Robe to Adelaide

Warning: there is a photograph in this blog post which could be disturbing.

Mall's Balls

We were up at 0500. The first stop was just across the marina at the fuel berth. We tied up and unloaded our empty diesel containers. Five minutes later, Jeremy returned with the empty containers and a face like thunder. For the first time in Australia the pay at the pump machine rejected his credit cards. We had enough diesel in the tank for our 185nm overnight passage to Adelaide, so we left, annoyed that we could have spent an extra half hour in bed.

Adelaide Arcade

We avoided several crayfish pots in the bay and motorsailed with the wind and a 2-3m swell behind us. In the afternoon, we were able to sail with the genoa only flying as the wind strengthened. The sea became confused as darkness fell and quite boisterous with breaking waves on top. We had a full moon to light the way.

Pigs on the loose

The wind died down after midnight and the engine was switched on until early morning, when the wind strengthened again and went behind us. Jeremy poled out the genoa. This combination of sailing and motorsailing continued for the rest of our journey. We had checked the tides for the Backstairs Passage, which is an 8 mile wide gap between mainland Australia and Kangaroo Island. Other cruisers had reported 3 or 4 knots against them in this passage. We had the tide with us and were glad we’d kept our speed up to go through with the tide.

Town Hall

The sun shone the next day but the tide eventually went against us and the wind calmed down. On went our trusty motor and the genoa was furled, as we spotted Adelaide in the haze ahead. Jeremy had spoken to Sarah at the Cruising Yacht Club of South Australia (CYCSA) on the phone and booked a berth in their marina for four nights. First, we went to the fuel berth in North Haven Marina and filled up our tank and empty cans. Then, we motored round to our berth in the east marina and found a work boat was in it. Fortunately, a nearby berth was available and we tied up. It was 1800 on Saturday 8^th February.

Regina Imperatrix

Avid readers of our blog will recall that we met Steve and Caroline Harrington and Caroline’s sister, Danielle, in Vanuatu back in July 2019. Steve had been very helpful to us when we spent a couple of hours aboard his yacht, Golden Cowrie. He’d recommended CYCSA marina for our visit to Adelaide and here we were! We contacted Steve and met up with him for lunch at the club bistro the next day. He continued to be helpful putting us in touch with Rod and Alan, who later gave Jeremy local information on anchorages from Adelaide to Streaky Bay. Steve also sent us a link to https://blog.arribasail.com/p/sailing-south-australia.html . This blog lists anchorages in South Australia with information on shelter and holding. Although the waypoints did not always agree with our chartplotter, we exercised caution (as advised) and anchored safely. Another useful resource is Zulu Waterways, but a phone signal is needed to use it. We downloaded a cruising guide to South Australia from www.JACKandJUDE.com for 10AUD (£5 approx.)

In the Botanical Gardens

CYCSA has secure berths, hot showers, cooking gas, a barbecue area, a restaurant and many friendly members. There is no laundry and no laundrette within walking distance. Just a short walk away there’s a supermarket, butcher's shop, post office and hair salon. Next to the shopping centre is the railway station with trains to Adelaide every half hour.

Beautiful lily

We spent two days exploring Adelaide. We booked an historical walking tour with Kat; spent an afternoon in the Museum of South Australia; rode the free circular city bus; walked in the Botanical Gardens and explored the Art Gallery.

Art Gallery sculpture which looks fabulous at night (apparently)

We left CYCSA on Wednesday 12^th February at 0600. The next few days would be spent day sailing. Our first anchorage was 38nm across Spencer’s Gulf to Troubridge Island.

Misogynist Sculpture?