Lord Howe Classic Barbecue - just a sail away
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| 'See you there!' . |
The 2008 Classic Australian Barbecue is in its sixth year, patronised by a growing number of cruising sailors - some in classic boats, some just enjoying the feeling of non-competitive cruising - who meet for the annual barbecue on Ned's Beach. It all started when the skippers of four boats decided that the annual Lord Howe race was getting a little competitive and the more classic boats were being asked to sail the race without stopping at Lord Howe, owing to lack of room in the deeper outer lagoon.
'Not stopping at Lord Howe took away much of the spirit of the event, and we didn't need to race anyway,' says Nigel Stoke, so they agreed make a new 'non-event' event, and visit the island two weeks later.
Nigel is right of course. A visit to Lord Howe Island is a delight, even if you have to fly there; but for the sailor, a two to three day sail has you anchored in a pristine lagoon, beside an island so precious it has been listed as a World Heritage Site. Finding it is a navigational accomplishment, as a mere speck in the Pacific Ocean, 700kms north-east of Sydney and 500kms due east of Port Macquarie.
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Just a speck in the ocean - .. . |
As for Ned's Beach, the site for the barbecue, wading in the shallows you'll find your legs tickled and nibbled by the local fish. Swim a little further out, and you'll find yourself snorkelling among wonderful coral, turtles and hundreds of brightly coloured fish.
This really is a cruise in the best sense of the word. Boat are given an ending date rather than a starting date. 'This is also a sensible idea,' says Nigel, 'as the boats tend to come together in the latter part of the sail - which is when conditions often are at their worst - rather than at the beginning.'
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Nibbling fish at Ned’s Beach - .. . |
It must be a good formula. A couple of weeks ago, no less than 40 people representing 25 boats gathered at the Orient Hotel for a 'quiet little drink' and to discuss their plans.
Proceeds from the Barbecue will go to the local school. Lord Howe Island Central School has a total of around 40 students and three teachers. Surely the most isolated school in New South Wales, the school has two classes - K-2 and a Yr 3-6 with secondary students studying at school with work supplied by Camden Haven Distance Education Centre in Port Macquarie.
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The Lord Howe Central School will stage the barbecue as a money raising event for the school - .. . |
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Barbecue venue at Ned’s Beach - .. . Click Here to view large photo |
by Nancy Knudsen
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