Leg 61 - Laurieton to Port Macquarie

The anchor came up for a 10:00 departure from the Camden Haven River anchorage area, near the Laurieton United Services Club and we waived to the folks at Marine Rescue building as we went past. Reeflection had left 2 days before, School's Out the day before, which left just Tramontana (staying a month) and another couple of other mono's. We'd really enjoyed our time here with good company. We had the benefit of the odd hot shower ashore too at the LUSC and returned the key to reclaim the $50 deposit the night before. All set to have another trip through a bar.  In fact, two for the day. We were headed to Port Macquarie just 15nm further north. That bar has a 'reputation' and most sailors seem to skip it. Our friends Henma and Rob from Easy Rider, with whom we'd crossed Bass Strait just a year ago, are there so Port Mac, here we come!

We were escorted part of the way by the Camden Haven tourist boat, no doubt again crammed full with elderly passengers. It did a U turn in front of us just ahead of the seaward exit. No point giving the oldies a fright, their thrill seeking days are over!

 

Target in sight: looked OK. Webcam footage showed it to be a bit bumpier than the day before when we watched Reeflection slide out. Nothing too wild though and the Bloke negotiated the way out. This time the Nav gear didn't display us on land. Mind you, seeing something a second time, even in reverse from the first, is so much easier and we didn't really need to look at it much.

We motor-sailed (yes, again) towards Port Macquarie and the pile of clouds that were out to sea started to change in character. They got our full attention as parts of the cloud started dropping down like a pointed finger. It didn't take long to recognise that these were water spouts forming. Yikes!

 Waterspouts

   

The cloud cover became filthy and menacing and the radar located this 'trouble' only 3nm away. A yacht that had followed us out of the Camden Haven River just 30 minutes behind, suddenly dropped their sails and began weaving a strange course. They were likely in the trouble zone. The spouts dipped up and down and the screw-like twirling formation was clearly evident. We could see the waterline was fizzing beneath the 'fingers of doom'. Chilling!

With the waterspouts out to sea the Bloke could barely wait to cross the bar into Port Macquarie. We were not premature so the bar was pretty good and the advice to approach from the north and then hug the northerly wall made the trip in very easy. I was sent forward to put out the fenders in preparation to going to the Marina just as the rain came poured down. Those clouds were always going to deliver. The Bloke laughed his head off as I got drenched.

Bill, the marina manager was waiting on the visitors wharf to help us pick a berth from 4 available and take our lines. Lovely. We'll stay a week.


Port Macquarie Marina
Bill Oliver - 0412 667 208