Finding A Living Legend - Alan Lucas

Ulmarra is the home port of the Australian Coastal Cruising legend, Alan Lucas. He's authored multiple yachting publications and cruising guides. Our Cruising the New South Wales Coast: A sailor's guide to the ports, anchorages, rivers and lakes of Australia's First Sate, New South Wales, has been our 'Bible' over the last 12 months whilst we've sailed from Eden to here. The Bloke is already studying Cruising the Coral Coast (first published in 1968) which will come into effect when we reach our next destination after Iluka and across the state border into Queensland.

Alan Lucas aboard SV Soleares.

We were delighted to see that Alan's ketch Soleares was anchored and a few locals at the pub conveyed in hushed tones that the legend was in town i.e. on board. As it turned out he's a typical cruiser and didn't need to be asked twice to accept an invite for sundowners. Unfortunately we didn't meet his wife Patricia as she was away. Conversation was long and lively. 5 hours went by in a flash and we poured Alan and Brenton into their dinghies and shone our torch on them until they indicated that they were safely back on board their own vessels. Phew!

Brenton, Alan and The Bloke.

The morning after the night before.

Not the hair of the dog. Just coffee at the Pub.

After the coffee heart starter we went our separate ways, the Bloke to buy a paper and a second coffee. When we returned to Zofia a little package was sitting on the transom. Alan had made a visit and this was his calling card!

 

The most recent of Alan's publications.

Signed by the legend himself.

Feeling very chuffed as was Brenton because he received a copy too!