Report Number 9

Settled in at Coffs and enjoyed being on a marina - the electricity for lights, hot water and fridges, as well as to charge batteries fully. Friday I looked at the generator to try to find the fuel leak which proved to be elusive and ultimately meant pulling the unit totally to pieces just to get the fuel tank out. Found a small hole in it so tracked down a Honda dealer in Coffs Harbour who could help us. Caught a bus into town only to find that there are no spare tanks in Australia and getting one from Japan will take four weeks. Bought some fuel tank putty, looked around the large shopping area in Coffs and came back to Jess where Karen cooked some local seafood we had bought at the fishermans' coop.

Saturday I reassembled the generator after puting putty in the hole I had found and then a further 4 holes that I found - it seems the whole bottom is falling out of the tank - then taped it all up with magic tape and put the genset back together. We walked to top of Muttonbird Island which provided some spectacular views over the harbour and surrounds but pretty hard work walking against a strong cold wind up a steep hill. Managed to fiddle some more life out of the TV which meant we could watch The Bill and a movie "The Last Detective", which was a really funny British murder mystery, after we had been to the Yacht Club for dinner - lovely meal but zero atmosphere.

Sunday - big day. Carol (neice) met us for lunch and a visit to Jess. Had a truly wonderful day with her and later with her son Steve and his lady Kim. Tomorrow night we will meet her for dinner at the Game Fishing Club which is reputed to do a mean Fisherman's Basket. Weather and tides at this stage indicate that Tuesday morning could be a good time to leave on the next leg to Yamba and Iluka - big day, probably 8 hours, our biggest day yet. However, Monday comes before that and it dawned clear and bright so we cleaned all the windows inside and out and put stuff on them that's supposed to stop them from getting dirty ever again (!!!). Then, as it had rained recently, we went up the Pacific Highway inland to Nana Glen (Oh, did I mention that Carol lent us her car for the day?). Had a great lunch at Kookaburra Cafe and then went to Coffs and ordered all the bits we need for the genset. They will let Carol know when the parts are available and we will decide then what to do about them. Apparently everybody knows that the fuel tank rusts out on Honda generators - even us, now. A 43' Riviera came in next to us on the marina, en route to be traded on a 51' model ($1.1 million - second hand) and Bill Stephens, who delivers these things for a living, called in to say hello and gave us some really good advice about the Clarence River entrance. Had the fisherman's Basket dinner - Very, Very Good!- thanks Jo.

Tuesday - up at 4.25!!!!!!!!!!! Gee, its good being on holidays! Had Jess out in the big water by 5 in the pitch dark. A wonderful experience and the dawn gradually broke, unfortunately it was totally overcast and rain went all around us but not actually on us. The water did not behave as it was supposed to and the trip was very uncomfortable because the swell came from several directions and made Jess pitch and roll continuously. Discomfort is defined as 20 degree roll each side. The rough seas slowed us down and it took well over 10 hours to complete our 8 hour trip. Pulled in to Iluka and anchored then had a celebration drink. We were next to the same people who were our neighbours in Coffs, and not far from the gurus whom we had parted from in Port Macquarie. They left on Wednesday morning after setting up an appointment with us for Maclean Chinese Cafe for Friday night. We just did some checking and maintenance bits and pieces, minor shopping at the general store, and generally goofed off.

Love

Karen and Warwick