Great downriver to Iluka but best to forget the return

26 September 2020

Nicky Greenlaw, Saavad Wells and I met up at Harwood excited that the forecast conditions meant we could sail downriver, maybe even as far as Iluka.  The plan went well downstream but the return trip wasn't what we had in mind...

It was forecast not to be above 8 -9 knots all day, SW in the morning turning SE by lunch time. We started off at 11 am with 10 knots due west. That made for an exhilarating sail running and reaching down river on slack tide confident that a flood would help us back upriver. We were having such a great time we kept going to Iluka but it was gusting 19 knots west when we arrived.

Thanks to both Savaad and Nicky,  you are always welcome but on our return leg you were really needed!

We pulled in at the pontoon in front of the pub for a short break, then headed out of the harbour under motor into the main channel and faced the westerly head on. I decided we would keep motoring until we got past the training wall. The time came to hoist the main and briefly all went well even though we were beating into the still increasing westerly. It was clearly going to be a long, tough slog back to the BRSC.

Suddenly the mainsail dropped, the D shackle at the head had broken/unclipped.  So we had no alternative but to motor, our 5 HP outboard did us proud. By then it was gusting 20 knots due west and mid ebb. Inevitably with wind against tide there were white caps everywhere. Little Dragon bounced around. I'm not as well balanced as I used to be and at one point ended up on the cockpit floor. Never mind, Savaad and Nicky carried on like the troopers they both are and managed to refuel the outboard on the bucking bronco. I rang Hariet and asked the BRSC rescue boat to stand by in case our outboard failed, but little by little we chugged back upstream and we got back unaided and a little relieved. The rescue boat crew looked quite relaxed in the new clubhouse enjoying time to relax together with a beer. The wind didn't turn to the forecast SE until 6 pm.

To the Goodwood mark and back

19 September 2020

This is the second time John has come with me this year and we had far better luck than last time when a combination of too much tide and too little wind meant that we didn't get anywhere. This time the wind and tide were favourable for a venture downstreamas far as the Goodwood mark which we rounded pretending we were racing. The tide turned and helped us back again. It all went to plan.

Just a pleasant sailing breeze, enough to carry us down to the Goodwood Mark and back again. Delightful.

There was time to contemplate the joys of the Clarence River and for me to have a good look at one of the B2Y Houseboats as a group of us are considering hiring one for a few nights next year.

Thanks again John.

Oh what a beautiful morning,

"Oh what a beautiful morning, Oh, what a beautiful day

I got a beautiful feeling, Everything's goin my way."

It was a beautiful spring morning when Nicky and I drove down the highway to Harwood. The forecast was for 11 knots NW to NE, warm and fine, at least until late afternoon.

Rod and Hariet had assured me in advance that if we needed help members would happily assist. I was a bit nervous as I am ageing and it was the first time that Nicky and I have been out together for ages. One kind member stood on my cabin top and raised the mast and another later lowered it. That was terrific, thanks. Of course the jib, as has happened so many times before, played up but Rod quickly solved the problem. 

That Rogers and Hammerstein song was written back in in 1943, the year I was born. I gave myself a seniors birthday present this year: to ask for help backing my trailer whenever possible. So a huge thank you to Rod and Wayne, who helped launch and retrieve us. 

With all this support we were both still calm, relaxed and happy when we headed out into the Big River and hoisted the mainsail. Thanks BRSC, you are a terrific club.

 

Nicky and I were confident that we could handle Little Dragon, especially with a reef in. The other trailer sailor, also with a very senior crew, also reefed. We had a ball, we gybed back and forth up the river to the new bridge, the first time Nicky has seen it complete. Then  we tacked back downstream to the club. We both had such a great time. 

The BRSC reopened last week for club racing after winter and the Covid lockdown. Of course it is observing all the social distancing and other rules. We enjoyed watching around a dozen dinghies going round the buoys and felt for those who capsized in still chilly water. 

After packing up we enjoyed a cup of tea in the new clubhouse, another first for Nicky, before the long drive home. It was a beautiful day and everything did go our way (thank goodness).