Monday 18 April 2022 Bermagui River

 Just the three of us again, taking advantage of this spate of good weather. We set off at 9.20am overlooked by a pelican.

Paddling up river behind the oyster beds L led us into the mangroves.

At this level it took a bit of poking around to find a way through. A section would open up

and then the mangroves would close in. L took a narrow lead between two branches and slipped through. Being in a wider boat I became air bogged but managed to pull and push my way through. Suddenly I heard a few squeaks of  alarm from behind me. These quickly turned into a fluent flow of cursing - R in choosing a different route had got herself well and truly entangled - her paddle caught in branches - her boat jammed against something underneath and the top of her rudder caught by something on top. She could go neither forward or back.

After much rustling, a lot more swearing and some major gymnastics she was free and we continued on our way.

After rejoining the river we crossed to the far side and paddled up the inside of the next oyster leases,

the glassy water making for a wonderful paddle.

We last paddled the Bermi River on the 21st March; the water then feculent in the aftermath of the storms. So it was delightful to find the clarity improving and the river returning to her beautiful best.

Poddling on upstream assisted by the end of the incoming tide,

we enjoyed the plethora of reflections on offer and

the vistas ahead.

Passing the campsite we were surpised to find it empty. In fact other than a tinny at the start we had only passed two pair of kayakers. We had the river pretty much to ourselves - remarkable given it was Easter Monday.

Still feeling energetic we gave the campground a miss and paddled on reaching the Coolagolite confluence at 10.55am. Setting up on the little beach we had morning tea which morphed into an early lunch as we waited for the tide to turn.

Reflections across the river.

 By 11.45 the outgoing tide was flowing strong enough to float us gently back down stream and at 11.50am we took to the water once more. 

Wafting downstream on the tide,

we did do some paddling :) and returned to civilisation to find the river a little busier and the pelicans ousted from their usual spot across the river. 

 However we had slipway beach to ourselves, landing at 1.15pm.  After loading our boats we drove through a town heaving with people and all thoughts of gelati were quickly squashed. Instead we opted for a coffee on R's covid safe terrace, high above the throng.  

High tide entrance: 9.21am 1.6m

14kms