By the jam of speed boats and kayaks at the ramp, the word was out. The promise of a great day had everyone jostling for space and by the end 10 kayaks lined up on the muddy sand to the right of the Scarborough boat ramp. Passing the macabre remains of what would have been a truly magnificent groper we headed out from the protected harbour waters to cross Deception Bay for Bribie Island.

Hopeful sails made it easy to keep an eye on everyone as the group dispersed into three pods. On the way over one was privy to an up close and personal viewing by a curious pod of dolphins. While a determined crossing of the shallows from the western side just kept us in out boats, it was Brian who made the triumphant finish. For a change the sunny end of the table was the most popular seat in town. Although it was early, morning tea soon phased into lunch complete with table service courtesy of the local fish and chip shop.

Having enjoyed a moist slab of Carol's date, apple and pecan loaf, lunch was finished with a sour slice of Oscar, the rest of which now had a firm date with the worm colony. By the time we were back on the water the tide had turned and people were fishing all the way along the beach. Heading towards the tip of the island Dean noticed that the shoreline had a precipitous drop with schools of fish darting under what looked like rocky ledge. In summer it would be worth coming back to the tip of the island and snorkelling the shoreline. Only catch is that there is no shade along this part of the beach so it would need to be beach umbrellas in the hatches rather than chairs and tables.

A pow wow off the tip of Bribie saw four of us head for Gilligan's Island while the rest of the group went straight back to Scarborough. Identifying the nature of several fins was sorted for once and for all by the sound of a blow hole and the pod coming in close. It seemed to take an age to reach the waves breaking around and on Gillgans. Once there it was thigh deep water with small unpredictable multidirectional waves. All of a sudden it would rear up, and, if you were in the right place at the wrong time, greet you with a faceful.

With an incoming tide paddling along the sandbar that extends SW from the island gave us an easy 9Kph run. Next to this a rolling swell kicked up and gave some fun short rides. Sadly this current petered out and it was a plod all the way back, a plod against the backdrop of a beautiful misty afternoon. Gliding back into the harbour the tranquillity was ruptured the noise emanating from the Boat Club House. By the end of the 35Km I was feeling knackered as the day had been true to its promise and had changed sails into flags.