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011113- Cr sHel m- I CC-. pdf Page 1 1/ 11/ 13, 2: 34: 52 PM AEDTFebruar y 2015 17destination: Tasmania
We climbed towards Barn Hill to view the lonely grave
of John Thomas Hague, a head lighthouse keeper who
had died on the island in 1924. Remnants of the 'whim',
a huge track and winch-system for hauling cargo up the
steep hill from the shore, were still in place, rusted and
weather-worn. Mary had been weed-whacking the path to
Squally Cove and we ventured down to admire her work
and get a good view of the Dragon Tail rock formation in
the distance.
By the time we returned to their house, the cup of tea
and orange slices Mary had waiting for us were much
appreciated.
After dinner aboard Nine of Cups, we returned to shore
at dusk to view blue penguins coming ashore in their
nightly ritual. The bright moon aided us in seeing them,
but delayed their migration up the hill by an hour or so.
We waited patiently, getting a kick out of the brush-tailed
possums sussing us out in hopes of getting some snacks.
When the penguins finally arrived we watched them
work their way up the steep grassy slope and then do
their Charlie Chaplin-walk, four astride, up the cement
drive to their nests. Babies and mates called out to
them, welcoming their return and the dinner that was
forthcoming.
Returning to the boat just before midnight, under
a bright, waxing moon, upside-down Orion and the
Southern Cross was brilliant.
Icing on the cake for a perfect day.
On our third day, we went ashore mindful of a big
westerly blow heading our way later in the day. Our intent
was to visit with David and Mary a short while and return
to the boat, but as always "things to do" got in the way.
They suggested heading to the top of Barn Hill. It was
warm and beautiful and they claimed that the vistas were
superb. The day was clear and bright and the weather
change, though imminent, was hours away.
Up the steep incline we went. Cairns marked the trail
across the top and we were amply rewarded for our
efforts with views of the ragged Dragon's Tail and the
steep cliffs of South Bluff.
The small compound of historic houses far below
formed a neat photo package from this height and vantage
point. Bright yellow and orange lichen covered the flat,
rocky summit. We added our rock to the tall cairn at the
top of the Barn's Hill walk.
Storm front
It was mid-afternoon when we returned to Cups. She was
sitting peacefully, but we knew she wouldn't be for long.
We watched the barometer fall quickly.
West Cove just across the Murray Channel in the shelter
of Erith Island would protect us from the west winds
forecast. We hauled the dinghy just in case we needed
to bug out unexpectedly and headed across the channel.
We noted the notch in the hills above the anchorage
might funnel winds in our direction, but with the 30
knot winds forecast, we felt relatively secure.
Wrong assumption!
We were anchor down by late afternoon and the
anchor had set well.