7 May 2012
Am at my cousin Bevan’s home in Iluka at the moment, plugged into his
electricity while I charge my laptop batteries.
Our boat washing is going through his machine while he and Ian are out
with an Auto Electrician, as the alternator on our boat which charges our
power, lights etc is playing up. So
great to catch up with Bevan. Haven’t
seen him in years. We had the best fish and chips here years ago
when we had a holiday at Yamba and came over on a ferry to Iluka. Ian did say we would park the pick in this
harbor someday and here it is, our dreams are coming true.
Yesterday, was the most beautiful
day at sea, but no wind. So we motor
sailed practically from Coffs following another yacht doing the same thing all
day. Apart from the whale and small
hammerhead shark, a pod of dolphins escorted us into Iluka. The entrance to Iluka, that is the Clarence
River is supposed to be quite easy, however we got a large following wave or
two and it was a little hairy. We found
the two red leads, but one petered out – just love our Garmin chart plotter,
best electronic device on the boat. We
can see exactly where we are going and it gives us a line to follow into
entrances. We can work out how far we
have come and what distance to go. Also
shows us how much water is under us. Gives
us our position, speed and heading in an instant.
On sunset, there was the most
beautiful display of oranges, reds and pinks on our port side and an enormous
full moon in a cobalt, metallic blue sky on starboard.
Iluka is a yachtie’s heaven. Quiet, calm and a nice little town to walk
around. Probably, not the best town if
you live here, as you have to travel to Yamba or McClean for lots of
services. Bevan found a good auto
electrician for Ian to check out the alternator. Hope it isn’t too much of a problem. But I don’t mind if we stay here for three
nights. If we get some decent weather,
Ian and I might sail through the night to Southport once we leave here.
I cannot believe it, but I helmed
for about two hours yesterday by myself up in the cockpit for one hour while
Ian had a sleep. It was like helming on
Lake Macquarie, other than the bigger swells.
Am glad I did the messing around in water on Lake Macquarie as it has
helped me get used to being on a boat, being the land blubber I am. Getting used to helming in rough water with
larger swells while Ian takes the sails in now.
I went to school with a guy who
is involved with taking Doctors and medical teams and supplies around the
islands in Vanuatu. Brian is current
anchored in Southport up Bums Creek. Hope
we can say we anchored in Bums Creek – hehe.
Seeing we are bums now. (or have
we always been that?)
Our Silverwater neighbours get
back from Japan tomorrow. I do want to
travel Japan one day and would love to do it with Junko and Dave.
I think that Bevan will come out
and have dinner with us on the windChalmer tonight.
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