Date: 16/03/15 Position: Lake Cove, Edwardson Sound, Chalky Inlet
We are finding Chalky Inlet to be a magnificent and pristine fjord. We have met some very friendly and welcoming people here as well.
On Friday morning we were keen to explore around our first anchorage of Northport. We had decided to paddle around Little Island and then down the northern side of Great Island to the breakers at Blind Entrance. As we rounded the southern end of Little Island we thought we heard another boat nearby but we continued on without sighting anyone until we turned another corner and entered a channel with the charter boat 'Takapu' motoring towards us. They had been to Ambler to welcome us in but left mystified as to where we were since seeing the yacht and dinghy and no one at home. Thoughts of the Mary Celeste had run through their minds until they spotted us paddling. It was a very warm welcome indeed as we were invited for drinks that evening and when we got back on board from our paddle we found two huge crayfish in the cockpit.
Later on Friday afternoon the New Zealand yacht 'Fine Blend' called by to say hello on their way to anchor around the corner from us. That evening we were entertained by the generous crew and friendly guests aboard Takapu, then received a call from Fine Blend inviting us for dinner. Since leaving Tasmania we have had little social interaction and found ourselves overwhelmed by the incredible generosity of the people onboard these two vessels. The new cook aboard Takapu, Jacqui is a keen vertical caver and really wants to visit Tassie and do some caving sometime. Mark the skipper had plenty of knowledge to pass on for us to navigate our way safely around Chalky and Preservation Inlets. The guests were from Tauranga and keen fishermen. We hope to meet up with them again as we cruise the Bay of Plenty later in the year.
Ice cream topped off a wonderful dinner with the captain and crew of Fine Blend and we exchanged cruising guides since we were going in opposite directions. We hope to catch up again once we reach Wellington, their home base.
On Saturday we motored up Cunaris Sound and anchored for a few hours in Islet Cove. From here we went kayaking along the foreshore at low tide. The exposed pebbly beaches stretched for several kilometres along the shoreline. The water was incredibly clear and we could see down to at least 15m. We then crossed Cunaris Sound and made our way into and around Cliff Cove. The wind began to increase so we made our way back to Ambler. Whilst we had been paddling along the shoreline of Cliff Cove we had discovered a nice, tight little inlet where we thought we could tie Ambler into to be protected from the strong north westerly winds predicted for that evening. We ventured over with Ambler and successfully tied onto three stout trees across the small inlet to await the gale, forecasted of a pre frontal north westerly of 35 knots. Since it was calm on Sunday morning we decided to launch the kayaks and paddle across to the charter boat Takapu to say goodbye to the fishermen and watch them fly out via helicopter. The helicopter landed on a nearby beach and as the new guests arrived the fishermen left with their bags of crayfish loaded into a box on the skid of the helicopter. We were then considering paddling around to the next little cove to explore the river at it's inlet at high tide but the wind conditions suddenly changed in a matter of minutes from calm water to choppy to sheets of water lifting off the surface. So our decision was made for us by the wind and we surfed the waves back to Ambler and spent the rest of the day on board. Our little inlet was quite protected with the tall trees around us breaking up the wind. The wind eventually calmed after the southerly arrived at sunset on Sunday evening.
Monday morning greeted us with a chilly southerly breeze as we untied ourselves from our bolt hole. About 100m from our little inlet we were able to shut the engine down and open out the headsail to sail back down Cunaris Sound. Not long after leaving our inlet a pod of about a dozen dolphins crossed our path but obviously had fish on their mind as they continued into the cove behind us. At the entrance to Cunaris Sound we turned right and headed upstream into Edwardson Sound. As the cloud broke up, the sun came out but had little effect in warming us up. The mountain ranges on either side of the sound were proceeded with rolling hills from the water level up. After entering Lake Cove at the head of the sound we were greeted by three Little Blue Blue Penguins. One of the penguins came over to us for a closer look and we could see its lovely little blue tuxedo shining in the sunlight as it called out to its mates. Here we dropped anchor to swing in the cool southerly breeze of about 15 knots. The wonderful breeze kept the sandflies at bay and we enjoyed lunch in the sheltered cockpit.
All is well and contented on board. Kathy and Wayne
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