12 September
Chris has been busy putting the orange boat through its passes in some very testing conditions. The latest ocean paddle consisted of a roughly 20 kms round trip, from Burns Bay on St Helens Point around past Binalong Bay and part way around the picturesque Bay of Fires. It was a very clear and sunny day, which meant lots of beautiful scenery, but what made the trip challenging was the very strong head wind and nasty chop that was encountered as Humbug Point was rounded and continued to the end of the paddle.
While initially the wind and chop made forward progress very slow, once the half way mark was reached and the wind and waves were behind the return journey was a very speedy affair indeed! With the boat continually latched onto waves and shot along at a cracking pass... what a hoot!!!
That was the morning paddle, but the day was not over as Chris and wife Janette headed off after lunch for a much more leisurely paddle in the upper reaches of the Scamander River.
Beginning the paddle at a very nice spot called Trout Creek – where a boat ramp provides a good launching point – the paddle took them to the very up most reaches of the 'left arm' of the river. Approximately 15 kms was covered all up, with a rest and a picnic lunch about half way up, enjoyed on the grassy banks (although we could have done without the mosies!!!). The kayaks moved along at a good pass through the beautiful meandering waterways, passing lush green fields, an orchard and rocky hills that rise up at impossible angles from the rivers edge. Hidden from the wind the water is so smooth you feel as if you are paddling on silk, then there is the amazing sight of those rugged hills reflected in almost perfect mirror image ... just breath taking.
Talk about a day of contrasting kayaking experiences. Sadly the duffer didn't think to take a camera to capture the amazing natural wonders that he spent several relaxing hours gliding through... maybe next time?
