RPAYC Sesquicentenary Clarence River Cruise
Our sail up the coast trying to find the right weather window to reach Yamba in time to meet the Rendezvous was quite a challenge. At one stage looked as though we might have to abandon the mission, however with a 36 hour passage we were able to
get to Yamba from Port Stephens and thus secure the rendezvous.
Peter and Debbie on Novae as well as Gail and George on Southern Belle were already there so we were waiting for John and Jo
on Verve arriving with the northerlies, Bill and Elaine on Le Billet and Peter and Sue from Celay to join us to complete the 6 boat
Rendezvous.
As it turned out Peter and Sue were not able to reach Yamba in time to ensure entrance to the river and Peter and Debbie were
called home for personal reasons but they did get the opportunity to join us for some of the time albeit without boat. So we ended up with 4 boats heading up the river for the cruise to Grafton and the Jacaranda Festival.
Our passage through the bridge at Harwood was quite amazing. We watched as the Pacific Highway traffic stopped and the
bridge opened to a height of over 23 metres to allow our tallest boat Verve to get through. Immediately beyond the bridge was
the first of our Clarence River Pubs that we would frequent on our way to Grafton and return. The Harwood Hilton as it is affectionately known was, as were the other pubs we visited, most interesting and quite historical but also a great place to have a chat
and a quiet beverage.
We proceeded up the river stopping at most of the classic towns or pubs enjoying each other’s company and learning the history
of one of the great rivers on the NSW coast.
Grafton itself was spectacularly draped in purple for the running of their 92nd annual Jacaranda Festival, we were amazed at how
long the event had been running and how many photographers had hit the town to record the stunning purple blossoms.
The trip up the river completed we retraced our steps or maybe it was our wake to Iluka where arriving in time for Melbourne Cup
we joined the celebrations of the race that stops the nation with our own private function, Fashions in the field, narrowly won by
Jo for her clever creation using, as per the rules, only stuff that could be found on the boat.
The afternoon and evening over we retired to get an early night before the early departure the next morning. So out into the
magnificent sea to be dazzled once again by the stunning performances of mum and baby whales leaping out of the water in
spectacular displays of what we imagined must be youthful exuberance.
And so we returned in favourable conditions to our favourite Pittwater shores having benefited from the local culture and history
and having found a number of new friendships along the way.
We are hoping that next time we cruise the Clarence many others will be interested to explore this interesting and historic waterway.
By Jim Cormack