By January 2 it was take two. On New Year’s Day Moreton Bay had turned into a brown choppy morass and none of the islands were visible from Wienam Creek. With the wind buffeting the Feroza and a dirty full tide slapping the top of the boat ramp it was alltoo easy to turn tail and head home. In the meantime at Point O’Halloran Chris and Carol’s camping plans went the same way as they munched on some Christmas cake in the shelter of a car.
With an outgoing tide, and predicted E-SE, making for Blakesleys from Weinam Creek would give us a circular route which we had not done for some time. The bay remained turbid and there was only the occasional birdlife as we headed north via Garden Island, up Lucas Passage then across to Blakesleys. Just north of Lamb Island Mark was pushed by the tide onto a substantial rusty postlurking just below the waterline. Had it been my boat I think it would have been hulled, but being a Natureline you have more glass between you and your assailant. The post may have been the remnants of a marker of rocks as a review of the track on Google Earth showed that we had scooted alongside all major sandbanks.You could claim precision navigation in tune with the ebb of the flow, but no we had simply arsed it, both there and back.
Blakesleys was marked by a flotilla of white dots. As we came in from the south, a bevy of kayakers were approaching from the west. All up around 16 kayakers put ashore amongst a friendly group of family day trippers and stoic campers. The mood was relaxed even amongst the off lead dogs. The water was starting to clear and after lunch the day started to smile with blue skies. A delicious assortment of home made biscuits, Christmas cake and other seasonal delectables did the rounds. We were in no hurry to leave and saw the rest of the group off before settling in for a siesta in the shade. Our return was via Potts Point which has been transformed. The old brick loo block is now a sandpit. The flash new loo has no need for literacy (no excuses Brian) and is complete with rainwater collection for flushing. There are also some new picnic shelters linked to the earlier one by a wide concrete path. A local who was happy with the upgrade reckoned the only reason ithas happened is because the local mayor has a property on Macleay.
It was a relaxing paddle with a light tail wind. At low water you pass by some particularly sludgy looking mud banks. Banks you would not want to be on the wrong side of. We avoided such an invidious departure courtesy of the Beacon to Beacon and channelmarkers. The wake of a couple of speed boats came us a brief ride before coming into Weinam Creek. The water remained murky and is likely to remain so if this big wet continues as it has over the New Year. Maybe now could be a good time to paddle the Upper Brisbane River inland of Wivenhoe, or maybe even spend some time camping at Logan Inlet.
