What a privilege, I can use the BRSC during the Christmas holiday period. Perfect tranquility. A world away from the holiday madness in Byron Bay or even the somewhat lesser crowds at Iluka. During my 3 full days sailing I doubt I saw more than a dozen sailing boats, a few tinnies, dolphins and flotillas of large white jellyfish. Robert and Liz were the only other members staying overnight and Martin and Theresa crewed on Little Dragon for the first couple of days then Noela for the final day. The weather was kind to us, not too hot considering it was midsummer and winds varying from gentle to moderate mainly southerly. There were major storms to the north and west but although at times it looked ominous they stayed away from the lower Clarence.
27th December
Martin and Theresa announced over a much needed cuppa at the end of the day that they had enjoyed themselves and admittedly we had an exhilarating sail running downriver on the ebb. However my personal debrief was that I had spent the day averting a series of potential crises. I made a hash of getting off the lee shore which was compounded by the centre plate winch cable jamming, then the mainsail stuck as we tried to hoist. The next incident was when we rashly followed John and Gary up a narrow channel inside the sandbank off Folbigg Pt. for lunch. When the depth went down to 1.3m on an ebb I gave up and anchored in deeper water but in the process got the anchor line caught round the plate. While freeing the line I slipped and hurt my foot - for a while I feared seriously. By that time I had had more than enough drama for one day so we motored most of the way back to Harwood against both wind and tide.
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| Martin and Theresa |
There was a gentle southerly and it was very high tide at 12 noon (full moon). John and Gary were keen to sail upstream and float back on the ebb during the afternoon. No worries for them as they easily fit under the 8.6m Harwood Bridge. They were convinced I could get under "easily". I have done it once at dead low tide and I was told by fisherman that there was less than a foot of clearance. It was terrifying.
My mast is 6.8m and add 1.30m from waterline to mast step plus .25 for the wind indicator. That makes 8.35m. 0.25m is not sufficient margin for me to feel safe. My insurance company have kindly sponsored one new mast and I am not keen to ask them for a second.
I reluctantly agreed to give it a go. Martin, Theresa and I sailed up to the bridge then dropped the sails and at exactly noon proceeded very cautiously under motor. Theresa was sitting at the bow clutching the boat hook with instructions to try and see if we could get under. Martin and I stayed in the cockpit. When we were less than a metre away Martin and I decided simultaneously and separately that we wouldn't make it by about half a metre. Martin did a great job of reversing out of harm's way.
After that adrenalin producing escapade the slight wind died away and we drifted back to the clubhouse. John, Gary and Robert were still sure that we were just chicken. I am willing to give it a go again at high tide with one of them aboard on condition that they guarantee me a new mast if they are wrong!
That evening there was the most stunning sunset I have ever seen at Harwood. The river was bathed in pink light and finally up towards the bridge it turned ruby red. Strangely the next night I was ready to enjoy a repeat performance but no sunset display at all.
29th December
Change of crew - Martin and Theresa left and Noela came down for the day. There was much more wind than the day before, still southerly but it swung more towards the north later in the day. It made even more sense than the previous day to sail upriver. So a new plan. I dropped the mast but left it attached to the mast step and then towed Little Dragon to the ramp in front of the Harwood Hotel. As she was still half rigged it didn't take long to get the mast up again and ready to launch.
It was worth the effort as we had a splendid sail up the river, past Maclean and on to lunch in the Broadwater before turning back to the ramp at Harwood Hotel. We dropped the mast and packed up before driving the short distance back to the BRSC. Noela and I were glad that Robert and Gary came along to help us launch as it wouldn't have been easy on our own.
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| Packed up at home |
