After a lumpy start, the winds eased and the sea settled for the rest of the run up to Stewart Island. Just after 11pm Rusalka anchored in Paterson Inlet, not far from Oban, the major settlement on the island.
The next morning Geoff announced that he would be disembarking that day to return to Hobart. This was no great surprise as he had said that he wanted a short trip. What was an surprise was that Lucy and Alan also decided to leave Rusalka at Oban. This left Alex in a quandary – how to get the boat back to Waikawa (or at least Lyttelton) where it can be left in a marina until he is ready to cross the Tasman again. The weather is against leaving until late Sat/early Sunday, but then there is a small window to run up the coast, hopefully as far as Lyttelton, in one go. It is a 320nm, 2.5 day trip to Lyttelton.
After calling local contacts and trying to get someone to crew at short notice in the week leading up to Christmas, Alex decided to sail single-handed. Today Alex, Lucy and Alan took Rusalka around to Oban for refuelling and re-provisioning (and a lift from "Tippy" to refill gas) and then Alex returned on Rusalka to Paterson Inlet.
Oban fuel dock, Boat sheds at Golden Bay
Tippy the tour guide, Alan and Lucy's baggage
To open a picture
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