Greg leaving with our new van with my spare old kayak on the roof

 from Terry Bolland’s Canoeing Down Under shop in Perth

The surf on the beach hasn’t really changed since I landed. There were still about 6 lines of more or less strong rolling breakers, plus an ugly washing machine section with two dumpers and a rebounding clapotis wave close to shore.

There was a line of a fat rocky reef about 100m off the shore to the left, which provided a little bit of quietish water and shelter from the rolling breakers after the steep shore washing machine section and two or three breaker lines. The meant I would have to launch to the left of the beach, on a narrow sandy patch between steep cliffs and a flat bulky reef section.

That would be a chance! I would be launching with a strong push from James and Margaret with the right timing, punching through the first then hopefully flat and calm breaker lines and would be sitting behind the reef as long as I saw a chance to sneak around into the open unbroken sea.

Theory and practice are not always going accordingly, and after the launching push I saw some simply too fat breakers rolling in and I had to hang out afloat on the washing machine section, frequently pushed backwards, dangerously close towards the cliffs behind me. I managed to stay upright and away enough from the cliffs, until I heard Margaret and James shouting: ”Go, go, go!” They obviously spotted the lull a little earlier from their standing position than me. I lit the flame, and sprinted towards that quietish bit of water behind the reef.

It all went well, and I felt like I even could keep on going around the reef’s edge into the open sea! I was breathing some sights of relief when I made it out, without even a single breaker smashing into my face this time! Sometimes the scariest launches are eventually easy, and when you don’t expect any troubles you catch the fat one and it throws you!

I turned around, and waved James and Margaret a distant good bye! I reckon they were happy as well to see me off that easy! It was at least a good feeling that someone was there, just in case…

I was paddling all day today with probably a stupid smile on my face, partly about that successful, but scary and tricky launch, but much more about me looking forward to meet someone special tonight I haven’t actually seen for three months since Broome!!! Greg was done in Perth with buying and licensing our van, fitting the sponsored by THULE roof rack, loading my spare kayak which was stored at Canoeing Down Under and was already buying bits and pieces for our van camping adventure in the big city. Terry Bolland was this time Greg’s helpful host and friend – thanks a lot, Terry!

I left Goose Island to my right, all solid granite islands so far, with not any beach to land on. Point Irwin was a bit bumpy again, and approaching Peaceful Bay I saw only breaking surf instead of “peace”!

Luckily I knew that there was a narrow reef gap into the bay, and I had to follow two markers on the beach being lined up for the safe beach approach. This was actually pretty easy then once the right line was in sight! I landed on a shallow coast amongst some tourist, and started to unload my kayak.

Greg had booked us from Perth into a holiday cabin, but I had to get there somehow with all my gear and kayak! Luck was waiting in form of Denis, a friendly nice guy making holidays with his family in Peaceful Bay. Denis had already heard about my trip from friends in Hamelin Bay. He was at the beach with his van, and offered to drive me, my kayak and gear to that cabin. We had to check at the campsite shop for directions, it was about 2 km inland, actually! Thanks, Denis!

I had some time available that afternoon to shower, organize my gear and to make myself pretty for the exciting reunion! J

Greg planned to be at our Peaceful Bay cabin at around 8pm, and I was just walking out on the street to see if he would be there already, as he just drove up!

This day’s report ends here…

Text message from Freya via satellite phone:

Peaceful Bay.  7:30 am to 3:30 pm,  45 km.  This was the most scary launch through a washing machine, but I went through without a drop in my face!