Friday 6 May 2022 Pambula River

 As another beautiful autumn day was forecast we decided to paddle from the mouth up the Pambula River.  High tide at the entrance was at 11.40am (1.4m) so we planned to hit the water at 10.30am to make the most of the incoming tide.

Small waves were breaking on the beach where we planned to launch so we endeavoured to launch between sets. Assisted by L, I was first to launch, closely followed by V.  S was next and as she launched a wave broke over her bow and dumped in her lap. Keeping her head she carried on paddling straight into the swell.

Last to launch at 10.45am was L and he made it 

look easy.

After the old ladies had got over the excitement of the launch and S had got most of the water out of  her boat we

 

set off upstream disturbing numerous schools of small fish as we paddled.

The river, as usual, was

looking gorgeous.

As we turned the corner, we paddled into a light but chill breeze and we paused whilst S donned her rain jacket to cover her wet clothes.

Having no destination in mind we found ourselves paddling across the lake and up the river to the confluence of the Yowaka River. Pausing for a brief conflab we decided to paddle up the Yowaka,

weaving our way through the islands

always hunting the deeper water

until we reached the bridge.

Turning we made our way back downstream,

returning to the confluence at 12.50pm where we stopped for lunch. Sitting in the sun whilst S managed to dry out a little we watched firstly a Sea Eagle circling low overhead followed not long after by a young Wedge Tailed Eagle doing likewise. Also entertaining us was a little pied cormorant (I think) fishing in the shallows 10 metres down the beach from where we sat. 

Taking to the water again at 1.45pm we retraced our steps, back down the river and

across the lake - these pelicans pointing out the shallows to be avoided. As we paddled across the lake two Sea Eagles circled low over us the whole way. Perhaps we were traversing their favoured hunting ground.

As we went L had us practising support strokes and edging our boats in preparation for a return trip to the Murray.

Poddling along we enjoyed fish watching in the sun.

Approaching our take out point we could see waves breaking and a plan was called for. I was sent in first to steady the others as they came in :( :(. However my trusty boat and a large dose of luck got me in. In trying to execute a quick exit from my boat before the waves could push it sideways I learnt a lesson - loosen and lower the seat back and ditch the paddle leash before coming in! 

Next in was V with S following closely behind.  Last was L.  All was going well until a larger wave broke over his stern, drenching him and half filling his cockpit with water which make his boat too heavy to drag up the beach or hold steady so he had to clamber out as best he could as the following waves slowly pushed his boat sideways.

With L out of the boat it was considerably lighter and V&I managed to drag it up the beach and roll it over to drain most of the water; L then pumped out the remainder.  

By 3.05pm we were all safely ashore.

 Drained of energy and strength it was a slow pack up, however our enjoyment of the day was in no way diminished and once in the car with the heater on our spirits soon revived.

Trip Notes:

Put In/Take Out: Pambula River Mouth

High Tide:  River Entrance: 11.40am 1.4m

                    Tea Tree Point (in lake): 1.35pm

14.1kms

4hrs 20mkns

Monday 2 May 2022 The Murrah

Just a quick paddle today to try out the recently acquired and latest boy toy: the waterproof drone.

A high tide of 1.4ms at 9.22am resulted shallow going when we got onto the water at 9.50am

It was a superb autumn day; sunny, warm with just a hint of breeze - perfect for paddling and drone flying.

Poddling along and

carefully picking our way

we managed to

reach our destination without running aground. Whilst I unpacked brunch L unpacked the drone and got ready to fly.  As I sat on shore and sipped my coffee L paddled back out onto the water and let loose the machine.

All went according to plan until

it did not! The machine suddenly took off, heading south at a remarkable pace until I lost sight of it. L after giving up on the controller took off in hot pursuit. About 10 minutes passed then I heard some buzzing followed by a bang and and a splash followed shortly thereafter by some more angry buzzing and splashing.

L reappearing paddled over to and under a shrub overhanging the water and then there was more frantic buzzing and splashing.  

Having retrieved the drone he paddled back,

bloody and bowed.  His response to my question "how did it go" was the archetypal "I don't want to talk about it".  

The drone in question has very mixed reviews with several different problems complained about and from my observation it seemed that L encountered all those problems in the one flight. 

After making use of the first aid kit to patch him up, we sat down to eat our brunch.  The delicious curried egg sanga's L had made and the beauty of our surrounds soon working their magic, dispelling L's  mood.

Suddenly noticing the water level had dropped, we realised we had  perhaps lingered too long and quickly packed up and returned to the water.

The tide was well and truly on the way out and the further upstream we paddled the more shallow the water became as evidenced by these two plovers standing the middle of the river.

Paddling steadily we made it back at 12.30pm. L having run out of water dragged his boat for the last 30 metres, whilst I managed to sneak through along the edge of the reeds.  Back at our launch site as I waited for L I sat in the boat and was happily entertained by the myriads of little fish in the water beside me. Unfortunately every time I leant over to take a pic they scattered.

 Verdict:  24hours later: still "don't want to talk about it" :)

Friday 22 April 2022 Tuross River: Comerang Forest Rd Bridge to Princes Highway

Arriving at the bridge we found the river had changed somewhat since our last paddle.  Most of the shrubby island just down stream of the bridge has been swept away. 

With the river height at 2.14ms (@ Eurobodalla) when we hit the water we didn't have to time our paddle with the arrival of the high tide at the long shallow section about 7kms downstream.

After completing the car shuffle we got onto the water at 11.00am - the first ones taking advantage of the eddies behind the bridge pylons to practice ferry gliding and catching the eddies

There was enough of a downstream flow to

provide a lovely assist as we paddled downriver. The water was still turbid due to recent floods, normally (although what is now 'normal' is a moot point) the water along this stretch is lovely and clear.

Having negotiated a couple of fallen tree hazards it wasn't long before we reached the cattle crossing  (see 5.1.2018 blog). The trees along the bank in this section were liberally hung with silage wrap.

Soon after we entered the trickiest section; braided river with some fallen tree hazards and it was hands on paddles so no pics.  A couple of times L had to scout a route whilst the novices hung back. Happily there was a clear and easy line to be found each time.

The last of the potential hazards behind us we could relax and let the river take us.

 

Lots of chat going on

At 12.10pm we pulled in for lunch after doing 5.1kms in what seemed like no time at all.

Lots more chat - films, festivals and of course politics. Specifically re the Liar from the Shire, our Prime Master of Spin and Deflection and how he endlessly gets away with it. 

What did L say the other day??? Oh yes, "Elect a comedian and you get a Statesman, elect a politician and you get a clown". In this particular case a devious, deceitful, demagogic clown who believes he's blessed.

Having got that off our chests we set off again at 1.00pm.

Still being aided by the downstream flow,

we poddled along soaking up the view.

Along with lots more chat.

With the aid of the downstream flow we were paddling approx 5.4kph and

before long we had reached our pull out point at the boat ramp beside the Princes Highway bridge.

There is deep sludgy mud either side of the boat ramp, so getting out on the ramp is a must.  This lovely lady pulled in L's boat and steadied it while he got out - then, I must say, buggered off and left the rest of us to our own devices :(  Very wise of her.

At 2.20pm, just waiting for some space on the ramp.

Whilst S&R drove back to our start point to collect the car L&I got our boats loaded and tied down so with us free to assist when the two other cars returned the remaining three boats were loaded in no time at all and we were on our way home - with, for some of us, the obligatory stop at the Bodalla dairy for an icecream - Yum.

Trip Notes:

River height at Eurobodalla: 2.14m

Put In: Comerang Forest Rd Bridge

Take Out: Princes Highway Bridge Boatramp

12.5kms

3hrs 20 mins

Monday 18 April 2022 Bermagui River

 Just the three of us again, taking advantage of this spate of good weather. We set off at 9.20am overlooked by a pelican.

Paddling up river behind the oyster beds L led us into the mangroves.

At this level it took a bit of poking around to find a way through. A section would open up

and then the mangroves would close in. L took a narrow lead between two branches and slipped through. Being in a wider boat I became air bogged but managed to pull and push my way through. Suddenly I heard a few squeaks of  alarm from behind me. These quickly turned into a fluent flow of cursing - R in choosing a different route had got herself well and truly entangled - her paddle caught in branches - her boat jammed against something underneath and the top of her rudder caught by something on top. She could go neither forward or back.

After much rustling, a lot more swearing and some major gymnastics she was free and we continued on our way.

After rejoining the river we crossed to the far side and paddled up the inside of the next oyster leases,

the glassy water making for a wonderful paddle.

We last paddled the Bermi River on the 21st March; the water then feculent in the aftermath of the storms. So it was delightful to find the clarity improving and the river returning to her beautiful best.

Poddling on upstream assisted by the end of the incoming tide,

we enjoyed the plethora of reflections on offer and

the vistas ahead.

Passing the campsite we were surpised to find it empty. In fact other than a tinny at the start we had only passed two pair of kayakers. We had the river pretty much to ourselves - remarkable given it was Easter Monday.

Still feeling energetic we gave the campground a miss and paddled on reaching the Coolagolite confluence at 10.55am. Setting up on the little beach we had morning tea which morphed into an early lunch as we waited for the tide to turn.

Reflections across the river.

 By 11.45 the outgoing tide was flowing strong enough to float us gently back down stream and at 11.50am we took to the water once more. 

Wafting downstream on the tide,

we did do some paddling :) and returned to civilisation to find the river a little busier and the pelicans ousted from their usual spot across the river. 

 However we had slipway beach to ourselves, landing at 1.15pm.  After loading our boats we drove through a town heaving with people and all thoughts of gelati were quickly squashed. Instead we opted for a coffee on R's covid safe terrace, high above the throng.  

High tide entrance: 9.21am 1.6m

14kms