Hogan Island update

Ahoy from Hogan Island, where we enjoy a slice of mobile phone range.

Here's an update update from 0645, 6 April.

Day 1 Port Welshpool to Refuge Cove 43 km Departed at 1130 under sunny skies with 10-15 knot east - south - easters hitting in the port side beam. We hoisted the sails and piggy backed on the eastern breeze then paddled south along the spectacular Wilsons Promontory coast down to Refuge Cove. We paddled through some waters that felt much warmer on our hands and pondered on our changing climate and warming seas. The ocean temperatures around Tasmanian are 2 - 3 degrees warmer than average and this will only increase if we continue to subsidise the coal industry and build the Adani Coal Mine.

The coast line here is, in a word - divine. We arrived to Refuge just on dusk and set up camp and ate pronto then drifted off to snooze to the sweet sounds of the sea. No mobile range so communications to land support via satellite phone.

Day 2 Refuge Cove to Hogan Island 52km Up at 0600 to clear skies and forest sounds. After deliberating on the weather, times and tides, we deciding we would paddle and pushed into Bass Strait proper for the first ocean leg. The forecast 10-15 knot north - easterlies were funneling into Refuge Cove and creating a funky vortex that raised our eyebrows up a notch. On exiting the cove, things got a little bit 'how ya going' as the winds blew solid along the mountains of the Prom. We raised both sails once a couple km off shore and pushed along east around 4 to 5 knots. We had lunch on the water and kept paddling the entire day. About 25km in, we spotted Hogan Island in the far distance. We all felt a sense of relief and adjusted our bearing to the islands north. Our arrival to Hogan at 1700 was dream like to say the least, as fairy penguins foraged by our boat and a playful seal welcomed us in by waving it's fun towards our route. Camp is a magnificent protected sandy beach on the eastern side, and we can look out to Deal Island, which is our next destination about 50km south east.

Day 3 Hogan to Deal Island 50km Plan to depart 0800 hours. Weather forecast is 10 - 20 knot WSW.

Will send next update when the opportunity hits.