Nostalgic visit for Venus

Venus, a 49-foot Beneteau, was en route from Adelaide to Tin Can Bay. The Noosa-based Embins bought Venus in Adelaide and plan to do some extensive cruising.

Allan’s original intention was to sail from Adelaide to Tin Can Bay with an old friend, via Western Australia spending some time on the Kimberley Coast.

Unfortunately they ran into 60 knots of bad weather in the bight and retreated back to Port Lincoln. While sheltering at Port Lincoln they decided that the Kimberley Coast could wait and that they would make their way to Tin Can Bay via the east coast.

While back in Adelaide there was a crew change and Allan’s partner Jules joined him from Noosa for the trip to Tin Can Bay.

Both Allan and Jules are natives of Melbourne and planned a couple of days here to catch up with old friends. They were so impressed with what the Docklands offers today that their few days soon became two weeks.

Allan recalled as a young fellow driving past the Missions to Seafarers building on his way to surfing. He was staggered by the magnitude and standard of construction that the Docklands has today.

Jules found the location of Marina YE unbelievable with its close proximity to the city centre and its shopping, restaurants and theatres.

The visit also gave them the unexpected opportunity to see their beloved Hawthorn play Sydney at the MCG. Jules could not believe how beautiful the walk back to the boat from the ground was after the game.

Clearly impressed with Melbourne and Docklands, Allan and Jules set sail for Tin Can Bay via Sydney where they would spend two weeks before the last leg home.

They plan to visit the Kimberley Coast next year then across the Indian Ocean and onward to the Mediterranean.

They have grand plans for Venus and have great memories of what they called fantastic Melbourne.