The Met got it right today - it was a steady 10 Kn gusting to 15 SE by the white caps. It also gave Tom a reason to play with his anemometer and a good way to find out how easy it can be to over estimate wind speed. Squally skies and discussions for an
alternative to the calendar paddle around Macleay whittled the starting pack from six to five. Piker Dean had put his tail between his legs and gone home. Not wanting Peter to go packing we settled upon Eprapah Creek as it was somewhere new, just around the corner and it was not far off the top of the tide. We had the numbers back up to six by the time we returned.
With the SE up our tails it was a brisk whip around the corner of Point O'Halloran into the shelter of the mangroves where you would be forgiven for not knowing there was any wind. Eprapah Creek is reasonably wide, it must also be deep as it is home to
two boat yards with some monster sea faring cats well underway. Ideas were floated that one could become a mother ship, but lo and behold around the corner was a more realistic prospect - Burra Burra, with whom we had crossed paths earlier in the week
in Caniapa Passage. Skipper David has been intending to join the Claytons Club paddles but never quite made it as they have plenty on their 'to do' list. Today also looked like a miss as he was not on board and the orange Prion was tied up out the back.
Eprapah meandered its way amongst a variety of mangroves which crowded the banks as the creek narrowed creating an intimate trail shrouded by overhanging branches. Sticky overgrowth brought the paddle to a conclusion in a wide pool next to attractive grassy banks. However these were edged by slimy mud and a decent drop off into the murky water so morning tea was taken back at the informal ramp access where the hard ground was littered with broken brown glass. It was a tricky place for some quiet relief as just when you thought you were out of view of the ramp, you
were centre stage for the people on the boardwalk.
Back on the water we came across David who had come up the creek
looking for us. The entrance to the creek is very shallow so by now you had to follow the channel. Into a rain squall the wind intensified to around 20 Kn and sent a dousing of rain which in the shallow water competed with the brisk little chop for wash rights. We decided to head for the shelter of northern Coochie
which promised to be a work out and a half. However, Peter thought better of it and made for the sand bar where he had an easier walk on firm sand. Who needs a gym membership when you can choose a 20 Kn headwind ? David in the meantime had disappeared into the squall, but did come back to the beach at Point O'Halloran after he realised that we were no longer following his beefy effort across to the island.
Wet and chilly with the boats back on the cars we headed to Victoria Point for a nutritional feed of hot fish and chips and a burger while David took an express trip back up the creek. While it was only a 15 Km round trip, I reckon the wind extended the effort 20 Km and bought to close a day well spent on the water.
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