Day 45, Tuesday, 03.03.2009

One of 8 proud prawn trailers, on anchor off Mud Island, after the night’s work was done

 

This boat, very close to the beach off Woorim, Bribie Island, peed first white…

…then grey…

…then black…is that beach lacking some sand???

 

A very unknown flying object, landing at the beach, then taking off again…a mini helicopter, probably a private toy for two adult guys in there…

 

It was a discovery day…

1. I discovered in the morning about 100 mosquitos INSIDE my tent…there was none in there when i went to sleep! An I took good care about even stuffing a neoprene sock into each little gap where all three zipper sliders meet…obviously not enough care for them to find the tiniest entrance…amazing…they must have had a feast on me whilst I was asleep, uncovered in the warm night…I let most of them out, but killed the last ones, all bloody – yak! :-((

2. I discoverd after eventually being done with my computer work in the morning at 8.30 am, on getting outside the tent for a small walk, despite the mossies and marsh flies, that I could actually WALK on the tidal flat upfront my campsite, right out to the water’s edge – it was solid sand, and the oysters and mangroves gave gaps enough for my feet…and I guessed it was just mud…

3. Once walked out about 500 m to the water’s edge, I discovered I could actually look around the island’s corner. Yesterday, paddling close to the land on high tide, I was too much in a hurry and needy feeling to find the next best campsite…what I was seeing? That what I thought I saw already on google earth last night…besides the old landing jetty there was a nice beach, without a tidal dry flat…

4. I remembered I was actually able to CARRY my empty boat on my shoulders to the waters edge, once knowing I could walk there…taking the campsite down, unloading the boat fully, carrying boat and three heavy gear bags in three runs to the water was done in about one hour…and I was AFLOAT again at 9.30 am!!!

5. I discovered I was unable to kick my arse myself, so I was just laughing about my stupidness… missing about 4 hrs of quietest paddling time…

6. I discovered it was luckily still quiet on the water, and once a wind came up, it was kind of from behind…despite a different forecast…thank goodness!

7. Passing Mud Island, I discovered there WERE kind of some landable beaches on the northern side – I learnt to read my GPS-map now better…a 1;250.000 map doesn’t show such details…

8. Once the wind changed to a headwind again (what else…), I discovered I was sitting on a nice tidal current,  starting with a wide tidal race on Bribie Island edge, still making about 7-8 km per hour, effortless…so no stopping once I reached Bribie Island…to good progress. Yesterday, it felt to be the same headwind, I made only 3-3,5 km/hr…time to stop, not worth the effort…

9. I discovered there is NO paddling than on the open sea…luckily Moreton Island was behind now as well, so no more “bay” feeling…the water became crystal clear and bright green again, with some lovely waves…no more flat muddy waters in mangrove channels…so no doubt I picked the right way OUTSIDE Bribie Island…the inside passage is nothing for me on the long run. Enough mangroves…

10. And I discovered paddling without top AND without sunscreen is one step too much, despite my dark tanned skin used to the sun…so smeering the greasy stuff again tomorrow :-))

11. I GOT discovered by one of those stupid up and down beach drivers…kept him at bay…once they realize I’m paddling around the whole little island, they start thinking I may not be an easy prey… :-))

 

26.55 153.08 Bribie Island seaside beach 55 km 9 hrs

8 comments on “Day 45, Tuesday, 03.03.2009

Keith Freeman

Hi Freya
Been slack in not picking up your trip till now, but I’ll follow it daily from now on.
I’m a VSKC member but living and working in South Korea where sea kayaking is in it’s infancy, well still in nappies!!
It was great to see the VSKC guys helping you out with your send off, they’re a great bunch.
While I’m here without my boat I’ll get my sea kayaking kicks and inspiration from you, you are awesome!
Happy and safe paddling
Keith

Kriss De Britt

Hi Freya, We at Canoe Point Outrigger Club at Tannum Sands have been watching your progres with interest, you are doing a fantastic job,well done. We would like to offer you accomadation and a meal when you get up here, without the mossies.
Kriss De Britt
President Canoe Point Outriggers

Phil

Freya
You are a champion, going great guns. If you carry a sponge in your kayak this would be good for sealing the gap between your zippers, should keep even the smallest most persistant mozzies out. Be careful of picking up anything in the water with your paddle if your skin is uncovered. Stay safe

Peter

Hi Freya
You had better find a way to seal your tent in North Queensland.

Australian Newspaper article 4th March
“QUEENSLAND’S dengue fever outbreak has claimed its first life with the death of an elderly Cairns woman earlier this month.

Health authorities said tests had confirmed the death of an 82-year-old woman from the Cairns suburb of Manoora was “dengue related”.

The death comes as authorities struggle to contain the outbreak of the disease. There have so far been 558 confirmed cases in Cairns, 55 in Townsville, as well as outbreaks in Port Douglas, Yarrabah, Innisfail and Injinoo on the tip of Cape York.

“Dengue outbreaks have become more and more common here in the past two decades, particularly with the increase in international travel,” said Dr Jeffrey Hanna, a public health physician with Queensland Health.

“This means more North Queenslanders will be susceptible to developing dengue fever and its complications.”

Good on you Freya, Australias kayak fishermen/woman are watching with interest and i hope to see you in Perth later,,cheers,,Shorty.

Carles

Freya
It is now a month that I am following your race around Australia and I felt bad for not saying anything to the player. I am really excited of what you are accomplishing. I also appreciate your posts and pics. Good navigation!

Edda

I’ll kick it for you when you get back, lol.
What a shame, but these things are sent to try you, it can’t all go perfect.
What is an up and down beach driver? A boy racer on a jet ski?
Glad you are back in open water, those mangoves can start to look all the same after a while, but the wildlife I would think may be more interesting?
Getting the tidal race must be like walking on these airport transfer flat escalator things, wheehee and you’re flying…
Wish I was in Oz, cold, dark and wet in Blighty, bah humbug.

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