Noon Position: 30 32.3 S 153 09.9 E
Course: N Speed: 6
Wind: WSW, F4 - moderate breeze
Sea: slight Swell: S 1 meters
Weather: sunny, mild
Day's run: 120 nm

We have managed to catch the tail of the gale without incident and made good use of its winds to make ground towards Townsville. Our strategy of staying close to the coast worked well with the sea state growing to moderate at it worst. The wind on the other hand peaked mid-afternoon yesterday at force 8 which required the main to be reduced to three reefs and the jib rolled up until it was only a very small triangle extending from the fore stay. At this point we had just rounded Cape Hawke and the land had fallen away to the west so there was also considerable fetch. Consequently while the seas were only of moderate size, they grew steep with streaks of spume blowing off their tops. At the same time I did not wish to let Sylph get pushed out to sea so we were sailing as close to the wind as we could to close the coast and gain a better lee from the land, which meant we were effectively hoved to and only making good two to three knots into the seas.

Fortunately the gale force wind did not last for long. An hour later it had dropped to a more manageable force six and we were able to set a bit more jib and get Sylph moving again. Overnight the wind varied between occasional near gale force gusts and lulls of moderate strength, in particular as we rounded the numerous headlands that project out from the NSW's coast. At times we were a little under powered with the three reefs in the main but for the most part we were averaging five to six knots with which I was well content as it allowed for a relatively peaceful night and a little bit of sleep.

This morning conditions have moderated further, with the wind easing to force four and backing into the WSW, allowing Sylph to sail on a very comfortable broad reach with full jib and one reef in the main (which I will shake out very soon).

This afternoon we will pass Coffs Harbour. It is tempting to stop here but with a fair wind blowing and the sun shining, as usual, I wish to make the most of it. Tomorrow's forecast is for the wind to fade to calm as a high pressure system passes over. By then I hope to be off the entrance to the Clarence River, which has the township of Iluka on its north bank and Yamba on its south. I could anchor off either but am favouring Iluka as the anchorage is easier to get into. Iluka is smaller than Yamba so has less attractions but it has a small supermarket, a hardware store and a pub, so I think that pretty much covers the essentials of life for a wandering sailor.

Crew morale is high (ie Oli is happy) and ...

All is well.