower down the frame is the seaquarium with a display of small local marine life.
The pub dinner was great with a variety of meals available including mains of local Scallops or Cape Grim Beef being the most popular. The Beef was my choice with my scotch fillet amongst the best steaks I have ever had.