We were determined to get to The Bedroom

It was a flat calm when we set off on Thursday, day 2 so we again motored. We didn't mind as we still had some windy, narrow channels to navigate to get to The Bedroom. The black dashes on the Beacon to Beacon chart show our route on day 2.



I know that Peter manages to navigate all the narrow channels under sail in his Farr 6000, well all I can say is "You're a better man than me Gunga Din".


At one point early in the day the channel widened and we hoisted the sails but there was so little wind and a strong ebb tide that we were going backwards. So back to motoring.

Why did we want to get to The Bedroom? Well we know two couples with trailer sailors, Cheryl and Terry and Liz and Garry. They all said it was stunning and we must get there. So it became rather like a holy grail. It was obviously a foolish venture on an ebb tide but as we nosed our way in the depth was only 1.4m. It was worth it, we agree it is fantastic. We only stayed 15 mins as we didn't want to go aground but we will be back for an overnighter as soon as possible.


Once we got out of the shallow channel into The Bedroom we anchored off The Southport Yacht Club which appeared to be a youth training camp. We planned a relaxing cuppa with lunch. That wasn't to be. Five speed boats filled with youngsters kept going back and forth and we rocked violently each time. It may well have been a training session for a boat licence now a practical test is required.







We soon decided to get underway and head for Canaipa Passage. The plan was to enter Canaipa Passage by rounding the eastern tip of Crusoe Island. By this time it was a flood tide so I didn't see myself getting swept over the Jumpinpin bar, but the wind was rising as as we got close to the eastern point it was getting choppy and my 5 hp motor was only making ground slowly against the flood tide. So a quick decision - retreat. We turned back and retraced our steps up Whalley's Gutter and McKenzies Channel and then into Canaipa Passage.


It was late afternoon by the time we reached Slipping Sands and a strong N/NW was coming straight down Canaipa Passage. We tried anchoring at Slipping Sands, but we rocked wildly - not a good omen for a good night's sleep. We up anchored (thanks Nicky) and decided to keep going to Fishermans Channel and hope that was quieter. It was and we anchored right over the yellow anchor in Beacon to Beacon north of Oak Island. It didn't take us long to have a glass of red wine, dinner and settle down for the night.


Peter Barnes wanted to join us in his Farr 6000 but he had been delayed by a funeral in Mullumbimby so wasn't able to launch until 7 pm. It shows his years of experience as a professional seaman that he navigated from Cabbage Tree Point to where we were anchored down Fishermans Channel in the dark. We woke up next morning to see him anchored alongside.