We missed out on the Anzac celebrations ashore due to the need to take the weather window that was available yesterday, so departed Coff and Roll Harbour at 0530. We had our own natural Dawn Service in the sky.



It just would not be Anzac Day with out morning tea and a fresh batch of Anzac Biscuits.




Arkaydes and Bluglass leading the charge of 14 boats that departed from Coffs Harbour to Yamba / Iluka yesterday.



We where making very good time and by 0800 we needed to start slowing down as we needed to time our arrival at the Yamba / Iluka bar crossing. So we turned on the generator and made a tank of water (350 lt), did a couple of loads of washing and I caught my first fish for 2018. (Yes) Plans are hatched for a Sushimi sundown.





Arkaydes and Bluglass approaching the Yamba Bar from the Southern side yesterday afternoon, as is usual when arriving anywhere, the wind either picks up or it starts to rain. It was a very good crossing as can be seen, 2 1/4 hours before high tide.



We are anchored in Iluka Bay seen in the picture with the bar crossing just by Main Beach.



The prequel to Stage two of the Season of Sail, Clarence River, kicked off with a quiet drink and fresh Sushimi with SV Arkaydes, SV Bluglass, SV Chandon, SV Moor R&R and SV Olivia 3 enjoying a very well deserved drink after the past 5 days sailing.

We have been rolling around this harbour for nearly 48 hours now and enough is enough. We have had over 30mm of rain and the wave rider buoy offshore of Coffs measured one wave at 5.26 meters so we have been better off in here than outside. The weather is dropping a bit today so the decision has been made to head up to Yamba as it kicks back up again tomorrow for another round of big seas and strong winds. Picture taken off the web cam at Coffs Harbour yesterday of us and Bluglass in the bay.



With nothing to do and pouring with rain and unable to get ashore because it was to rough, ones mind may well wonder to food. So a pile of Sausage rolls and fruit buns where cooked, followed by some Anzac biscuits for today's sail on Anzac Day.



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The night at Camden Haven can best be described as awful and I was glad to drop the mooring and get moving at 0530. Wind 25 knots against tide against river flow had us doing a St Vitus dance on the mooring all night.



With numerous trips top side to see what the banging and crash was, as the mooring tried to tear the anchor of the bow of the boat. Our travel companions exit the river behind us from Camden Haven.



The trip up to Trial Bay was OK with wind and swell aft of us, but we at times where pushing into up to 3 knots of current against and the wind against current made for some rough seas around the headlands. Was glad to come around the corner into Trial bay and be greeted with a Flat stretch of very clear water. Reminded me of Keppel Island.



Very comfortable anchorage we went over to join the others on Bluglass for sundowners. Lexey the dog was very interested in anything that I ate.



The sun sets on a good day and looking forward to a peaceful nights sleep.



The next day was bad news as far as the weather goes with strong wind warnings and dangerous surf forecast, so we decided to make a dash for Coffs Harbour at 0530 instead of the late departure that had originally been planed for this short 35 mile leg. The weather was threatening with storm cells traveling up the coast and crossing in front of us.



At least I was out of the 3 knot current against me and was making 8 knots under head sail and one motor. Which we turned off to slow down and allow the rain to pass in front of us.

Arkaydes entering Coffs Harbour.



The view out the back of the breakwater we are hiding behind from the weather for the next couple of days.



The view out the window this morning wet and overcast, sitting here for another day hope to move on tomorrow. The night was OK but the anchorage is a bit bouncy but sleepable all the same.

The weather kicked up the last night we were anchored in Lake Macquarie with a storm dumping 36mm of hail and rain in less than 20 minutes. Hit the small yacht club hard.



Luckily got away with only a bit of water ingress.
Next morning it was anchor up at 0500 dark to get up the shallow Chanel for a 6am bridge opening.



Picture taken from One of the 2 boats we are traveling with SV Arkaydes and SV Bluglass as Moor R&R heads out through the bridge to the bar.



Arkaydes heads out across the bar.



Bluglass heads past a ship anchored awaiting entrance to Newcastle harbor for coal.



We were joined along the way for half an hour by a large group of dolphins.





Anchored in Sugar loaf Bay, Seal Rock by 1530 for the night.



The next day we needed to arrive at Camden Haven by 1300 to have the correct tide over the river bar, so anchor up at 0500 in the pitch Black and head off awaiting the sunrise. It made a brief appearance.



But was then supplanted by clouds and storms running up the coast. We even had a couple of water spouts go past us.



1300 we entered Camden Haven and picked up one of the 2 free moorings where the yachts are in the bottom right of the attached picture.

Final shop for food, fuel and alcohol done yesterday. Now last bit of boat prep and cloths washing, then top up the water tanks. One more sleep and we cast off at 0500 dark tomorrow to make an exit through the Swansea bridge at 0600.

Then we point the boat North.



The weather looks good for next 5 days (will see how long that lasts) up to Iluka / Yamba for a week or so on the Clarence River.