Arrived Melbourne
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Noon Position: 37 51.57 S 144 54.45
E We passed abeam of Point Lonsdale entering Port Phillip at 1400 yesterday, which proved a little early as there was still a knot of ebb stream flowing. However, despite the fresh SW breeze and two meter swell, the seas were relatively smooth with only a few infrequent minor breaks about us and we sailed through the entrance without any problems. Once clear of the Rip, we hardened onto the wind and ran close in to the shoreline behind Point Nepean in order to obtain the best shelter in its lee. Portsea was only four miles in from the Heads and less than an hour later we were able to hand sail and let go the anchor off the Portsea Jetty in six meters of water, clear of the numerous moorings that clutter most of the southern shoreline of Port Phillip. Oli and I enjoyed a restful night, arising at 0700 (at least I did) and at 0800 we were aweigh and under way. All plain sail set, we made our way up the Western Channel which cuts through the extensive sandy shoals that line the southern side of the bay. Once past the Western Channel beacon at the northern entrance of the channel, we continued across the wide open expanse of Port Phillip, passing clear of the odd ship at anchor and at 1303 we passed abeam of Breakwater Pier, marking the entrance into the Yarra River and Williamstown. We furled the jib, rounded into the wind, handed the main, then motored alongside the end of the marina of the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria. After a quick tidy up, ensuring there was plenty of food and water for Oli, I locked Sylph up and now I am on the train to rendezvous with my brother, Mark. All is well. |