Thursday 11 October 2018 Wonboyn Lake

During our week long stay at Greencape Lighthouse, enduring inclement weather, Thursday was our only opportunity weatherwise to go for a paddle. High tide was at a very civilised 10.33am and 1.7m high at Wonboyn Beach.
Andrew, the new owner of the Wonboyn Lake Resort was most uncivilised, and refused our request to launch at the resort so we could paddle up the Wonboyn River (silly man, we will never go and stay there now) instead we opted to launch down near the mouth and paddle the lake instead.
After lugging the boats 100metres or so from the Council car park down a rough path to the water we ready to launch by 10.00am. 

Looking toward the mouth of the lake

Heading down the lake

Pied Oyster Catcher

Going along the northern shore

 Looking across to Bay Cliff which forms the southern side of the entrance

After R took an exploratory walk to check out the depth of the middle channel - only a short boat drag required - we continued on, picking our path through the shallows

To the sand spit separating the back water we were on from the channel leading to the entrance

We then paddled up the middle channel, resolutely ignored by these resting pelicans.

After dragging the boats for the last 20 metres we gained access to the channel leading to the mouth

Paddling against the still incoming tide some of us were braver than others. Here, S gets as close as she dares

A flock of cormorants temporarily takes our attention away from

the waves crashing at the entrance to the lake

R & I wondering how much further we dare go

L, like S, is intrepid
 

But R and I have turned and get wooshed back by the still incoming tide along the fascinating rock formations that make up Bay Cliff

Coming toward the end of Bay Cliff we disturb more cormorants

Rounding the end of Bay Cliff

Past another couple of Pelicans

Paddling along eastern side of Bay Cliff

Looking up the lake to Mount Imlay in the far distance

We followed around the southern shore for awhile and then, not seeing a suitably salubrious spot to take a break we headed back to the northern side and found a lovely spot with a smooth rocky outcrop at perfect sitting height set back a few metres from a pretty little beach. Plus it had a cleared flat area hidden by the tea tree, perfect for camping!!!  Have no idea how long we stopped for - guessing 30-40mins.

At any rate we were back on the water by 1.45pm. The tea break/good camping spot is just behind the rock outcrop on the left. We continued our paddle up the lake.

 The temperature having dropped and with it starting to spit, S was scarily rugged up

Oyster leases stretch along the length of the narrows. Wonboyn House in the distance

Upon whose beach, we sneakily had a 20 min leg stretch as L and I told the others the story of the Bunya Pine and as much of the fascinating history of Wonboyn House as we could remember. We really needed KT there to fill us in.

We were back on the water by 12.54pm

And before we got underway we noticed a fin cutting through the water about 40 metres away.With thoughts and vocalisations of SHIT, SHARK coursing through our heads and ringing in the air, some slight panic ensued behind me as I looked closer and determined, well 90% sure, it was a dolphin.
The doubting Thomas's to my rear hung back until I paddled close enough for a positive identification. It was swiming around in a rough circle, regularly submerging. Consensus was it was either sick, old or both as it was deemed not to look very well. However, never having seen a dolphin up that close before I'm hoping that it was just feeding on something yummy.

After watching the dolphin for a while, we headed back down the lake, and yep, you guessed it, the forecast breeze sprang up, way overdue and we paddled back into a light headwind, but assisted by the now outgoing tide.
Nearing the end of the paddle

Back on dry land by 2.05pm

10.6km

Tuesday 2 October 2018 Pambula River to Jigamy

R picked this paddle and a good choice it proved to be.  The gang arrived after 9.00am to load their boats onto the trusty trailer and we were away just after 9.30.

The wind forecast for today was SSW 4.6km/h at 11.00am, heading up to SE 8.5km/h at 1.00pm, then dying down to ESE 4.1km/h by 3.00pm.  Fine for a paddle one would say.  However what the wind actually did was get up to ESE 16.7km/h at 11.40am. By 2.20pm it had swung to the East and was gusting up to 14,8km/h and hardly going below E 13km/h for the remainder of our paddle. No glassy water for us today.

By 11.10 we were loading our gear into the boats

Individual methods of boarding one's boat

Some, gracefully done, others extremely inelegant!

By 11.15am S was first out, closely followed by the rest of us

Crossing the river to get to the deeper water

Which not only pushed us along at a good pace but was beautiful to boot

Following the channel back across to the right hand side of the river

We continued our poddle upstream, letting the incoming tide do most of the work

Not long after we had entered the lake, paddling southward the wind hit us full in the face
and without the aid of the incoming tide it would have been a real slog through the choppy water.
Once in among the oyster leases the water was calmer and we passed over some beautiful underwater meadows.

After leaving the shelter of the oyster leases we had to 'hang' for awhile, whilst L headed to shore for a nature break.

Once L had rejoined us we paddled on for another 5 minutes or so and spotted this little, oyster free beach to land upon for our lunch about 12.35pm

We do lunch in style and like a good view

Although some among us are hardy types

While taking in the view we were entertained by courting pied oyster catchers and serenaded by a sea eagle circling overhead. Added to good company and a yummy lunch (thanks R), life doesn't get much better.

By 1.30pm we were launching again

V taking it easy while waiting for the troops to gather

Continuing our paddle southward to the head of the lake

 After reaching the top of the lake we headed toward the western shore

 Is this the entrance to Jigamy Creek?

Yes it is, and up we go. We all love a creek to explore

Sadly not very far. No good to the right said S

And no good to the left said V

So we turned around and headed back to the lake and the wind in our faces

We continued along the western shoreline on the inside of the oyster leases, where the water was too shallow for G; who whilst we were exploring the creek had headed across the lake to chat to some fellow Hobie paddlers.
Boat yard and slip

Passing the boats at the end of the jetty feeling rather small - a novel experience for me!

R settling her hat firmly on her head as we head back across the lake and into the wind. Once again L had timed our paddle perfectly and we crossed the lake on slack water.

Before exiting the lake back into the river, L gathered us together to pass on advice on how to get back to the beach in, hopefully, one piece and without being swept out to sea with the outgoing tide.
Even though we were paddling directly into the wind  as we went down the river, the outgoing tide made for easy paddling.

Once again we passed this weirdly moored/beached trimaran

Following L's instruction we all made it safely back to our sheltered launching site. Ending our paddle at 3.23pm.

After unpacking and loading the boats etc V&S headed off and the rest of us decided fish and chips seemed like a good idea which we duly indulged in upon reaching Merimbula.

Trip Notes:
High Tide Pambula Beach: 1.29pm 1.6m
High Tide Tea Tree Point (in the lake): 2.40pm 1.57m
Started paddle at 11.20am
Put In/Take Out: Pambula River Beach
12.7kms
4hours