Our last chance for a paddle before Christmas coincided with a king tide of 2.00m, a sunny forecast and not much wind. So we set off from home with a keen sense of anticipation at 7.30am.
By 8.16 all boats were on the water and we headed up the lake in perfect paddling conditions.
After crossing the lake our route took us up the creek where we encounted swirling schools of fish, prawns flicking across the surface of the water, this juvenile Sea Eagle and
further up, in shallow water, a large skate or stingray.
Having reached the bridge we turned around and paddled back a short distance and pulled in for morning tea at 9.25am.
Taking to the water again at 10.00am we retraced our route. Once out of the creek we encountered a light breeze and paddled down the lake. Past the oyster shed we caught up with the outgoing tide and floated downstream to the last point before the entrance where we pulled in for lunch.
Getting out of our boats at 11.30am we disturbed another Sea Eagle, probably a parent of the juvenile one we saw up the creek. Whilst loitering on the beach as L flew his drone some cheeky person rudely graffitied my boat!
Noticing the water level had dropped by a good 30cm as we lunched, we packed up and set off at 12.20 for what we thought would be an arduous paddle back up the lake against the outgoing tide. However by sticking as close to the shore as possible we found the going not bad and the further we went the more the current eased.
Reaching the Oyster sheds at 1.10pm we found an Oyster Catcher busy feeding at the ramp. Usually quite shy, this one seemed reluctant to leave the scene, only flying off as our kayaks beached on the sand. Mentally refreshed we were all now ready to face the rigours of Christmas :)
Here is the GoPro and Drone footage of today's paddle.
The entrance closed last Thursday night locking in enough water to enable us to paddle up the straight.While not ideal paddling conditions we were keen to explore our local waterway once more.
Setting off at 12.45pm we first had to plough our way through a thick blanket of algae/weed.
Thankfully it wasn't very wide and we could then weave our way through the remainder.
Loads of schools of litte fish darting past kept us entertained as we paddled up the straight.
The water level at the bridge was too shallow for us to pass under so we turned and
up the lake. Near the entrance to the creek we disturbed a huge flock of swans. I lost count at 40 as they began to take off. With the wind blowing my boat around I only managed to capture the leaders as they took flight.
Heading up the creek we disturbed another flock.
Decision time - up the creek or into the backwater?
Up the creek won out. Passing countless schoals of different little fish we oohed and aahed our way up the creek until we came upon this lone swan. It had a terrible crushed looking kink in its neck and could not fly. Endeavouring to cause it no more stress we pulled into the bank and huddled quietly together to give it room to swim past.
Once the swan had disappeared from view we paddled on and soon, as the water shallowed, were keeping a sharp eye out for fish and underwater hazards. The low water level preventing us from reaching our usual pull out spot, we stopped at this pleasant little pebble beach for what turned out to be a 45minute quick leg stretch! Here up the creek we were sheltered from the wind, it was warm and there was lots to talk about.
Barely back on the water and the oohing and aahing began again.
In this instance it was two large skates, never seen before this far up the creek.
Whilst trying to get a pic of the second skate my camera battery died. And there is no GoPro footage as we discovered the GoPro, mounted on the front of L's boat refuses to obey voice commands when it is windy.
Paddling back down the creek there was just enough water to detour into the backwater, beautiful as usual.
At the big bend we left the sheltered water behind and turned into the headwind and it was time to paddle in earnest. Gaining a brief respite behind the island at the mouth of the creek, we eased off for a few minutes and then it was back to head down, steady paddling until we turned back down the straight where we poddled along and let the wind do most of the work. Once back in Little Cuttagee we were sheltered again and poddling and chatting resumed until we reached our pull out around 3.50pm
It has been so long since we paddled - 6 weeks for us, longer for S&V. Desperate for a paddle we ignored the wind forecast and met up at the Murrah Bridge at 20 past 10 to find two tinnie trailers and another vehicle already there. The Murrah is becoming a favourite spot, both for tinnies and kayakers. Unfortunately, with some people being inconsiderate morons, that means finding the place festooned with toilet paper. We have found the odd beer bottle or can before but this is a first for toilet paper. Very sad.
As we got ready to launch (an hour and 20mins before high tide at the entrance) we were happy to see there was enough water to float us downstream.
Setting off at 10.45am, my suggestion to paddle upstream being ignored, we headed downriver. With the sun shining, schools of fish darting hither and thither, and in this top section, being sheltered from the wind, it was an absolute delight to be out on the water.
Even the headwind, further down the river, didn't deter our enjoyment. Passing the little beach that was to be our lunch destination an Eastern Reef Egret (I think) flew past. With the incoming tide making the water swirl there were a couple of ooh aah moments threading our way through the oyster covered rocks.
At the entrance we spent a fun 30 minutes or so, playing in the broiling water, and under L's guidance, endeavouring to improve our paddling skills after which we headed back to the sheltered beach, reaching it at 12.15pm. There we lingered for a little over an hour enjoying the view, lunch and each others company.
Setting off again L directed us back across the lagoon into the full force of the now tail wind and he popped up his sail. At the lower entrance to the back lagoon we left L to his sailing on the river and headed into the lagoon. As we paddled up the sheltered water of the lagoon a sea eagle flew low overhead dangling a large fish from its talons, such a wonderous sight to behold all chatter ceased and I forgot to turn on the GoPro.
We found L, with sail packed away, sheltering in the upper entrance to the lagoon awaiting our return to the river. For once the wind remained in our favour and we had an easy paddle back to the bridge. Paddling the last section on slack water we reached the bridge at 2.10pm to find the water level considerably higher than we set out; and where, sadly, once again my suggestion of venturing upstream was ignored by all. I've put comparison pics of the water levels after the video.
Feeling a little knackered, but with minds and souls restored we packed up and headed home.
We were both half-hearted about a paddle today. However the thought of a 1.8m high tide and some water coming down the river from the recent rains spurred us into action. And oh boy, we were pleased we made the effort.
After an encounter with a Bull Terrier, once a favourite breed of ours, we set off just after 11.00am. The high water allowed for a deep penetration and exploration into and over the wetlands before returning to the main flow by paddling over the top of the beach that normally seperates the wetlands from the river.
Weaving through mangroves and paddling over areas usually too shallow we made our way up the river and turned into Jaggers Bay. Here too, the high water allowed us to spend a delightful hour investigating all the bays and little backwaters hidden behind the mangroves.
At 12.30pm we stopped for lunch at the bottom of the old track used by timber cutters. You will see in the video old timbers laid at right angles to the shore. The story goes that the logs were hauled down the track and then rolled down the timbers into deeper water where the they were then gathered and floated down to the mill in Bermagui.
Launching again at 1.30pm we completed the circumnavigation of Jaggers Bay and cut across the river and paddled our way down the northern side of the river. Rounding the last bend before the bridge we felt the full effect of the headwind and paddled the last 300metres or so over choppy water, reaching our pullout point at 2.20pm.
Before we go; yesterday, during a long overdue draw clean out I discovered this old photo which hints to the reason Bull Terriers have a soft spot in our hearts.
A 'Bullits' preferred bed is.......... their man mattress :)
According to the weather forecast today would be the last chance for a paddle for at least another week. So with the tide against us - 5.53am 1.2m, going down to a low of 0.8m at 11.07am - we opted for a mooch around on Wallaga Lake.
The water was glassy when we arrived at our launch site, however
by 10.15am when we launched the breeze had arrived. We set off across the lake, circumnavigating Green Bay before stopping at Snapper Point for morning tea, landing at 11.30am.
Shortly after setting off again at 12.10pm the GoPro ran out of battery. So here are a couple of pics of our venture up the, at this water level, very shallow left hand lead into Dignam's Creek. A lot of seeking and searching, grounding out, shoving, heaving and back paddling was done to make our way up the creek.
A pair of Chestnut Teal
We could hear the wind picking up and knew we would be paddling into it and so decided to turn at the top of the island and start heading back - this time down the main, deeper channel.
By the time we returned to Snapper Point (1.25pm) the wind had dropped to a breeze, the sun was shining again - it had turned into a lovely day to be out and so we stopped for lunch.
Lunch was really an excuse to spend 50mins in the company of friends, gazing upon Gulaga across the bay and watching the ever changing cloud formations around her peaks.
GoPro rebatteried we set off again at 2.15pm.
Not you lot again!
The final 400ms or so of the paddle was fun as the slight swell pushed us along, in the direction we needed to go and we quickly reached our take out point at 3.05pm
Today was our first opportunity to paddle in a while - we've been away and when we weren't the weather has been horrible. So much so, that Cuttagee, which was filling up nicely, burst open on the 8th - much to L's disappointment as he'd alleviated the tedium of our time away planning another camp out in the Tammie Norrie.
Here are a couple of pics of Cuttagee that V took on 8 October.
Looking up the fast draining lake and east
to the mouth.
And so to today's paddle. High tide at the entrance was 12.30pm (1.6m) and as there is still a reasonable flow coming down river we reasoned that we could start earlier than usual as there would be enough water to float over the shallow sections.
We arrived at 10.50am to find S&V already there and unloading their boats. We quickly followed suit,
only to dilly dally as I hunted for the GoPro head strap - a no show; so L went to attach it to the mount on his boat only to find the bolt has frozen solid more dilly dallying while he tried to remove it - without success. The upshot of all this faffing around being - the GoPro was a NoGo. Eventually we got onto the water at 11.22am and even though the tide was coming up river, the downstream flow floated us gently downriver.
A Sea Eagle soared by as we headed to the upper entrance to the back lagoon.
Once out of the downstream flow of the river we could feel and see the incoming tide flowing over the old roadway.
Oops, a grinding noise and a sudden stop proves this is not the place to cross the old road.
Somehow S made her way over, while
the rest of us found a deeper crossing.
Only the slightest of zephers in this sheltered backwater.
Crossing back over the old road proved a tad tricky. Oyster covered rocks just under the surface required keeping well to the paddler's left whilst avoiding the rocky bank that the tide was pushing one onto. We all managed it, albiet some with more grace and skill than others!
Paddling down the back channel we watched a Wedge Tailed eagle circling overhead,
Heading back onto the river.
As we approached the entrance we could plumes of white water shooting skywards as waves broke on the beach.
The sight pleasing me that I had chosen to paddle instead of going on a whale watching tour. I don't think the Kwells would have cut the mustard!
Other than the eagles, not much birdlife around today. Here a solitary Pied Oystercatcher and in the background a couple of tiny terns, too far away to identify.
Cautiously approaching the entrance. Although it was 12.58pm the tide was still coming in.
Big waves rolling in down Murrah Beach.
Someone is feeling brave today :)
After watching the waves for awhile we let the tide turn our boats and float us back into the lagoon.
We crossed back over to the southern side of the lagoon to the sheltered little beach below the campsite where we stopped to have lunch around 1.15pm. By the time we took to the water again at 2.10pm the tide had well and truly turned and near constant paddling was required.
A few minutes of relief as we went round the top of the island,
after which we paddled slowly and constantly back up to the Murrah bridge to where there was more water than when we launched. I think we finished about 3.00pm. Not having paddled for a few weeks we were all a bit pooped and creaky and so it took awhile to unpack and load the boats. It was worth the effort however. It was bliss to get back out on the water.
And because there was no video footage this week I've cobbled, very badly, together (mainly for Mike and Tim) some footage of our Spring garden babies who are all up to the stage of doing zoomies around the yard and thus keep us endlessly entertained. Unfortunately they are way to fast and erratic to catch on film and it is only when they stop for a drink or want back in for a sleep that I can film them.
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
