Day 309, Sunday, 22.11.2009

Misery Bay mishaps?
I should have rather stayed dry than taking 7.5 hrs for ridiculous 25 km into Avoid Bay/ Misery Bay.
It really needs a certain amount of stubbornness, stupidness, stamina, strengh and skills to paddle into 15 knot (1hr in the morning) to 20-25 kn headwinds.
 
Seas were steep, nearing Point Whidbey they became massive 4-5m walls of water. No way to continue to paddle across Avoid Bay to Point Avoid. In the bay, turning northeast, the massive seas and strong winds came from behind then, until they slowly got less deep in the bay.
 
It was all forecasted…
 
If I wouldn’t have simply been worn out from that headwind and the previous day, I could have continued another 20 km to Point Avoid, hugging the shore, in moderate seas and beamwind.
 
But there is 5-meter swell tomorrow, no way I feel like going 50 km along the cliffs to the next sheltered landing Sleaford/ Fishery Bay.
 
So tomorrow only a short 20 km hop to Point Avoid, probably even north side only, we’ll see.
Actually, I could have a *full* day off at some point…  I’ve been going out every day since the Bunda cliffs.

 

Email from Freya:

34.33 135.12, Misery Bay.  35 km 6:00 a.m.  to 3:30 p.m.

8 comments on “Day 309, Sunday, 22.11.2009

Gayle

With so much experience, never doubt what your body is telling you. Likewise your instincts. If you need a recovery day don’t hesitate to take it, and when conditions are tricky go with your gut feeling. With sound judgement you’ll be at Queenscliff before you know it, and many of us couch-adventurers will be there to welcome you.

Steve

Well said Rose

“Don’t let the very balanced sense of safety that you have kept for so long slip now that you are near the end, spoil yourself a bit.”

You have conquered so much.
Can you conquer pride, and impatience?

Character is what you are forging.
Character will see you through.

Keep up the good work, AND the good decision making.

glicker

perhaps it’s not aquatic threats that freya must guard against most…freya, just don’t turn you’re back until you get the key to melbourne from the mayor. stay strong:

Hopping Mad: Man Attacked by Kangaroo
AP
.
MELBOURNE, Australia (Nov. 23) — A kangaroo startled by a man walking his dog attacked the pair, pinning the pet underwater and slashing the owner in the abdomen with its hind legs.

The Australian, Chris Rickard, was in stable condition Monday after the attack, which ended when the 49-year-old elbowed the kangaroo in the throat.

Rose

You have earned a day off more than most of us ever will Freya…so I hope you can find a beautiful little cove somewhere, where you can just relax for the day. There was a good-sized swell running here yesterday too, it’s obviously pretty rough further out on the ocean.

It would be too easy to wear yourself out with your finish line now drawing so close. In many ways, these last days will be the most hazarous of all, as the urge to finish your undertaking becomes stronger. Don’t let the very balanced sense of safety that you have kept for so long slip now that you are near the end, spoil yourself a bit.

Like everybody else, I am astounded by the effort you are putting in…determination is not stupid, but the conditions are extremely trying right now, es[ecially with your heavy kayak. I hope you can find some good recovery time, in a place that you really like.

Chuck H.

Stubborn, certainly (or, perhaps DETERMINED would be more appropriate)! Stupid, never! Strong and skilled, absolutely! You are doing a terrific job, something that puts you in maybe the 99.99999th percentile of all of us (all 6 billion of us). Just take your time (and a day off now and then … maybe to enjoy some of that seafood that Fat Paddler has recommended), and don’t beat yourself up over the inevitable tough days. You’ll get there when you get there!

Pam

Yikes, sounds like there’s a good reason these are called Avoid Bay and Misery Bay! You’ve been doing a lot of heavy paddling Freya – seems like a day off just to rest and restore yourself sounds like a good idea! You will need to feel refreshed to cross the bays. Just take care of yourself! Our good thoughts are with you, as always.

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