... Followed by a magic Sunday

First things first: Cafe Wa in Maclean continues to make a very superior coffee. They open at 8 am daily and I just can't resist a quick fix before my crew arrives and the wind picks up.



Jerry Harris (Irish Jerry - another ocean swimmer) arrived promptly and was keen to get underway as we had to return to the ramp by around 1 pm before the tide ebbed too far and the trailer got stuck in the mud - again.



I was anchored about 20 metres out from the bank which made it a cinch to set off under sail. In fact, reflecting on the magic weekend, I didn't need to start that ... outboard once (I hope it still goes).



Initially the wind was a light SW and we headed upstream towards Harwood Bridge. Before we had gone very far it dropped away and veered SE then E and finally back SW. We were becalmed for a while but time passed pleasantly as a pod of 3 dolphins entertained us by frolicking close by.



Finally the wind picked up again. Jerry enjoyed taking the helm. The only way to learn is to practice tacking and gybing and he got plenty of both. we sailed up to the bridge and then downstream about half way to Iluka.



Although there was a fine breeze, around 10 knots, it remained very flukey. Every time Jerry thought he had got her going "just right" the wind shifted.



It was warm, dry and sunny - the sort of spring day that makes one feel good to be allive. All in all another magic day.
Now Little Dragon is home again, hosed down and tucked up under an old sail that has found a new life as a cheap boat cover.



NB I am writing this 3 days after getting home during a gale and dust storm. No-one in their right mind would be out sailing today.