My body tells me today to give it a full rest day after the slog last night. It is aching and hurting quite here and there, especially on the right side from two hours wide right sweep strokes only…maybe I’m getting old! :-))
I took a little time to explore a bit the beautiful cliffs and caves around Cape Villaret! Really great scenery!
I easily repaired the rudder, as the bolt just needed to be screwed on again after I eventually managed to open the little service hatch, and to BE SECURED with some glue! They simply forgot in the new factory in China to use a nylock nut…shit happens. Luckily all parts were still there.
I was still in cell phone range, and could catch up on e-mails and longer phone calls.
11 comments on “Day 172, Wednesday, 08.07.2009”
Oliver:
According to the excellent spreadsheet linked from Freya’s “Trip Report” page, when Paul Caffyn left Broome on 21 July ’82, he had spent 206 overall days on his voyage, of which 153 were paddling days. Freya left Broome on 7 July ’09, exactly two weeks earlier in the year. She had spent 171 overall days, 128 of them paddling. So she is about 35 overall days, or 25 paddling days, “ahead” of Paul.
However, he spent the great majority of the difference going around the Gulf of Carpenteria, roughly 1380 km more than Freya’s route directly across the Gulf. That’s some 32 overall days, or almost 24 paddling days, at his average rate up to Broome. So you can see how close their times really are.
From this point onward, their routes and season of year should be virtually identical. So far, Freya has gone slightly faster, in a more heavily laden kayak — a good indication of her skill and determination. I’m sure we all hope that the miserable time she just had with a broken rudder won’t be repeated, nor that of having to haul her boat and gear a long way up beaches after landing at low tide.
I simply marvel at her efforts, as well as at Paul Caffyn’s pioneering achievement. As Paul Turner put it so well, her accounts are a highlight of every day, and an inspiration!
You are currently about 1 month earlier into Broome than Paul was on his trip. [He got there in August]
If you continue at your present rate, won’t you be reaching the southern ocean in the spring?
Maybe that’s not such an attractive proposition.
Keep plugging away Freya but listen to the body ! Your blogs provide the highlight of my day while confined in my 8×8 cubicle ! Good luck and stay safe !
Paul 🙂
Ah, the joys of being a guinea pig. As they say there’s no free lunch, there’s no free kayak.
Have a nice day off, sounds like you need one. The boat is easier to fix than yourself.
hi freya,drücken dir die daumen…du schaffst es:)nur nicht aufgeben.familygrüße von isi,hanne,andre und olli
Hi!
You are well worth a day off.
Cherish these “mountains” Freya, as one by one, you reach their summits.
Paul
Hi Freya,
Sorry to hear about your mechanical problem. Possibly some “Loctite” on the bolts that were loosening up could remedy any further problems. Thanks for keeping us updated on your trip. Your perseverance is quite remarkable. You are amazing!
Blake
Sounds like Epic has some refinement to do on their design.
Watch out for box jellyfish, too – potentially more lethal than the rest of the critters you may encounter.
Fair seas,
George
Good Luck Freya, You are an amazing lady. We wish you well for the rest of the journey & travel safe. xx
Good luck with the rudder repair.
Comments are closed