Thursday 9 September 2021 Bermagui River

 Still in lockdown so no CKC paddle again this week :(  However that didn't stop L&I taking advantage of a lovely day and a favourable tide to paddle the Bermagui River.  We set off at 8.40am and let the last of the 9.48am, 1.6m high tide carry us gently up the river. Passing under the bridge we saw R and N getting ready to take to the water - great minds think alike. Giving them a wave as we paddled by we headed to the inside of the oyster beds to paddle up alongside the mangroves.

Approaching the end of the oyster beds we turned left to weave our way through the mangroves

Back out on the main river we continued to hug the shoreline

A huge skate emerged from under my boat

We just poddled along, enjoying the clear water

and taking in the scenery.

Perfecto.

Tuesday 31 August 2021 Cuttagee Lake

 Due to regional lock down restrictions the CKC has not been able to get together for a paddle for the past month. So on the first good paddling day after a couple of weeks of wet, windy and cold weather L and I took to our local water for a little exercise and to check out how much water had been pushed into the lake by the stormy seas.

Setting off at 10.20am

Paddling up Little Cuttagee trying not to disturb the swans.

Lots of colour along the formerly dead margins of the straight leading to the main lake.

After the stormy weather there is now enough water to get around the island near the bridge. The big wave weather has not only pushed a lot of water in, but has built up a sizeable sand plug that comes nearly to the bridge.

Heading up the lake,

 

we poked along the northern shoreline, noting the thick mass of algae is starting to disappear.

In the main body of the lake I passed over a large shoal (?) of jelly fish  after which I saw only the odd one.

Smoke haze from numerous burn piles on the property to the left.

At 11.15am we pulled in for what turned out to be a 45min stop as we took in the view back down the lake.

Continuing our paddle along the shoreline, L passed this lead on the right and headed back to explore.

We poked our way in causing this little kanga family to sit up and warily watch our progress. Note the young casaurinas (?) springing up to replace all the dead ones.

Reaching the end of the lead, we turned 

and retraced our steps,

back past the kangaroos and down the lead back into the lake.

Next we headed round the back of the island at the mouth of the creek thinking to have another leg stretch where we stopped on our last paddle, only to discover the site was now under water. 

It is lovely to see colour and life coming back to the forest.  

At 12.55pm we stopped for another 35mins - mainly to enjoy our outing and being back near the water. We set off again

paddling into a light head breeze.  When we turned into the straight L took the opportunity to once more try his sail. In the light breeze he sailed at a pace which made narrowboating seem like a speed sport.

At the end of the straight, with sail packed away we poddled back down Little Cuttagee with swans all around and a pair of Sea Eagles wheeling overhead - 

 A fitting end to a very pleasant paddle.

9.3kms

Tuesday 3 August 2021 Cuttagee Lake

 Cuttagee closed a couple of weeks ago, and the commercial fisherman was back in Little Cuttagee two day after the lake closed so we knew there would be enough water to get up the channel.

We met up at K&A's at 10am.   Unfortunately A, who had a sore and lumpy arm from yesterdays flu injection, was not joining us however he came down to help with the boats and see us off.  By 10.20 we were all afloat and paddled up Little Cuttagee under the watchful eye of a Sea Eagle flying overhead.

It was still quite shallow up the straight and thick with glutinous algae and weed.  K in her pedal hobie found it hard going.

Once into the main lake we headed up the lake, paddling into a much stronger head breeze than forecast.  We all thought it was worth the effort as we would get a great wind assist when we turned around. 

Just before the entrance to the creek we pulled into the side lagoon to land for morning tea out of the wind.  Having lingered for some time - there was lots to talk about; for once politics didn't dominate, that hot topic being eclipsed by the olympics (our Prime Marketeer must be thanking God for the Olympics right now).  K&L were so engrossed they failed to notice the rest of us relaunching at 12.05pm!

Those of us who heeded the call to boats

poddled round into the creek to await their arrival.  When they joined us we paddled up the long straight section relieved to get out of the wind when we reached the corner.

Now sheltered from the wind we could enjoy the scenery 

and note the changes to the creek wrought by the last flood that blew Cuttagee open.

Having reached the new pebble plug in the distance S, her spirit of adventure to the fore, got out of her boat to drag it across the barrier and continue upstream. Much to her chagrin she failed to cajole the rest of us into following suit and whilst we turned around she reluctantly re-entered her boat to trail us  down the creek.

Heading back we were looking forward to the wind assist on the way home. Rounding the big bend we were disappointed to find the wind had dropped had dropped to a mere breeze.

By the time we reached the mouth of the creek even the breeze had died away. In compensation we passed these spoonbills

and on the opposite side a lone pelican

who, along with the spoonbills,  reluctantly took flight upon our approach

Half way up the lake we were sliding along easily on glassy water.  

Having ploughed back down the algae infested straight back into Little Cuttagee we arrived back at K&A's at 1.45pm to find A there to greet us. We arrayed ourselves around their picnic table and between lots more chatter, ate our lunch and basked in the warmth of the sun.

Lake: closed

9kms

Thursday 29 July 2021 Murrah Lagoon

 Looked at the weather forecast, checked the tide times and made the plan: Meet at the bridge at 9.00am for a 9.30am start.  Arrived at the bridge to find only a trickle of water running downstream.  Mmmm; K&A arrived and we checked the tide times. Turns out I'd suffered a serious seniors moment and had looked at the wrong date for the tide times and we were 3 hours too early! 

Luckily we all only live a few minutes away and as no-one had anything else planned for the day we returned home for a few hours having decided to reschedule for 12 noon.  Lesson of the day:  Double check the date of the tide time!

Upon returning to the bridge a little before 12 we found plenty of water and K&A already there unloading their boats.

We quickly unloaded; by 10 past we were on the water and afloat, though in parts K, in a pedal boat, had to lift her flipper flapper thingies and resort to a paddle.

This time there was enough water for us to take the right hand arm 

into the south eastern section of the lagoon.

Nearing the mouth of the lagoon.

While A tried to catch wave, we pulled into the little beach opposite then entrance

and at 1.15 we were all ashore and ready for lunch.

Returning to the water 40 minutes later we began to retrace our steps paddling against the now outgoing tide.

K and L having run aground, back paddle to find deeper water - too busy nattering to scope the way ahead.

By 2.50pm we were back at the bridge and another exceedingly pleasant paddle was over.

Trip Notes:

High Tide: 12.30pm 1.4m at entrance

Start time: 12.10pm

7.5kms