Tuesday 14 November 2017 Berrara Creek

As some of the CKC had made a date to trial some kayaks at Huskisson we decided to make an outing of it and sojourn in Huskisson for a couple of nights and do a few northern paddles. Our first paddle was on our trip up and we met at the Berrara Boat ramp at 1.00pm.

After unloading the boats and kitting ourselves out we took to the water around 1.40pm

Paddling upstream we had to contend with a bit of wind, as we did on all three paddles.

Berrara Creek has a varied and interesting shoreline

With nice looking water

A big old tree, come to grief, beside which we took a break on our return.

The Slappers, looking picturesque

After negotiating a rock garden, and ruining the peace for a pair of young lovers,  we reached the end of the road. This last pool was alive with different types of fish - there was even a garfish amongst the multitude.

After some more rock dodging to exit the pool we made our way back downstream and pulled in beside the big stump for a leg stretch

As we were taking to the water again, L decided it would be a good time for me to try entering/mounting my kayak from the water with the aid of a strap that went around L's cockpit and across Bluey which was to be used as a stirrup, all the while promising me I would only get wet from the knees down. Why do I believe this guy?

To cut an extremely undignified sight short and after getting wet to the waist,  I did achieve the desired result and discovered my quick dry undies aren't. However it remains to be seen if I can do it while treading water.  In spite of repeated offers no-one else was prepared to take up the challenge. (Their day will come :) )

Shortly after setting off again this bird of prey checked us out and followed downstream for some distance.

He/she is till checking us out

We re-passed some interesting rock formations

And under this ledge espied

A kingfisher, watching for prey so intently it took no notice of the paddlers passing by

The first of our 'Huskisson' paddles (and the loveliest) finished sometime after 4.00pm (I think) and we loaded the boats using our locks for the first time and headed to the pub at Huskisson which was to be our base for the next two days.

Trip Notes:
Put In/Take Out: Berrara Boat Ramp
6kms
2hrs 30min ish

Saturday 11 November 2017 Cuttagee Lake

Earlish start this morning to avoid the wind. Starters for today were the usual suspects minus R who was participating in her other water based activity. By 10 past 7 we had all the boats unloaded

As usual V was the first to take to the water

 By 7.15am we were all afloat

The water level was a little higher after the 80mm+ rainfall earlier in the week and the water was surprisingly clear

G pumping those legs and zooming along

Ooh Aah look at V's new paddle - some of us have paddle envy

And look at her pull away!

Heading toward the entrance to Clearwater's ephemeral lagoon -

now brimming and beautiful

 Swans, if you can see them

Old fence post

L going for a reverse landing

We had a very pleasant  1/2 hour stop

before taking to our boats again for the return paddle. The slappers lining up to negotiate the old fence line.

On the paddle back we passed two kayak fisherman. One of the men had the same boat as G, so naturally they fell to talking. I paddled over to say hello and it turns out they were the same fellas
that were chased off  Ngairin last Wednesday. Being a fellow paddler I had some sympathy, sometimes it is extremely hard to find access to some of our waterways. We then had quite a paddle/pedal to catch up with the others who had being waiting patiently/impatiently? up near the end of the peninsular.
Rounding the peninsular and turning down the straight to Little Cuttagee

Nearly home

We were off the water just after 10.30am, G pulling up in good shape after his first longish paddle since taking to the water again.

Trip notes
7.4kms
3 1/4 hours

Saturday 4 November 2017 Wonboyn Lake

While not strictly a CKC paddle, it could have been if the rest of the committee didn't have better things to do - granddog sitting and a music festival - have you ever heard such silly excuses! However they were there in spirit as S&V had lent their slappers to the Greencape contingent so we could all paddle.

Thanks to Angela, a friend June's, we were able to launch from Wonboyn House, a beautiful place with a long and interesting history, which cut over two km's of lake paddling - a blessing on this windy day.

At 7.50am getting ready for the big adventure. With boat allocation done we are nearly ready to launch.

 D'd and me, in Big Red, according to plan, are the last to take to the water. However, as nearly always, L's safety plan goes down in flames, as GT, a novice paddler, lives up to his initials and takes off like a scalded cat with L having to chase him down once we are all safely launched into the choppy water.

With lots of wind assistance, Dd's & I mooch along in the rear, here keeping an eye on G in S's slapper

GT, caught up with at last

P, in Dani. Whilst a bit hesitant on the outward paddle, by the time we were on the homeward leg, P had found his old sea legs and paddling arms and had Dani flying along into the stiff headwind

The flotilla, with El Capitano, more or less in control

KT in V's slapper
\

A short relief from the wind as we navigate a bend

At least it was a tail wind

With some of the novice paddlers feeling the strain, we stopped for a tea break just after 9.00am

With the wind speed increasing, and knowing we would have a headwind on the way back it was decided to cut our paddle short and head for home.  For the return leg, G came with me in Big Red and D'd took V's slapper

Once we got into the wind proper, we clung to the shore as much as possible.

No pics of the intervening half hour - once we got around the corner in the far distance in the pic above we faced the biggest swells I've ever paddled through. Couldn't stop paddling, if you did, you were immediately blown sideways and backwards. One wave came over the back side of Big Red and dumped right into my lap (no rude thoughts about my weight, thankyou)!

At last, the end is in sight.

KT and GT coming into land

Around 10.30am we were all off the water and unpacked and loaded the boats and retreated to the deck of Wonboyn House for a well deserved and yummy picnic lunch

As you can see from the map, there is a lot more exploring to do at Lake Wonboyn. A stay at Wonboyn lake retreat is being planned for late summer/early autumn next year. If we haven't put KT and GT off kayaking, they might join us :)
Many thanks to Angela for allowing us; and to KT for arranging for us, to launch our kayaks from Wonboyn House, a very special place on the South Coast.

A farewell wave from a Greencape passerby

Trip Notes
Put In/Take Out: Wonboyn House
5.3kms
2 1/2 hours