Its 0500 and the lights of Sydney are ahead and we should enter the harbour in another hour. Its been a long leg from Camden Haven a little over 24 hours and a sleep will be most welcome, This is the last entry in my log and its been yet another great adventure. My crew have been great and we have seen a bit more of Australia from a different direction. How lucky am I to have Heather who does not mind me going off on these little adventures from time to time.
Cheers Phil

The Chinese meal was good and we had a quite night at anchor. Touchwood, Xdream, Oasis and Kirralaa left Camden haven at 0600 and had an easy crossing over the bar at low tide. My current plan is go straight through to Sydney which will involve and overnight sail arriving about 1000 tomorrow morning. We will asses the latest forecast later this afternoon and a stop at Port Stephens is a possibility. Conditions aboard are good at the moment with a light SE breeze forecast to go into the North later in the day. Geoff and I spend most of the time reading and stick our head up every 15 minutes to look around for other boats. We had 2 whales within about 20 m as left Camden Haven and have just had several pods of dolphins jumping out of the water around the boat

This time of the year you can usually count on your fair share of NE winds but I am afraid we are getting everything else and most of it from the wrong direction. There are a lot worse placed to be caught out by weather than Laurieton. Last night we had a strong southerly hit us about 0100 and that made things a bit lively for awhile but the anchor did its job and we had no problems. The forecast for tomorrow gives a faint chance of getting away but we will wait for the latest update this afternoon. All pretty quite on board with lots of reading. I have introduced Geoff to some of Michale Connolly's books and he is hooked. Happy hour on our boat this afternoon and then I think Geoff and I will go ashore for a Chinese meal tonight.

Yesterday was a mixed day and we set off at the planned 0400 into a pitch black morning without even a hint of moon. We had great sailing in a nice SW breeze as far as Smokey Cape and then the wind dropped away completely. An our later the wind came in from the SSE which meant motor sailing but still very comfortable. Later in the afternoon we hit a 1.5 knot current against us and that stayed with us almost all of the remaining trip. The weather had been good all day but about 2 hours from Camden Haven it closed in and was raining as we crossed the bar.We saw lots of whales yesterday and try as I might I could not get a photo of them. I am not sure just how long we will be here as the weather is not looking very co operative at the moment.

We had a wonderful sail from Yamba to Coffs Harbour yesterday in moderate NW wind changing to 20 knots from the NE. We arrived at Coffs Harbour at 1530 and had a small drama when the head sail would not furl due to a halyard wrap but after a bit of frantic activity all was well. I usually go into the marina at Coffs which has very narrow berths and is difficult to get into so this time anchored in the outer harbour and had a very comfortable night.We departed Coffs at 0400 with a run ahead of us of 82 miles into Camden Haven. We currently have a light SW breeze and are motor sailing on a flat sea doing 7 knots.

We stayed anchored at Grafton for 4 days and it was a very enjoyable stay. The jacaranda festival most probably needs a bit of new life but it was a very friendly place. Each day we went ashore and looked around plus we spent quite a bit of time sitting around and reading. Each afternoon it was happy hour and on Friday night we had a BBQ ashore hosted by the local yacht Club. We ate out a couple of nights and there is quite a selection of places to eat. Last night Jan and Pete came aboard for dinner and we had a great night of chat food and wine. Jan and Pete are on the final leg of their annual pilgrimage north from Victoria and are keen motor homers.At 0600 this morning we took John ashore for his bus trip back home to the Sunshine Coast. We will miss him on board as he always has a joke and a smile and is a very positive person.After John left we started the trip back along the Clarence and at 1300 we are anchored back in Iluka ready to start the sail back to Sydney tomorrow morning.

With a strong east coast low forming and 30 knot plus winds forecast we decided to stay in the same anchorage for the day and wait out the weather. The day started with good weather but the rain and cloud soon rolled in and with it came the cold air from down south. After a walk and look around it was a lazy day aboard reading. Happy hour was on "Wave Sweeper" then into the pub for dinner which was very good. This morning we will leave at 0700 and go straight through to Grafton. I cant add any pictures at the moment as my Internet connection is slow but should be OK when we arrive at Grafton. All is well on board and John will leave Kirralaa at Grafton so if anyone wants to do the trip back to Sydney with us let me know.

With a strong east coast low forming and 30 knot plus winds forecast we decided to stay in the same anchorage for the day and wait out the weather. The day started with good weather but the rain and cloud soon rolled in and with it came the cold air from down south. After a walk and look around it was a lazy day aboard reading. Happy hour was on "Wave Sweeper" then into the pub for dinner which was very good. This morning we will leave at 0700 and go straight through to Grafton. I cant add any pictures at the moment as my Internet connection is slow but should be OK when we arrive at Grafton. All is well on board and John will leave Kirralaa at Grafton so if anyone wants to do the trip back to Sydney with us let me know.

We motored the 11 miles to Bushgrove through a combination of hills and flat farming country. Along the banks there is the occasional house with some of them very flash indeed. The river continues to amaze us with its sheer size and the tidal currents are very interesting as up this far they get mixed up with the river flow. Last night we had a storm about 1700 with a bit of wind and rain and I decided to stay on the boat rather than go ashore for dinner so we had Johns Spaghetti Bol. Today we continue another 9 miles to Ulmara and yes you guessed it another pub.

A little after 1000 the highway closed and the bridge was slowly lifted and 8 yachts moved through and travelled about 4.5 miles to Maclean where we anchored. We were quick ashore and after a look around it was off to get some laundry done. Maclean is a really nice little river town and not being on the Pacific Highway is reasonably quite. Last night we all went to the Clarence Hotel for dinner and a good night was had and it gave us a chance to meet a few of the other crews that had only recently arrived. This morning we are going exploring one of the river branches in our dinghy's and then we move another 11 miles further upstream to Bushgrove where there is yet another pub.

We had a great stay at Iluka, its one of the few unspoiled coastal towns with a real old world charm and nice people. At 1300 we raised the anchor and in company with 7 other yachts in our group moved upstream as far as Harwood where we anchored for the night. There is an old lifting bridge that the pacific highway crosses and I am afraid we will be disrupting the traffic this morning when its lifted at 1000 for us to pass through. We only move on another 5 miles and then anchor at Maclean where we go ashore for a look around and a pub meal. The Clarence River is a mighty river so far and easy to navigate although I think this may change further upstream. The weather is perfect.

The cane is being harvested at the moment with the large mill at Harwood running 24 hours a day. Last night while sitting on deck we would see large fires flare for about 15 minutes then stop. I am unsure what this is as cane is no longer burnt prior to harvesting

Great trip from Coffs to Yamba with good sailing the last couple of hours. Unfortunately our arrival at the Clarence River bar coincided with the wrong tide which was still running out and kicking up some interesting sea conditions. I decided to go anyway and we surfed on through the entrance in great style. Kirralaa handled the conditions really well but not an experience I wish to repeat to often. More consultation with the tide charts next time. We are anchored in the little Iluka harbour which is a most delightful spot. Last night after drinks aboard "Cipriani" we went ashore to the pub for dinner. $11.90 for the buffet and dessert, not great food but good value. We will stay hear a couple of days and then proceed along the river. Doug on "Touchwood" appears to have it planned and says there is 3 pubs along the Clarence 32 nautical mile length to Grafton and they will be our stop over places we expect to get to Grafton about Thursday.

We arrived into Coffs Harbour at 1300 yesterday after one of the best sailing days for some time, we averaged 6.8 knots for the trip with top speed 8.5. The showers at the marina were taken advantage of quickly then we went looking for some more fishing lures. We have had a few fish on but each time they take the lure. I went to the ships Chandler and made a stainless tracer of 1.5 mm and now have it attached to a rope line so we will see what happens this leg. At 0600 we motored out of the marina for the 55 mile trip up the coast to Yamba which is the entrance to the Clarence River. Conditions are fine but little wind yet and the motor is on. We should arrive at our destination at 1500 hours today

We left Port Macquarie about 0830 and the bar crossing was very uneventful. We motored North in a light SW breeze for about 2 hours and then were overtaken by the forecast Southly front. Life got a little more interesting after that with following winds of about 22 knots and building seas. We sailed under headsail only and at times had boat speed to 8 knots however we were punching the southerly current and that took at least 2 knots off our speed over the ground. We saw 3 whales yesterday with one of them breaching very close to us but no photo's. At about 1400 we surfed around the corner in 4 to 5 meter seas to our anchorage at Trial Bay. The trip was not the most comfortable we have ever had but exhilerating. Kirralaa and the crew performed well and John and Geoff went ashore for a couple of hours to look at the old jail at Seal Rocks. Its another grey cool morning with the wind from the south and today we will leave for Coffs Harbour which is about 35 miles away and then we only have another 55 after that to the Clarence River.

Yesterday was spent being fairly lazy and John and Geoff decided to go for a walk just before a thunder and rain storm came through. They were not quite quick enough and arrived back quite wet.We are leaving this morning as the predicted southerly has arrived and we should have good sailing to Trial Bay. I am waiting for the tide to be the right condition to cross the bar hear at Port Macquarie (and for the crew to get out of bed)Weather looks clear but cool

The day dawned clear with a light wind from the North so we left Camden Haven to sail the 15 miles up to Port Macquarie. Leaving over the bar was uneventful and 3 hours later we crossed the Port Macquarie bar. This crossing got the adrenalin going a bit more but we had no issues. We have picked up a mooring near the marina and will go ashore after lunch for a look around. We plan to stay here 2 nights and weather permitting our next stop will be Trial Bay.

After a leisurly lunch onboard we went ashore for a look around. John is galley slave today so not sure what he has in mind but the stockmarket news was a little better today so we have taken the harness off him.

None of us seem in much of a hurry to leave Camden Haven (Laurieton) and although the wind is not from the preferred direction yet we are quite content to stay put for a few days. Yesterday John and Geoff plus the crew of Touchwood climbed the mountain "Big Brother" and were impressed with the view and the climb. I caught up on a few chores then travelled down the river in the dinghy for a look around. Pre dinner drinks at the club then dinner on board. The weather is nice but a little cool with some cloud. Wind still from the NE but a good weather pattern approaching and we should get away on Tuesday. Today we plan to walk out the entrance to Camden Haven.We are well and in good spirits but by Tuesday I would think I will be getting impatient to leave.

0730
Wednesday was a good weather day and we decided to stay on the mooring at Nelsons Bay. John and Geoff went walking for a few hours and I pottered around the boat. Our initial plan for today was to sail to Cape Hawke Harbour (Forster) but as normal plans evolved and over coffee and cake on "Salty Lady" we decided to leave at 0100 and make the run to Laurieton. This is a run of about 80 miles and as I write this we are abeam of Cape Hawke and sailing in beautiful conditions.
1430

We crossed the bar into Camden Haven without mishap after a great days sailing up the coast. It was one of those not so often days of fair winds from the correct direction, flat seas and perfect weather. I only saw 1 whale this leg. We motored up the river and have anchored at Laurieton in the shadow of a large mountain which we plan to walk to the top of tomorrow. We will be here a couple of days I would think. All going well with the crew however as the news on the stock market continues to become more depressing we have had to harness John to the boat to stop him jumping overboard. Those of you who know John would not be surprised that when he and Geoff were buying 2 pies the other day he bargained with the poor girl behind the counter to reduce the price of 2 sauce potions from 60 cents to 50!!!

At 0830 we left Newcastle and had a good trip to Port Stephens in clear but cool conditions. The sea had a fair swell but not difficult. We saw 2 whales but not close enough for photos. We picked up one of the 3 courtesy moorings at Nelsons Bay and 2 of the other yachts that left yesterday got the others so it was happy hour on board Lucinda yesterday. Another yacht Touchwood arrived later and anchored nearby. A SW change came through about 0130 and they dragged their anchor and moved to another location. The wind is still from that direction and although not strong has caused us to rock and roll a little but quite comfortable. We went ashore yesterday for a short time but will spend more time walking around the area today.

As predicted we stayed put yesterday and it sure rained and one could say it was a very ordinary day. About 0830 John said he would go and get a paper but he did not get back until 1530 and apparently rode buses around the Newcastle area all day. A number of other yachts in the cruise arrived yesterday and we had happy hour aboard Kirralaa before dinner which was pleasant and gave us an opportunity to meet other club members.All looks good for a departure to Port Stephens today with clear skys and favourable winds.

Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club

The plan was to leave today for Port Stephens but the weather gods are saying otherwise. My normal morning routine is to get up about 0500 make a coffee and then check the weather on the Internet. This morning I should have stayed in bed. A strong wind warning is current but at this stage departure tomorrow looks good.Yesterday we walked a few K's down to Newcastle for a look around then the afternoon was consumed by a little food shopping and doing the washing. Last night we went to the pub over the road for dinner which was quite good.All are well on board. Another yacht "Lucinda" arrived yesterday and they are doing the same cruise as us. My understanding is that there are 10 yachts from the CCC on the same cruise, however departure time are varied.

Having decided to leave yesterday we were on our way by 0600 under threatening skies and light rain. Once out of Broken Bay we had a nice ESE breeze of about 16 knots and enjoyed great sailing for about 2 hours until the wind strength dropped. It was on with the motor for another 2 hours until the next front from the south arrived then good sailing again with only the main up in 20 knots. It was a good trip with sightings of a seal, whales and dolphins but no fish on the line trailed behind. The whales were a great sight as they appeared to be mother and calf and were giving a great display of breaching. We arrived at the Newcastle Cruising Club marina about 1500 and will spend 2 nights here. All are well on board but I do trace an ever diminishing lack of respect for the captain!!!

Another very hot day yesterday and we stayed put at Coasters Retreat. John and Geoff caught the ferry across to Palm Beach and had a good few hours looking around and sampling the local beer.
I stayed on board and did a small wiring change to the electrics and generally relaxed.
Its 0500 as I write this and am still trying to decide whether we will go or stay as the weather has changed and its raining on and off
Geoff's back has greatly improved and the apricot chicken dinner he prepared last night was first class.

Yesterday we motorsailed up from Sydney to Broken Bay and have spent the day and night on a club mooring in Coasters Retreat. This is truly a beautiful place. John went ashore for a swim and shower and generally we just sat around and relaxed. Geoff has pulled a muscle in his back and is hoping it will be a bit better today but he has got out of bed yet. The weather is perfect although a strong wind warning is current so we will stay in the Pitwater/Hawksbury area today and asses our options a little later.
Geoff just made an appearance and says his back feels a bit better so that's good news as its his turn a galley slave today

Yesterday we left the Yacht club at 1300 and as the wind was blowing strong from the North East we decided to spend the night in Sydney Harbour. Picked up the club mooring at Vaucluse Bay and went for a good walk around the area stopping for a drink at the Watsons Bay Hotel. The anchorage at Vaucluse bay was a bit uncomfortable so moved to Stores Beach for the night.
This morning we left the harbour at 0600 and are motorsailing into a 12 knot NE wind. The forecast for the next couple of days is for strong winds from the NE so at this stage plan to hang around the Hawksbury River for a couple of days.

Kirralaa North

On the 1st October we will leave Sydney Harbour for a 1 month cruise north as far as the Clarence River. The plan is to stop at as many ports we can enter on the way and then travel the 37 nautical miles along the Clarence River and be at Grafton for the Jacaranda Festival toward the end of the month where a number of other yachts from the Coastal Cruising Club will be.

Kirralaa is a Gib Sea 402 sloop rigged yacht. She is now 20 years old and I have owned her for the last eleven years. I have progressively updated her and now have a very functional cruising boat.

The crew for this trip will be Geoff Bowling who has shared a number of sailing adventures with me and John Hawkins who has sailed with us twice before. At almost 64 I will be the youngest one aboard by a number of years but previous adventures with John and Geoff have been a great experience.

I will post my daily log and photos here as often as I can.