I flew into Coffs Harbour on New Years Day by myself. The marina was hosting the Pittwater to
Coffs yacht race that needed my berth.
When I had booked in it was on the understanding that I would have the
boat out by the 4th. I
didn’t mind, as it would give me a few days by myself to get the boat ready for
the next leg up the coast before the gang arrived.
By the time the race boats arrived on the 4th I
had really settled in. I knew most
of the cafes in the area and spent the days lazing around reading and drinking
coffee. Its funny when you slow
life down the different things that amuse you. I watched one day as a boat had been put into a certain part
of the marina where you don’t usually put yachts. As the tide went out the boat rested on the bottom and was
lifted high and dry. We all kicked
in and helped as the tide came back in to push it back into a proper pen. Throughout the day race yachts began to
appear led by the famous Sydney to Hobart winner ‘wild oats’. All night as boats finished the race
and entered the Marina they had to yell out their boats name to the
officials. Can’t say I got a lot
of sleep but I was kept updated on who was winning the race.
The following day Cath, and three of my daughters, Bec,
Lilly and Sophie arrived. Was great
to see them and we caught up with friends and went to the nearby carnival. The lovely Elise who manages the marina
kindly let me stay and found Silver Lady a spot rafted up to another boat.
Over the next couple of days whilst we enjoyed Coffs Harbour,
I could feel myself becoming more apprehensive. Even though I have sailed thousands of miles it was the
first time that I had taken my family on a coastal passage and the
responsibility of it was starting to weigh on me. Say something happened? What if we had an accident? I was dying to get going, as I know I would feel ok once we
had left. I walked up to the
breakwater the night before we left and looked out over the ocean asking for it
to be kind to me over the next couple of days.
4.45 am the next morning, Cath and I awoke and cast off the
lines. The kids didn’t stir as we
motored out the outer harbour and headed north past the Solitary islands. The dawn was amazing and there was a
light southerly breeze. At about
9.30 the kids arose and came up on deck for their morning hellos. Breakfast was a procession of Cath
passing up toast with the spreads of choice. I should have know that to the kids this was no different to
the many times they had sailed around bays in Victoria and they took it in their
stride. We were well on our way to
our next port Yamba.
About 8 hours after we had left we approached the Clarence
River entrance. Conditions were
perfect. Reading the cruising
guides they tell you the worst of conditions that can occur where waves break
over the entrance. Cruisers at
Coffs had warned me not to follow the leads in and enter the river from the
south as in most conditions it is safe.
We motored up the Clarence and worked our way through some interesting
channels to the Yamba Marina.
Once we re fuelled Silver Lady we were allocated a berth
before all walking into town. What
a great little country town. We
were there in the tourist peak but the place had real character. A bit trendy, a bit alternative but
most of all, friendly and laid back.
I went to the local supermarket and asked for mineral water. He showed me the plain brand to which
without thinking, I requested Pelegrino mineral water. In a hail of laughter the manager told
me that I was now in Yamba and I had to learn to relax. Good Point I laughed as I walked out
with my ‘no name’ mineral water.
We walked up to the top of the hill to the Pacific Hotel, which has the
most panoramic ocean views in Yamba.
The next day was spent just lounging around in full cruising mode. Not a worry in the world! We even went to the movies
located in a big tin shed and saw ‘Its complicated’ great film if you are a
girl. If you aren’t a girl you
want to perform self-harm rather than endure the whole film.
The following morning we cast off at about 5 am. Not knowing the channels leading back
out very well, I wanted daylight to find all the channel markers. Thankfully Cath picked up on that I was
going the wrong side of one set otherwise we would have run aground. We left the Clarence and back out into
the ocean, heading for the Southport Seaway and the Gold Coast. Once inside you can head almost all the
way to Mooloolaba in protected waters.
I was hoping to enter the seaway entrance in daylight to make navigation
easier.
We had another great run that day. We saw a couple of other yachts in the distance around us
also heading north. There is a
current that runs to the south that begins just offshore. It was particularly strong at this time
and if I didn’t hug the shore all the way we lost at least 2 knots of speed
over the ground. For
several hours we were surrounded by a huge pod of dolphins that played around
the boat. Giant Sea Turtles
appeared at different times. The
sea seemed really healthy and full of life.
As the day went on, I could see that we weren’t going to
arrive until after dark. Not much
that could be done, as we were already out there. As the sun went down the lights of Surfers Paradise from the
sea looked amazing. They looked
every bit as good as Las Vegas at night.
I suppose some people would say that Surfers Paradise is Australia’s
answer to Sin City.
At 10 pm we entered the breakwater to the Southport
seaway. I could see the red and
green channel lights for the previous hour and even as we entered I could not
see a thing. It’s at these times
you appreciate the outrageously expensive navigation electronics. Bec radioed the Seaway Tower as we
entered to let them know we were in safely. The radio operator joked that they had a band to welcome us.
At that moment we looked up to see
the whole shore lit up with a music festival similar to ‘the big day out’ held
in Victoria. Even at this time of
night the Broadwater was full of boats going about their business. It was great to finally tie up at the Southport
Marina and have a hot shower.
The next four days we did all the usual Gold Coast things
such as theme parks and catching up with friends. We even spent one day with a working bee on Silver
Lady. It’s the least we could do
for her after she had looked after us so well. We were now really starting to notice the heat. By 7.00 am it was so hot and at night
you couldn’t even have a sheet on you.
We celebrated my birthday on the 11th of January where I
introduced the kids to the Hogs Breath Café. I explained that it fitted my criteria; Great food, served quickly and plenty
of it. The kids had a ball and
still talk about how good the food was.
Whilst on the topic of food, let me give you some
advice. Just because it’s hot and
you feel like you are on holidays, don’t have a large double chocolate thick
shake every day because you will put on weight! Trust me, don’t do it.
On the move again with an early start up the Broadwater to
Moreton Bay where Queenslands Capital, Brisbane is. Now there are a couple of shallow parts so you have to
juggle the tides but this area is a well kept secret. It is a string of waterways and is so pretty and
changing. You are almost instantly
in the country and as you approach Moreton Bay there is some beautiful islands. The locals have been hiding it from us
with boats anchored in remote anchorages all the way up. I have always sailed outside in the
ocean past this area but I would recommend anyone to visit it if you get a
chance. Just bring your
navigational skills and a good chart.
We navigated our way up through the shallow Moreton bay to
Scarborough. I went down for a
sleep and was awoken to be asked what to do about a ship coming up behind
us. We got out of the way! The whole area of Moreton bay is so shallow! I wouldn’t pick it as a cruising ground
in a yacht as its just such hard work.
We were heading to stop the night to catch up with some real cruisers,
Bob and Joan aboard Dreamtime. Was
great to catch up and went out for fantastic Italian that night. Always good to
see friends from home and share stories.
I love seeing the kids at all these new places as their eyes light up
with the new adventures they know they are about to have.
The following morning on the 13th of January 2010
we left Scarborough and back out into the ocean for the last 10 miles to
Mooloolaba. We tied up at the Warf
Marina that is right in the town.
Heaps to do with great beaches and the whole area is quite
upmarket. We did all the usual
things but mainly just relaxed, wandering the shops and eating out. Don’t forget what I told you about the
thick shakes as they have good ones in this town.
During our stay there I spoke to a recommended shipwright,
as Silver Lady needs some extensive work done on her decks. I got quite excited before he said that
he couldn’t do the months work until April. Now the dilemma, do I leave the boat to get it done? I worked out that I would have to leave
it some time and it would bring Silver Lady back up to immaculate. So the tough decision has been made to
leave the boat for the next couple of months to have the work finished. At least she will be set up for years
to come.
We packed up the boat and spent our last night in
accommodation in Noosa and out to dinner with our best man ‘Francis’. Have you ever experienced air
conditioning? It was seriously
good and a nice big bed. I love
the whole sailing adventure but I also appreciate good beds and cool rooms.
I will keep you posted on the work as Im already dying to
get sailing again.
