Over breaky this morning it was decided our last paddle for this outing would once more, due to the strong winds, need to be on sheltered water. Conjola Creek at the head of Conjola Lake was our agreed target. Having checked out of the pub we headed south to Fisherman's Paradise on the banks of the Conjola Creek.
We hit the water at 11.25am
and we soon heading downstream, L having cajoled us into trying the lake
At the entrance to the lake and with the rising wind conditions apparent, more cajoling was required and V sided with L
Just to the next point, she said and off we go.
By the time I got around the point the slappers were already retracing their steps with L, looking a little crestfallen, trailing behind. Heading back toward the creek entrance. The ruddered boats had to take a wide detour here to avoid the shallows emanating from the creek.
Back on the creek, life was much more peaceful and the overcast sky made for pleasant paddling conditions.
S, having forsaken her slapper today was giving Dani a go
G & R trying to break the speed limit
L, cruising in his new PFD
We pulled back into our start point for a break and hadn't even got all the boats off the water when a car arrived pulling a boat trailer appeared and the occupants looked non too pleased to see us filling up the boat ramp. So morning tea was hurriedly reloaded, G's boat carried out of the way (G deciding not to continue with the paddle) and we launched again with not even a thank you, or any acknowledgement for that matter, from the speed boat people.
Continuing upstream, after being so rudely interrupted, we passed numerous jettys
About 10 past 11 we reached a fork in the creek and decided to take the right hand path because we could see this bridge in the distance.
Going under the bridge we paddled through an unpleasant pong
As we paddled beyond the bridge
V called out and we turned our boats and found the reason for the smell
Dairy cows on their way to the milking shed
As we had time constraints we reluctantly decided to head back.
While we waited for the herd to clear the bridge L gave R a paddling lesson and S&V tried unsuccessfully to find somewhere to land in order to swap boats. L suggested we raft up so they could swap whilst afloat. It took some convincing before we were willing to give it a try.
So lined up left to right was S, me, L, V and R with R holding in tight to V's boat, L holding tight to V's boat and my boat, and me holding tight to L's and S's boats.
Firstly, V got out of her boat and sat in front of L's cockpit; then S (being S) stood up and walked across and sat in V's boat.
Once S was settled and hanging onto L's boat, R paddled round and used her newly learnt paddling technique to side glide up to what was S's boat and hold it tight. Then V stood up and shuffled across my boat and into Dani. Job done and not even a toe got wet. Needless to say, we were very pleased with ourselves.
Feeling smug, we paddled back under the bridge
Somewhere along the line S had managed to wrest V's paddle from her to give it a try.
Approaching the end of the paddle and we've all slowed down. We are always reluctant to end a good paddle. The slappers and Dani in their unfortunate camouflage colours.
And Precious, looking gorgeous in red
Oh bugger, here comes that effing speed boat back. Clearing the boats at 2.10pm
After we had packed up and loaded the boats we sat at the picnic table for a debrief of our three paddles and decided to, whilst we were so close, don't you know, to head down to Lake Conjola and the entrance for a quick squiz at a possible future paddle combination along with Narrawallee Inlet.
Trip Notes
Put In/Take Out: Fishermans Paradise Boat Ramp
7kms
2hrs 45mins
