The launch from the beach close to Cape Bauer was via very shallow reef water. I had to drag my boat into the raising sun for a while, until I could sit in it and paddle off.
The paddle around Cape Bauer was nothing compared to what we saw yesterday from the top, as the swell has eased a bit and the wind was lower in the early morning hours. It was actually not as impressive as well, as the sun cam right off the cliffs, and I couldn’t see much of the stunning scenery. Glad I had the “tourist view” already the previous afternoon!
The same thing with Point Westall, but the wind has increased already to 15 kn, and I had to be carefully negotiating a long jutting reef. But with a wide berth in safety it was allright. It is always impressive to see the sea breaking on the reefs – sometimes it feels better just NOT to look! You just don’t want to be there…
The wide crossing of Sceale Bay was simply a slog then, the headwind increased to solid 20 kn, and the sea became ugly choppy. There wouldn’t be much benifit to go into Sceale Bay town in the bottom right corner of the bay, as this would be the similar distance than going around Cape Blanche and landing on the first sheltered bay behind Slade Point. Then next day I would have to go back double the distance around the Cape!
So I kept on plugging towards Cape Blanche, checked on the reef breaks at the point and eventually rounded Slade Point, where Greg was waiting with the van on top of the cliffs of a beautiful sheltered bay.
The swell was still rolling a bit into the bay, and with a bit of timing I landed safely on a magnificent sandy beach. We just had to climb up a steep, undercut path to where the van was parked! But oh well, *Home, Sweet Home* for the last night for now…
It was packing time that night, some sad feeling of parting for 16 days and camping on my own, but Greg would be back soon!
Text message from Freya via satellite phone:
33.02 134.10, Slade Point. 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., 50 km. A fight all day into a bloody 15 to 20 knot headwind. I landed in beautiful bay. Greg is off tomorrow. I’ll have a heavy boat again.
6 comments on “Day 304, Tuesday, 17.11.2009”
How do you do that kind of mileage with those headwinds?
I also wonder how many miles/km you have left to paddle? Haven’t found that info yet.
ALL BEST WISHES for fun and connection! You are something else!
Wow at that rate Freya could be back in time to do the YMCA Murray Marathon! (400k) 🙂
Bloody headwind and still 50km!! Bloody marvellous!! And pleased to see that Freya has learned to speak Australian so well 🙂
Just comparing Paul’s progress on his trip – from Point James he had another 26 paddling days, 40 total days – at that rate Freya could be back at Queenscliff and finished before the end of December (which may mean I’m away celebrating Christmas with family and can’t get there for the finish)
Hi Freya,
Congratulations to date! Do you plan to land on the S/E coast of Victoria? I’ll be be in a coastal park called Cape Conran National Park in late December and would love to say hello.
Sincerely,
Peter
Freya,
Hello from San Francisco, California, you are a great inspiration to me, I started sea kayaking last year and am working up to a multi-trip in British Columbia. Your focus and tenacity are amazing to watch. I hope your son gets to see you at a few stops, he should be extremely proud of his mother.
I would love to know how you deal with the white sharks, we have a large population of them here in San Francisco.
I will be celebrating with you and the team when you reach your goal.
Best,
Douglas Hessel
Greg, I certainly appreciate everything you have done to make this expedition a success. Thanks a bunch!
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