Blah blah blah blah. Oops. Wasn't that the Boondall Exit ? Chatting we had sailed past the turnoff to Nudgee Beach. Just as well we were out and about early. Not as early as some though as most of the day's crew were already at the Kedron Brook Floodway boat ramp.
The invitation of a glorious morning with a quiet forecast was well received. A steady procession of boats were launched as while the mud lay in wait and nicked people's shoes. We were pushed out into the bay by a gentle SW where the water remains turbid. There was no guessing where Wally was today. Aside Wally
there were no other container ships plying their trade as we crossed east of the coffee pots. Terns and cormorants was about all there was on show aside the glimpse of the back of large loggerhead before it disappeared into a swirling watery imprint.
A sharp slimy coral skirt had us congregate off the western lagoon while Mark checked out the creek to the north for a place to park up for AM tea. AM tea as it had only taken two hours. With 15cm being more than enough clearance we snuck in and either anchored or were lifted onto the bank for our place in the sun
with a glorious view of the bay. Carol is now a Mud buff while George the initiate. The initiate didn't take to the ritual of paddling up to Ron's campsite, stripping off, running the perimeter and then re-presenting to the group of a tally of
strikes. Fortunately for Chris the SW persisted and kept the M and M's away. Carol shared slabs of delicious pumpkin and orange loaf topped with toasted almond slithers. Good stuff,
especially with a coffee and as it turned out, a most welcome store of energy.
Graham was interested to find his northern beach a couple of Km
around to the north as it could make for a place to park up for lunch. As it turned out the tide had stolen it but gave us a chance to paddle a short distance into the mangroves in a
charming place sheltered by coral rubble and home to shovel nosed
rays. Back at the lagoon entrance we drifted into a bay that had a swarm of boats, tinnies, yachts and a line up of container ships. It was hardly a hive of activity - no one was moving. Everything was still. Even the breeze had slipped away. The most
action was put in by mullet.
Then it was turn tail for 240 degrees back to the floodway. The predicted NE breeze was in no hurry to lend a hand. By the time we passed by the coffee pots it was becoming a grind. With no sails in sight Too Impetuous anchored to the north of the coffee
pots, wearing official flags with a temporary buoy nearby was clearly in for a long wait. Can't say this is a fascinating part of the bay when it turns into a gym workout. Even Dean thought a 5Kn headwind would have at least created something to work
against. No thank you. The lack of lunch was starting to grumble and the distance rapidly becoming a drudge. The bush walkers showed their resilience and were first to pull up on the muddy shore at Kedron Brook. By now there was little chatting and
certainly no chance of an over run at the end point.
A couple of filled rolls later life took on a happier hue and the
aching forearms became, well it's just got to be good for you, and
who can complain about another day in paradise ?
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