LEAVING THE NAMBUCCA RIVER FOR THE COFFS HARBOUR MARINA

There was a light SW breeze blowing when we woke at 5.00am, ready to cross the bar to head to Coffs Harbour. It was freezing cold so as we waited for the sun to rise, we rugged up in our winter woollies which had been in storage for the past couple of years. Being in Indonesia & Malaysia certainly didn't warrant warm clothing of any description so to find a couple of jackets still on board was a bonus. As you can see, Rees's head was still cold so on went the balaclava to keep his little ears warm! Good look!!

With NSW going back to Eastern Standard Time, instead of Daylight Savings, it seemed ages before the sun rose to actually shed enough light to see clearly. Rees had checked out the bar the previous day & was happy to see that it was quite flat so without any wind throughout the night we were nearly guaranteed an easy crossing. After sitting on anchor for so long, we both had a few nerves about moving on so as we approached the opening in the breakwall, we were relieved to see that there weren't any breaking waves on the bar. In fact, Robert, our friend, who had been anchored in the river with us, had motored out behind us in his tinny to say farewell.

Once across the bar, we had light SW winds still blowing so up went the sails, off went the motor & we sat back to enjoy the ride.

The trip to the Coffs Harbour Marina took around 4 hours but unfortunately we'd only been able to sail for two of those hours. The wind dropped out, leaving a very calm sea & no choice but to motor if we were going to arrive in daylight hours but better that, than the alternative. It'd been years since we'd had our yacht at the Coffs Marina but we still had friends there so it was good catching up with them & being tied up safely with the knowledge that there were strong winds on the way. We'd certainly picked our day well but didn't know at the time that we'd be stuck at the marina for nearly 3 weeks due to bad weather. Oh well, that's what you get with yachting...we really are at the mercy of Mother Nature!

ANCHORED IN THE NAMBUCCA RIVER

After doing all the necessary work on "Windy Spirit" in Yamba, we were able to leave her on a friend's pontoon while we dashed off to Nambucca Heads in time for Xmas. It was great being with my Mum & family on this special day of the year & because we'd both lived in the area for so long, we decided it would be nice to spend more time there, especially if we could get the boat into the beautiful Nambucca River. So, the decision was made & we were soon looking for a weather window to sail from Yamba to Nambucca, bearing in mind that we needed to cross a bar at both places. One of our sailing friends had taken his boat into the river a month earlier but he'd had glass-out conditions & a flat bar crossing, so we hoped for the same.

The day finally arrived, so with Rees on board with friends, I drove our car & arrived at the break wall in Nambucca at 7.00am to see "Windy Spirit" rounding Wellington Rock & ready to cross the relatively flat bar at the top of the tide. Not too many yachts ever venture into the Nambucca River & with it being a beautiful day, there were plenty of onlookers with amazed looks on their faces as Rees quickly motored past them, through the break in the wall, & then into the protected waters of the river. This was to be our home base for the following few months & we really looked forward to it. Living on board a yacht certainly has it's advantages......just pick up the anchor & move to another spot when you feel like it!!!

BACK TO THE REAL WORLD AND BACK TO WORK

"Windy Spirit" was hauled out of the water at the Yamba Marina in December, 2010, for some much needed attention. She deserved the attention after carrying us safely from Puteri Harbour, in Malaysia & then back to Australia. We'd certainly covered some hard miles so after 6, 700 nautical miles, over 6 months, some tender loving care was in order. Everyone hates the task of anti-fouling, cleaning & polishing but with the help of some great friends, the work was covered in just two days, leaving us in a relaxed state in time for Xmas.

Dave & Lorna, who had just purchesd their new catamaran, "Next Phase", were there to lend a helping hand, knowing that when it was time for them to take their boat out of the water, we would be there to help as well. "What goes around, comes around"! Dave concentrated on the polishing, a huge job, while Rees organised the rest of us with the fiddly jobs that no-one likes to do. However, after two full days of hard work, "Windy Spirit" was ready to go back into the water once again, looking beautiful & sparkling with her new look.

AMAZING LOOKING BOATS

BOATS OF ALL DESCRIPTIONS

As we travelled throughout Indonesia, Malaysia & PNG, we were amazed at the diversity of boats out on the water. With fishing being one of the main industries, there were boats of all sizes to contend with on a daily basis but they never ceased to surprise us with their colour schemes, workmanship & intricacies & all of them being seaworthy!!

BEACH B-B-Q'S ALONG THE WAY

We'd travelled at such a hectic pace once we'd left Sandakan, knowing that we had thousands of miles to cover before arriving back in Australia before Xmas but we hadn't wanted to by-pass everything, so occasionally took time out for relaxation. I think we would've all gone crazy if we didn't have something to look forward to, especially with the long days that we were doing, so every now & then, when we discovered an isolated island with picturesque beaches, we'd drop anchor for a day or two, take the tender ashore to explore & spend some time together. The beach b-b-q's were a great way to relax & even though we quite often didn't have much food left on board, it was fun making do & sharing whatever we could manage to scrape together.

REES'S NEW HAIRSTYLE

It was a scary day when I left Rees to find a hairdresser in the Indonesian city of Jayapura. Normally he'd ask me to be there to offer advice & I knew that I should've been when I saw him sauntering along the street, with a huge grin from ear to ear & sporting a "mohawk". His hair was standing on end, had swirls & patterns cut into the sides & the back looked like a fluffy duck's tail. Apparently the young guy who had cut his hair had asked how he wanted it done so Rees just replied, "Just like yours!" And this was the outcome!