Day 30

A hearty bacon and eggs breakfast is always a good way to start the day and so it was we were suitably fueled and primed as we made our way down the channel past Mount Rugby out of Bathurst Harbour heading for the outer reaches of Port Davey.
Our plan was a little vague in the early parts of the day and was going to be as in all things yachting very weather dependant. Spain Bay was interesting option with its walk across the headland to Stephens Beach, a ramble we did as a crew in 2013. Schooner Cove was a simple but crowded option with many of the fleet already at anchor there as we motored past.Schooner Cove had few attractions for exploration ashore.
We had heard in previous days of a group of 4 historic graves near Bramble Cove which would prove an interest and a variety to our previous exploration of this part of the Port.
“Fargo” made steady progress under power into a brisk headwind down the channel to Bramble Cove on the north side of the entrance. With such a stiff breeze blowing we elected to stay in the sheltered waters of the cove and explore there rather than chance our arm in the more exposed run across the port to Spain Bay. In the fickle weather one of the frequent squalls caught us mid exercise in lashing the dinghy to the deck and several of us got a thorough freshwater soaking.
We anchored with no other yachts for company snug under the protection of Milner’s Hill just in time for a mid morning coffee.

With the weather clearing intermittently 4 of us elected to go for a walk up Milner’s Hill with a plan to briefly explore for the aforementioned graves. Barrie chose to stay on board and do some engine checks before our planned run to Recherché. Our departure timing was captive to the anticipated weather change.

View south across Breaksea Island Spain Bay towards SW Cape.
The walk up the hill was a curious mix of warm sunshine, cool shadows, steep incline and strenuous scramble with the strong chill wind quickly cooling us after our exertions. We walked prepared for bad weather and we were blessed with four seasons in a few hours.

The view from the top was really worth the effort with our outlook to the northwest showing us our planned anchorage at Whale Cove.
Returning to the “Fargo” for lunch of Duncan’s legendary soups I found I was alone in my interest to further explore the cove for the graves as described previously and apparently marked by Berne Cuthbertson on one of his expeditions.

Heading out in the dinghy to the shore I found a very established camp apparently used by the kayaking fraternity complete with running water camp tables and separate latrine areas.

Returning to Fargo mid afternoon we were soon underway to Whale Bay on the Northern side of Port Davey ready for the morning escape. Whale Bay was a safe but somewhat unsettled anchorage given to feeling the surge of the great southern ocean swell.