14 hour round trip but worth it

I planned a weekend at Harwood with Hans Schwab-Triado crewing on Saturday and Nicky on Sunday - but as so often happens bad weather forced a change of plan. There was a strong wind warning on Saturday as well as thunderstorms forecast. So I cancelled - just as well as there was a storm right over Harwood on Saturday afternoon.

I ended up going with Hans for a day sail on Sunday - a long day - 14 hr round trip. Teacher Nicky was still busy writing end of year reports that had to be handed in the following day. The forecast had improved and was now for NW - NE 15 - 20 knot winds with "isolated thunderstorms". The tide was just right to head from Harwood to Iluka on the ebb and return on the flood.

Hans is an experienced sailor (as well as being yet another ocean swimmer) and owns a part share in a trailer sailer moored in the marina at Ballina. I was flattered that he heaped praise on Little Dragon. We set out reefed but the forecast winds didn't eventuate and we soon shook it out. The wind was closer to E than NE and never above around 10 knots en route to Iluka so we had to tack. It was a pleasant but slow sail only spoilt by the extremely intrusive, loud "hum" from the keel case. That wasn't present before the keel was removed for maintenance.

We swam, lunched and were enjoying a short doze in the harbour at Iluka when a NSW Maritime launch turned up and asked to see our life jackets. It is the first time I have have been checked and was a bit disappointed that they didn't also want to see my compass and other safety gear. Then we sailed back to Harwood. I kid you not, the wind shifted to NW so for much of the trip we didn't get the expected run. We watched a storm forming to the south but nothing came of it.

Most of the trip we relaxed enjoying watching eagles soaring, huge rays jumping out of the water and the occasional dolphin playing. Our mood was shattered when Hans spotted this new sign on the bank.