Sunday 28 August 2022 Cuttagee : a further 500m up the Creek

 Despite the forecast wind it was a late start - one household wanting to catch up on Stage 8 of the Vuelta and the other to watch The Insiders. So, it wasn't until 10.30am that we made it onto the water just as the breeze was starting to pick up on an otherwise warm winter's day.

As we set off we could see a boat way off in the distance, too far to hail, we realised it was A also taking advantage of the balmy weather.

As you will see in the video the breeze strengthened as we turned into the main lake and not long after L deployed his sail and yet again the breeze immediately died away. Leaving him to wrestle with the sail, the rest of us paddled on and  turned into Woolybutts Bay. L & A crossed paths at the mouth of the cove and stopped for a chat while we circumnavigated the bay.

Collecting L, we kept to the northern shore, exploring the next couple of bays before turning to cross the lake and head back up into the mouth of the creek.  Once again, L deployed the sail, this time with a little more luck - the wind held while he was blown across the lake and a short way up the creek.  It must have been his longest sail so far - all of 600m or so!

At the entrance to the Backwater we could see the water level had risen a little more and a subtle air of excitement wafted over the water - would we get further up the creek?

After the delight of seeing a couple of schools of fish dart between the boats and following a pair of kingsfishers up the creek we reached the limit of our last paddle and found we could paddle up to the Backwater ford. Then with a bit of hither and thither on the part of the lightweights and some heaving and shoving on the part of the heavyweights we were over the ford and with a little more hither and thither we were through onto deeper water. 

In all we made it another 500m further than the last paddle before coming across a branch blocking the creek (just beyond the blue kayak in the pic below).

We did briefly contemplate dragging our boats across, but it was 12.30pm, some of us were hungry and the pebbly beach looked most inviting. Here comes L - being in his composite kayak he had to be way more gentle with the heaving and shoving required to cross the ford.

So here were lingered, contentedly - for an hour and more we forgot all that was wrong in the world.

Upstream of the branch - promising further delights on our next Cuttagee paddle.

Starting to think about leaving, yet still lots to talk about.

We eventually dragged ourselves back onto the water at 1.40pm. Our return journey is covered in the video. Speaking of which; apologies there are a couple of  "oh f....s" in the footage - blame it on the fish. The first is me when a fish jumped out of the water between the kayak and the very close shoreline giving me a fright and the second when we saw the second school of fish which I hope you can spot in the video footage. As regular readers will know, with the frequent depredation of the lake by the commercial fisherman with his nets, fish spotting is now a rare and therefore exciting occurrence.

With only 100m or so left to paddle we had a last delight of another wedge of swans flying by and the jump of a lonely fish before ending our paddle at 2.50pm.

Trip Notes:

12.25kms

4hrs 20mins

Monday 22 August 2022 Brou Lake

 It was another sublime winter's day down here on the Far South Coast so L&I decided upon an outing to Brou Lake, a lake we have paddled only once previously.

Once we had lurched and bumped our way down the last 1 1/2 km of rain damaged track we reached the the put in and found we had the lake and its tranquil glassy water to ourselves. Bliss 

By 10.50am we were on the water and heading toward the currently closed entrance.  Once there we paused for a bit to send up the drone. Sadly the footage from this flight was lost. Stopping for lunch at 12.00 on the north side of the lake L send the drone aloft again.

Launching again at 1.00pm we continued along the shoreline. Brou Lake, unlike some other lakes, has a varied shoreline and to the accompaniment of varied birdsong there is always something to capture one's attention. (If you turn up the volume before playing the video you can here a little of  the birdsong we heard)

It was quite warm out on the water and here I seek the shade to wait for L to finish with the drone.

After crossing back to the southern shore we picked our way around the end of the silt jetty at the mouth of Whittaker's Creek.

Heading back to the launch site, the slight breeze that had sprung up during our journey, by now having dissapated. Thus we ended our paddle as we'd begun on beguiling glassy water.

Sadly our dalliance with nature ended at 2.25pm and all the remained was to pack up and return to reality.

And now for L's master production

Trip Notes:

Put In/Take Out: Off Brou Lake Road

Lake: Currently closed, low water level

7.95kms

Wednesday 17 August 2022 Mogareeka to Blackfellows Lagoon

 

No, don't get excited - we didn't encounter dolphins and whales in Mogareeka inlet. Some of the CKC along with a whole mob of L's extended family went on a whale watching tour aboard Bubbles last Saturday and the above pics are a sample of what I saw courtesy of the onboard photographers.

Onto kayaking.....  

(Somehow, unbeknownst to me, the GoPro took this photo as we were paddling upriver.)

..... on what turned out to be a glorious winter's day.

Only three of us were available to paddle on Wednesday and as the southern migration of the Humpbacks has begun, a cunning plan was devised.....  A one way paddle with the incoming tide; G to drive down later and pick up the car and trailer from Mogareeka, drive round to Blackfellows ramp to collect us at 12.45 and then to the Tathra pub for a spot of whale watching while we had lunch on the deck.

We launched at the inlet about 10.20am, 2 and a bit hours before high tide and paddled over toward the entrance before turning and heading upriver.

We stopped for morning tea around 11.50am. With the latest Morrison revelations - Appointing himself SECRETLY - to five additional ministries - there was much to discuss and analyse. Was it sinister Democracy threatening, Theocracy enabling power grab? It seems to me to be the only logical reason. 

Time got away from us and unfortunately, being GoPro novices we forgot to change the battery as realising the time we relaunched in a hurry. We had only left ourselves 20 minutes to cover the last 2.3kms. The battery ran just after setting off and there was only time for this pic of the stretch behind the island leading to the entrance to Blackfellows Lagoon, before we settled down to paddle steadily to try and reach the boat ramp at the arranged time.

We made it - 10 minutes late - to find G patiently or impatiently (no-one dared ask) waiting for us. With G to help us we loaded the boats in record time and after a quick change of clothes we headed back to Tathra and the pub.  There followed a long and enjoyable lunch, sadly the whales didn't oblige, only one blow in the bay seen by G. After which a quick stop at Mogareeka to collect G's car and our delightful day was done.

Trip Notes:

High Tide at entrance: 12.28pm 1.52m

Put In: Mogareeka

Take Out: Blackfellows Lagoon Boat Ramp

8.34kms

Saturday 6 August 2022 Wallaga Lake

 Old buddies from Victoria were staying with us for a couple of days; being keen paddlers themselves we couldn't resist showing them one of our local waterways.  After calling in to collect R's new boat for KT to use we headed to Wallaga Lake. Unfortunately in our haste no-one had checked the weather forecast and the lake was not at its sparkling best when we arrived.

Having sorted out boats and paddles we took to the water at 12.20pm

Halfway across the lake it started to drizzle but by the time we reached the seal's hangout the sun was making a comeback and our spirits lifted accordingly. 

Leaving the seals to their slumber we paddled down the Dignam's Creek Arm and pulled in at Snapper

Point to bask in the sun and soak up the view while we had a bite to eat. With more dark clouds looming, L decided we should head back and see if there was enough water to circumnagivate the island at the mouth of Narira Creek.

It was now my turn with the GoPro so it was put to use, however I forgot to engage the image stabilizer so the result is a bit woopsie - apologies.

With KT and G now used to strange boats we made good time on our return. At the mouth of Narira Creek the water was still quite shallow and we spread out to find a way through/around the islands. A few different routes were taken and we all met up again near the entrance to Meads Bay before heading back to the launch site.

So far the rain had held off, however as we landed it started to bucket down and by the time we had the boats loaded and gear stowed we were sodden. Then just as suddenly as it started the rain stopped and we were able to change into whatever dry gear we had. With the heater on we were soon toastie, so much so that KT suggested icecream and back in Bermagui shouted Bermi's famous gelato all round - yum. 

So while not a perfect Far South Coast winter's day the paddle had the desired effect and KT and G have vowed to return with their boats to sample more of our area's kayaking delights. :) :)

8.5kms

Sunday 24 July 2022 Cuttagee

 We headed out for a quick paddle however it turned into a pearler of a day and we lingered much longer than originally planned soaking up the sunshine, chatting, enjoying the birdlife and lots more chatting.

As we hit the water at 10.40am we espied A taking off down the lake, a quick shout out and he turned around and joined us.

No video today, the editor has gone on strike!

Halfway down the main lake A left us - his primary goal was excercise and we were going far too slow.

At the mouth of the creek there was a brief discussion on where to go - as is nearly always the case a venture up the creek won out. The water level has risen a couple of inches and with careful navigation we made it a little further to one of regular break sites.

After spending a delightful hour or so loitering on the pebbly beach we returned to the water, on the look out for fish and other wildlife and we poddled back the way we had come.

Diverging into the back water, 

which was looking its best, and

waking up this large male kanga as I paddled past.

Upon our return to the lake, we could see a couple of kayak fisherman across the lake and with their progress one way and ours the other flocks of swans were flying, landing and launching every which way.

The paddle ended at 2.30, we'd spent 2 hours longer out on the water than planned such were the delights of the day.

Trip notes:  see previous entries.

Friday 15 July 2022 The Murrah

Weather Willy had high tide at the mouth today listed as 1.4ms at 9.44am.  However when we arrived at Murrah Bridge about 9.00am the water level was too low to start the paddle and there was no sign that the water level at the bridge was rising.  Hmm, somewhat perplexing. We retreated to Cuttagee beach and admired the view for 20minutes or so before returning to the Murrah to try to launch once more. 

By the time we got onto the water at 10.10am the level was a smidgeon higher and after a bit of boat dragging

there was just enough water to float.

I was busy watching all the bird life on the river when L called 'Wedgies in the tree'.

Luckily I had to GoPro on and hopefully got some good footage.

When the first bird took off we could see it was clutching something furry. (By pressing pause in the video just after it has taken off you can see something held in one of the eagle's talons.)

In the absence of our usual paddling buddies L took the opportunity to practice flying the dreaded drone, so we poddled about, stopped lots and sent the drone aloft and hence covered little distance.  

After dragging the boats through this section we 

stopped for lunch only to discover I'd forgotten to include forks with which to eat the cous cous salad (so much for trying to eat healthily!). So it was just a muesli bar for us.  However it was lovely to sit in the warm sun and watch, and listen to, all the birds going about their business.

After lunch we slowly made our way back up the river, our paddle ending at 1.35pm.

As to the mystery of the low water level, we can only surmise, as we didn't make it down to the mouth, that the entrance is now very narrow and not much water is coming in at high tide.

L, whose editing skills are expanding rapidly has produced a short slowmo of the Wedgetailed Eagles

Ooh, I was spot on with my long moaning oohs when I hit the oyster covered rocks. My boat is now sporting several deep gouges :( :( :(

 Trip notes:

Put In/Take Out: Murrah Bridge

Tide at entrance: 9.44am 1.4m

6.53kms

Monday 11 July 2022 Wallaga Lake/Dignams Creek

Since planning the paddle the weather forecast had deteriorated somewhat and the lake was looking beautifully bleak when we arrived at 9.30am. As the kayaks were unloaded

discussion quickly turned to how many layers we each were wearing. However El Captino assured us the day would improve. We set off about 10am paddling down the lake, heading toward Snapper Point where we pulled in for a quick break.

 Heading up Dignams Creek

About 2.5km up the creek we paddled into a small backwater and found an easy access to the bank for lunch. Approx 50 mins and a boot swap later, L took over the GoPro and we took to the water to begin the return journey.

View back down the creek. The creek is a sanctuary zone and fish were rising and jumping all over the water. It was a delight to see but sadly reminded us of the ravages visited upon Cuttagee by the commercial fisherman.

Paddling down the other side of the island at the mouth of the creek.

In Dignams Bay

How's this for a Rorschach Blot

Another stop at Snapper Point whilst L flew the drone.

After which we thought we just had the slog back up the lake to our launching site. How wrong we were - the lake had another suprise in store for us - a wallowing? seal.  After observing it for awhile we paddled around the corner and saw it's pal hauled out on the rocks.

Disturbing its slumber as we drifted by it sat up, gave us the eye, 

and then, presumably perceiving no threat, flopped back down to resume his/hers former activity.

Continuing on we spied yet another seal, wallowing far out in the lake as we paddled steadily (approx 4kph) up the lake, reaching the take out at 3.15pm. From a not too promising start, the weather did indeed improve and we had another enchanting paddle on one of the lakes scattered down the 
Far South Coast.

And finally, for those who have been waiting with bated breath:

Trip Notes:

Put In/Take Out: End of Fairhaven Point Way

Lake: Open

High tide at Merriman Island: 8.21am 1.4ms

14.15kms

5hrs 15mins