The first pleasant paddle after all those rough days! What a relief! Gentle rolling swell still, but no more breakers on the open water…and amazingly all Bluebottles are gone as well, as the rain is…yahoo! So despite a relatively late start at 8am (I was fiddling with my steering system…) I could reach my destination Fingal Bay at 5pm already. Passing Newcastle was nothing noticeable besides all those huge tankers waiting offshore to be unloaded…about 10 of them!
In Fingal Bay I was stopping by a fishing boat to ask for some fresh water – got a full big bottle! Just that the bottle smelled like fish…luckily the water was clean and fresh.
Fingal Bay is almost connected to Shark Island – almost! The water is breaking on a shallow bar from both sides, it looks quite funny! You can walk across at low tide, and according to the wheel tracks obviously driving as well…
I pulled my kayak across, and put up camp close to the dunes. I may have been able to paddle across as well, but as I already landed and it was low tide pulling the unloaded boat across was just easier.
Message via satellite phone:
32.44 152.11 65km 9hrs Shark Island. No breakers, no waves, 2m gentle swell, moderate following wind warm overcast, no rain and no bluebottles. ALL GOOD AGAIN!
9 comments on “Day 32, Wednesday, 18.02.2009”
Looks like a huge adventure Freya. Wish I was out there too! Perhaps not for all of it 🙂 Hopefully we can join you for a paddle when you pass by the Gold Coast.
Let us know if you are in need of accomodation for the night.
Kent.
Hello Freya,
I just “tuned in” to your adventure here from New Jersey. Winter temperatures here are keeping the water frozen hard, but your helping us all keep-the-dream-alive knowing theres an epic warm-weather adventure going on way down under! Here’s wishig you the best in your voyage from way up in the cold North Hemisphere!
May the wind be to your back and the sun always in your favor!
-Jason
moin freya
..und mach so weiter, bange machen gilt nicht. bei diesen bedingungen, sind das richtig grosse sprünge auf der land-
karte. glück hat immer der (die) tüchtige. weiterhin günstige
wettterverhältnisse und viele grüsse
Karlos
Shark risk is tricky because you cannot know when they will appear, except locations where certain types of shark are known to inhabit – eg great whites. It always pays to check with local authorities about sightings. But sharks are very unlikely to attack a kayak – but there was a recent case where kayakers fishing from a sit on top kayak were stalked by a shark. Swimming is a different story!. Crocodiles tend to inhabit preferred areas – eg mangrove fringes , extuaries, even some small bays which might represent their territory. Many waters are sign posted as crocodile areas, So stay out of the water – no swimming. Elevating your campsite and getting food out of the way is sound practice, and some would argue that physical barriers around a tent is the way to go – including the kayak. Rule No 1 – do not mess with salt water crocodiles – they can be very aggressive! If you suspect there might be crocs inthe area – do not take the risk of swimming there.
Hi Freya –You are an inspiration to us all- take care and keep paddling.
ps
Richard Rawling I’m curious– exactly how do you manage the shark and crocodile risk ??
Hi Feya,
You are the toughest girl I know.
Take Care
Kai
Liebe Freya, ein Nachbar versucht in meinem Auftrag, Dir eine Nachricht zukommen zu lassen. Klappt es, dann melde Dich bitte. Bleib gesund und komm gefahrenfrei weiter.
Liebe Grüße Deine Mami
Rolf
Blue Bottles are small jelly fish that can be at plague proportions in Australian waters at times. The tenticles can sting and it can be very unpleasant. Further North the risk is nastier with stingers (also a type of jelly fish). many Australians up North wear stockings when they swim to try to avoid the stings. Our coastal waters are not benign – and recently there have been two shark attacks near Sydney, where Freya just was. There also was a 5 year old boy taken by a crocodile in Queensland waters – where Freya is heading. These risks are manageable but great caution and sensible risk management is required.
Richard Rawling
VSKC Communications
Hi Freya
It is so exiting to follow your trip round Australia. I live in Norway and now in winter time with lots of snow your blog keeps me warm.
I paddle all the year, but I do have a question what is “blubottles”?
Comments are closed