Four Aussie paddling legends: Les Allan, Sandy Robson, myself, Terry Bolland

It was time to say “Good Bye” to Perth! Sunday morning was a perfect day to get escorted out by 10 kayaking friends and a lot of shore bunnies…thanks a lot for coming that early morning!

It was good I didn’t paddle by myself around Cape Peron that other night, so our group had a bit of fun time playing rockhopping in the reefs and surfing the breakers. A great playground in Perth’s backyard! I need to be back with an empty boat… 

ready for action: Terry Bolland and myself

Paddling sisters: Sandy Robson and myself

(Sorry, I can’t remember who was taking which picture…)

We paddled past a small offshore island, inhabited by 100dreds of birds and lots of naughty friendly sea lions! They mostly launched when our group was approaching, but were very playful around our boat. Terry got the shock of his lifetime as one sea lion leaped high out of the water right between my and his kayak! He was screaming in highest voice! 🙂 

I reckon that “seal” I saw two days before Perth may have been a sea lion, too? They are so curious and friendly!

Eventually after one or two hours everybody was turning around to head back, and I was on my own again.

I was heading across Warnbro Sound, and gave Comet Bay a wide crossing heading directly to the entrance of the Dawesville Channel.

It was quite lumpy with the tide flooding out of that channel, and I was watching two yachts coming out in roughish waters in some winds. They both were motoring instead of sailing, and I was already wondering what was the fun about that?

One yacht eventually pulled up close to me, and stayed with me those five km dowm south to Tim’s Thickett. It was Graham and Irene, two kayakers who felt happy to give me a bit of an escort and some shouted advise about the local reef breaks. Thanks! They offered me a bed in Mandurah as well, but as I went to bed last night way after midnight, I would be happy to set up camp and to crash soon right on the beach of Tim’s Thickett.

There was quite some reef break at the little headland of Tim’s Thickett, but once through and close to shore, landing was sheltered. Just to find the gap with non-breaking waves was the trick…I was happy to see Colin Bartley with his outrigger canoe launching from the beach, and to eventually see him outside the reef. he was happy to guide me in, and we just about didn’t get caught by crashing breakers going through the very narrow gap of unbroken water. I wonder if I would have found that path by myself? I was reading Paul 27 years ago got signalled in by his support crew from the beach…nice to have someone in some way for such occasions. Sitting out there on the swell and waves you sometimes just can’t see where the way is…

Colin Bartley, outrigger connection

Colin helped me to set up camp in the dunes, but had also offered to take me home for a shower, feed and bed. Thanks, Colin! But this night I was just happy to have two hours for myself at night and to crash early in my tent!

Around sixish Graham and Irene from the escorting yacht came to my tent, as announced:”Freya, are you sleeping?” (Just about not, what, if I would already?) “We brough you some coffee!” (To wake me up completely again then??)

Thanks for visiting and checking on me, but sorry for the ironical thoughts… :-))

Text message from Freya:

32.39 115.36, Tims Thickett.  50 km,  7:30 am  to 4:00 pm
I launched together with 9 kayaks and was guided around Cape Peron’s reefs. I got escorted by two paddlers on a yacht from Avalon south and got nicely guided in through the reef breakers by an outrigger canoe.
Can’t complain about a lack of helpful locals! Thanks to all!
And now I’m enjoying my relaxing privacy  in my dune camp…stayed up until 12.30 last night for internet work…tired…