Yesterday was a long day, I departed Coffs Harbour at 0300, it was absolutly pitch black, there is a new moon at the moment. I had to pick my way out between the south wall and Mutton Bird island, thank the gods for lead lights, I back tracked on them until I judged I was clear of Mutton Bird then turned on to course aiming for the light house on South Solitary island 8 miles out to sea.

The sun came up in a beautiful sunrise about half way between South Solitary and North Solitary. After that it was a fairly straight forward trip until I got to the Clarence River 14 hours later. The bar was perfect but I got there just at the time all the trawlers were setting off for their night's fishing. No way they are going to give way, even when not trawling and not got right of way. I was dodging them all the way up the channel, at one point I had to do a 360 to avoid one.

I am anchored in my favourite harbour, Iluka, along with about 15 transiting vessels. It's so peaceful here. I'm right opposite the pub and since last being here a pontoon for tenders has been installed in freont of the pub. very handy!

Thursday. Had a very early night last night and have spent a fairly busy day today, lots of little things that needed fixing, tidying up the boat and making certain I know where everything is. Went ashore and had a walk through the village, didn't need to do any  shopping, thank goodness, as prices are pretty high. Walking along the foreshore with the tide out I noticed scores of shallow depressions in the exposed sand, I overheard someone talking about them and he said they were made by stingrays lying in wait for prey; if he's right there must be an awful lot of stingrays in Iluka harbour.

Have checked the weather forecast, tomorrow there is a strong wind warning, 30 knots from the north west, so no prizes for guessing that I'm staying put. Saturday looks better with south west winds, so its off to Byron Bay on Saturday. Next post Saturday evening.