After a few days on the water it was back to School and Work today!
After lunch, we took the tender into the beach and walked over to the surf beach.
Being a school day and a little rough there was no flags/patrol, so we just had a splash in the shallows and in the ocean pool. Massive rip in the shallows! And the ocean pool had sea lice, so we didn’t stay in there too much.
We got our location ice cream on the way back to Lazuli.
Also stopped by the butcher and picked up a few groceries from the spa.
Friday 28th
School and work in the morning.
My parents were coming down to Yamba for the weekend to see us (and have a weekend away).
After lunch we went into the beach and dad picked us up and drove us back to the Aston.
We enjoyed a swim in the pool/spa, before showering there and walking over to the Bowlo for dinner.
The Bowlo has some good activities for the kids:
Dad dropped us back to the beach for a night/dark run back to Lazuli!
Saturday 1st
Parkrun Day. Early morning tender ride to the pontoon in town.
Kristina and I ran/walked, Emma and Kristie walked.
Mum and dad watched us, and then we all met up at the Caperberry Cafe for breakfast.
Dad was super keen for a fish, so picked up a variety of bait on the way back to Lazuli.
We got ready, and I dropped the girls in at the beach to pick up dad. Kristie drove dads ute back to the motel for the day.
Dad and I had chop fishing along Whiting beach, but only got a few nibbles and smaller fish.
Eventually we went around the other side of the training wall and with some squid on the hook we pulled in a few keepers (my first for this trip!).
When the tide started ripping out we had to call it quits and head back to Lazuli and put the gear away and also scale/gut the fish.
Kristie picked us up back at the beach and we took the fish back to their motel for dinner.
Mum and I headed to Coles for a shop, and to pick up 2kg of massive prawns from the Fishermans Co-op (thanks Mum!).
Back for a swim/spa before we smashed the prawns. The 2kg of prawns were devoured very quickly!
Put the fish on the BBQ; Kristie and Dad went into town to pick up chips.
The 4 fish didn’t really go that far - really need one bream per person not 2 split among 4 of us!
Dad then dropped us back at the beach for another night trip back to Lazuli.
Sunday 2nd
Lazy morning, then off to the marina at high tide to fuel up; we hadn’t filled up since Port Stephens so we ended adding 120L.
We saw “Waymaker” heading into the marina. We’d last seen them in Laurieton - a Lagoon 38. We waved, said “we’re planning to head down the river, you guys?” “Yep” was the response.
Emma didn’t realy want to leave the boat, so I dropped Kristina and Kristie at the beach and they went to go to the surf beach. They came back quickly as it was too rough to be swimming there.
I eventually convinced Emma to go for a swim, and we just went into Whiting beach for a swim/drift.
Monday 3rd
With TC Alfred approaching, we made plans to head up river. Booked the Harwood bridge to go through on Tuesday.
Looked at reports and forecasts, and then booked a spot at the marina!
Got one of the 16m berths at the end - D25 - one of the furthest away from the facilities!
“Waymaker” were still on their berth there, and not planning to go anywhere.
The marina had assured us we’d have plenty of water. Based on my calculations the depth there was 2.1m at LAT. Thankfully the 0.3 low that evening was the lowest we’d have for a week (not counting flood water!). The lowest we saw was 2.4m depth (plenty of water for our 2.3m!)
Put out all the lines (some doubled!) and fenders!
Tuesday 4th
Rain, rain, and a lot more rain.
Spent the day inside. Too wet and windy for school, but I got in a lot of work.
Didn’t leave the boat.
Wednesday 5th
Kristie booked a room at the Aston for a few nights to get out of the rain and wind. With the imminent 40kt winds we wanted the infill off, so it didn’t self-destruct. Having that off meant upstairs would be rather wet.
Shirley (a friend of a friend of a friend!) did us a massive favour and picked up Kristie and the girls and dropped them off at the motel.
I stayed behind to tidy up the boat and get it ready for the next few days.
Kristie wanted to head to the Bowlo for dinner and get some leftovers for the following night.
I booked the courtesy bus there; first to be picked up and last to be dropped back to the pub - so I got a good tour of Yamba!
Bowlo was quiet. Kristie ordered some lamb cutlets for her dinner tomorrow - but they came out crumbed - guess I’ll eat them tomorrow!
The girls walked home, I got the bus back - again another good tour of the other side of Yamba!
Thursday 6th
There was a small break in the rain, so running gear on and ran out to the break wall to check out the swell.
Spent the rest of the day working.
I walked over to the Aston (about 15min) to have dinner with the girls - yummy lamb cutlets :)
We all watched Shrek on the tv there.
With a big band of rain coming I decided to leg it.
I got to the main road before the courtesy busy from the Pacific Hotel saw me running and offered a lift to the marina - much appreciated!
Once back I texted Neil from “Waymaker” and invited myself over for drinks. They had guests there, so had a few drinks and a good chat. Left their boat just after 11:30pm. Boat life is great when you meet awesome boat friends.
Friday 7th
No hangover.
Rain.
Work.
One of the boats on a mooring behind us had been swinging about widely for the last few days. Got a text from “Waymaker” asking if I’d seen it’s new location.
Saturday 8th
A bit wet for Parkrun!
Walked through town to try and get some supplies (bread) and then to the Aston to help Kristie and the girls get everything back to Lazuli.
Kristie went into town to get some groceries.
I went over to “Waymaker” as they were doing some work on their watermaker, and I was keen to have a look at their system.
Ended up staying with them for a few beers.
Sunday 9th
Lazy morning.
Ended up walking to Coles (about 30min each way) to get a few needed supplies.
Monday 10th
Kristina got a message from Rupert (one of her school friends) tell her they weren’t going to school and were having a 5 day weekend. Both girls were upset and claimed it wasn’t fair they had to do school when those in their school did not have to!
School and Work.
Neil needed a hand retrieving his main halyard from the top of the mast. Their guests had gone, so my job was to winch him up to the top. Got a good workout. Makes me appreciate the powered winch we have to get our sails up!
Kristie had organised a play date/lunch with Shirley and her family.
I kept working, stopping briefly to help Neil back up the mast to reattach the halyard after he’d successfully (to be seen I guess!) spliced it back together.
Kristie got back around 4pm, and we headed over to “Waymaker” for afternoon sips ‘n dips.
We’d left the girls on the boat; I got a message at 6:30pm (when their iPad time runs out) from Kristina telling me they were out of time, hungry, and demanded I come back and cook them dinner. As it was raining, I requested they bring umbrellas over. They made their way over, and we spent a bit more time on the cat.
We left them around 7:30 and had a late dinner back on Lazuli.
Tuesday 11th
School and Work.
At about 3pm or so we got off the boat and walked out to the break wall.
We’d been trying to make plans of where/when to go next and I wanted to check out the river/bar.
It was nuts. So much water flowing out - flowing out much faster than we were walking. Breaking/standing waves!
However, while it wasn’t great for boats - it was on for the fishermen. The Jewfish were going off on the south side of the wall.
We saw a few around the 1-1.2m length being landed.
Another ice cream on the way back to Lazuli.
Looked at lots of reports of stuff in the rivers around the gold coast - didn’t look good to be heading up.
The following is Kristina’s write-up of the walk out to the break wall (written on the 12th)
Yesterday we did the long walk out on the breakwall. The first part was very hot as were hidden behind the hill.
We got a bit of entertainment when the seagulls decided to make their own roller coaster by floating don the rapids and over the waves. Then when they got to the boat crossing they'd fly up then back to the start to do it all over again.
There were lots of people at the end who had their fishing rods out. I was wondering why on earth they were fishing because the flooded water was brown, poopy and was contaminating all the nearby sea water. Then I saw why. They were catching meter long Jewfish! I'm pretty sure that's what Dad wants to catch.
We watched in astonishment when another person started to reel one in. They nearly had it but then the fish tugged on the rod. The man slipped and cut his head on the sharp rocks. They still got the fish in and it was even bigger than the other one. For the man's head he used his shirt as a cloth and a cold water bottle as an ice pack.
We then decided that it was time to end out walk after we found out that some of the adults weren't very good with only using good language infront of kids.
Over all it was a nice walk which hopefully won't be out last.
Wednesday 12th
Running gear on, and out to the break wall to see what conditions were like on the incoming tide. Water was still running out, but slowly and no breaking waves.
School and work.
“Waymaker” had set off mid-morning and were aiming for Ballina.
We spent a bit of time looking at forecasts. Next week wasn’t looking that good, the best day being Kristina’s birthday - and she really didn’t want to be sailing/sick on her birthday :)
We decided that if everything went ok for “Waymaker” that we’d head off to Ballina tomorrow, and then the Seaway on Friday.
With that decision sort of made we needed to get some supplies and do some prep for two days on the water.
Kristie went shopping.
I cooked sausages and pasta (staples for boating days).
The Yamba Shores Tavern was open (first night they’d opened the kitchen since Alfred) so booked the bus to pick us up at 6:15.
Lovely spot, great food, cold drinks.
Back on the last bus at 7:30pm to get back to the marina.
Ballina isn’t that far, only 35nm or so. We don’t need to leave too early, as we don’t want to get in there too early - aiming to get there for about 6pm for the incoming tide.
Sadly, we’ll have to do the Clarence another time :(
Parkrun Day. The “Henry Kendal Reserve” Parkrun was a 3km trip by tender from where we were anchored. This was made more acceptable by an 8am start, as the girls (to be honest everyone!) needed some sleep after the last few days.
The trip to the start was easy, we saw a few dolphins in the creek swimming back towards the river.
We pulled the tender up a bit of a ramp and chained to a tree, and then set off to the start.
It’s not a big event, maybe about 60 ppl.
I ran, while the girls walked with Kristie (Kristina’s foot still store from the stingray!).
Saw another dolphin on the way back to Lazuli.
The girls and I had a morning inside while Kristie went off to do laundry and some exploring.
There is a fish cleaning table at the jetty, and it gets frequent use by those more successful than I.
There are two public and one emergency moorings opposite the Services Club. There were yachts on all three when we had turned up. The guy from the last yacht came past on his SUP to chat. He admitted he’d been on the mooring for 3 weeks (he’d gone to Melbourne for work!) and would vacate this afternoon if we then wanted his mooring!
Once he left we did indeed take his mooring. I’m much more relaxed on these moorings when in the river, with the boat moving about on change of tide.
At about 5pm we took the tender to the jetty at the services club. They offer a shower for visiting yachties. Free, but it’s not in the best condition… but hot water is hot water!
Made use of the facilities, then went upstairs for dinner and a drink. We sat out on the deck, cooler and a good breeze.
Back to the boat.
Whilst at dinner the girls decided to make a “monstrosity” out of the leftovers… here’s there writing task where they outline the procedure for making a nasty monstrosity. Maybe skip this bit if your stomach is a bit sensitive ;)
How to make a monstrosety. ** Warning: Do NOT eat this recipe Ingredients **
Food: * 2 used pizza crusts * 12 drops of lemonade * 1.5 cups for rice * 2 tbs of tomato sauce * 3 tbs of chilly sauce * 1 slice of lemon * 20ml of wine * 500g mashed potato * 2 tbs of chocolate moose * 1 small dsh of cider * half a cup of water * 10 prawn tails * 500ml of melted icecream * 3 cubs of ice * 5 strawberry leaves * 1 bitten strawberry top * 4 tbs of garlic sauce
Kitchen ware: * 1 strong bowl * 2 steak knife * 1 small spoon * 1 peg (for your nose) * 1 tray in the sun * 1 measuring jug * 1 set of tbs * 1 scale * 1 plastic cup * 2 vomit bags * 2 cutting boards
Steps to make a Monstrosety
** Warning: Do NOT eat this recipe **
1. Take your bowel and plop in 500g of mashed potato. 2. Get 1/5 of a lemon and drop it on the mash, skin and all. 3. Get out your steak knife, your cutting board and your pizza crusts to cut the crusts into thirds. 4. Next take out a plastic bup and tablespoons to measure out 2 tbs of tomato sauce, 3 tbs of chilly sauce and 4 tbs of garlic sauce. 5. Put the pizza crusts and combined sauces in the bowel. 6. Stir thoroughly using the spoon until all ingredients are properly mixed in. 7. Make sure that everything else is put in at random or it will not be a monstrosety. 8. Let your creation cook in the sun for ten minutes. 9. Take it out and feed it to your enemies.
Sunday 23rd
Another biggish day planned, but pancakes with jam and cream for breakfast first!
With that done it was time to get ready to walk up “North Brother”.
It was about 1km to the start, then another 2.7km to the top. It was a steep walk, lots of steps. Quite nice other than the effort to get up there.
Once at the top there was a great view all around.
It looks like we’ve anchored in the middle of the channel (which is how I usually roll!), but where we are is more or less on the edge of navigable waters - it gets shallow to the east of us!
The walk down was much easier :)
We also needed to get our location ice cream. We were about to go into a local takeaway to get one when a better idea presented itself: a drink at the pub instead (and ice cream for the girls!).
Back to Lazuli, then back to shore for the showers.
Sip’s ‘n dips and a movie night - we watched Nimona on my laptop and enjoyed some fresh popcorn.
Monday 24th
School and work.
Dropped Kristie to shore then spent some more time inside with the girls. I eventually convinced them head to shore (there wasn’t much appetite for a walk after the big day yesterday!)
There aren’t any Ubers or official Taxi’s in Laurieton, but there is “Just call Scotty” (0455 199 220) who has a few cars (taxi’s!) in the area. I called him and 15min later one of his drivers had picked us up. We were off to walk up the Perpendicular Point headland. Kristie was at the Boat Shed which was on the way.
It’s a 5km walk from the road to the end of the point, and back down the bottom to the playground.
There were a few other lookouts on the way.
The girls had a bit of a play, and then I called Scotty, and it was Scotty who came and picked us up and whisked us back to Lazuli.
Back to Lazuli, and back to shore for showers. I thought chips and a drink wouldn’t go astray, however we ended up with full dinner instead!
We’d been chatting with another yachtie couple who’d been moored up on the jetty.
They were also heading north, but with Alfred on the way they were now planning to spend a few weeks in Laurieton.
Our options were similar: stuck in Laurieton for maybe two weeks, head to Port Macquarie and get stuck there for maybe two weeks, or keep heading further north. We had originally wanted to stay in Coffs so Kristie could do some diving. However, Coffs marina is undergoing an extensive refit, so they’re not operating at full capacity, so we may not have been able to get a berth for the time we needed. And staying in the harbour itself in the predicted swell and winds would be no fun at all (and quite possibly dangerous!).
The next two days had forecast light eastish winds and slight swell. It meant we would be motoring a bit, but we could get all the way to Yamba bypassing Port Macq and just a quick stop in at Coffs for a few hours sleep.
That seemed like our best option - it meant we get lots more time in Yamba, and could head up the river to escape any swell and wind.
With that decision made, Kristie and Kristina went straight to Coles after dinner to get supplies (sausages and oranges!) for the next two days.
Back to Lazuli to get a few things ready and some sleep.
Laurieton has been really nice. To be honest it’s probably never the sort of place we would have visited if we were not on Lazuli. However, it’s a good protected anchorage with easy access to services, if you can get through the bar.
Tuesday 25th
Up at 6am to get ready for a BIG day to get to Coffs.
Lazuli was mostly ready for the trip up; I just needed to cook two batches of sausages in preparation for the next two days.
With the girls dressed and fed, we dropped the mooring at 7:30am and headed out the river entrance.
Easy bar crossing (no wind, very minimal swell - about 1m).
Slow morning motoring in the light winds and southerly currents.
I got in a few hours work, the girls had sometime on their iPads.
After lunch the wind came up a bit - maybe 8-9kts. Sails up, and we were off just a little bit faster than motoring.
Eventually the wind died off towards evening, so down they came and then motoring.
With the sun down, the girls and Kristie slept in the cockpit. I had my audiobook and with autopilot on it was an easy night.
We got to Coffs Harbour by about 12:30am and dropped anchor.
Quickly got the boat and us to bed, as we’d have another early start tomorrow.
Wednesday 26th
Up at 6am again for a 7am departure.
Another day of motoring, until lunchtime.
We got the sails up at about midday and enjoyed sailing all the way to Yamba.
Dropped sails and went through the bar at about 5:30pm. We’d got there a bit earlier than planned, but we were still enough time after low that the bar was ok. A few big sets came through, but no breaking waves!
We went straight to Whiting Beach and dropped anchor (probably the same spot we had been at Christmas!).
Sausages for dinner then bed!
It’s good to be back in Yamba, feels like home after all the time we spent here before heading to Sydney.
Now to enjoy Yamba, and then go exploring down the Clarence River.x
It was really rolly at Shoal Bay. The swell comes straight through the heads and wraps around into the bay where we were.
We generally have a “rest day” after a big day sailing, which is code for “not getting off the boat and watching iPads”.
However, it got too much for us so we motored around the corner to Salamander Bay which offers must better protection from the swell, and pretty much any conditions from NE through SW.
There was one public mooring with a boat on it (who more or less remained on it for the entire duration of our stay at Port Stephens!) so down with the anchor.
There are quite a few weed/kelp spots on the bottom, so it took us a few attempts to set the anchor and have it hold. We’d end up putting anywhere between 40-50m of chain out for the 8m depth.
Didn’t get off the boat.
Sunday 2nd
With “rest day” over it was time to go do something. Kristie had seen the Camel rides over and Anna Bay, so we geared up for that (after a slow morning).
We took the tender in to “Roy Wood Reserve” and chained it up to a tree.
We ordered an Uber, or at least we tried to. Took a few attempts and about 20min to finally get one! The driver informed us he was probably the only one working on Sunday mornings :(
We queued up for the Camels. After watching a few loads head out Kristie and I decided we didn’t need to pay the $40 to sit on a Camel and do a 15min walk (I’d done a multi day camel tour in Egypt, and Kristie had been on them before as well). We walked alongside the train and took photos instead.
With the ride done it was time to get an Uber back to BCF/Bunnings for some supplies. We all had a sausage & drink and a good chat with a local couple; he was 91 and still in good shape - though he gave up climbing Tomaree Mountain when he was 81!
With shopping done it was time for an Uber… or not. We tried and waited a long time before giving up and getting a taxi.. at least 50% more expensive :(
Back to the tender and Lazuli.
The following is Emma’s recount of the Camel riding: (These recounts are writing as part of her schoolwork)
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On Sunday we went camel riding! We lined up in the hot sun waiting for our helmets, it felt like two hours! After we got our helmets we got into a different line but this time it was very short. Eventually we got on our camels. We had to hold on tight and lean back because the camel felt like a seesaw when it stood up. All of the camels started to walk. It felt like they were dancing when they were walking! The camels took us along the small sand dunes then in small waves on the beach! It was scary and exciting the same time!
Monday 3rd
School in the morning, then up with the anchor and back across to Shoal Bay.
Today’s mission was to climb Tomaree Mountain, and Shoal Bay is the best place to start (for those without a car!).
The walk to the top is short and steep, from sea level to about 150m quite quickly. Emma found a few seats to use on the way up.
Good views from the top, and nice to get into the breeze as it was a bit hot.
The reward for the climb was an ice cream. We’d had to walk past 3 shops on the way to start the walk so we knew what we were coming back for :)
We enjoyed those, then back to the local IGA at Shoal Bay for some supplies.
With some strong winds coming we decided to head across to Fame Cove as it offers protection from everything other than SW-W.
We tried our luck at fishing, but only small silver fish took the lures/bait.
The following is Emma’s recount of the walk up Tomaree Mountain:
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On Monday we climbed up Tomaree head. At first I didn't want to go but I was forced to. The walk was up a mountain but there was chairs to rest on. There was more than 400 steps on the way up. When we eventually got up there, there was cool breeze and a great view. Below us we could see big sandy beaches. I was glad I went up!
Tuesday 4th
School and work today.
You can’t get off at Fame Cove, so there’s nothing to do other than stay on your boat, or go fishing.
So after a full day work I hopped in the tender and tried to do some more fishing. No luck again.
However, Kristie managed to hook 4 (one fell off so would have been 5) in one go with the whiting jigs.
Wednesday 5th
School and work in the morning, then over to Dutchmans (Dutchies) beach and picked up the (only) mooring there.
This is a much nicer beach to swim at, and also has showers to freshen up before getting back on Lazuli.
Afternoon swim.
Thursday 6th
Morning of usual jobs, then the afternoon at the beach.
Kristie took the SUP out and spotted a few dolphins up close.
The following is Emma’s information report on Dolphins:
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Appearance: Dolphins have smooth black, grey and white skin. Dolphins have two flippers their side and a fin on its back. Dolphins have a blowhole on the top of their head.
Habitat: Dolphins live throughout the world, in bodies of salt or freshwater!
Diet: Dolphins eat fish, squid, jellyfish and octopus. They eat different things depending on where they live.
Interesting Facts: A pod of dolphins sometimes has a thousand individuals. Dolphins can help other injured ones by pushing them to the surface so they can breath!
Friday 7th
With the northerly (NE) winds we could get across to Jimmy’s Beach, and then try and walk up Yacaaba Head.
It’s a shallow bay, so we had to anchor quite a ways out. Which meant a long tender ride into the beach against the small chop.
We got quite close to the headland. There were a few other 4wd families on the beach, and a boat load of kite surfers having fun.
We got to the start of the track to discover we could only walk half way up as the top section was closed.
We all eventually made it to the lookout halfway for some good views and a snack break.
Back down and a swim at the beach. We found one or two Port Jackson Shark eggs washed up on the beach:
Lovely place to be!
Good entertainment watching the kite sufters, wind surfers, and the wing foiler or two.
Took a few attempts but we finally got there:
Anchorage was ok in the N/NE conditions. Not too much roll from the swell.
Saturday 8th
The swell must have changed direction, because the morning wasn’t that comfortable so we were out of there pretty quickly.
Back to Salamander Bay to anchor.
Didn’t leave the boat.
Sunday 9th
Kristie had booked on to go diving with Feet First Dive, as they were heading out to Broughton Island.
They depart from “The Anchorage” marina which is just at the end of the bay where we anchored.
We left Kristina in charge (Emma asleep) while I ran Kristie over to the fuel dock in the tender.
It was a much quicker trip back to Lazuli with just myself in the tender :)
Morning on devices before I convinced the girls to head into the beach for a swim.
It was low tide, so swimming wasn’t great. And it was a long way to get the boat back in the water with just the girls to help :)
Got the call that Kristie was on the way in just as we were packing up and showering.
Dropped the girls at Lazuli then left to pickup the diver.
Back onboard we filled up the dive tanks and relaxed with Sips ‘n dips.
Some of Kristie’s photos from the dive:
Port Jackson Shark - the shark eggs we find on the beach are from these ones:
And a few eels about:
Treated ourselves to Bacon and Eggs for dinner (it’s a hit with the girls!).
Monday 10th
We needed to fill up some water and get a few groceries today.
There is a public pontoon/dock in the marina that isn’t entirely clear on the usage. We pulled up and filled up water.
Kristie and I set off - I had some deliveries at the Post Office, and Kristie getting food.
I got back and was then politely informed the ferry from Tea Gardens would be here and needing this spot in 5min. So, with just the girls on board we cast off and got out of the way and hung out in the channel until Kristie was ready.
Earlier we had considered getting fuel as well, but it wasn’t urgent. However, the fuel dock in the marina was now the best place to pickup Kristie. Kristina did a good job throwing the line to Kristie, and we got tided up and fuel easily enough.
After leaving there we thought we’d head over to Jimmy’s Beach.
However, not long after the wind picked up from the SW. We ended up getting 25-30kts and rain. This wasn’t the place to be!
Up anchor and motored through the gale to Dutchies, and thankfully there was a free mooring.
Tuesday 11th
School and work.
The weather eventually calmed down and by the afternoon it was beach weather.
We had a late swim, then Kristie took off to go get Fish ‘n chips for dinner. Expensive and not that great (compared to our favourite Morgans).
The girls declared that after gorging themselves on the Fish ‘n chips that they needed to go for a walk. They took themselves off down the end of beach and back.
We were treated to a nice moonrise!
The following is Emma’s review of Dutchies Beach:
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We went to Dutchies beach to have a swim. Mum paddled the rest of us took the tender. When we got to the beach it was really shallow. Daddy and Kristina played some cricket, sometimes I joined in. After that Mum came back and we had a swim. Next it was time for dinner. Mummy went to get fish and chips. It was delicious!
Wednesday 12th
The weather today was good to get out to Broughton Island. With the light winds coming from the North, it was motoring all the way.
There are no moorings on the southern side, so we dropped anchor in Coal Shaft Bay and had the place to ourselves.
It wasn’t long before another boat showed up and dropped anchor on the otherside of the bay.
Afternoon swim and some fishing.
Girls enjoyed exploring the beach!
I almost landed a flathead that would have been a keeper, but it spat out the lure while I was getting the net ready (rookie mistake :(
Thursday 13th
School and some work, then morning swim. Kristie had read that there were penguins on the other side of the island so was keen to get across and have a look.
The maps show there are walking tracks, but from our bay they weren’t that obvious.
There was a rope leading straight up the cliff, so I took that and went for a wonder to check out the tracks and options.
There was a track from the top of the rope around to the cliff, joining a more used path from there.
There was no way the girls were going to climb up that, so I had a look at the track down our end and eventually found a very overgrown way through.
Back to the boat for lunch and to get walking cloths/shoes on.
We all did the climb up, falling through numerous mutton-bird-nests on the walk.
The path was overgrown in places.
The island isn’t that big, only 500m across or so at the narrower point where the walking track is.
We enjoyed the walk along the beach, and exploring the northern section for signs of penguins. Kristie found a few trails and likely spots. Hopefully we’ll get back to the north side when we sail north and see if we can seem them at night.
Back across the island and to Lazuli.
Kristina made up a poem about the walk as we were walking back:
We've had snacks to keep us going, And lots of breaks and rests. Lots of family bonding time, Hiking is the best.
We've seen some lovely things, Checked out some penguin nests. Explored some giant rocks, Hiking is the best.
Lots of animals to find, It's like a big fun quest. Lots of green scenery, Hiking is the best.
Lot of Mutton Bird holes, Be careful don't step in their nests. Through the tangles mess we go, Hiking is the best.
Sister keeps on whinging, Parents urge us on. I am having lots of fun, Too bad the day is gone.
The following is Emma’s story about the Cave on Broughton Island:
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When we visited Broughton Island we found a big Cave. On the boat, we looked over to the beach and saw it. The next day went to the beach for a play and explored. We walk around some rocks and found the cave. First I thought it was dark and spooky. Kristina then found two shark eggs. She released them in the ocean.
Friday 14th
Valentines Day.
No school as Kristie was off to dive at Looking Glass this morning!
I dropped the anchor and waited for her (bluetooth speak for some tunes).
Other than cold green water and rocks, there were a few other things down there:
And another Moray:
Back to the boat and then a swim at the beach.
We would sail back to Port Stephens today as the wind and conditions weren’t going to great to be on Broughton or to be sailing north.
We had 15kts+ from the NE, so we just had the headsail out and comfortably cruising along at 6-7kts.
Wasn’t long before we were back inside and fighting against the tide (it fair rips out of the bay!).
Dropped anchor back in Salamander Bay (feeling like it’s our home at the moment!).
Saturday 15th
After our “big sail” yesterday we needed another “rest day”.
Fair bit of wind anyway, so wasn’t nice beach weather.
Didn’t get off the boat.
Sunday 16th
We needed to do some shopping, mostly for some cloths for the girls.
The Salamander Bay shopping centre is about a 20min walk from the beach, so tender in, chain to tree and off we went.
Spent a while in Kmart choosing cloths and some shoes for Emma, then even longer for the girls to decide what they wanted to spend some pocket money on.
Lunch in the food court and then smallish shop at Woolies.
By the time we walked back (loaded down with shopping) it was low tide and windy. Nobody was keen for swimming!
Monday 17th
Windy and a little cold, so no reason to leave the boat.
Girls got their school done, I got in a full day of work.
Tuesday 18th
School + Work.
We moved to Nelson Bay to be closer to shops and laundry.
Dropped anchor as all 3 moorings were taken.
We put the tender in and went into the beach for a swim. Wasn’t long before the boat on the mooring near us left, so Kristie and I zoomed back to grab it for ourselves.
With that done we had more of a swim, before Kristie went off to do the laundry, and I went to the playground with the girls.
Got in some more work when back on the boat.
Wednesday 19th
Wasn’t the best nights sleep. Quite a bit of swell, and boat chop (being right next to the exit of the marina!).
Girls did school work, then we all went in to do a BIG grocery shop.
We each had our backpacks full as well as 6 extra bags. We did get 20 of the current minecraft collectable cubs (aka extra-stuff-we-don’t-need-on-Lazuli!).
We had lunch, and eventually Kristie spotted the cat at Dutchies leaving the mooring. Given the grass is always greener we left ours to get that.
Turns out Dutchies isn’t as well protected in the winds/conditions we were having! However, the beach is better and less boat chop.
We were enjoying an afternoon swim, until Kristina stood on a baby stingray (we think baby as there wasn’t much of a wound).
Back to the boat to clean it up and leave in hot water for a while.
Kristie called the NSW health service, so we’ll go see a GP tomorrow morning.
The following is Kristina’s recount of “The Stingray Sting”:
Yesterday afternoon we decided to take a trip to duchies beach for a final swim at Port Stephens. The water was kind of clear but all the same it was a little bit cold. I was splashing in the water but no one else wanted to splash with me. Not even Emma! So I was heading to the shore to make a sand castle when I stepped on something a bit leathery. I was wondering what it was but then a sharp pain started up on the side of my foot.
I started crying and I couldn’t see what I had stepped on. Mum, Dad and Emma rushed over to see what was going on. I couldn’t move as my foot was too sore to walk on so Dad picked me up and walked me over to the tender. Once my foot was out of the water it started bleeding really badly. Every one else packed up our things to get ready to go back to Lazuli while I on the other hand was sitting down a crying.
When we were back on Lazuli we cleaned my foot and put pressure on it with a paper towel to keep it clean. While Emma was holding down the paper towel I was still crying, Mum was on the phone with a nurse and dad was getting a bucket of hot water ready to put my foot in. My foot went in and the water felt a bit to hot so we cooled it down with some cold water.
After soaking my foot in the water for one and a half hours it was ready to be taken out. Then Mum dried it of with more paper towel and a hand towel. Some ointment was put on to keep it from getting infected and now I have to keep it elevated and higher then my hart. Later today we will go to the doctors to double check that it’s fine.
Thursday 20th
We had a bit of wind and chop last night, so it was nice to wake up to flat water and a reasonably still boat!
The girls did school work, I finished off my week, then we got in the tender to head to the doctors.
No luck with Uber, but the local taxi driver was good value.
Kristina’s wound checked out ok, so off to get sushi for lunch and then a quick Woolies trip.
The lovely lass at the checkout asked the girls if they were missing any of the collectables, then handed us 20 pack… Happy girls.
1min wait for an Uber to get back to Dutchies, then onto the boat to stow everything and get ready for the trip out to Broughton Island.
We stopped via the marina to fill up both water and fuel. We’d probably used 20L since we last filled up before our previous trip to Broughton.
With only 3knts wind, we motored all the way out, passing many game fishing boats heading back into port.
The northern bay was nicely sheltered from the SE swell, and the one lone mooring was free. We’re sitting in 3-4m depth tucked in close to the rocks offering good protection.
Just at sunset we had a storm roll though. Glad to be hooked up to a mooring. Gusting 25 and lots of rain.
Sadly condition weren’t good enough for us to go spying on penguins.
Girls in bed, quick shower off the back of the boat.
I think we’re done with Port Stephens.
We stayed a LOT longer than anticipated, but such is life when you’re dependent on nice weather.
There was plenty more we could have done in PS.. we didn’t get down to Lemon Tree, and Tea Gardens is a bit to shallow for us. The ideal boat in this area is shallow draft and no mast!
Tomorrow we head for Camden Haven / Laurieton, and from there Port Macquarie.
Friday 21st
It rained a fair bit of the night, and the wind was relentless. As well as all the other boat/wind noises, we’d get the occasional “twang” as a Mutton bird collided with our mast/rigging!
Early start. 5am wake up got get us, the boat, and girls ready for a big day.
Off the mooring at 6am before it was really light. We still had the infill on and kept it on as the rain was due shortly.
We had the sails out for about 30min before the wind dropped off.
When the wind did come up, it wasn’t that strong, and more or less on the nose.
The wind eventually came up two hours out from Camden Haven and I enjoyed the nice sail, but it eventually dropped to give us a final 30min motor to the bar crossing.
Even though we were halfway through the outgoing tide, it was only a small tide change the not much swell so the crossing wasn’t so bad.
Slow motor though the river to drop anchor across from the Services Club. Bacon and Eggs for dinner tonight, but we’ll head there for dinner tomorrow!
