Perfect Day in Iluka

Friday 26^th May 2017

It is perfect weather in Iluka, bright sunny day, only a light breeze and a comfortable 23 C.

We made contact with Carole’s brother to organize an opportunity to catch up, only to find that they are in Fiji at a business conference and we will be gone by the time they get back. Maybe we will see them on the return journey.

The harbour is quite crowded, but there are a few boats heading out to catch the high tide over the bar.

Mica on the left

About half an hour later they return and set anchor again. We did not like the noises the power boat was making as it passed us on the way out, and obviously the owner thought better of continuing on. The other boat that left, a yacht, also returned as they seem to be travelling together.

This Boat Isa Lei have a shaft coupling failure on the way out

Their Pal on this boat Truant, also on his way out to sea, returned to help them

We inflated out new dinghy and got ready to go ashore, to see what has changed since we were here 2 years ago.

The area around the front of the pub, Sedgers Reef (easily the most popular fishing spot in Iluka), has been cleaned up, and there is now a walkway along the shore to the main shops.

Mica anchored in Iluka Bay

Not a lot of money has been spent on the appearance of the pub over the years

Coastal walkway

The shopping area has also had a bit of a facelift and there is a very well stocked IGS supermarket, which was just getting started last time we were here.

The caravan park is full of grey nomads as we wandered through it to check out the ferry timetable to Yamba. We will probably go over there tomorrow or Sunday.

Iluka Primary School where our girls went to school for a few months whilst staying with their grandparents when we were returning from Malaysia in the 80's

What trip to Iluka would be complete without a feed of fresh prawns ? we called in at the Bakery to get some fresh bread rolls before walking on to the Fishermans Co-op to buy some prawns.

Stopping at the pub for a cup coffee on the way back to the dinghy was a bit of a mistake. The coffee was awful, serves me right for ordering coffee in a pub!

We will probably give the Sat night Karaoke a miss

A couple of pelicans near the dinghy wharf in front of Sedgers Reef

Back on Mica the prawns for lunch were a real treat, this time with a beer, not a coffee.

By 2pm the tide is at its lowest and we have 0.1m underneath us. This guy not far from us has a lot less ! It is a very low tide, 0.14m. We later found out the boat is part of a deceased estate and has been here for some time.

Sitting in the cockpit enjoying the weather and scenery, we are surprised when a dolphin swam past the stern of Mica.

All of the yachties in the harbour meet on the shore in front of the pub for sundowners at 4.30pm. We went over and joined them and as usual met a very interesting bunch of people, some of whom we have been observing going up the coast on AIS, but unable to put a face to.

We went on to have dinner at the pub, a true grey nomads experience.

We also didn't win anything in the meat raffle, but a lot of locals seemed very happy!