Having checked out the Tuross River on Wednesday and noting the flow (1.97metres at Eurobodalla) we decided to repeat our paddle of the 6 September. We set off Friday morning and after collecting R we left Bermagui about 7.15am and headed north. We arrived at Coomerang Forest Rd Bridge to find S&V already there. After unloading the boats and gear L&S left to do the car shuffle and R,V and I got the boats and gear down to the water.
At 8.45am we took to the water, now reading 1.86metres at Eurobodalla
and we were soon on our way, the river sweeping us gently along.
In no time at all we were passing the sandbank we eyed off for morning tea on our last trip.
Poddling along we caught up on each others news
Haven't managed a decent reflection for some time
Approaching the first island, at this water level two islands so we had three channels to chose from. We took the one river left and met no hazards.
Approaching the second island we found this timely reminder regarding the danger of getting hooked on obstacles! I had had a quick chat to a woman back upstream who told me that during the recent rains (while we were at Green Cape) 12 inches had fallen in the headwaters of the Tuross and the river had flooded for the 3rd, or is it 4th time this year.
Once again we chose the left side channel, the sandy island looked inviting for a leg stretch, however when I pulled into an eddy and tested the footing with my paddle, the blade disappeared completely into the sand with the lightest of pressures.
Continuing on we passed the odd hazard
Looking back upstream
A Sea Eagle flying low over the water just in front of us - oh where is S's camera when you need it - back at home on the charger of course!
A slight, but welcome breeze had sprung up.
About 9.50am we stopped for morning tea, grateful for some shade.While we embibed we discussed some of the latest political revelations - the 'family values' espousing, staffer shagging, bullying Liberal Party men, Scotty from Marketing's defence of them and Joel FitzGibbons resignation from the front bench of the Labour Party - what are the implications - good or bad?
Aware of the forecast change in the weather, we reluctantly halted our discussion and took to the water again at 10.35am
We weren't the only ones to seek the shade
We paddled on watched over by the occasional cow and
taking in the sights and sounds
At 11.20 we pulled in for lunch and
continued our discussions, expanding them, amongst other stuff to include the continuing revelations of rorting and mismanagement by the Federal Government led by our Three Word Slogan Bogan aka Scotty from Marketing. Jeez, talk about shit not sticking. So immersed were we, we failed to note the deterioration in the weather and as the rain started to fall it there was a sudden scramble to pack up the remains of our lunch, don wet weather gear and take to the water once more.
We set off at 12.12 on the last leg
As it was still warm, paddling in the light rain was quite pleasant,
but not conducive to taking pics. Fearing the rain would increase and hearing thunder in the distance we paddled steadily arriving at the boat ramp just before 1.00pm. After L's experience in September - his 'foot' prints still discernible even with a new layer of silt and mud from the recent flood, we took it in turns to disembark on the boat ramp. The rain had now stopped and by the time we were ready to load the boats, the sun was shining.
Trip Notes:
Put In: Coomerang Forest Rd Bridge
Take Out: Princes Highway Bridge
High Tide: Tuross Inlet 7.19am 1.7metre (irrelevant at this height), Snake Flat 10.19am (guess)
River Height at Eurobodalla: 1.86 metres
12.5 kilometres
