Our proposed jaunt to The White Lady marker/light actually happened.

I have been on a boat to the White Lady lighthouse! Butterflies skipped across wave tops at one point en route. Butterflies! White ones. Seals, a hefty, healthy looking population inhabit the lower level of the light and they make extraordinary growling and barking sounds. Birds occupy the roof and they too make a lot of sound.

The Lasers are skittish little vessels and the waves were substantial at times, so the journey was a real test for the crews of seven sail boats accompanied by four safety boats under motor who followed close by. First stop at a beach at St Leonards to test the wind/wave report. Then around the corner and turn left, maybe 25 – 30 kms in all, “Let us give it a crack”.

I clean forgot that I have a wetsuit hanging in the wardrobe and that would have been a sensible choice of water proofing. As we had to follow we could not put our nose up to cut through the waves. Anyway it was great fun. My skipper John, Salty Bitch Lisa’s husband was great company and even had a trawl for flathead. No bites! The Sun hid, so wet/cold was our situation but in the end I knew I could scamper home for a hot shower. It was an adventure. Finally, I was on the water to observe the coastal views of our Northern Bellarine communities. ….all in all I am thrilled and grateful for the opportunity to be on the water, an experience that I have wanted ever since I moved here inspired by the vision of boats under sail and fishing boats out and about in all weathers. At Peter’s instruction the cruise report is to be written by me…so nautical bits about , navigation, tides, buoys, markers, reefs and shoals I leave to others. I love the late John Clarke’s invented word ‘farnarkeling’ and there was a lot of that at the outset while boats were being rigged, Safety Officer Mike had to make a decision based not just on getting us ‘there’ but to return safely for all crews: a more scientific process than finger to the wind.

We all came home safely but especially Riley who tipped over a few times and will need massage and TLC. He will be sore. Tipped over, the sail fills, the waves were high and choppy and righting his Laser was hard work. He seemed to enjoy it none the less.

Thank you to Peter, Mike and especially my skipper, John. And to the base crew at HQ. IHYC.
My adventurer/colleague Salty Bitch, Karen, travelled on Mark’s boat and I am absolutely sure is as thrilled as I am to have had this ‘on water’ rather than ‘in water’ opportunity. Thank you.
Gael Kennedy