It was a warm Spring morning when four paddlers pushed off from the Boat Passage. Muddy sludge marked a premature attempt for the Mangrove Passage. Swirling scum floated by. The kayaks lifted then drifted. Nudge some sludge. More chatter. Then a calm, serene sparkling bay.
We continued at a leisurely paddle across to St Helena. A cool SE almost gave the sails form. We ducked under the jetty and nosed into the shelter of the northern beach. At least seven kayaks were already hauled up out of reach of the incoming tide. Encamped at one of the tables were people we had not met before – a Sunday Wynnum Pod doing what they usually do on a Sunday. We settled down at our own table for cupcakes and muffins. A cheerful apology announced the arrival of two large tourist groups – not a problem as we were about push off in search of a quiet lunch spot.
Hugging the shoreline nosing through the mangroves, we kept paddling clockwise until we decided that the beach in front of the brick kiln would do. The tide was ebbing and the breeze freshening to becoming useful. The dash across the mud flats looking precarious – so we let Mark go first. It was a quick scoot with not much water between us and a trudge.
Coming into land we saw a familiar figure standing on the beach. We shared the delight of catching up with Carol and it was a pleasure to be giving her some home baked cupcakes and a muffin. It had been a most enjoyable day burnished with glorious weather, a classic bay location taken at a leisurely pace with good company.
