Delivering wings

Dec 30, 2025 The adventure begins again! JB left Tubby and the boat (hull actually that I will refer to as Wings)at Marks Point and flew home for Xmas. Now Xmas is over I decided to join JB and friend Tim on the voyage home. We had a delightful overnight stay with Jen and Tim Pearson before heading down to the marina this morning. Then it was really a waiting game - waiting for the tide to change before we could venture through the bridge at Swansea (at Lake Macquarie). It was a hive of activity at the entrance with heaps of runabouts and jet skis tearing around having fun. Eventually at around 3pm the Search and Rescue boat arrived to tow Wings through and we followed in Tubby. Now we are at sea and heading to Jervis Bay where we will wait for a southerly front to go through before heading off again towards Tassie. The conditions are pretty good at the moment with around a metre swell and light winds. Wings is behaving herself quite nicely at the end of her 60 metre tow rope. Hopefully I’ll get some sleep after my “watch” finishes. I’ll post again tomorrow - so watch this space. Dec 31, 2025 We had a pretty uneventful night at sea. I took the first watch while JB and Tim slept. JB, in his normal “Captain” style advised, “don’t hesitate to wake me straight away if you see a ship”. So I set myself up in my usual vantage spot accompanied by a torch, container of lollies and a bottle of water. Not only did I need to watch out for vessels, I also needed to keep an eye on “Wings” who was dancing from side to side enjoying the swell. Then I had to check the baby monitor on a regular basis. No, we didn’t have a baby on board - Tim had set up a camera on “Wings” to keep an eye on the bilge pumps. If Wings started to take on water, we would know immediately. Anyway, at about 9.30 I was scanning the sea and noticed lights on the horizon so down I went to wake JB. Up he popped stark naked and reassured me it was a ship at anchor and went back to bed. I wasn’t so sure, so I kept a close eye on her. The ship at anchor looked like she was moving and was getting larger. So back down to wake JB who quickly confirmed it was a cruise ship. So together we watched her sail off in the moonlight, thankfully in the opposite direction! Half an hour later I saw a cargo ship pass us moving at around 18 knots. She honestly came out of nowhere! This really reinforces JB’s strict guidelines when on watch. You must scan 360 degrees every five minutes, listen to the engine and if you smell anything unusual wake him immediately. Ships move extremely fast and can be on top of you in minutes. I must admit I’m not a fan of cruising at night especially in pitch black circumstances and rough seas. But last night with relatively low swell, light winds and a full moon it was almost acceptable. Jan 2, 2026 After a relaxed night in Jervis Bay and the quietest NYE we’ve had in years we waited for the southerly front to pass through. After brunch of eggs and bacon on leftover fried potatoes we decided it was time to make a move and head to Eden to re-fuel. Before leaving JB checked the oil and fuel situation only to realise we were using heaps more fuel (because we were towing a boat) than we anticipated. So plans to re-fuel in Eden changed dramatically,and we decided to head for Ulladulla instead (only 20 nm). Luckily JB has a few contacts in Ulladulla so he booked fuel for the next day as it was New Year’s Day and everything was shut. We caused quite a stir on our arrival at the public wharf. Apparently, we put on quite a show as we sailed through the entrance. JB showed everyone his expertise on manoeuvring two boats at once! Basically we had to drop the mainsail (which was helping to stabilise our ride), shorten our tow line to Wings, then once through the entrance raft up both boats. A procedure that Tim and I are becoming very familiar with! Once safely tied up to the wharf, a steady group of interested individuals turned up so I put on my PR cap and chatted with the locals. “Wow - we were watching from our house just over there and we thought you were towing an upturned boat.” “You’re kidding? Towing this boat to Hobart!” “We had to drive down to check it out.” “Fantastic job manoeuvring the boats” “Don’t you get scared out there in the ocean?” “Boy what a huge project!” And it went on and on. JB was thankful I was there to handle the public and to be honest I thoroughly enjoyed it! It’s morning now and I just took off for a walk around Ulladulla where I purchased fresh bread and croissants! We will re-fuel at 8am then set sail to Eden where we need to refuel again or we won’t make it to Hobart. Unfortunately, we will arrive in Eden at 2 in the morning which will be interesting! Watch this space … Jan 2, 2026 The latest update from JB … (insert video of JB’s update) https://www.facebook.com/reel/1142737791265775 Jan 3, 2026 Moonlight dancing! (Insert video of Wings in the moonlight) https://www.facebook.com/reel/2279812352514603 Jan 3, 2026 Well we finally arrived in Eden at 2.30 in the morning after a fairly rocky ride during the last three hours. I couldn’t sleep as I kept rolling from side to side, so I joined JB on watch. It was a bit of a tricky process when we arrived in the shelter of the bay. First of all we had to shorten the towline (which believe me is quite an undertaking), then slowly pull Wings alongside Tubby (where we raft up), then JB very professionally manoeuvres both boats and looks for a suitable place to either tie up to the wharf or pick up a public mooring. Tim scouted the bay with a torch and luckily found one available mooring. So in the light of the full moon we safely secured both boats with no need to drop anchor. Phew! After making a cuppa and enjoying a slice of fresh bread lathered in honey we all hit the sack to get some overdue sleep. When I woke at 7.30 I looked out the window and saw “apartments” that definitely weren’t there at 2.30 that morning. On closer inspection I realised it was a cruise ship! Jan 4, 2026 What a difference a day makes! A front came through yesterday so we decided to hang out in Eden for a night before heading across Bass Strait. All three of us were absolutely exhausted so a night at anchor was very worthwhile. We were also lucky enough to catch up with Tess and her wife Rosi who happen to be holidaying in Eden. It was really beneficial having access to their car to purchase fresh provisions. Last night the girls with three of their friends joined us on Tubby where we enjoyed pizza. The highlight was meeting Tess and Rosi’s fur baby, Parsley. What a cutie! Tess was concerned that Parsley may hate the boat but obviously she is a true “Bourke” and very quickly made herself at home! This morning, I attempted to clean the surface rust on Tubby but in the end just gave the stainless steel a clean and polish. While I was busy cleaning I had to put on my PR cap yet again as various people popped by to chat. A fellow from Search and Rescue visited, then a group of guys on a yacht followed by a husband and wife in kayaks. All extremely interested in our adventure and all secretly thinking we’re “mad”. Well, better go and refuel etc Watch this space …. Jan 4, 2026 We’ve left Eden and now on our last leg to Hobart. Rosi and Tess took this video from the Eden Lookout. It puts it into perspective doesn’t it? Jan 6, 2026 Well, that’s another Bass Strait crossing done and dusted! Let’s hope it’s the last trip towing a 56 foot tender behind! Apart from a bit of roll outside of Eden two days ago, conditions have been as favourable as we could have hoped. It was worthwhile taking JB’s advice and only sailing when there was a good weather window. Big thanks to my sister Merry and her husband Ian who house,dog, garden and chook sat at Howden - especially as our expected four day trip turned into a week! JB, Tim and I make a good team. Our “watches” have worked really well. It’s certainly easier with three. JB and I have done many nautical miles with just the two of us and it’s not ideal. We only had one “episode” in Bass Strait when the auto pilot decided to go off course and steer Tubby to port which meant Wings did a 360 degree circle. I was on watch at the time and it all happened so fast - one minute everything was fine, then I look up to see Wings merrily cruising towards Tubby. I very “calmly”screamed for JB to come on deck, who once again appeared completely naked to find out what the commotion was about. I’m pleased to say no harm was done and also extremely glad that towing lines float (you can imagine what happens to a prop with a line tangled around it) but I reckon I lost two years of my life! Just goes to show, you can’t think of all the scenarios that may happen when towing but now we have a “safety plan” in place if it happens again. Let’s hope it doesn’t. We are currently cruising down the east coast of Tassie where you could be mistaken to believe we were in the Derwent. The sea is flat, winds light and the sky is blue. Just perfect. After two nights at sea we’re looking forward to a sleep at anchor tonight at Maria Island where we can enjoy our “last supper” in the saloon before heading to the Dunalley Canal in the morning. Got to go, a pod of dolphins are happily playing at our bow and I need to chat with them! Watch this space … Jan 7, 2026 Did I mention how much I was looking forward to a lovely, quiet night at Maria Island? Without the drone of the engine and the continuous motion of the boat? Yep, I thought I was in for a treat but unfortunately the local mosquitoes had other plans. I reckon my RH negative blood was the main attraction at Maria Island and they had a field day! Along with a certain sea captain’s snoring I reckon I snatched about an hour’s sleep. So no rest for the wicked. Anyway, we left the mosquitoes behind and departed Maria Island just after breakfast in readiness to enter the narrows at Marion Bay then through to the Dunalley swing bridge. (For those who don’t know, the traffic is stopped, the bridge swings open and boats cruise through to the other side). JB had communicated with the powers to be the day before and explained we were towing a boat and all was ok’d. BUT as we were shortening the tow line in readiness to cruise through we heard a conversation on the hand held radio stating boats are not permitted to tow another boat through the bridge. Well it goes without saying, JB saw red! And I don’t mind admitting, so did I! There was no way we were going to back track through the narrows, then cruise the “long” way around Tasman Island to get home. As you can imagine, JB jumped on the radio and explained he already had clearance. He pointed out we had travelled all the way from Yamba and had navigated through bridges, bay entrances etc all the way down the eastern seaboard. “Oh we didn’t realise it was you John on Golden Haze - not a problem. Just follow the boats ahead of you.” So I stopped holding my breath and let out a very relieved sigh as did my mate Tim. So off we went, on our merry way. Just before the bridge I got sight of my 97 year old dad, sister Sue and her husband Mal who had travelled to Dunalley to wave us through the canal. They knew only too well how much blood, sweat and tears had gone into this adventure. But that’s another story. Talk soon … Jan 8, 2026 Well, as you can see from two different vantage points we had a “hold your breath” situation going through the canal. There was a two knot current and Wings did a little bit of a dance once she hit the current. JB was very much aware and did a wonderful job keeping both boats in the middle of the entrance but Wings had other plans. I think my brother in law Mal probably got it right when he said, “I think she may have kissed the side”. Dad has been enjoying my FB posts via Sue and he was very keen to travel to Dunalley to welcome us. It was so lovely to see Sue, Mal and dear old dad on the shoreline. As soon as we all took a relieved “breath” Tim raised the mainsail and we headed towards Betsy Island where we were welcomed by friends Phil and Marshall on Inca. It was a lovely sight to see the Iron Pot and Mount Wellington in the background beckoning us up the river. It was even better to do our “final raft up” outside the yacht club where family were waiting patiently (with champagne on the ready). I had given my sister Ali strict instructions not to come without bubbles! So dear old Tubby has nearly completed her mammoth job of towing her sister Wings to her new home. Apart from the auto pilot glitch, Tubby didn’t miss a beat! As you may not be aware, we sold Tubby a year ago and the new owners very kindly agreed to “lend” her for the journey. Without her this whole adventure wouldn’t have occurred. The alternative was shipping Wings by road to Melbourne then finding a way to transport her to Tassie (at huge expense)! So we can’t be more thankful to Darrell and Alan for their generosity and faith in JB. Today, the crew decreases by one for the final tow to a mooring in Howden. I will be staying home to attack the bags of dirty washing and hang out with a very happy Pippin (our doggie) plus Hilda, Zelda and Sooty (my chooks). It was a wonderful experience on the high seas but you can’t beat “paradise”!