Saturday 28 April 2018

Rain, Rain,More Rain and Wind 20th - 28th April

Off To Coffs  20th April

On the courtesy mooring between the jetty and marina wall at Coffs Harbour

The northerly breeze blowing into Providence Bay, Broughton Islands, fizzled out during the night and we left on our northern journey at 6.30am with no wind at all. The trough line still hung in, in the east and storm cells built and thankfully dissipated as we motored and sailed north. Occasionally we gazed with trepidation (I did anyway!!) as huge rumbly clouds loomed in front, but we avoided them as we sailed close in shore. Part of the reason for that was to avoid the east coast current that runs south on this part of the coast at 1-3knots and takes a toll on your speed.

By lunch time we arrived at the entrance of the Cape Hawk Harbour at Tuncurry/Foster. We decided to take a look as the bar was calm and the tide right for entry. One of the courtesy moorings on the Tuncurry side of the harbour was taken and the vacant one was too close to the sandbank for us to hook on to it. We contacted the Fishermen's Co-op for a jetty mooring and were allocated one on the bridge side of the Co-op. It looked shallow. As the tide raced out it became obvious that we would soon be aground. We decided to leave and do an overnight passage to Coffs Harbour.

Coffs Harbour

The thunder storms remained to the east of us and thankfully the weather was pleasant, apart from the anticipation of what might happen if they came closer. Great black mountains of cloud agitated out to the east all night and kept me on edge. However the night was calm and I had an uneventful shift from 10pm until 1.30am. Between the east coast current and the light winds we did not arrive at Coffs Harbour until late in the afternoon as the light was beginning to fade.

Both courtesy moorings between the old jetty and the marina wall were taken, so Peter and I decided to anchor in the south east corner near South Coffs Island in the outer harbour. Popular opinion has it that the holding in Coffs Harbour is less than ideal, so we made sure that the anchor was well stuck in the sandy bottom. A relentless swell enters the bay, but luckily we were held stern on to it so it was reasonably comfortable. Windy gusts punctuated the night, but we held firm.

The dinghy, having no working motor, and the wet weather kept us on board for the day as it is a long dinghy ride across the outer harbour to the marina and one of the only landing places for the dinghy. After two nights out there one of the yachts on one of the courtesy moorings vacated and we quickly motored Olivia over to take advantage of it. Now we could row Lily into the marina right next to us to explore ashore. Peter ordered the impellor for the dinghy motor at the chandlery, then we walked along a picturesque path beside the beach to the north. Our friends, Ric and Val sailed Arkaydes in during the day and decided to take a marina berth.

The small dinghy landing beach in the marina soon gets covered by the tide. Scrambling up the wall is a pain!

The Coffs Marina was badly damaged some time ago, but there is still much work to be done on the northern wall to make it weatherproof. We discovered a new public pontoon in the western end of the marina that is for loading and has a 20 min limit on time, but dinghies were tied behind the pontoon next to the rock wall. It is quite a convenient spot to leave the dinghy. The little beach in the eastern corner floods quickly on a rising tide and getting on shore can be tricky.

Damage remains at the Coffs Harbour  wall

A short weather window appeared for the sail to the Clarence River and we studied the tide charts along with the weather forecast and decided to leave at 5am in the morning. That would have us arriving at the Clarence entrance bar 3 hours after low tide when the incoming tide favours entry into the river.

Clarence River, Iluka and Yamba

Fifteen boats left Coffs Harbour between 5 and 6am. Everyone had been sheltering in the harbour during the inclement weather. We sailed most of the day in 10 - 15kt SE winds and generally stayed inshore to avoid the current and the rain squalls still lurking just east of our track. Several yachts lined up with us to enter the river. The bar was flat and entry easy. We motored into Iluka Bay and anchored by mid afternoon.

Moor R & R owners, Paul and Kathy, invited all the Lake Macquarie people on board their Lagoon 45 for pre dinner snacks. A dozen or so sailors enjoyed Sashimi tuna, caught fresh on the trip north, along with other yummy treats. Paul is an excellent cook. Thank you Paul and Kathy for your hospitality.

Hibbertia flowers. Note the umbrella!!
On Thursday we decided to take Olivia over the other side of the river to the Yamba Marina for a few days in order to be measured up for a new bimini, dodger and lee cloth by 'Scooter' of  Scooter Sails. I can't wait for our shelter as this rainy weather means we can't spend time outside and we have to keep everything shut against the rain. The marina is not overly expensive at $49 per night. It is nice to be able to do the washing, plug into the power and run our electrical appliances for maintenance and cleaning. There is a pleasant café here. They have allocated us a berth that is close to the facilities and readily accessible. Peter spent Friday morning replacing Lily's impellor, which is a particularly fiddly job. After much cursing and some swearing the job was done, so I hope it works now.


Clarence Head walk

We have been exploring Yamba, between the blustery showers, and restocking the larder. Monday sees the start of our cruise up the river to Grafton, with the Shag Island Cruising Yacht Club, for six days.  Apparently sixteen boats and crew are participating. I am looking forward to exploring this "Big River' again. It is the second biggest river in Australia.

I have started Isabelle's quilt - Red Work patches

Wednesday 18 April 2018

Lake Macquarie to Broughton Islands Monday 16th April to Thrusday 19th April 2018

A Shaggers Catch Up, Sunday 15th April

Anchorage at Kilaben Bay Lake Macquarie
Four years ago Peter and I joined the Shag Island Cruising Yacht Club. It is a fun institution where like minded boaties of all kinds get together, have some fun and help raise money for Prostate Cancer research. Hundreds of thousands of dollars have been raised so far. Lake Macquarie is the home of a number of Shaggers so a get together was organised and we joined in for lunch at the Catalina Club at Rathmines in Kilaben Bay. Seven boats anchored with us off Styles Point near the club, so it was a sociable occasion and we met some lovely people. A cruise in company has been organised for the trip north to the Whitsundays where the annual get together is held at the Eco Resort in Gloucester Passage. We have decided to commit to join in for part of the celebrations and participate in a cruise in company up the Clarence River. That will suit us fine as Scooter (sail maker) at Yamba is going to make us a bimini, dodger and lee cloth (roof). He will be able to measure us up and hopefully complete the job while we are cruising up the river for a week. I am looking forward to exploring the Clarence again and maybe get as far as Grafton this time.

Goodbye Lake Macquarie 16th April

The Culprit is pulled on it's side by Marine Rescue so it can pass over the
shallows in the Swansea Channel

How many horror stories have we heard about the shallows at Pelican Flat as you exit the lake? 'Twenty four boats had to be pulled through at Easter!!! Blah! Blah!' It was now or never as the tides were the most favourable for some time, High tide in the morning, the highest for days. Plenty of time to sail to Port Stephens and as another boat had to be towed in by sea recue they offered to escort us out. As it turned out there were a dozen boats or so coming and going, so we were definitely not alone. We followed in the tracks of a racing yacht which would have had a much deeper keel than us. He had to be roped over on his side and pulled through by a Marine Rescue boat to allow the keel to pass over the ridges in the channel. There were two very shallow places. The first one was Ok although I think we felt a slowing down as we scraped the bottom. The next patch was more serious.

The water was so clear that it was easy to see where the troublesome patches were, but still it provides anxious moments as the keel ploughs through the sandy bottom. Peter gunned the motor and after a minute or so we broke through into deeper water. We touched three times in all, but we managed to exit with only a loss of some anti fouling on the keel. The Swansea Bridge was scheduled to open at 11am and we arrived with perfect timing. Out we went for a delightful sail all the way to Port Stephens in 10-15knots of westerly breeze. Shoal Bay, although rolly, provided a secure anchorage for the night.

Swansea Bridge. Phew! We are out!

Port Stephens !6th - 18th April

Stephens Peak, Fingal Bay Walk

On this visit to Shoal Bay we thought it would be a good idea to take a bus to Fingal Bay. It looks like a lovely enclosed bay when you look at it on the chart. It is pretty, but only any good for anchoring in northerly winds or calms. On the way we noticed a shady, picturesque walk/cycle way beside the road and decided to walk back to Shoal Bay, about 4kms. It was a delightful walk through huge gum trees full of Rainbow Lorikeets, screeching, chattering and arguing with each other. Halfway back a national park walk track veered off towards the beaches and steep hills at the southern entrance to Port Stephens. It had us puffing and we both thought we had earned our lunch at Aussie Bob's Fish and Chip Café. Good food and friendly staff.

A fresh southerly was forecast so we decided to motor further into the waterway to Salamander Bay and anchor near the moored boats on the southern side. No rolling, no splash, no sound - bliss!

Wednesday morning dawned clear and calm so we decided to take a walk before leaving for the Broughton Islands. It was a long dinghy ride to the beach and at about the halfway mark I noticed that the motor was smoking. 'Yikes!! Switch it off quick!' The impeller appears to have failed! Luckily we noticed it before damage was done and we completed the journey ashore by rowing.

Peter wanted to see if he could get this part in Nelson Bay, the main town, so we set off to find the bus stop. Of course the bus went past before we got to the next stop so we missed it. Then we discovered that they only departed every hour so we decided to walk. It took about an hour. The payoff was a beautiful walk along the bays and beaches of the southern shore to Nelson Bay. A community group was weeding, tidying, planting and watering the bush along the way and it is obvious that they keep it well tended. Another delightful walk. No luck with the impeller. More rowing! Oh well, I guess an upper body workout will not go astray.

Broughton Islands  18th-19th April

Olivia anchored in Providence Bay
After lunch we pulled up the anchor and motored the 16nm to Providence Bay on the north side of the Broughton Islands. Coal Shaft Bay looked like a possibility for anchoring for the night in the light NE winds. It wasn't! Breakers rolled around the reef of the southern side and sent a nasty, broken swell  into the bay. We could see another craft was anchored in Providence Bay, by noting his AIS signature on the chart plotter. Light winds were predicted and we thought we'd have a look. Young Endeavour was anchored in the bay and the courtesy mooring in the eastern corner was free. We grabbed it and spent a comfortable night there.

This morning we rowed ashore and walked all the tracks we could find on the island. There is only low scrub and mostly tall grass growing here along with many self sown garden renegades like prickly pear and morning glory. It is a scenic, rocky island interspersed with lovely beaches and pretty little bays. Fishermen's huts line the shore in Esmeralda Cove and here we attracted the attention of several primary school aged children who spend their holidays here. They took great delight in following us and like Meer cats, calling out, then hiding in the grass so we couldn't see them. We got talking and they spend their school holidays here, lucky kids. It is now mid afternoon and the wind is still light from the NE so we will stay the night and rise early to take advantage of a forecast light southerly to journey further north tomorrow. Our intentions are to go as far as Trial Bay or Coffs Harbour depending on how we feel. Both destinations involve an overnight sail.

Peter surveys the fishermen's huts in Esmeralda Cove


Saturday 14 April 2018

WE'RE BACK FOR SAILING 2018 ON OLIVIA III

Sailing Season 2018

Time to get started on the 2018 blog

During the last six months back home in Albany, many changes have taken place within Peter and my families. Firstly, my Dad, aged 90 passed away on 24th January and then Peter's Dad followed in  his footsteps on 24th February, aged 93. It was quite a traumatic time, with a trip to Townsville and executor duties to perform, we have revised our plans for 2018. At the end of 2017 we had decided to sail to New Caledonia for the winter. That has been postponed until next year. Our current plan is to spend this year upgrading systems, sails and covers, service the life raft and generally get this boat exactly how we want it.

Our first port of call will be the Clarence River, Yamba, where we have already contacted Scooter for a new dodger, bimini and lee cloth (like a veranda over the cockpit). The Shag Island Cruising Yacht Club will be having a regatta there at the same time so we will join in the fun while this work is being completed. After that we have booked in at Boat Works where we will haul out for a much needed anti foul of the hull, replace the cutlass bearing in the prop shaft and service the life raft amongst other smaller jobs. Everyone recommends Boat Works as a great place to do this so we will find out soon as we are booked in beginning 16th May for five days. Boat Works premises are on the Coomera River on the Gold Coast and we will hang around there exploring the many creeks and waterways between Stradbroke Islands and Moreton Bay for most of this sailing season.

Lake Macquarie 9th - 14th April

A Storm Approaches

A quick flight had us in Sydney just after 11am. Plenty of time to take the train to Lake Macquarie before daylight ran out. I love the ride from Sydney Central to Gosford. It is so scenic with the stunning views of the Ku-ring Gai Chase National Park and the beautiful waterways of Sydney Harbour and Hawkesbury River. We arrived at Fassifern Station and were met by Ric, a long time sailing friend of ours who we met with Val, in the Camden Haven River four years ago. They insisted we stay with them for the night in their lovely, tree house like home in Carey Bay. Catching up on six months of living, over a tasty BBQ roast and a long day of travelling, had Peter and I sleeping soundly as soon as our heads hit the pillow. Thank you Ric and Val for a wonderful night.

Next morning Carol and Roger, old Lake Macquarie friends formerly from WA, lent us their dinghy and we motored out to Olivia waiting patiently on her trusty mooring.  Peter didn't think the seagull poo was as bad as when he visited in summer although there looked like a lot of mess to me. He undid all the flags, string and nets that he draped around the boat to deter the birds from using it as a convenient island. We then took Olivia over to tie up at the Toronto Yacht Club jetty to remove the bird poo with the high pressure washer. She looked much better after that.

Peter gets rid of the bird poo!

On Thursday night Carol and Roger invited us to dinner with them and Ivan and Andrea, who live over the road. Andrea is known as a master of cooking desert. With Carol's tasty Spaghetti Bolognese and Andrea's amazing Bread and Butter Pudding and Citrus Syrup Cake and interesting conversation we had another great evening. Carol and Roger always offer us their washing machine. which we make good use of. Thanks again Roger and Carol for making our stay here memorable and the use of your washing machine.

We have stocked up the boat with food, spare parts, cleaned her inside and out and had the electrician in to re-do some wiring that was not correctly installed in the first place. Busy! Busy! Today we had our first drama for the season. Peter wanted to change the engine oil so he decided that we needed to go for a motor around the bay to warm up the engine first. It was windy. As I let the mooring go Olivia drifted over the rope and although Peter cut the motor quickly the mooring rope managed to tangle itself around the propeller. There we were, hanging backwards to the strong, gusty wind, for everyone to see. (Embarrassing!!)  Eventually Peter had to deploy the anchor and dive in and untangle the mess. Hopefully we won't do that again.

This evening, after a blustery, boisterous day on the water, thunder storms surround us. It has been lovely sitting out in the cockpit and watching the lightening flickering between the clouds and lighting up the sky. It hasn't come too close and hopefully won't during the night.,

A weird looking sky at sunset, Toronto, Lake Macquarie