The plan was to meet at a new entry point, discovered by G&R, at the end of Ginn Street, ready to paddle at 6.30am - an hour before high tide at the Bermi Bridge. However, L changed the plan the night before for reasons that will be revealed at the end of this post and the Cuttagee contingent would put in at Slipway Beach and paddle up to meet G&R at the Ginn Street entry point.
L&I arrived at Slipway Beach in a timely fashion and had our boats unloaded and ready to go and still no S&V.
Thinking they might still be fast asleep I gave them a call to discover they were waiting at Ginn St, wondering where we were - once again I'd had brain fade - very worrying! However V&S were soon with us, and for once we beat them onto the water at 6.40am
We paddled under the Bermi Bridge
And rounded the corner to see G&R tiny dots in the distance waiting for us at the next bend, as we caught up to them and turned the corner the river opened up, beautiful in the morning light
Being ably assisted by the tide there was plenty of opportunity to chat
About here El Capitano deserted us and disappeared into a mangrove swamp
When he hadn't reappeared some 20 minutes later (how many cardinal rules were broken by the layer down of said rules?) I got worried and used the whistle - one blast for 'where are you' as taught. No reply, tried twice more and nothing. Time to resort to a M special, a bellow from the bottom of the diaphram. Thank god -a faint reply, but all wildlife terrified for a km radius and the rest of the CKC stunned to a halt. Appreciated reflections in the water while waiting for L to rejoin me as the others floated off into the distance
Here he is, not having heard the whistle and having had a lovely time losing himself in the mangroves
Catching up to the others
We paddled on for a bit aiming for the little beach at the campsite. The beach was underwater with the high tide, but still made a good landing spot.
And what was even better was finding the campsite had been cleaned and tidied up since our last visit, turning it into quite a pleasant morning tea site.
We took 40 minutes or so for morning tea, thankful the forecast change had not yet come. Some discussion ensued whether we should continue paddling up river or start our return. Once again, El Capitano, decreed we should head back ahead of the change. Taking to the water again we headed back down stream
Approx 15 minutes after this photo was taken
The forecast change hit, the wind came in like a freight train, the sky went black and we were confronted with waves - on the Bermagui River! The return paddle was a hard slog, even with the outgoing tide, occasionally relieved when we turned a corner and had the wind at our backs for a short stretch.
Reaching the Ginn St boat ramp around 9.40am it was decided we should all bail out here and do a car shuffle.
Waves & whitecaps! This is what we had been paddling against for the 40 minutes or so of our paddle
R&V comparing, I'm not sure what, as we wait the return of the cars.
While we waited the heavens opened up and down came the rain.
By the time we had the boats loaded we were wet through and the rain had stopped. G&R, S&V decided a reviving coffee was in order after changing into dry clothes. Meanwhile L (and reluctantly me - coffee sounded good) had a date back at Slipway Beach for L to try
this
And what was to shortly become a new addition to his kayak collection! Poor old Precious will no longer be precious. What number is he up to now?
During the trial it started to drizzle and V&S arrived to tell us where they were meeting.
L&I had forgotten to bring a change of clothes. Luckily R had not been near the back of our car recently and after ferreting around we managed to cobble together enough garments for each of us to be half dry. Looking like something the cat dragged home we slunk along to Sundeck where L gamely tried to justify his new purchase and we enjoyed a late breakfast.
Trip Notes:
Put In: Slipway Beach & Ginn St Boat Ramp
Take Out: Ginn St Boat Ramp
9.14kms (L and additional 1.4km)
3 hours
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