28 December 2010

Under Threatening Skies

While others were fighting for bargains at post-Christmas sales, or staying out of the wet weather on their couches at home, I was itching to get my kayak wet.

The only post-Christmas “sale” I was interested in involved using my Flat Earth kayak “sail”. Unfortunately the forecast was for heavy rain instead of wind, so I left the sail at home, grabbed my GP and Gnarlydog and launched under threatening skies.
FTYJ0_c
In contrast to the sky, the bay was calm and unusually devoid of boats. My body relaxed into the familiar rhythm of the forward stroke; the only sounds the occasional splash of the paddle and the ‘tic tic tic’ of rain hitting the brim of my hat. A feeling of peace enveloped me. It was 6 years to the day since I first took up sea kayaking.

Approaching the reef surrounding of our destination, the water line was clearly higher than usual, with the incoming flow encroaching on the usually dry land. The king tide was flooding the small protected bay with warm, clear water providing perfect conditions to practice sculling and rolling.
dtre45_cTaking advantage of the rare water height, we weaved a path over the submerged beach through mangroves and shrubs, inaccessible at other times. Small sandstone cliffs were reminiscent of the coastline in North Queensland, the pink colours a contrast against the surrounding dark foliage.
along the cliff_cThis rainy day exploration had left me with the feeling of a remote experience in my own backyard bay.

9 comments:

  1. Beautiful cliffs! Fun to see paddling with green plants on the pictures, when I'm paddling between snowy mountains. :)

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  2. I love that photo from the tip of the paddle! Very cool. :)

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  3. i ALSO LOVE PADDLING IN THE RAIN.

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  4. I really miss that area, but your mention of the similarity to N.Queensland reminded me of the sight - closing on 'Red Cliffs' (about 35miles south of Cape York) - while the sandstone cliffs were impressive (especially with a setting sun), the large, cone, termite mounds atop the hills - stuck in my mind the most.
    Andy

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  5. Miamaria
    Kayaking in Norway is very different to kayaking in Australia. Your blog shares with us the beauty of those differences. Congratulations on reaching 1000 and thank you for your comment.
    Tess

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  6. Hi Steve
    I saw your stories and photos about the storms you had in Israel earlier in December. The storms did some damage but gave you plenty of practice paddling and surfing in the rain with your friends. Thank you for commenting.
    Tess

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  7. Hi Andy
    That must have been something special.
    When did you paddle Cape York?
    Tess

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  8. You live in a special part of the world.
    On the 1st of my 4 paddles up the east coast of Aus. (over the past 17 years), besides not having paddled ocean before (learned on Lake Superior), I had little knowledge of the wildlife. While crossing Moreton bay (in the middle of the night), a 'torpedo' exploded behind me - nearly shook the wits out of me. After happening another time or two, and speaking with locals, found out these were the local dugongs. (Here in Jacksonville, FL, the manatees do the same thing - if you spook them, and there's not much water between them and their escape route - they are likely to 'rock your boat'.)
    Andy

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