Scribe Bob Bush

Laurie FORD   North Sea Tourer
Sue SHEARMAN Greenlander (dual sail)
Jamie FERGUSSON Greenlander (dual sail)
Bob BUSH  Dean 16

With a choice of routes from Burnie to Ansons Bay, for some reason I chose the long way, via St. Marys. Confronting me as I exited the Bass Highway were two hitchhikers waving frantically.
On stopping I discovered two Japanese lads heading south, one from Kobe, the other from Kyoto and it seemed they too were taking the long way to Hobart.

Approaching Longford a mob of dairy cattle were crossing the road, a sight which transformed my passengers into hyperactives as cameras were produced amid much excited chatter in English and Japanese. After cows were duly photographed side-on, rear-on, head-on in close-up and grouped we continued to Campbell Town where I dropped them off and retraced my steps to Conara to join the Esk main road. All that frantic waving, did they know I was coming?

After such an entertaining diversion, the run to the north east was totally lacking in amusement, that is, until approximately 20 kms south of Ansons Bay when a glance in the rear view mirror revealed a rapidly closing vehicle with lights flashing, - none other than “Sir Laurence the Ford” (laser.)

“Thought you might come this way” was the greeting. “Told Jamie to keep an eye out along here, he should arrive about 9.30 pm.” Is this my day for mind readers? Probably has something to do with those “flamin” computers. Whose looking at you while you’re staring at them?

Delete first two lines of trip plan and follow Laurie back to his campsite 200 metres down a logging track, complete with, would you believe, a campfire?

Shortly after nine Laurie parked his car out on the roadside as a sign for Jamie and Sue and on returning declared, “The next car to come along will be Jamie. ”Personally I thought there was every chance of missing the car but Laurie seemed unconcerned.

At the sound of a vehicle approaching, Laurie’s urgent instruction was “Move away from the fire, Bob.” The next instant a fireball rose 10 metres illuminating the forest to the treetops and sure enough, down the track came Jamie and Sue expecting to be witnesses to a vehicle explosion ------- Ford’s old accelerant trick. Watch out possums.

Next morning it was decided to start at Ansons Bay and take advantage of the brisk south easterly, so that meant cars had to be shuffled to Great Musselroe Bay.
Car shuffle? --- well not exactly. The return to Anson’s Bay became a one car rally with me rigid in the navigators seat and Jamie in the back without the benefit of any seat, practicing support strokes at every bend ---- and the driver ---- well Fangio of course.

Launching at 9am into a head wind the bay was crossed in one hour, followed by an energetic sprint to get out through a good hundred metres of break.
Turning north, sails were set and with the wind at our backs and a good following swell we set course for Eddystone Point, arriving shortly after 11am.
The point was named by Tobias Furneaux the captain of Cook’s second ship and is marked by a 35 metre granite tower supporting the Eddystone Point Light.
The party had previously visited the lighthouse so we paused only for drinks and photos before continuing on to Picnic Rocks for snacks and a look at Deep Creek campground.

Out to sea George Rocks beckoned and with increasing wind and surf Jamie and Sue with double sails got right into the action and almost into the drink setting what must stand as a record 25 minutes for the crossing.

As the coast from Picnic Rocks to Musselroe Point is a succession of beaches George Rocks is a must visit on this trip. An unusual collection of rocky outcrops with  Mutton Bird rookery and assortment of bird species. The formation is indicative of  the many submerged rocks and reefs which accounted for numerous wrecks prior to the 1889 commissioning of Eddystone Light.

Sheltered from the cool wind the party enjoyed lunch in the sun and with such favourable conditions mused as to why we weren’t heading for Cape Barren.
Lunch done our objective was #4 campsite at the southern end of Stumpy’s Bay.

Once again it was a down wind run accompanied by a following sea and with everyone keen to get in a bit of surfing sustained rudder had to be employed to counter turning into wind.
Reaching the northern end of Cod Bay we continued just outside the break and inshore of several rocks between there and Boulder Point.

The break presented no landing difficulties and kayaks were hauled over the sand to the lagoon for the final few metres to the campsite.

With tents erected and billy boiled it was deemed far too early to eat so Susan’s solution for a stroll along the beach received the nod, and does that girl like a stroll?. Six kilometres later laden with Laurie’s firewood we returned to camp. Lesson:------- Avoid “Suelutions”.

A rock fireplace was constructed next to the day shelter and lit as darkness fell.
With a good fire and good company past trips were revisited followed by a lively yes/no republic debate. As the firewood and firewater was consumed it was realised the discussion would result in deadlock so it was obviously time to go to roost.

Sunday morning, overcast but fine and the wind still coming from the east bode well for the final leg to Musselroe Bay.

Laurie, first on deck as usual had removed all traces of the previous nights fire and performed an excellent clean up job on the day shelter site before anyone else saw the light of day. Peg Putt would be proud of him.

As we carried the boats to the water it became obvious that the frequency of the break and the rather steep incline of the beach would present some launching difficulties, at least for some.
Skill and long arms are required for these situations and as my skill level is over shadowed by an inadequate limb section a “Ford Assisted Takeoff” became necessary. Thanks Laurie.

With Cape Naturaliste in our sights we were off in fine sailing conditions and one had the feeling that the bakery in St. Helens had some influence on our progress as it seemed no time before we were picking our way between rocks at Musselroe Point.
Once around the point we were in calm water and as the tide was almost full we had an effortless run right up to the carpark.

As the trip notice stated. “This is a leisurely trip tailored for oldies”. The fact that Jamie’s paddle remained dry for 90% of the trip is testament to the accuracy of that description.