So we met down at the Murrah Bridge under a rapidly clearing sky with no sign of the forecast wind. By the time we took to the water at 11.40am it had turned into yet another glorious paddling day.
Heading off down the river
The view as we rounded the second bend.
This Eucalypt tenaciously clings on!
We drifted down the river
and turned into the channel that leads into Murrah Lake and, as far as I know, a unnamed lagoon. First we took the fork that leads to the lagoon.
Nearing the entrance to the lagoon we had to pick our way through oyster bommes - always a challenge when paddling into the sun. After circumnavigating the lagoon we retraced our steps, this time giving the oyster bommes a wide berth. Noticing a flat, grassy looking patch behind the mangrove shrubs we headed in for lunch making landfall at 12.50pm
Our lunch time view. Among more general stuff, lots of chat about the upcoming by-election and the End of Times, Pentacostal nutter, that is our PM's announcement of spending billions to arm us for war!! Oh - and nothing for climate change that is a bigger threat :( :( We have to enjoy our environment while we still have one!
As we lunched a Sea Eagle circled over head and checked us out then landed high in a tree opposite to watch us eat.
We took to the water again at 1.35 - one of us having a senior moment and not considering the exit through the mangroves before getting back into their boat!!!!! Luckily it was our lightest paddler and a bit of manhandling soon had her pointed in the right direction.
Just floating and listening to a euphony of birdsong coming from the bush. We weren't the only ones enjoying this beautiful winter's day.
Paddling through the lake.
Once back out into the river we paddled down the southern shoreline and then by a variety of methods got our boats across the wide shallow sandy section to the deeper, but bomme ridden northern side of the river to complete our journey to the now closed mouth of the Murrah.
Some of the underwater hazards to be negotiated.
At the now closed mouth, L attempts to wrestle his new sail into submission;
We spent 10 minutes or so alternately admiring the scenery and
with much mirth, watching L subdue his sail
before beginning our return journey up the river
Lots of shags, of various types, on rocks
Once we had picked our way through and over the oyster bomme field
whilst L loosed his sail to do its stuff. Doesn't he looked chuffed.
The breeze picked up a little and filled the sail
and then it stopped!
When it made its reappearance the gentle and now warm breeze had swung around to lightly brush our faces and that was the end of sailing. We poddled slowly back up the river enjoying the afternoon sun and the surrounding environs.
On the home stretch.
Verdict: A superb afternoon on the water
Trip Notes:
River Mouth currently closed
Put In/Take Out: Murrah River Bridge
10.45kms
a very leisurely 3hrs 50mins
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