It was one of the most coldest nights of the trip! It was raining quite a lot, and when I was looking out of my tent next morning the lake and meadow was covered with thick fog…but the wind was very, very low! Forecasted were 10-20kn headwinds all day, but maybe it would stay somehow around 10kn???

I decided to launch as quickly as possible and was on the water at 6.30. I would do the crossing of Geographe Bay now, this is the chance…I just should have gotten up before dawn already…I really had some hope the winds would stay low to modearate and the full range of the forecast would not be coming fully true…wishful thinking…but what could happen? I’d slow down to around 4km/h, and may arrive at night in the sheltered Eagle Bay. Geographe Bay was somehow sheltered itself, so swell and breakers will be moderate. That was all about the risk. At least I woudn’t be tempted to stop early as last day, being out on the open water way offshore and having to hit Eagle Bay or to turn around which I won’t.

The first hour was easy going, good progress with about 7km/h. Estimated arrival time around 3pm, and I was already thinking maybe I could sneak around the Cape late afternoon if it would stay like this…but I was aware the day was not bagged yet!

Around 8am the first fresh breeze around 15kn with occasional squally rain gusts of 20kn set in, still resonable progress the next two hours with around 5-6km/h.

But then the “breeze” stayed nasty around 20kn, with occasional freshening to strong 25kn, where I almost made no progress at all. I had to keep on plugging out there on the open water, this was the risk I chose this morning! My estimated arrival time changed between 5pm to 9pm, and my only goal was to make it to Eagle Bay before dusk. Fair chance! Head down, almost laying on the front deck, keep on plugging…at least the landing was sheltered and easy.

I woke a sleeping (or half dead?) seal in the middle of the bay, he was floating with the belly and flippers up until I was sitting close to him and gently touched him with my paddle…then he suddenly became alive again and was rushing off, probably scared to death! Sorry…

An then the beautiful rainbows…about ten of them all day after each rainy squall! I am conviced I paddled underneath them today, having them upfront me in the morning, and behind me at night! Well, yes, the sun turned from east (behind me) to west (upfront me) as well…nice!

I pulled to the friendly beach in last light in reach of the houses, as I was expecting two days off and needed some fresh water to get tomorrow. Tell you something about a sore body next morning!

Text message from Freya:

33.33 115.04 Eagle Bay 50 km 6.5to18.5 started with easy 10kn winds for an hour, then fortwo hours 15kn, rain squall gusts 20kn, last hours 20kn, gusts 25kn, few lulls with 15kn. A bit of hard work for 50 km, but could have been worse…paddled through the rainbow! True! I had a rainbow before me when I started, and behind me at the end…so I must have paddled through!