Thursday 31st July Coffs to Iluka

Reveille sounded at 07.30 heralding an 8.30 departure. Wind SW then W then NW then nothing then N then NE but always light so another day of motor sailing albeit under cloudless skies on a shining sea. Dodged some very excited whales, having been exhorted by a Bellingen greenie in a hemp lap-lap not to hurt them, and the requisite number of camouflaged fish traps, arriving at the Clarence bar at 4pm. Tootled into Iluka Harbour and anchored just off the Sedger’s Reef Hotel, a beacon to the thirsty cruising sailor.
Dinghy was in the water 8.7 seconds after coming to a halt, a PB for this trip. (Notice how we strive to remain topical; references to the Olympics now replacing those previously aimed at the Pontiff). A further 32 seconds found us ashore and 27 seconds later we were ordering drinks. This was raffle night and the place was packed with local trawler types. In total there were 425 raffles which caused a certain amount of confusion amongst the throng, but given our increasing inability to recall which day of the week it is, this shouldn’t surprise.
Another feature of the evening was the ‘Schooner Wheel’. This is like the Chocolate Wheel but is spun every hour to decide the price of a schooner for that hour. It’s nice to find a place where RSA stands for ‘reckless service of alcohol.’
The return journey in the dinghy was undertaken with due care and attention in light of our reduced state. This clearly affected our times; Launching and untying, 3mins 17 secs. Travel time back to boat 7mins 23 secs. (Here you need to take into account the fact that we’d forgotten to leave a light on and had to visit every boat in the bay to see if it was ours.) Unloading, 1 min 03secs. Securing dinghy for the night 4 mins, even.
Our medical advisors are currently reviewing the drugs we’re taking and comparing them with those available to professional athletes. We hope with practice, discipline and the correct performance enhancing chemicals, to improve on these times today.