Aaah the serenity....?

Well we finally got back on the boat and went for an overnight sail to Quarantine Bay yesterday. The weather was nice for a Tassie winter's day and we had no major dramas motoring across to Bruny. The water was smooth as silk and the landscapes beautifully forboding swaddled in grey mists that disappeared as soon as the sun's rays gouged their way through the clouds illuminating fields of emerald green.

Ah sailing is so romantic! They only thing missing was a parade of dolphins escorting us to the bay and we wold have had the true hallmark moment!

For the most part it's beautiful out there but there is always something that comes up that firmly anchors us into reality. For us on this trip it was the realization that our battery switch isn't working and we relied on one battery the whole trip. Not that big an issue because we generally don't use much power. Then there is boat envy..... We were the first ones in the bay. We dropped anchor, cracked open the wine and watched Bertie the bird shake his tail feather on the mooring bouy next to us. Bertie, who danced to the rythym of the cacophony of crows in the bushland behind us, was our only source of entertainment until the other yachts pulled in...enter boat envy.

We were very happy with our 29.5ft 30 year old boat until we saw the parade of posh yachts come in. We imagined them all swilling expensive rum in their wood pannelled saloons feasting on gourmet delights with a diesel heater keeping their pompous bottoms warm. We wanted to be them and we started to dream up a million money making schemes to one day out posh them with a bigger and better yacht. Then we realize - our boat is good enough! They can have their fancy cabins and live in their yacht club bubble - we were the only people in the bay out on deck enjoying the elements staying warm by cuddling up close and drinking delicious wine! This is what boating is all about being one with the elements and enjoying nature. They missed Bertie's performance and we didn't.

So as the sun set we warmed up some beautiful seafood chowder and had a lovely meal. It was a simple meal but very appropriate for the setting. Dishes done, we snuggled up with a hot mug of tea and caught up on some reading before drifting off to sleep. No matter how calm the water is I am always waking up at the slightest creak. I have a very imaginative mind especially when tired so sleeping on a boat is never entirely restful. First I thought we had a leak and I had dreams of sinking ships and mermaids...then Bertie must have landed on our deck and I thought we were being invaded by pirates....aaah pirates.....Johnny Depp....finally a good dream! "Jelly...Jelly...are you awake???" Johnny (not Depp) says to me "I am now!" I bark back to husband. Awake again but not for long as the other Johnny calls me back aboard The Black Pearl.

Morning comes and were the first ones up (surprise surprise!). Breakfast over, we bid our adieu to Bertie and the Bay, pull up the anchor...STUCK! Oh well, there always has to be drama! Our anchor snagged some old rope stuck to the bottom...John freed us and we were away. I steered us home to Kettering which was emblazoned with rainbows...sadly with rainbows comes rain and we both copped a soaking before we had th sense to put our wet weather gear on. Got into the pen with a bit of drama but that's all part of the fun.

The wind and rain on your face makes you feel alive...not quite serenity but we love it!