Friday 6 May 2022 Pambula River

 As another beautiful autumn day was forecast we decided to paddle from the mouth up the Pambula River.  High tide at the entrance was at 11.40am (1.4m) so we planned to hit the water at 10.30am to make the most of the incoming tide.

Small waves were breaking on the beach where we planned to launch so we endeavoured to launch between sets. Assisted by L, I was first to launch, closely followed by V.  S was next and as she launched a wave broke over her bow and dumped in her lap. Keeping her head she carried on paddling straight into the swell.

Last to launch at 10.45am was L and he made it 

look easy.

After the old ladies had got over the excitement of the launch and S had got most of the water out of  her boat we

 

set off upstream disturbing numerous schools of small fish as we paddled.

The river, as usual, was

looking gorgeous.

As we turned the corner, we paddled into a light but chill breeze and we paused whilst S donned her rain jacket to cover her wet clothes.

Having no destination in mind we found ourselves paddling across the lake and up the river to the confluence of the Yowaka River. Pausing for a brief conflab we decided to paddle up the Yowaka,

weaving our way through the islands

always hunting the deeper water

until we reached the bridge.

Turning we made our way back downstream,

returning to the confluence at 12.50pm where we stopped for lunch. Sitting in the sun whilst S managed to dry out a little we watched firstly a Sea Eagle circling low overhead followed not long after by a young Wedge Tailed Eagle doing likewise. Also entertaining us was a little pied cormorant (I think) fishing in the shallows 10 metres down the beach from where we sat. 

Taking to the water again at 1.45pm we retraced our steps, back down the river and

across the lake - these pelicans pointing out the shallows to be avoided. As we paddled across the lake two Sea Eagles circled low over us the whole way. Perhaps we were traversing their favoured hunting ground.

As we went L had us practising support strokes and edging our boats in preparation for a return trip to the Murray.

Poddling along we enjoyed fish watching in the sun.

Approaching our take out point we could see waves breaking and a plan was called for. I was sent in first to steady the others as they came in :( :(. However my trusty boat and a large dose of luck got me in. In trying to execute a quick exit from my boat before the waves could push it sideways I learnt a lesson - loosen and lower the seat back and ditch the paddle leash before coming in! 

Next in was V with S following closely behind.  Last was L.  All was going well until a larger wave broke over his stern, drenching him and half filling his cockpit with water which make his boat too heavy to drag up the beach or hold steady so he had to clamber out as best he could as the following waves slowly pushed his boat sideways.

With L out of the boat it was considerably lighter and V&I managed to drag it up the beach and roll it over to drain most of the water; L then pumped out the remainder.  

By 3.05pm we were all safely ashore.

 Drained of energy and strength it was a slow pack up, however our enjoyment of the day was in no way diminished and once in the car with the heater on our spirits soon revived.

Trip Notes:

Put In/Take Out: Pambula River Mouth

High Tide:  River Entrance: 11.40am 1.4m

                    Tea Tree Point (in lake): 1.35pm

14.1kms

4hrs 20mkns

Monday 2 May 2022 The Murrah

Just a quick paddle today to try out the recently acquired and latest boy toy: the waterproof drone.

A high tide of 1.4ms at 9.22am resulted shallow going when we got onto the water at 9.50am

It was a superb autumn day; sunny, warm with just a hint of breeze - perfect for paddling and drone flying.

Poddling along and

carefully picking our way

we managed to

reach our destination without running aground. Whilst I unpacked brunch L unpacked the drone and got ready to fly.  As I sat on shore and sipped my coffee L paddled back out onto the water and let loose the machine.

All went according to plan until

it did not! The machine suddenly took off, heading south at a remarkable pace until I lost sight of it. L after giving up on the controller took off in hot pursuit. About 10 minutes passed then I heard some buzzing followed by a bang and and a splash followed shortly thereafter by some more angry buzzing and splashing.

L reappearing paddled over to and under a shrub overhanging the water and then there was more frantic buzzing and splashing.  

Having retrieved the drone he paddled back,

bloody and bowed.  His response to my question "how did it go" was the archetypal "I don't want to talk about it".  

The drone in question has very mixed reviews with several different problems complained about and from my observation it seemed that L encountered all those problems in the one flight. 

After making use of the first aid kit to patch him up, we sat down to eat our brunch.  The delicious curried egg sanga's L had made and the beauty of our surrounds soon working their magic, dispelling L's  mood.

Suddenly noticing the water level had dropped, we realised we had  perhaps lingered too long and quickly packed up and returned to the water.

The tide was well and truly on the way out and the further upstream we paddled the more shallow the water became as evidenced by these two plovers standing the middle of the river.

Paddling steadily we made it back at 12.30pm. L having run out of water dragged his boat for the last 30 metres, whilst I managed to sneak through along the edge of the reeds.  Back at our launch site as I waited for L I sat in the boat and was happily entertained by the myriads of little fish in the water beside me. Unfortunately every time I leant over to take a pic they scattered.

 Verdict:  24hours later: still "don't want to talk about it" :)