Position: 28 52.53 S 153 34.19 E
At anchor off Ballina, Richmond Rivere
Wind: S, F4 - moderate breeze
Sea: rippled Swell: nil
Weather: sunny, warm
Day's run: 32 nm

All went according to plan yesterday afternoon. The wind had picked up significantly as the afternoon progressed and by the time we were approaching the entrance to the Richmond River we were down to two reefs in the main and a partially furled headsail poled out to starboard. The wind was gradually pushing us towards the coast when on the starboard tack and we were going to have to gybe to avoid premature contact with the land. I put it off for as long as possible until we were about four miles north of the river entrance and some five cables off the beach. Then I rolled up the jib and the gybed the mainsail across.

From there I decided to leave the jib rolled up and proceed under mainsail alone as we were still making close to six knots. Fortunately Richmond River's mouth faces SE so the entrance was afforded some protection from the fresh northerly breeze by the NE tending coastline, reducing the sea and swell significantly.

At 1700 we gybed once more and started the engine for our final approach, entering the river between the two large breakwaters at 1720. From there we motor-sailed up the river with the flooding tide for 1.2 miles where we rounded into the wind, dropped the mainsail, and let go the anchor in five meters of water, some 200 meters off a white sandy beach and conveniently near a boat ramp.

Now, after a peaceful night and an uninterrupted sleep, we are ready to explore Ballina. The wind is forecast to turn back to the north on Sunday so the plan is to get underway at high water, around 1000, to continue our passage south. Ballina looks a pretty little township and I am looking forward to seeing its sights.

All is well.