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