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.
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