Tuesday 18 May 2021 Barragoot

 Barragoot Lake which filled up over the last two rain events was our destination.  Upon our arrival at the bridge we discovered our little miscalculation. The level of the lake has risen such that we could no longer get under the bridge and the mouth was masquerading as an horizon pool.

After a little scouting around a less than salubrious entry point was chosen and we set about the tricky task of getting the boats down to the water. Launching one by one, 

we poled through the reeds to reach clear water.

Passing the bridge we checked the clearance. Definitely impassable for L and me , however S thought it worth a try upon our return.  We paddled down the lake upon glassy water.

A Sea Eagle flies over

Someone forgot their PFD!

Rounding the top of the lake we headed for Mangans Creek entrance

up which we paddled

Embarking again after a stop for morning tea,

we continued up the creek

to find the fallen tree that had barred further progress last time we did this paddle had been swept to the side in the recent floods. However we only paddled another 140 metres or so 

before discovering our way barred by a mass of packed down reeds. Not wanting to disturb the three Moorhens in residence we quietly backed off

and retraced our steps back to the lake. After exploring the next lagoon we headed back toward the bridge.

We parted company, V&S to try their luck getting under the bridge, L& me to the northern side where a track comes down to the water where the take out was much easier than where we put in. After L retrieved our vehicle we loaded the boats and returned to the bridge to find a bedraggled, but no longer dripping V who had come to grief and gone for a swim while squeezing under the bridge. 

A last look at the 'Barragoot infinity pool' before heading home.

7kms

Thursday 13 May 2021 Bermagui River

As there were only three able to paddle today, we picked up V just before 8.00am and after a quick stop at Honorbread for some delicious morning tea we headed to slipway beach to launch our kayaks.

Taking to the water at 8.45am there was still quite a nip in the air, however the sky was blue: only the colour of water reminded us of all the recent rain.  From the 4th to the 8th May we had 154mm (a little over 6 inches) and overnight of the 11th/12 we had another 42mm.  We got off lightly; during the same rain event two nights ago Bega had 150mm and Wonboyn had 250mm dumped on them.

After admiring Gulaga we set off up the river.

Once under the bridge L decided to creep along the left hand side behind the oyster leases - Perhaps not such a good idea with the water so turbid you couldn't spot the hazards however we made it through unscathed and the mangroves look worth exploring on a big high tide when the water is clear.

Further up the river we were serenaded by a pair of noisy Sea Eagles.

At long last the bush is looking healthy again 

The breeze having died away we cruised slowly on up the river admiring the reflections

just mooching along.

As we crossed the river to the campground a lone pelican took flight and treated us to a fly by.

Reaching the campground at 9.50am we disembarked onto a layer of mud and debris brought downriver by the rain.

After shedding layers we spent just shy of an hour enjoying the chat, the sun, the bird song and our morning tea - the Kardemummabullars were sublime - we set off again at 10.45am.

Heading back the way we'd come V and I had a good sighting of an Azure Kingfisher, only the third we have seen in four years of paddling.

Another pelican fly by.

Back past the Sea Eagles, still banging on.  At 11.50 we landed at Slipway beach our paddle sadly over.

Notes:

See previous entries for maps, tides etc.