Ancient Mariners head to Myall Lakes

John's new boat and Little Dragon anchored off our cabin at Myall Lakes Tourist Park (formerly Legges Camp)

Many months ago around half a dozen  BRSC Ancient Mariners boats decided to head off for a few days on the Myall Lakes. When the time came, for various totally legitimate reasons, the numbers  plummeted. A trio made it: John Woods and me with my crew Jill Trevillian. We had a thoroughly enjoyable couple of days exploring Myall Lakes on the 26 and 27 March - but in retrospect I wonder whether trailing our boats well over 1000 km there and back was worth it when we can enjoy the Clarence River anytime.

Sometimes they seemed to ignore each other

And sometimes they chatted

John didn't finish building his boat in time for sea trials. Unfortunately it failed its maiden voyage on Myall Lakes. John is sure all will be well with a different sail. Luckily there is room on Dragon for all three of us.

The first day the wind was very light and we sailed (and at times reluctantly motored) past Bombah Ferry, up Two Mile Lake and down Boolambayte Lake to Violet Hill. An ideal spot for a lunch stop but a shame that although I boiled the kettle and we were looking forward to a cuppa I had forgotten to pack any tea/coffee. We agreed that if we returned that we would enjoy camping at Violet Hill camp site.

A very cheeky kookaburra  kept swooping on our lunch at Violet Hill camp site.

The second (and final) day there was a fine sailing breeze and we charged across Bombah Broadwater and then up the Nerong River to lunch at Nerong tied up to another very convenient pontoon. Of course these lakes are not only very shallow they are also not tidal - takes a bit of getting used to after the strong tidal flows where we usually sail.

The lakes were generally shallow and rich in sea grass

Pontoon at Nerong

It was such a long drive to Myall Lakes that Jill and I decided that we should make the most of having a car in The Hunter and head off on a couple of side trips. I abandoned Little Dragon for a few days at the Myall Shores Tourist Park. First we went to stay with old friends of mine from my days in Alice Springs, Sandy and John Nader. We thoroughly enjoyed the visit and were joined by another friend from those days, Jenny Green. Their property is out west near Merriwa. Then I did a quick dash to Sydney while Jill visited an old friend in Kempsey. After that we broke the journey north by staying overnight with another old friend, Helen Mower at Nambucca. Thanks Helen. Finally we made it back to the Northern Rivers just in time for our monthly book group meeting. All in all a good trip.

Sandy and John Nader, Jenny Green and Pam