Shag Islet Cruising Yacht Club Inugural Clarence River Classic Cruise

Iluka to Brushgrove  3th April to 2nd May 2018

Waiting for 6pm and the bridge opening at Harwood

The event was to have commenced with an introductory BBQ at the northern beach area of Iluka Bay. It rained, and rained, and...., wind as well. The BBQ was cancelled and the 'Shaggers' met in a convenient local coffee shop. Rick and Glad (organisers), gave us the necessary information to get us all safely through the Harwood Bridge, which is also a construction site for the new four lane bridge catering for the busy Pacific Highway. The bridge operator was organised to do a special opening for the Shag Islet CYC at 6pm. I wasn't looking forward to this as I like to be safely anchored before nightfall and at 6pm it is quite dark now. Nineteen boats went through the bridge and amazingly there were no incidents and everyone anchored in the dark without any problems. Why was I worrying? Must take after my mum!!

Peter admires the old and the new. Harwood Bridge

Once all the boats were secured most of the crews adjourned to the Harwood Hilton for pizza. Everyone seemed to make the effort to attend as there must have been about fifty people there, along with a dog or two.

Early the next morning Peter and I motored Lily ashore and walked over the old bridge to observe at close hand the construction of the new bridge. It is enormous. The high concrete pylons looking like an imitation of the Roman Emporium. As we walked across the bridge, I was impressed by the assault on the senses that such a huge construction site can deliver, along with the constant traffic roaring across the old bridge within a metre of us. Great road trains rumbled over the bridge setting the concrete platform and massive steel girders of the bridge vibrating and trembling under their wheels and weight. The tranquil scene of the anchorage, in contrast, full of 'Shagger' boats looked peaceful along side of this frenetic activity.

New Harwood Bridge

Grounded!!

After our early morning stroll around Harwood village we readied ourselves for the next stage of our trip up the river to Maclean, the Scottish town. Some of the boats had gone on ahead and we lead the second group of late starters. I was steering and Peter was trying to work out how to put our track back on the iSailor chart when all of a sudden there was a bump then another much stronger thump and we came to a halt on terra firma. After recovering from almost being thrown over the steering wheel we tried to work out where the deep water was. There was no shifting Olivia. She was stuck fast. We were miles from the green marker and later we found that the locals were amazed that we had run aground there. Maybe that buoy needs shifting!!!

Blu Glass, a 38' Lagoon catamaran, did a 360 around us and found deep water all around. We had grounded on one very small pile of mud and sand in the middle of the river. They gave us a tow and with very little effort Olivia was free. We proceeded very carefully around the corner to the Maclean anchorage.

Maclean to Brushgrove

St Josephs Maclean

Maclean is a scenic little town with beautiful of buildings and touristy shops lining the main street and along with all the others we spent the morning exploring. An interesting attraction in this town is the Scottish tartan decoration on the electric light poles in the town with many different clans represented. We didn't find the Scott tartan.

Found a Scot though

The gathering of the clan

The Official Welcome ceremony was held at 4.45pm on the waterfront and the local press were there taking photos. The Mayor, Aboriginal Elders, a Scottish Piper and other dignitaries attended and leant a bit of formality to the occasion. The Elders welcomed us to the river and wished us a safe journey, which was nice, and afterwards we all traipsed up the main street to the RSL Club for dinner.

The night was quiet and we were up early to prepare for a 9.30am start. Next stop Brushgrove 11kms further up the river. Peter and I were a little tentative after our experience with the riverbed yesterday and we decided to follow someone else today. The 'cats' left early, having shallow draft and not needing to be so worried about depths. The 'monos', mostly with drafts from 1.5 - 2.1m (Olivia's being 1.9m) needed to be very careful today as the shallowest part of the river is just upstream from Lawrence. Jake, Rick and Glad's motor boat, went ahead to show the best route. They are the organisers of this rally and locals, so we all put our trust in them and followed along like a line of little ducks behind their mother. Everyone arrived unscathed, but I think one or two touched the bottom today.

Brushgrove looks lovely surrounded by its green pastures and trees lining the river banks. Dinner will be at the Brushgrove Hotel tonight and floral shirts are to be worn. Luckily I brought an Hawaiian shirt for Peter to wear. Apparently we are to be entertained by Bill Kearns, a renown bush poet. Should be fun.

Beautiful Brushgrove Anchorage