The leads line up beautifully on entry to Camden Haven River
After a short 13nm motor sail we arrived at Camden Haven River in time for an uneventful entry across the bar and into the river. Rene has enough power to plough through the fast flowing tide and Peter attributes this to her three bladed fixed prop along with 18hp Volvo motor. It was about 2nm to the Laurieton anchorage and care following the marker buoys is essential as the channel changes and it was a little different to our chart plotter version. What a delightful anchorage! The current is not as strong as at Forster and there is much more room. We decided to anchor rather that use the free visitor jetty, just a preference we have. Boats can tie up free of charge for five days and anchored or on the jetty, a visit to the United Services Club nearby to sign in as temporary members, entitles you to a key to the toilet and shower. A short walk up the street and the town centre has supermarkets, hardware store, banks etc. We found this a very quiet, convenient place to stop for a couple of days. It is also very picturesque with North Brother mountain looming behind the town.
Walking to North Haven
Walk tracks abound. Peter and I walked out along the northern breakwater to have a closer look at the channel and bar entry. Just a few days ago a man lost his life trying to cross this bar in an open tinny when the coast was experiencing the 4m swells which caused us some bother in Port Stephens. Apparently he got cold feet at the last moment, tried to turn back and the boat was caught side on and swamped by a wave. He then tried to swim to the breakwater wall and was drowned in front of the many people fishing and walking who were unable to help. Makes you wonder what he was thinking.
On the visitor jetty were two other yachts. One a catamaran with Rick and Val on board from Pittwater and on a beautiful Adams 46 Cruiser was Ron from Tasmania. We enjoyed their company and had sundowners on board both nights.
Sunrise over Laurieton anchorage
The Story Of The Pretty Pink Thongs(OS readers, I'm talking flip flops, although the other version of thongs would make a much better story.)
After pre-dinner drinks aboard Roseanne, which lasted until well after dark, Rick, Val, Peter and I said our goodbyes collected our footwear and made our way back to our respective craft. Peter stopped for a chat with Ron and then he discovered his $4 thongs were missing. Someone must have nicked them. Firstly he blamed me. 'Liz have you got my thongs?' he shouts. 'No,' I reply. 'You must have he yells!' 'No I haven't. Even in this light I can see these are red!' This went on for a couple more exchanges. Meanwhile I am being eaten alive by every mosquito in Camden Haven who are banqueting on my soft southern skin. 'For goodness sake I say, (with rather a short tone and probably harsher words than this) forget them. We'll go to Coles tomorrow and get another pair.' I was beyond caring. On the way back to Rene in the dinghy we have this conversation about what could have happened to them. Maybe Tiger, Rick and Val's golden cocker spaniel, had a fit of pique at not being allowed on board for drinks with us and chewed them up and spat them in the river. I DON'T CARE!!
Next morning off goes Peter to see if he can track down the missing footwear. Surprise! Surprise! There on the jetty is a lovely pair of pink Crocs just waiting for their owner to claim them. Val!! Rick and Val were by now half way to Coffs Harbour, having left at four o'clock that morning.
So now Peter has pretty pink thongs to wear to the shower and he is quite proud of them. Says they are most comfortable.
The next day, as we were leaving Camden Haven, Peter received a phone call from Val. 'Have you seen my pink Crocs? Favourites! The most comfortable thongs I have ever had.' Arrangements were made to catch up with them at Yamba where they will be staying for a while and ceremoniously take possession of the correct footwear and apologise to the innocent Tiger.
Camden Haven to Coffs Harbour 25th - 26th April
We had to get up early to catch the best tide for our exit north. The bar was glassy and the tide just beginning to ebb as we crossed the bar. Looking south we could see huge build ups of thunder clouds, but the weather forecast was still for light southerlies and sounded good for our sail to Trial Bay. It was a good sail with more breeze than anticipated. This was probably a good thing as the East Australian Current often flows strongly south on this part of the coast and although the wind against current tossed up some sharp seas, we still made fairly good time. We reached Trial Bay just on dark, anchored, cooked dinner and contemplated the wisdom of stopping the night as opposed to sailing on to Coffs. The forecast for Saturday was for light northerlies. With wind and current against us we decided to sleep until midnight, then set off to Coffs before the predicted northerly set in. We arrived in Coffs at 7.30am, having motored the whole way in glassy conditions.
It is now lunch time and I am starving so it's time to finish this for now. We are docked in the marina, on the end of B finger with a huge catamaran that is owned by some people from Perth. Our starting battery died during this trip and Peter has already purchased a new one and fitted it, so all is well with us. Now for two days or so of exploring Coffs Harbour. Our next destination will be the Clarence River, Yamba and Illuka. I've looked forward to spending a week or two in there for a long time.
Rene and Camelot in Coffs Marina
Coffs Harbour 27th April
Last evening we had pre-dinner drinks with Joan and Alan, from Perth, on their catamaran 'Camelot.' They are also exploring Coffs for the time being until weather conditions improve for the trip to Yamba. Alan has purchased a folding bicycle for $175 which he is 'maranising'. That means he is taking off all the steel parts, mud guards etc in the hope that it will last longer. It has an aluminium frame and he is pleased with his purchase. I'd like a bike like that, but lack of space consigns Peter and I to legs or bus.
We all visited the Sunday market set up not far from the marina. Peter and I bought some avocados. We only have a whole tree of them back home! The usual trinkets and beads stalls dominated, but there were also some interesting home produce and fresh fruit and vege stalls. A walk along the beach filled the morning and now Blog and reading will complete a lovely, relaxing day. Pre-dinner drinks will be on Rene this evening.
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