Mon 16/03-2015 Day 811

[pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-p24eUse3pnk/VRhDw7Dg8-I/AAAAAAAAnTw/4FBmw_jS-QY/s144-c-o/IMG_1686.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection3Stage24Brazil7UruguayArgentinaFlorianapolisToBuenosAires#6131725400430146530″ caption=”Goodbye, Brazilian sea! Landing in Rio Mampituba in Torres. Leo was picking me up.” type=”image” alt=”IMG_1686.JPG” ]

 

trip days left: 47
straight distance left: 1004,7 km
Highlights: Torres river was sucking me inside
Lowlights: Strong headwinds
Launch: Low to moderate wide surf
Landing: river mouth bank
Pos: here
Loc: Torres
Acc: Gustav and Emmas house
Dist: 21,3 km
Start: 6:15 End: 11:50

Why the heck can people not use their brain? It was pitch dark and I was deep and sound asleep around 9 pm, when a guy with a flash light was shining at my tent, was waking me up out of my well deserved rest and was calling: “Hello! Hello! Are you ok? Are you ok? Do you need anything? I am worried about you! I do not want to disturb you (you already did…), but it is unusual sleeping on the beach! I am living here! Hello! Hello!I am writing my phone number in the sand, in case you need help!” and so on and so on, still shining the flash light at me…FUCK YOU!

I did not say anything, just sitting fully alert in my tent, my heart beating fast from anger than from being afraid, thinking what the heck does he intend to do now…I was having my gun ready to shoot him in his face just in case he dared to stick it through my slightly open outer tent. I wish I had some…my own hopefully stronger flashlight would have to do it. What do you think I am thinking of such a nightly visit at my camp site? What do you think I am doing inside my tent in the darkness? Sleeping, or rather slowly dieing? Having a date with another beachcomber you rather like to replace? Hoping for a private chat or more at night once you woke me up? Idiot. The second night disturbance in a row. Policemen, Navies and even mayors with a trail of village people have done already similar things all around this late-to-bed going continent.

I fell eventually asleep again, feeling not that relaxed any more. But no more disturbance, thank goodness.Just some lovely light rain.

In the morning my launch was well watched by a friendly early morning beach walker, not the guy from last night,as I guess I knew who he was. The surf was no big deal, some jumps over just not breaking waves, and out I was. The wind was fresh all morning, 13, later 15 knots right in my face, no pleasure to paddle. Slow progress with 4km/h maximum.I was actually hoping the morning would be calmer, but when I was eventually reaching the Torres river mouth it even got worse. I wanted to paddle about 8 km further to have the shortest portage distance to the lagoon, but the today relatively calm river mouth was lurking with the lee of the breakwater wall and no surf landing.

I had already reached the second break water wall when the river magically sucked me inside instead of letting me pass into more white caps and more headwind and choppy seas. I didn’t know rivers were also flowing upstream? 🙂 Leo was nowhere to be seen as the promised escort either. I made the probably reasonable decision to say the Brazilian sea good by by a stylish finish paddling into a safe river, and will paddle from tomorrow only lagoons and some winding connection channels.This is more distance anyway so the missing 8 km I will make easily good. It will be much more interesting and more safe. I have survived enough critical landings and wave conditions. I will take the chicken way now! Yeah!

I landed on a tiny concrete platform they poured into the river onto some rocks, the regular boat landings were way too high. With a bit of care and effort, I unloaded my kayak carefully and dragged it up over my spray deck padding.Once having shifted the bags up the steep bank, I spotted Leos car with the kayak on the roof. He must be around some where! Actually I was quite alright to have no escort out there, as I knew Leo hasn’t paddled much sea yet. I eventually spotted his wife and dog coming from the breakwater wall, as he didn’t react on my e-mail. He has been also out of the river paddling to both sides for two hours, but didn’t see me, as he was too early and I was slower than expected in the headwind. He must have missed me coming in just when he was loading his kayak back on the car. Well, all good now! We drove to Gustavs house, where I can sleep tonight, without flashing lights,I hope….Thanks very much!

7 comments on “Mon 16/03-2015 Day 811

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randall lackey

Holefully no idiots tonight to want to shoot.I had wondered if you did carry; but never ask.I do as well but keep it very discreet. E joy the safe quite night and paddling with the partner tommorow.Safe Paddling.

Sônia

Take care your self Freya. Tonight you can relax. Sleep well and have good dreams.

simone

Toma cuidado Freya tem muita gente boa , mas também tem as má .Quando puder monte a tenda próxima as pessoas(casas) . Se cuide .

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