Rainy Day in Port Cygnet
Where Next?
Bob Williams
Mon 8 Jan 2024 00:44
At anchor Port Cygnet
Wind: S, F3
Sea: calm Swell: nil
Weather: overcast, cool, showers
Day's Run: 24 nm
Yesterday morning we weighed anchor at 0910, did a lap around Allegresse to say hello to fellow S2H two-handed competitors, Michael and Tracey, then, once clear of the Duck Pond, set sail and headed out of Barnes Bay, our destination for the day Port Cygnet.
It proved to be a pleasant sail continuing down the D'Entrecasteaux Channel, mostly running wing-on-wing with jib poled out to starboard, then a reach from Simpson Point to Huon Island, where we gybed as the wind veered into the south and brought cloud and a few spots of rain. As we altered course to the NW to enter the Huon River we encountered a fleet of yachts sailing in the opposite direction, participating in the Port Cygnet's Sailing Club's Sunday Huon Island Race.
At 1510 we rounded Cygnet Point, turning north into Port Cygnet and at 1545, with a dying breeze, we handed sail and started the engine to motor the last couple of miles to anchor off the sailing club, just in time for the racing fleet to return to harbour. After a quick tidy up, Ada and I jumped in the little zodiac inflatable and paddled ashore to join the racers in a quiet drink at their very hospitable club, and from there we walked the kilometre and a half into town to enjoy a tasty meal at the local pub. On our return paddle a passing dinghy offered us a tow back to Sylph which we gladly accepted, rounding off a pleasantly social day.
Today is cool with showers, so the plan is to spend the day at anchor then tomorrow continue up the Huon River, perhaps as far as Franklin, which the locals tell us is as far as one can safely go and is worth a visit.
All is well.