Friday 24 November 2017 Nelson's Lagoon

Earlier in the week we received a txt from V suggesting a paddle on Friday; a couple of days later another txt arrived suggesting lunch at the newly re-opened Tathra Pub. So L decided a morning paddle at Nelson's Lagoon would fit the bill.

We arranged to meet at the car park at 9.30am. S, of S'nL said he might join us (and with this particular branch of the family 'might' really is a 'might), so it was a pleasant surprise to see not only S arrive, but L as well.

The 300 metre path and drop down to the water proved more of a challenge than we'd anticipated, but eventually we got all the boats down - a special thanks is due to the person who invented kayak wheels! At 9.53 we were nearly ready

At 10.00am we were launching onto this stunning waterway. El Capitano's plan for today had been a short paddle followed by a session of learning how, if possible, to re enter our kayaks from deep water.
However, upon launching it was discovered the water was unexpectedly cold, down to 14oc, according to L of S'nL, due to the recent spate of cold winds. So the second part of the plan was summarily abandoned - much to the relief of the CKC. And L and S'nL, being relieved of their upcoming coaching and retrieval session, could just enjoy the paddle.

The tide was wooshing in and we had to keep paddling, else we started floating backward

S, of S'nL waiting patiently in his sleek speed machine for us laggards in our sit-on-tops to catch up

I can't think of enough superlatives to describe the water and surrounds

L, of S'nL on her paddleboard

Sublime

The L's checking the entrance (while S, or S'nL was already out, surfing the waves)

Was it a flood or a very high tide that deposited this log here?

Here come the rest of the crew

And there goes S and R out the entrance! with those in the sleek machines, looking on

Heading back down the Lagoon, being whizzed along by the incoming tide

Insert your own 'superlative'

G, pedalling

V, scouting ahead to see if we can get through

And yes we could if we stuck close to the edge

Soon after, S'nL left us to return to their chores and we rafted and let the tide take us for awhile waiting for G to join us and when he didn't we decided to head back.

The return paddle wasn't as arduous as anticipated and we made good time.  By the time we had lugged the boats up the steps and back along the path it was noon and the unfit half of the CKC were pooped.  Once packed up and changed we headed eagerly to the Tathra Pub - beautifully renovated, unfortunately the food was somewhat disappointing.

Thursday 16 November 2017 Conjola Creek

Over breaky this morning it was decided our last paddle for this outing would once more, due to the strong winds, need to be on sheltered water. Conjola Creek at the head of Conjola Lake was our agreed target. Having checked out of the pub we headed south to Fisherman's Paradise on the banks of the Conjola Creek.

We hit the water at 11.25am

and we soon heading downstream, L having cajoled us into trying the lake

At the entrance to the lake and with the rising wind conditions apparent, more cajoling was required and V sided with L

Just to the next point, she said and off we go.

By the time I got around the point the slappers were already retracing their steps with L, looking a little crestfallen, trailing behind. Heading back toward the creek entrance. The ruddered boats had to take a wide detour here to avoid the shallows emanating from the creek.

Back on the creek, life was much more peaceful and the overcast sky made for pleasant paddling conditions.

S, having forsaken her slapper today was giving Dani a go

G & R trying to break the speed limit

L, cruising in his new PFD

We pulled back into our start point for a break and hadn't even got all the boats off the water when a car arrived pulling a boat trailer appeared and the occupants looked non too pleased to see us filling up the boat ramp. So morning tea was hurriedly reloaded, G's boat carried out of the way (G deciding not to continue with the paddle) and we launched again with not even a thank you, or any acknowledgement for that matter, from the speed boat people.

Continuing upstream, after being so rudely interrupted, we passed numerous jettys

About 10 past 11 we reached a fork in the creek and decided to take the right hand path because we could see this bridge in the distance.

Going under the bridge we paddled through an unpleasant pong

As we paddled beyond the bridge

V called out and we turned our boats and found the reason for the smell

Dairy cows on their way to the milking shed

As we had time constraints we reluctantly decided to head back.

While we waited for the herd to clear the bridge L gave R a paddling lesson and S&V tried unsuccessfully to find somewhere to land in order to swap boats. L suggested we raft up so they could swap whilst afloat. It took some convincing before we were willing to give it a try.

So lined up left to right was S, me, L, V and R with R holding in tight to V's boat, L holding tight to V's boat and my boat,  and me holding tight to L's and S's boats.
Firstly, V got out of her boat and sat in front of L's cockpit; then S (being S) stood up and walked across and sat in V's boat.
Once S was settled and hanging onto L's boat, R paddled round  and used her newly learnt paddling technique to side glide up to what was S's boat and hold it tight. Then V stood up and shuffled across my boat and into Dani.  Job done and not even a toe got wet. Needless to say, we were very pleased with ourselves.

Feeling smug, we paddled back under the bridge

Somewhere along the line S had managed to wrest V's paddle from her to give it a try.

Approaching the end of the paddle and we've all slowed down. We are always reluctant to end a good paddle. The slappers and Dani in their unfortunate camouflage colours.

And Precious, looking gorgeous in red

Oh bugger, here comes that effing speed boat back. Clearing the boats at 2.10pm

After we had packed up and loaded the boats we sat at the picnic table for a debrief of our three paddles and decided to, whilst we were so close, don't you know, to head down to Lake Conjola and the entrance for a quick squiz at a possible future paddle combination along with Narrawallee Inlet.

Trip Notes
Put In/Take Out: Fishermans Paradise Boat Ramp
7kms
2hrs 45mins

Wednesday 15 November 2017 Wandandian Creek

Wednesday dawned and Jervis Bay resembled a mill pond.

 First on the agenda, after breakfast, was boat trialing on the Bay.V, S, & R were trying 3 different sit in kayaks. G, L & I found ourselves a spot in the shade to take it all in. The first trial with V&S was undertaken in perfect conditions. Then the wind hit like a small freight train and the rest of the trials were unfortunately just that, a trial - to stay upright and vaguely in control of the boat, so not a fair testing at all. So with no conclusions reached beyond 'thank god that's over' and after all of us spending a considerable amount of money in the kayak shop (other than V, the organiser of this little jaunt) we repaired to the coffee shop to plan today's paddle.

In looking for sheltered water, it was decided to do a one way paddle across the top of St George's Basin and head up Wandandian Creek.

After the drive to Basin View boat ramp we unloaded the boats and did the car shuffle to Bewong. Upon our return we found that V&R had managed to get all but G and L's boats down to the water. So with only G's boat and Precious to be carried down we were soon taking to the water at 2.30pm in what turned out to be a sheltered part of St George's Basin. There are three entrances to Wandandian Creek from St George's Basin and we aimed for the right hand entrance.

Having paddled, wallowed and surfed across the head of St George's Basin we reached calmer water
and I was able to reach for the camera

Here come the others. The houses are where we launched

With M & V having run aground the others took a wide berth around the entrance to the creek

Only to run aground themselves close to where V had given up trying to refloat and was hauling her boat across the shallows

After hauling our boats over the soft mud and with the wind trying to snatch out boats away we made it onto the creek.

Getting out breath back

But it was worth the effort

Once out of the wind it was oppressively warm and any shade was sort whilst waiting to confab our which route to take next

It was decided to hang a leftie and then a right and head up into Tullarwalla Lagoon. However once we turned right we felt the full force of the wind once more and it was decided to retrace our route and continue up Wandandian Creek.

Back on the creek with much more civilised conditions and clear water.

G coming in for a 15min break

Continuing on I hug the shade

While the others are still in the sun

Tree trunks along the bank. Much of the Creeks northern bank is protected by Corramy Regional Park and contains two endangered ecological communities: River-flat Eucalypt floodplain forest and Swamp Oak floodplain forest.

Alternate route around an island

Everyone is seeking the shade now

L making a graceful and cooling exit from Precious at the end of our journey

Waiting for space at Bewong Boat Ramp

One (and probably more) good thing came out of today's boat testing. After testing unknown and less stable sit-ins in unfavourable conditions, the slappers found, with some determined paddling, the choppy and windy crossing of St George's basin a breeze.

Trip Notes
Put In: Basin View Boat Ramp
Take Out: Bewong Boat Ramp, Bottle Brush Avenue
7kms
3hrs 30mins