Wednesday 25 September 2019 Bega River: Blackfellows' Lagoon to Mogareeka Inlet

An earlyish start was called for - to beat the forecast wind AND to make it to the Tathra pub in time for lunch :)
Having loaded the boats the previous arvo,  we had time for a 2nd cuppa before our 7.45am departure and I got to take these pics of a mother kangaroo outside the kitchen window while I waited for the kettle to boil

Uh Oh, they have heard the kettle and I've been sprung, and the joey disappears back into the pouch

We met up with S&V at Mogareeka where we left their car and proceeded on to the launch site at Blackfellow's Lagoon. Soon after our arrival another car and trailer pulled up to unload 3 kayaks. I think it is the first time we have ever had to share a launch site, anywhere, with other kayakers.
The unpleasant aroma of a dead kangaroo beside the launch ramp meant we didn't dilly dally and by
9.10am we were all on the water and ready to paddle.

Paddling up the lagoon the trees burnt in the Tathra bushfires and now regenerating looked, from a distance like fir trees giving us the illusion we were paddling somewhere in North America or Canada.

Weaving our way through the reed beds near the entrance to the lagoon.

From the entrance to the lagoon we headed across the Bega River

And snuck down 'the inside passage' which, when the mouth is open is sometimes too shallow to paddle.

The water was gorgeously clear

 Just before the end of the 'inside passage' we stopped at 10.10am (without our keeper of time, R, I'm just guesstimating)  at this lovely sunny little beach.

10.25am and we are just waiting for L to embark after our break

For the last 3rd of our trip we paddled into a 16kmph average head wind

Not wanting to scratch the precious new boats on the concrete boat ramp or the rocks, we paddled on under the bridge, keeping to the left and about 11.35am landed on the sandy beach adjacent to the park. While S & L went to retrieve the car and trailer, V&I got the boats up to car park and then discussed and tried out possible seating solutions.

About 35mins later S&L returned and it was time to load the boats. Replacing the chocks  - Jeez, L, this new numbering system is a bit hard to work out!!!

Boats loaded and the gear all packed away, all that was left to do was change our clothes. After which we headed to the Tathra Pub for lunch. We sat on the verandah with the ocean as a backdrop and with an occasional whale ffoofing or splashing about to add interest.

Trip notes:
Mouth Closed
Put in: Blackfellows' Lagoon, Kalaru
Take Out: Mogareeka Inlet (there are several choices)
7.7kms
2hrs 25mins