Pictorial update - Broughton Islands to Coffs Harbour

A bloggers life on the high seas

Sunset of South Brother peak (on our way to passing Port Macquarie)

Sunset of South Brother peak (on our way to passing Port Macquarie)

Sunset of South Brother peak (on our way to passing Port Macquarie)

Broughton Islands to Coffs Harbour

Our biggest challenge so far is this leg which was our first night sail 2 handed. Left Broughton Island early with the winds dropping from 10knots to under 5knots so we motored with a headsail most the way. The highlight of the first afternoon was a pod of bottle nosed dolphins that swam several times along side the bow of the boat. They were so close and the water so clear that we had the best view. Can't have enough dolphin photos or dolphin videos. The rest of the afternoon the sea around the yacht was full of dolphins.

The evening and night was mostly fairly uneventful, which is a good thing. We were motoring at 7kts until we hit the Eastern Australian current which knocked the speed back to 4 kts and the seas were just slopping around. We took 2 - 3 hours watches each which became harder as the night wore on. It was terrific to see the sun come up at 5.30 am.

The morning was beautiful, so to order to conserve fuel and enjoy the morning, we pulled out a sail and coasted towards Coffs. You would then think it would be an easy doodle into Coffs harbour, no bar, no drama - no chance! On restarting the engine to enter the Harbour and head to a marina berth (yep you guessed it), after 20 odd hours of motoring the motor wouldn't start. Coupled with this we lost power to the anchor winch and had no confidence in the manual override. Happy days!

After calling Marine Rescue assistance, we then sailed into the harbour on headsail and were then towed by some brave volunteers in a power boat into the marina berth. Good grief, what a way to arrive. 

I was amazed by the generosity of people who helped us out, not only the guys who towed us to the berth (not easy at all), but another yacht heading south into the Harbour offered to help and people on the marina were there to help secure the boat. A lovely retired electrical engineered helped diagnose the problem and the local Volvo diesel mechanic also checked the engine out. With all this help, we now have a grasp on the issues and yes, we will be continuing north on schedule weather permitting. 

Swansea to Broughton Island (off Port Stephens)

Early start to get out of the *%#@?!! Swansea channel on the high tide, before peak hour to catch a bridge opening to get out of the %*&#%$!! bar.

Towards Swansea at sunrise

All safe and easily done - skipper on high alert for depth going to zero (it happens).

It was a freezing cold morning followed by a lively day sail to Esmeralda Cove off Broughton Islands (National Park).

Granny checks weather - as long as you have an internet connection and you don't Skype who cares what you look like!

Dolphin sighting along the way (always good) and some interesting sailing done to avoid the fisherman's pots/crab nets. Brougton Island is mostly frequented by fisherman and there are huts on the island and private moorings used at certain times of the year.

Esmeralda Cove - fishermans huts

Day 1 - Wangi Wangi mooring

As usual things don't go quite as planned and we ended up leaving our mooring a little later than we wanted at 3pm. Motored to a Maritime mooring off Wangi Wangi near the RSL in preparation for an early departure through the channel at 6am. All going well we should be out at sea at 7.30am tomorrow morning.

Tonight is calmer than this afternoon's westerlies and we were treated to a sunset over the Eraring power station. Early dinner and early night.....

Looking a little tired I think

Two more days to go!

Two more days before we head out. Still packing and provisioning (endless!) but almost there. I have to remember we're not actually heading into the wilderness for months, just offshore for a couple of weeks at a time. There will be shops!

First planned stop is Broughton Island one hours sailing north of Port Stephen. A short day sail just to get into the swing of things. A beautiful place for the first stop.

Broughton Islands

Esmeralda Cove

Esmeralda Cove - anchorage spot

5 more sleeps to go...

Five more days before we head out of lake Macquarie, into the Swansea channel and out across the bar, weather permitting.

Swansea channel and bar

Daily weather checks from now on - fingers crossed!

Packing and provisioning

In the last few weeks, we've spent time getting those last minute jobs done (with some help from friends), collecting stuff we need to take away and generally packing. Which lead to....a big mess in the house!

Mostly food - useful

Maps - also useful

Entertainment believe it or not!

The good news is that most of this is on-board and we still have room. Just packing clothes and will complete provisioning late this week, ready for departure next week :)