Thursday 25 November 2021 Bermagui River

 We had been looking forward to paddling Cuttagee again and perhaps getting a bit further up the creek. However L went into town early on Monday morning and discovered that the lake had been artificially opened very early that morning. So, sadly, no Cuttagee paddling for some time to come.

Once again this week's weather has been shit for paddling, and like the previous weeks there was a small window of opportunity this morning so L and I took a chance and hit the Bermagui River at 10.42am, to take advantage of the 12.35pm (1.6m) high tide for a quick float up the river.

The air was thick and heavy with the threat of rain.

And like wise, the water felt thick and heavy, despite the help from the incoming tide.  Even L felt it today and suggested that we weave and poddle our way through the mangroves on the inside of the oyster beds.

Turning the corner we felt the push of the tide and whooshed silently past the only other people we saw on the river.

Speaking of silent, even the birds were muted today, only the faint twittering, far off in the forest, to be heard now and again.

As we paddled the breeze picked up, gusting from every which way but that forecast. L, ever optimistic prepared his sail and got a few minutes sailing before the gust died away.

Lots of Skates to be seen today as were water spider/walker insects.

Having landed at the campground at 11.45am, we had an early lunch and by 12.40pm we returned to the water to head home.

Paddling against the incoming tide we stuck to the margins.

After rounding the corner the wind hit again so we crossed to river left and paddled down the narrow margin between the mangroves and the oyster beds. The mature Mangroves heavy with seed.

As we rounded the next corner an imperious Sea Eagle ignored our presence.

River right was the go on this next stretch

At the next corner there was no where to hide,

However, L managed to get 5 mins of sailing in before the wind fell off. Having packed up his sail he suggested a leg stretch and we pulled in to the north eastern edge of the wetlands for a 15min stop. 

Back on the water, on a now outgoing tide, L opted for more mangrove meandering during which it started to drizzle and the breeze completely died away.

Once back out on the river proper we let the tide take us down past the jetty and under the bridge, our paddle ending at 2.15pm. As we packed up the boats the drizzle turned to light rain, it got heavier as we drove home and hasn't let up since - our timing was right!

Other birds seen today: Striated Heron, a pair of Pied Oyster Catchers and a small flock of Topknot Pigeons.

9.95kms

Tuesday 16 November 2021 Kalkite up Eucumbene River Valley, Lake Jindabyne

With the lake at 89.19 % full and a suitable weather window we took the opportunity to revisit a paddle we did in January this year when the lake was at 75%, when we had all commented that this would be a beautiful paddle if the lake was higher.  And so it turned out to be, with vegetation down to the waters edge and the dry sclerophyll looking impossibly lush, the flooded river valley was a stunning place to paddle.

We set off from the Kalkite boat ramp at 9.50am under blue sky with a chilly breeze at our backs,

heading for a point just over the tip of L's boat.

A little way up the arm, sheltered from the breeze and starting to thaw, we slowed down to enjoy the surrounds.

And so we continued, across the big pool,

this time finding many places suitable for a leg stretch or lunch.

Once through the wide bit 

the valley narrowed.

Soon we were approaching the limit of January's paddle,

not far beyond this rock outcrop.

After having paddled over the rock garden that halted our progress on our previous outing we encountered willow trees, their vivid green a stark contrast to the Australian bush.

We had to weave our way through this long clump that stretch up and across the river. Now a river for we could feel a slight current.

Once through the willows another long pool.

Through the narrowing

and another long

and beautiful

pool beckoned us on.

As the current increased we knew we were reaching the end of the pool.

Soon we heard running water and sadly we 

 

reached the limit of our paddle at 11.05am.

To watch R's video press play, press full screen, press play again.

We had made it close to a kilometre further than on our previous paddle.

Having turned around we let the current float us 

back downstream,

to the narrowing where there was a perfect rest stop beside 

Bough Creek.

While we refueled we admired our birthday gifts from S&V.

The first 'obstacle we would encounter after lunch.

After 45 minutes listening to the birds and the burbling Bough Creek (and admiring our gloves) we hit the water again.

First through the 'obstacle' and closely following narrow section L & R watched while I ''found' all the submerged rocks and then

they both sailed through with their boats unscathed.

We retraced our steps, soaking up the scenery.

L&R found an easy route back through the long clump of willows.

A little before reaching the big wide pool we ran into a head breeze and paddled steadily on, hugging the bank and taking a few breathers along the way.  Expecting to encounter a strong breeze and choppy water when we reached the lake proper, we were surprised to find the breeze much lighter and the paddling a lot easier.  We guessed the breeze was being funneled up the valley. 

By 1.35pm our splendid paddle was over and it was time to pack up the boats and head home.

Trip Notes:

Put In/Take Out:  Kalkite boat ramp (2-3kms beyond the village)

Lake Level: 89.32%

11.36km

3hours 45mins

Sunday 14 November 2021 Cuttagee Lake and Creek

 Due to other commitments and otherwise rainy, windy or both, weather we haven't paddled for a few weeks so we were keen to take advantage of today's small break in the weather.  With all the rain the water level has risen considerably and when we reached the lake we found the track under water and had to launch through the trees.

By 8.20am we were on the water and meeting up with S&V.

Crossing Little Lake we espied a pair of swans with two cygnets. Whilst one swan went ahead of us up the straight the other led the cygnets to safety deep in the flooded tea tree forest.

We had beautiful glassy water for the first half of the paddle and

the reflections were mesmerising.

These branches usually mark the edge of the shoreline.

A new bay to explore;

if that horizontal branch wasn't there we could explore further.

Round the back of the island at the entrance of the creek we saw a group of Topknot Pigeons, according to Pizzey, an occasional  Spring/Summer visitor to the area.  A first sighting for us.

Heading up the creek we found the silt jetty in some parts underwater.

We pushed on up the creek against a now discernible current 

and over former shallows and pebble beaches.

At 10.00am we were stopped by a narrowing of the creek and potential strainers so hauled out on the adjacent pebble beach for morning tea.

To watch R's video below, click play then click the full screen icon and then press play again.

Looking back downstream.

If we had carried the boats over the beach we could have continued our way upstream. However, conscious of the rising wind forecast and our luncheon date - K&A had kindly invited us to lunch after our paddle, at 10.30am we decided to head back.

L helped each of us eddy out into flow and he was left to manoeuvre his 17' boat all on his own.

L joins the 'gels' who had rafted  in an eddy downstream to await our arrival. 

That bit of excitement over, we paddled on downstream.

L and me in an eddy watching the others

 

go by

The last time we paddled up the creek we had to do a 3 or 4 point turn to get past this rock outcrop and we only got another 50-100metres upstream.

  

Besides stopping to talk to Anne who was down checking the depth of her ford - way too deep at the present - we made good time back to the big bend.

                                        

Paddling down the big straight R & I floated over the silt jetty into the ephemeral lagoon on river right

and L took a route over part of the submerged silt jetty on river left out into the main lake. After meeting up again and with a stiffish breeze at our backs L asked for his sail only to find he hadn't put it back in my boat - the one and only time we've ever had a back breeze for the return paddle on Cuttagee!

Back up toward the bridge we encountered a number of Paddle boards and kayaks and were grateful we'd had the magic of the creek to ourselves.  Once back in Little Cuttagee we were sheltered from the wind and reached out launch site just after 12.00. 

After packing up and loading the boats we headed back up the hill and after a quick stop at home we all met up again at  K&A's who had pizza and salad waiting for us, followed by G's berry fruit salad and Toblerone . Bliss .  A perfect end to a lovely day.

11.2kms

3hrs 40 mins.