Watt Sailing Adventure: Emu Bay Kangaroo Island

The wind, which had not been above 8 knot all day, had suddenly decided to blow - just as we were ready to drop anchor in Emu Bay, Kangaroo Island! Would you believe it - all day we wanted stronger wind, but not now!

We sailed into the bay with strengthening winds searching for a patch of sand where we could drop the anchor and have it hold – there were banks of weed which would never do – but several strips of sand. The problem we had was that the wind was making it so difficult to steer the boat slowly into the sandy areas!

But we did it – despite 18 knot of wind, little sand and several boats and buoys – within twenty minutes the kettle was on and we were firmly anchored!

I love how we have learned so much so quickly. Peter’s steering and capacity to make a big unwieldy boat dance in the water, everyone pitching in - its lovely! The anchor winch, which we had though broken at Pondolowie Bay and then thought I hadn’t put on properly, proved to in fact be shorting out – so we turned it on and then it switched itself off – over and over. Erina raced inside and patiently switched it back on whenever it misbehaved! Liam helped locate the sandy area and relay messages to Peter at the helm. We have learned to work so well together.

There are days for sure when sailing is just a challenge. But today was not one of them.

We set sail early this morning, with the plan to sail to Emu Bay on Kangaroo Island. We had back up plans of stopping at Althorpe Island if the swell was big and unpleasant, but as it turned out, there was a slow swell of around 4 mts that was very easy and not at all uncomfortable for us. The sky, which was overcast as we pulled up the anchor, slowly gave way to a beautiful clear blue sky and no one felt sick! What a blessing!

We really had a lovely sail, surrounded almost all the way with pod after pod of dolphins accompanying us. I don’t know if I will ever tire of the delight that dolphins swimming and playing alongside us brings!

It reminds me of what Peter’s uncle Vic told us when we first discussed our thoughts of sailing with him back in January. He told us that sailing was 85 % sheer fun, 10 % hard work and 5 % horrible. Sometimes, when the going is a bit tough, I forget this but it helps when we have had a delightful day – I remember better then that yes, there are those 10% times and even the 5 % moments that are not at all fun, but they are only a small part of this great adventure we are enjoying.

Once we were settled I hopped on the internet to see if there were any shops nearby. I can’t describe the delight I found in discovering that while there were no shops, there was a colony of Fairy Penguins in this bay! We hope to catch a glimpse of these awesome and adorable creatures while we are here!

We plan to stay a couple of days, relax, do a bit of washing – get the dinghy out and go across to the sandy beach.