Thursday 3 January 2019 Bermagui River

Once again well laid plans went up in smoke.  The original plan called for R&G and S&V to be on the water at the Bridge boat ramp at 8.00am, paddling upstream to meet L&I and our first time paddling guests L&D at our usual morning tea spot some 4.65kms up river at 9.30am and then we would all paddle back down together. This necessitated the up and back paddlers leaving home quite a bit earlier than our mob.  However at 7.30am the L half of our guests decided that a sleep in with the beloved pooch was a much better option than paddling on a grey and possibly rainy day, so at the last minute I rang to say that we would be joining the rest of the CKC from the start, having deemed that D, whilst not having paddled before, being a triathalete would be able to cope with the distance.

So from having plenty of time to get ready, we suddenly had no time, and like Bilbo Baggins we rushed out the door, forgetting essentials like phones and water bottles. We arrived at the boat ramp only a few minutes late to find lots of people but no CKC?? After unloading the boats and still no fellow CKC, L took a drive around to his favourite launch site, only to have the CKC paddle upstream, under the bridge soon after he disappeared from site. After indulging in a lively bit of abuse hurling back and forth across the water - its your fault, you changed the launch site, no its your fault for forgetting your phones etc etc I launched D and G sheperded him up to the others who were waiting just out of the area of chaos around the boat ramp.

L reappeared soon after and we we joined the others on the water about 8.15am and headed slowly up river on a slack tide as L gave D some basic paddle coaching.

Cruising up river on glassy water

Doing it easy

After L's coaching and a bit of practice, D was soon holding his own with the rest of us

I think L was hoping we could stop here, however we urged him to push on - his morning tea site selection being notoriously bad

He's on the lookout for somewhere else

Our usual morning tea spot being overrun with tents, we retreated a little down and across the river to this recently vacated campsite.

After an half and hour or so break, we took to the water once more about 10.20am for our return journey back downstream, this time assisted by the outgoing tide.

We poddled our way back down with the tide

On still, glassy water

 Whilst the others proceeded on under the bridge, D, L&I pulled out at the boat ramp at 11.15am

We packed up and loaded the boats and headed home to inform L, refreshed and happy after her sleep in, that chaos was coming as G&R and S&V were coming for lunch. In no time at all, L (ably assisted by D and me) prepared a splendid repast and then all we had to do was sit back and await the arrival of our fellow paddlers. A long and noisy lunch ensued and thus ended our days paddle.

Trip Notes:
High Tide: 8.05am 1.69m at Bermagui Bridge
Put in/Take Out: Slipway Beach 10.30kms
Put in/Take Out: Bridge boat ram 9.30kms