Not knowing how much water was coming downstream (Gauge at Brooman: .72ms) we opted to start our paddle while the tide was still coming upriver. Accordingly we left home at 7.00am, collecting R on our way up to Shallow Crossing. Travelling north we were thankful we eventually left the dank drizzle behind us, though the day remained overcast and grey.
Upon reaching Shallow Crossing we found the water still flowing strongly upstream and we set about unloading the boats and getting ready to paddle.
It is an awkward launching spot and we took to the water one by one, the early birds
congregating for the usual catch up on the news
and by 10.20 we were away upstream, assisted by the now easing tidal flow.
L, in Precious today, waits for us to catch up.
Bank erosion caused by the floods.
Fire and flood damage, along with the grey misty day gave a rather somber feel to the paddle and it felt and looked like a completely different river.
Frequent reed beds made for awkward paddling - however the incoming tide was stronger than the downstream flow.
Cruising on upstream
Reflections abounded on the glassy water
At 10.57am and about 3/4s of the way upstream, at the next reed field we noticed the water flow was now going downstream. I presume the downstream flow was now stronger than the tide. The water was more shallow and one had to watch for rocks lurking beneath the reeds.
35 minutes later and it was L to the rescue - reaching the first little rapid, R with her bung shoulder could only make it half way up.
Joining R& L in the eddy, R & I returned back down the first section of the rapid, whilst Lawrence paddled his 16.5' boat back up the second section to join S&V and continue their paddle upstream. Meanwhile R&I found a safe, if rocky little haven just below the little rapid where we sat it out waiting for the others to finish the paddle upstream. By the time we had got ourselves out of the boats onto the slippery rocks and found somewhere to sit it was only a short while before the others returned.......
For comparison - same rapid, taken from the same spot, two years ago.
........ much sooner than expected, having paddled only a little further on to the next rapid (and tidal limit?) before turning around. I'd like to think it was out of consideration for R and me, or maybe they just piked, but if they'd got through the next rapid, a lovely long pool and new territory lay ahead of them (see map).
L led the way down the top section of the little rapid followed by S.
disappearing out of sight to negotiate the corner she reappears on the lower section.
Then it was V's turn and lastly L.
Somewhat disparaging about our choice of resting spot, they nevertheless joined us just after 11.50 for lunch
At 12.40pm we carefully took to the water once more
L, last to launch with little rapid in the back ground.
For comparison, pic from roughly the same spot, two years ago
We poddled our way back downstream
and into a light drizzle
which did nothing to hamper our enjoyment.
With the downstream flow and the outgoing tide Shallow Crossing soon hove into view
and we ended our paddle at 1.35pm. The water now cascading over the downstream edge of the crossing.
After dropping S&V at Bunnings in Bateman's Bay and the compulsory stop at Bodalla for an ice cream, we all met up again at G&R's for an early dinner comprised of various takeaways gathered by G in the afternoon - a most convivial way to end another good paddle.
Trip Notes:
River Height: Brooman Gauge .72metres
High Tide at Clyde River Bridge (Bateman's Bay): 9.03am 1.4metres
High Tide at Nelligen Bridge: 9.33am 1.4metres.
(See entry for 12 September 2018 for details of the same paddle when there was no downstream flow to speak of, but a higher tide of 1.65metres)
8.8kms
3hrs 15mins
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