Noon Position: 29 06.6 S 153 31.9 E
Course: SSW Speed: 6 knots
Wind: NE, F4 - moderate breeze
Sea: slight Swell: NE 1 m
Weather: sunny, warm
Day's run: 17 nm

I enjoyed my short stay in Ballina. Ther naval and maritime museum was a memorable attraction, boasting the largest collection of model ships in Australia, so of course I paid it a visit. The collection was diverse, eclectic and densely packed into the limited dimensions of the building which housed it. Next door to the museum was an excellent swimming pool which I used each day for a bit of exercise and a warm shower afterwards. Then, in the evening, I visited the local RSL club for a drink and last night for a meal. I came away from the club with mixed feelings about my patronage. As with most NSW's clubs, it is designed around a huge central gaming room; dimly lit, packed full of large pokey machines with their bright psychedelic lights and sounds; people slumped in the well-cushioned swivel chairs, each looking detached and soporific, with sad coma-like, far-away stares. What sort of society preys on people like this, I ask myself, especially an organisation supposedly dedicated to recognising service and community. Okay, 'nuff said. Time to clear the air and go for a sail.

Today dawned bright and clear with a fair wind forecast for the next couple of days. I got the dinghy on board, secured Sylph for sea and weighed anchor at 0840. We motored out of the river pushing against a knot of tidal stream, setting the main just inside the entrance where the sea was still smooth and we had sufficient room to turn into the wind. Once clear of the river's guarding breakwaters, I shut down the BRM, bore away to the south and poled the jib to port. The breeze has gradually freshened since our departure and we are now rolling our way downwind, making good a comfortable six to seven knots.

This leg I am hoping to make Port Stephens, 230 miles away. The wind is forecast to go into the south early Tuesday morning and we are unlikely to make Port Stephens before then, so, according to my calculations. this will mean a bit of bashing to windward for some fifty miles. We will see how we go. Maybe the East Australia Current will help us along a bit more than I am allowing for. And failing Port Stephens, Cape Hawke Harbour looks like a good alternative.

All is well.