Wednesday 26 April 2017 Nutley's Creek

This paddle was a favourite of mine. Again we were reliant on the tide and so had an early start, meeting at 8.00am at the bottom of the first track to the right off River Rd (which runs off Nutley's Creek Rd just after Black Marlin Drive).

The entire CKC was present; G, who was still sidelined with a back injury, having driven R to our rendevous. The Tide King was once more spot on and we took to the water about an hour before high tide reached us nearly 6km up the river.

We soon reached the confluence of Coolagolite and Nutley's Creeks and headed up Nutley's. A wide and roomy creek to start with, after the first bend it started to narrow as the sides closed in and obstacles needed negotiating.

But the high tide served us well

About here, A in his long ocean kayak and K in her pedal hobie chose to call a halt and waited whilst Livingstone and Co pushed on, bravely, into the wilderness.

We managed another 1/2 km or so before the rest of us also admitted defeat.  All except L, who managed to push on for another 100mts before being scuppered by a rock shelf across the creek. He had reached the tidal limit. He returned to us in reverse with both himself and Big Red covered in twigs and leaves.

We retraced our path

enjoying our surroundings

Once back in deeper water

we rejoined K&A, patiently awaiting the return of the intrepid explores. Back at the confluence of  Coolagolite and Nutley's Cks we hauled out on a sandy beach for 'elevenses'.

The river bank opposite

We got back to our start point on the outgoing tide to find G waiting for us. So pleasurable had the paddle been we were reluctant to leave our boats and L announced he wanted to paddle to the bridge. 'So do I' said V&S, R and I. Only K&A who had other commitments declined. So G not only had made a wasted trip, he was dragooned into meeting us at the bridge to drive people back for their cars.

We idled our way back down the river, the outgoing tide making paddling hardly a chore.

To end a perfect day; once cars had been retrieved and boats loaded we repaired to G&R's, changed and indulged in a few drinks and one of R's famed nibbly platters sitting on their balcony; taking in the view until the sun went down and it was time to order Il Passagio pizzas for dinner.

It was one of those days that makes one realise how fortunate we are.

Trip notes:
Put in: Ist left off River Rd
Take out: Bermagui Bridge boat ramp
13.5kms