Iluka, not much rhymes with that.
Fleck
Thu 12 Nov 2009 22:25
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Wednesday, 11th December
Location; Iluka Bay, 29:24.79S
153:21.08E
Crossing the Clarence River is the equivalent of
sailing over from Falmouth to St Mawes in the Fal Estuary, back in
Cornwall. Iluka lies to the North, and is just a small settlement, with a bit of
fishing going on; and tourism: aimed at the Grey Nomads, not the Surfers. A
low training wall tames the rivers currents, and Iluka Bay lies behind this
wall, a totally protected anchorage, and very pretty, and no marina
fees! I'm topped up with fuel and water, so no need of shoreside luxuries
for a day or two now. Ilukas claim to fame is the southernmost rainforest site
in Australia. I did go into this at dusk, and although there was no sign of any
rain, there were plenty of big fat black mosquitos, so I beat a hasty retreat to
the 'Hotel'. Before wine bars were invented, there were only two places that
Australians could get a drink: Hotels and Clubs. Clubs may pretend to be
Sailing Clubs, Bowling Clubs or whatever the locals mostly get up to. In fact
they cater for anyone who will use the pokkies (slot machines), pay the
membership fees, and wear smart casual in the evenings. We have been to
lots of Clubs: as we live more than five miles from all of them, we sign
ourselves in as visitors for free. Hotels (Pubs) cater for everyone else whose
circumstances dictate that they need a drink: old soaks particularly. I attract
these folk: you sit in the quietest corner with your Sydney Herald, and they
wander over, sit next to you, and froth and spittle over the newsprint.. Hotels
don't miss out on the Gaming Industry, one of the rooms will look like the
inside of a UK betting shop: screens showing racing from all over, torn betting
slips on the floor, and a general air of despondancy/desperation, but here you
can drink up just as your losses mount up: perfect. The Sedgers Reef Hotel at
least offered great views of the bay, but was one of those places littered with
signs informing potential customers what they are not allowed to do: 'absolutely
no parking here' 'customers own food not to be eaten at these tables'
(it's OK if you have stolen it?). These things are worse than Graffiti: examples
abound in the UK: Cafes in Ambleside and on Plymouth Hoe spring imediately to
mind, there must be other ways of controlling your customers? Back on board for
vegetable stir fry with soy sauce, garlic, and honey. Usually this sauce comes
from a packet, but Conny doesn't like these things, on account of the e numbers,
so I will experiment a bit out here. The big thing about Asian food is the
amount of sugar in their sauces. Honey doesn't seem so 'bad' as spoonfuls of
refined sugar!!
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