High tide was at 9.15, so I gave it a bit time this morning and updated my blog by pre-writing the entries. No posting possible…but when I had access, it would be quickly done.

I was writing until 7.30, when I felt the urgent need to pack and to GO now. If the tide would still be pushing into the gulf too much, I could at least still paddle in a ferry glide across, slower, but at least DO something rather than sitting there and typing only!

No sighting of the croc from last night this morning…I was still packing as fast as I could, not to show more movements on the beach than necessary.

I eventually jumped in my boat and paddled off that beach and the bay as fast as I could. The bay was wide, but narrow enough to fear a parading croc somewhere.

But no one was watching…

Just having mastered that scary launch, I noticed for some reason the tide was pushing me luckily out already, although high tide and assumingly the tidal stream still flooding into the gulf was an hour later? It must be the eddy behind the long jutting reef…anyway, I was happy to speed along with 10 km without not doing much besides staying upright…it was quite a ride in rough stuff!! I made the 10 km across to the narrow gap of Fathom Rock and the coast in less than one hour.

Fat tidal races changed with more quiet stretches of water, until I reached the beautiful mighty Thurburn Bluffs. Abeam of those the rebound action was playing up with the tidal action to create together with the 20 kn SE wind quite some funny water!

Matching the beauty of the new different landscape it was quite a 7* day! The “real” Kimberleys have started…

Searching for a campsite at night, I found when I was approaching Buckle Head on looking backwards a beautiful steep beach behind a small mangrovy island…that was my campsite!

Carefully checking on my landing approach for crocs as usual, but only a floating piece of a tree was bothering my vision of a safe beach!

I pulled my kayak up the steep beach and blocked with it my tent to the front. To the back I had some rock ledges, and I felt quite safe again!

Text message from Freya via satellite phone:

14.28 127.52 before Buckle Head. 60 km, 7:30 am to 4:30 pm. Great 7-star paddling with big tidal and rebound fun in stunning scenery.The “real” Kimberleys!