SUNDOWNER Y86 east coast Australia

[rob.lovelace]

where'd you get that forecast Phil? I'm looking at westerlys 15-20kts for sat ATM unless it changes, anyway we'll wait ant see eh. not going anywhere until the northerlys go away, and you're right there's heaps of cover in here. I'm loving it.

[Phillip]

Rob,

I'm looking on http://www.seabreeze.com.au/graphs/nsw4.asp
At 0700 hours this morning they had the storm on Sunday though that has now shifted to Monday with increased winds and waves.

I have the wind arrows set so the high winds are red, well for the first time they are showing winds with
brown [real shitty?] arrows above the red!!!!

Swell up here has gone to 6m on Monday, so thats big as well !!

Make sure you are not on a lee shore come Monday!

All the best while you wait it out, been there done that!
Get some reading material and extra food while you can.

[rob.lovelace]

LAKE MACQUARIE. TO PORT STEPHENS

went through the Swansea bridge 1700 on the end of the ebb and it was a piece of cake. Stayed on the moorings until 0600 and left on an ebb tide over the bar, no swell easy bar good s sw cover. had a great sail for a few hours making a good 6.5kts cog no current for a change. then the wind died and had to burn more fuel but at least we had a visit from a large pod of whales which was nice. the breeze picked up just before we entered port Stephens and we got a lovely run into Jamison. Spent the night from hell on the pinkies outside the marina with the buoy banging on the hull all night. moved into a creek today and will hold up in a cove for the blow Sunday.

[rob.lovelace]

PORT STEPHENS to CAPE HAWKE HARBOUR (Tuncurry)
left the day after the gale, in forecasted 20-30kt Sth wind with a 2-3m sea. Had the best days sailing since I hit the NSW coast. Did not have to motor once on the voyage (except crossing bar) I used the headsail only as someone suggested in an earlier post, and the self steering worked a treat, even in the heavy seas. More whales very close to the boat and a continuing air search overhead for those lost fishermen. At anchor at Toncurry near the bridge appears to be good holding.
Forster bar was great even though the surf was pumping. Did nearly 60 nm in about 10 hours. HOOTING BABY.

[Phillip]

Rob,

Are we going to see you today or tomorrow?

[rob.lovelace]

TONCURRY TO CAMDEN HAVEN
left with a nice norwester and tacked up at a out 30d then after an hour had to motor sail then after mermaid reef I was basically just under power. The wind turned nor'east and after I had a couple of attempts at beating forward I gave up and headed in before dark. Camden bar was calm but looks like it could get exciting at times.

I had a wonderful reception waiting for me with Phil John and Shaun who came out in a half cab and escorted me to my anchorage. BIG THANKS GUYS. this place has lovely surroundings and looks to be a sailors paradise

[Shaun]

Good to see you Rob, Welcome to the Camden Haven.

Sundowner is a very fine looking Top Hat, an absolute credit to her owner.
Hopefully you'll stay for a few days & i'll be able to catch up with you, have to build a deck over this long weekend but hopefully I'll be able to sneak away

cheers

SUNDOWNER

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[Phillip]

I have just heard from Rob that he is steaming up to Port Macquarie this morning.

Yesterday I took Rob and Luke [solo sailing in a similar sized yacht] up to the top of North Brother Mountain for the view
and as a special treat showed them throught the local museum.

As Shaun has said, SUNDOWNER looks a treat and is a credit to Rob's workmanship.

Rob & Phillip overlooking the Camden Haven

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Incidently we had over ten yachts here on Friday, all heading north to warmer clims.

[rob.lovelace]

CAMDEN HAVEN to Port MACQUARIE

easy 15nm or so, had to steam again as we have been blessed with continuous northerlys. Port Mac bar has colour sector leads which are pretty cool. will stay here for a bit and have a look up the river. We detoured on the way out of Camden H to survey the family of top hats there. I like the Dodger one had on her.

[rob.lovelace]

PORT MACQUARIE to ILLUKA (Clarence River)

geezs it gets hard to remember back. We left port Mac for Yamba but the forecasted NW wind turned northerly and we dropped the pick in Trial Bay for a very rolly night in the bunk with no sleep. Next morning we were off again and our NW 15-20 dropped to zero about noon so we motored to Coffs Harbour, got fuel 40lt in a 2m inflatable 2 men with a breaking beach was something that would easily get on funniest home videos. Had dinner and slept until midnight when we had to leave to catch Yamba bar before1400. East coast low finally came in with some wind for us and we made 60nm in 11hrs best sail so far. Yamba bar was tame and we anchored up in Illuka and will explore the river next week going up to Grafton.