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Port Macquarie

Tuesday 7th August.
Arrived back in Port Macquarie yesterday after 2 days sailing from Iluka. I left Iluka at first light on Sunday, it was bottom of the tide, but the bar was flat and there was no wind. I did get a bit of a south westerly after an hour or so and I was able to shut down the engine and have  a sail for about 4 hours before the wind died and I had to get it the iron main going again. Arrived in Coffs about 1600 and anchored in the bay outside the marina for the night.

Monday was another fine windless morning, and I left Coffs at 0300. This time the wind did not materialise
and I had to use the engine all the way. There was a southerly current of up to 2 knots at times so I made good time. Chez was on the break wall to greet me and I wanted her to get a photo of me coming in with both sails up. Unfortunately, after 12 hours of virtually no wind it went from about 2 knots to 25 knots in a matter of seconds. it was right on the bow and there was no way I could cross the bar with the sails up in that wind, so I had to bring them in and get photographed with nothing up.

So, the end of my trip, not quite as planned but never the less, enjoyable most of the time, terrifying at others., but good to be home.

Iluka

I stayed in Runaway bay for 4 nights waiting for the low to move off the coast and for the strong southerlies to die down. I judged that Thursday they had started to die down enough, but it was still a pretty strenuous trip. Seaway bar had quite a swell on it, one in particular looked like a mountain coming toward me, it was over 4 meters and probably closer to 5. definitely the largest I have ever crossed. Paragon went up and up and then crashed down the far slope. Quite frightening.

The rest of the trip was pretty bad, head winds most of the way, tacking back and forward, but not making a great deal of progress, took me 14 hours to do the 48 miles to Byron Bay. Average of 3.6 knots. Anchored in the bay overnight, quite a pleasent night and a welcome rest.

Yesterday, Friday, I left Byron Bay at 0500 and had a relatively easy trip to Iluka. The southerlies have finally dropped off and at times I had some nice south westerlies and did some serious sailing. Got to Clarence River just on sunset, which was a bit of a problem because the track up the river to Iluka is west, straight into sun. Dropped anchor at 1725.

Having a day off today before tackling the last 2 legs to Port Macquarie, about 13 hours tomorrow to Coffs Harbour and 16 hours Monday to Port.

Runaway Bay Marina

Yesterday morning (sunday) I was already to leave for Byron Bay untill after I checked the weather forecast. I realised I would get to Byron OK, but the next day on to Iluka would have meant fighting a 25 - 30 knot head wind. Not nice! I would then, be stuck in Byron Bay for about 3 days waiting for the front to go through. I thought it would be a much better idea to wait those 3 days here in Southport and head for Byron on Wdebesday. Rather than spend 3 more nights at anchor in Broadwater, I came over here to Runaway Bay Marina. Nice marina and one of the cheapest ones in Queensland, only $30 per night. Most of the others are around $43 - $45 per night.

It gives me time to catch up on the washing, shopping and a bit of boat maintenance.

Southport

Six hour tripdown from Karrangarra, should have only taken four, but I had a head current all the way. Only averaged 3.8 knots over the ground. At least depth was no problem, minimum I had was 2.2 meters which is no problems, I only draw 1.4.

The biggest problem coming down was the Queensland cowboys in their powerful motor launches; I had at least ten scream past me at 25 - 30 knots leaving me rocking and rolling in their wake. One even did it in a very narrow part of the channel, I had move over as far as possible to give him room. When he went passed he almost knocked me into the channel marker, I cursed and shook my fist at him. He probably never even noticed.

I had intended having a day off in Southport, but the next 2 days are the best days of the week for heading south, so I'll make the most of it, head out tomorrow for Byron Bay then Illuka and have a couple of days off there.

Karrangarra Island

I departed Bribie Island right on the low tide, thinking I would get a good current across Morton Bay, I went very gingerly over the sandbanks to get into the main channel, but had no problems. I didn't start getting a following current until I was nearly all the way across the bay though.

The shipping channel was empty, so I didn't have to fight with any cargo vessels, but the southern part of the bay was very busy with recreation vessels and small ferries, had to change course a few times.

Heard that there was a strong wind warning for these areas for tonight and tomorrow, I had intended to anchor off of Stradbroke Island which would be very exposed to strong south westerly winds, so decided to go on to Karrangarra Island, which is more sheltered. There were about 6 boats in channel going down to the island and when they all peeled off into a small creek, I thought they must know of a sheltered anchorage there. I followed, but quickly realised that it wasn't particularly sheltered fom SW winds, it was too crowded and not very deep. I turned around, went back to main channel and went on to Karrangarra. I found a lovely sheltered spot just on south side of island in the Merson Passage. There were a lot of boats there, but I realasied they were all on moorings. There were a few vacant moorings there so I picked up one and spent a very peaceful night there, well sheltered from the winds.

This morning I am waiting for the incoming tide to leave for Southport, low tide is about 1100 hours so thats when I am leaving, by the time I get to Jacobs Wells, the shallowest part, the tide should be in far enough to get through OK.

Bribie Island

Finally on my way again, after spending 7 days in Mooloolaba marina I was getting a little fed up. I was able to do a bit of maintenance on the boat, got the GPS going again, the lead to the aereial had a break in it. Also did a few other jobs. Went on plenty of walks around Mooloolaba and generally tried to keep myself amused. Met a few people, went to the pub with a couple of them, but all the same glad to be moving again.

Today's trip was pretty unexciting. The bar had a bit of white water over the mouth of the river, but I was able to avoid most of it. Apart from that very unexciting, no wind to speak of, seas fairly calm and I let Charlie drive for most of the way while I sat back and relaxed.

Now at anchor off of South Point, a small holiday village at the southern point of Bribie Island. nice evening, no wind sunshine and quite mild. Tomorrow its Morton Bay.