banyandah from Australia

[banyandah]

Originally Posted by D&D

If you think of anything else, please fire away.

Our blog has several accounts of Tasmania, starting with our trek round Wybelenna, “Black Man’s Houses,” on Flinders Island where the last Tasmanian Aborigines were housed after being rounded up by Robinson. We wrote of our journey across the north coast, our stay at King Island, our trek down the King River and Assault on Mount Sorell. One of the last posted was Banyandah's five day sail from Strahan to South Australia. Plenty of hints and tips, plus a bit of history thrown in.

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by banyandah

Hi Jim and Ann,
It would be delightful to share a few Tassie anchorages alongside Insatiable. We're not so far from each other at the moment. Jude and I are back in our house for winter, on the Richmond River just south of Ballina. Which way are you going?

G'Day Jack and Jude and all,

Well, we hope to be heading north within a week. Been here in Manly for a month painting the decks and doing a lot of other "better done in a marina" type chores, and the list is getting shorter at last. Once away, we'll keep going until the NE'lies start up, and then we intend to boogie towards Hobart and the Wooden Boat Festival. We've made three attempts to get to that affair in the past, but something has always intervened... this time we intend to start really early (ho, ho). Normally we head offshore in the winter, and this leads to staying until December in the islands, and this leads to not getting south early enough... 'nuff said!

As to our favorite places in Tassie, I guess that Hobart (as someone else mentioned) is about our favorite city anywhere, and Port Cygnet our favorite spot in the Channel, and Port Davey our favorite desolate anchorage, and the Gordon River our favorite river trip (out of MacQuarie Harbout) (unless it's the Tamar River on the North coast. Hell, there are so many great spots it's kinda silly to pick one out as best!

So, we'll see what really happens... our carefully laid plans are writ in the sand at low tide...

Cheers,

Jim and Ann s/v Insatiable II lying Manly Qld, Oz

[Wotname]

Hello Banyandah (& Jim),

I am sure I came across a "Banyandah" on the east coast of Oz (between Brisbane & Cairns) sometime in the mid eighties. I wonder if it was you or some other Banyandah!

I am also trying to get to Tassie (from Perth) in time for the Wooden Boat Festival so maybe having you guys there will spur me on.

[banyandah]

Hello Wotname,
Banyandah was in Cairns 1982-3 while I worked the Tropic Sailer and Revolution. We sailed from there Feb 84 to circumnavigate, coming back in at Coffs Harbour. Can't say I recall a Van deStat Super Dog, but hey, I've a lot more gray hairs now!

We might catch up at the WB festival.

Jim, glad you mentioned Cygnet. Such a beautiful valley, forests to the waters edge, calm, safe and such nice folk with true boatie spirit. Do you know what became of that classic 60' schooner being built there??

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and welcome aboard!
Good to have you here and posting. Your experience is very valuable and opinions will be priceless.
kind regards,

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by banyandah

Hello Wotname,
Banyandah was in Cairns 1982-3 while I worked the Tropic Sailer and Revolution. We sailed from there Feb 84 to circumnavigate, coming back in at Coffs Harbour. Can't say I recall a Van deStat Super Dog, but hey, I've a lot more gray hairs now!

We might catch up at the WB festival.

Jim, glad you mentioned Cygnet. Such a beautiful valley, forests to the waters edge, calm, safe and such nice folk with true boatie spirit. Do you know what became of that classic 60' schooner being built there??

I suspect that you are referring to the Hereschoff (sp?) Mobjack ketch that was built in the Wilson Bros boatshed. It was finally launched after (I think)18 years of full-time work by two talented shipwrights. A museum quality boat of incredible beauty, owned by a retired abalone fisherman who had never sailed! As of the last time we were there, she was on a mooring in Sandy Bay, still without spars and covered with a huge boat cover. I hope that she's now complete and perhaps will be at the festival.

Cheers,

Jim and Ann s/v Insatiable II still lying Manly Qld Oz

[banyandah]

Not sure if we're talking about the same schooner.

Here's a picture of the one we meet in Cygnet. Gorgeous boat, lovely valley.

[Wayward Wind]

Jack & Jude
I echo D&D's comments about you guys being inspirational. I enjoyed your stories in Cruising Helmsman and have just bookmarked your blog. Thank you for sharing your experiences.
Cheers!
JohnC

[banyandah]

Hi JohnC
Our blog may not see much activity for a couple more months as we're toasty warm and dry inside our house waiting for spring. Just editing video and putting final touches to our first book to be published. If you like our short stories, our book would be a good read. There's a big website of photos online, Kimberley, WA, Tas. Both links are below. Cheers,

[AquatiCat]

Hi Jack and Jude,

Amazing. Lovely to see you here! Looking forward to your participation, and looking forward to reading of your adventures!

[SurferShane]

Originally Posted by banyandah

Tasmania is fabulous if you love Nature and history, and can handle extreme weather. Hobart is one of the finest and prettiest cities in Australia.

Thanks – I also love Hobart and I have been starting to think I need to have the ship ready for the crossing to the classic boat festival in February. Your website is also an inspiration and I can’t wait to have a better look.

Shane

[banyandah]

I've posted a few photos of the coastal trader Mary Queen, built 1867, now part of the maritime museum of Hobart. She was alongside Constitution Docks. A treat to explore and just a small part of Australia's history found in our new book. I put these in "MIX"

I'll post some shots of Hobart town next, Australia's second settlement.

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by banyandah

Not sure if we're talking about the same schooner.

Here's a picture of the one we meet in Cygnet. Gorgeous boat, lovely valley.

G'Day Jack,

Nice schooner indeed, and certainly not the Mobjack that I was on about.

But, we've been in and out of Cygnet dozens of times in the last fifteen years or so, and no such schooner was being built there AFAIK. She would have been pretty hard to miss!!

So, I'm a bit puzzeled...

And yes, Port Cygnet is one of the loveliest places we've ever been. Even thought of buying property there before the yuppies found out about it. Sorta wish we had...

Cheers,

Jim and Ann s/v Insatiable II still in Manly

[banyandah]

Hi Jim and Ann,

We didn't go into Cygnet last summer, but the summer before (March '09) she was there, having just been launched.

Gosh, wish I could remember his name... Jude's just yelled out Adrian, but that doesn't strike a bell. She was built near the Yacht club, father and son.

Oh, well, nice looking craft, empty inside when I took a peek.
Cheers
Jack