Report Number 10

After a very pleasant stay in Iluka, relaxing and doing some walking on Wednesday, Thursday dawned dull and overcast but cleared later to bright and sunny. We shopped a bit first and met a local ship mechanic Peter and Ruth of "Coral Sea" who are also planning to travel North soon. If they don't we may see if he will do a 100-hour service on Jess' engine when we get back to Iluka. After this we set off up the mighty Clarence River and as the skies cleared and we meandered slowly along through the CALM water we started to remember why we were here - to relax! Even drove from the flybridge because the wind had dropped and all was peace and quiet. The Clarence is an extremely wide and deep river, over 40 nautiacl miles long and has 99 islands in it - more than any other river in the Southern hemisphere and so far we have avoided all of them. We also encountered two vehicle ferries, one of which starts from a hole in the bank where it can't be seen - very tricky when they have absolute right of way and their cables mustn't be crossed when they are in motion! And so we reached Harwood where the sugar mill processes all the cane which grows in the fields along both sides of the river. Anchored there overnight just near the Pacific Highway bridge.

Friday it was back to cloudy and raining but this didn't cause us much discomfort as we set off again and travelled slowly up towards Maclean where we anchored not far from the gurus and another boat we knew. Dinner as planned with Alan and Patricia, Rod and Jane ("Tamahini" from Tasmania), Peter and Denise ("Sea Shell" at Iluka, but travelling by car). Very funny enjoyable night - they were all excellent company. Back to boats (and car) but not before we encountered some of the less desirable locals. All very pleased we were in a group and not on our own.

Saturday dawned clear and sunny. We did a bit of shopping (just food and dull stuff like that) and then set off up the river at about 11.30. About an hour later we stopped beside a very new Clipper 38 - lovely boat - and found Peter and Ruth and another couple Andrew and Ainslie who owned the Clipper. Joined shortly afterwards by Col and Ian who were coming to have lunch with the others. So we ate some of their wonderful prawns and then moved on in the sunshine to Lawrence where we parked at the public wharf near a couple in a campervan. Quiet peaceful night, so we leapt out of bed at around 9 on Sunday and got moving (slowly) towards Grafton. At Ulmarra we said hello to Alan and Trish (getting very familiar with the gurus, aren't we?) and reached Grafton about midday when the cold wind dropped and it was a real picture perfect day. Some more light maintenance, Rod and Jane motored past on their way to Ulmarra to meet up with Alan and Trish.

Monday we played tourists - looked around Grafton, took photos of the avenue of big trees (they are BIG!) then set off under sunny skies to Ulmarra where we went ashore and took lots of photos of the restored village (one of the State's best) and then on towards Lawrence again. Must have liked Ulmarra 'cos we ran aground there! Had waited 5 minutes for the ferry to cross (this is the one that leaps out of a hole in the bank) and obviously took my eye off the depth finder. Ferry stopped, opened the throttle wide - and stopped! Took over 5 minutes to free the old girl, at which time the ferry had gone across again and was on its way back. Waited again until it docked and then made a successful exit from Ulmarra. Lawrence overnight for another quiet night - well, it would have been if we hadn't set the alarm for 1.30am to get up. start the generator, and watch the Socceroos lose!

Tuesday (today) up a bit groggy at around 9, wandered along the sunny waters to Maclean where we anchored. Karen took a load to the laundromat while I did some tinkering with the engine and things. Had lunch at a pub in town - roast beef for $6! I bought a book of Greek myths at St Vinnies and we went back to Jess to goof off. Andrew called in to say hello, otherwise all quiet. Will probably head back to Iluka tomorrow, but will certainly be re-visiting this area in the future.

Love

Karen and Warwick