The SE wind was already up around 15Kn and predicted to freshen to 25Kn after midday, so we canned the paddle from Shorncliffe to Mud Island and headed for the shelter of the creeks on an incoming tide. The plan changed enroute as we creek hopped our way around Nudgee for a brisk return under sail with a following sea.
The lack of chatter on Google Groups suggested a boutique turn out so Helena was chosen on account of her delicate features. Unfortunately her symmetry was marred by road trauma when she rolled out the back and developed a gaping smile. Some of us just don't learn from past experience, although we did know to wait for Brian who rocked up at 8:30 for the 8:00am launch.
Having never been up Cabbage Tree Creek, this was an opportune moment to discover the plethora of fishing and recreation boats which line the banks. The creek shrank abruptly after passing through the dark culvert under the Gateway Motorway. It was time to get out. To escape the aggressive squadron of mossies and avoid a chicken run across the Gateway Motorway courtesy of the rising tide. Morning tea was had in the sun on the southern
bank next to the bike way that crosses the creek adjacent to
Sandgate Road.
Paddling back against the tide was easy going as there was no wind in this neck of the woods. It was however, ready waiting for us as we turned into Nundah Creek. Lots of kayaks, sit on tops and tinnies in this neck of the woods, almost as many as cyclists whirring along Allpass Parade. Up to six deep in the peleton, these branded buggers give domestic cyclists a bad name, but I guess they make a great impression on the front fender or bonnet of those poor sods experiencing water front living.
A shady tree at the other end of the port into Nudgee Creek was the lunch spot. The water crept up another inch or two for a convenient launch and a sticky beak up the creek. The back yards of the houses were not far from the waterline and would probably be awash in a king tide. A local on his sit on top with his gorgeous staffie were also heading up the creek. He pulled in at Nudgee Road to port across to the Kedron Brook Floodway. Sounded like a plan. Being plastic he had a no fuss re-entry over the rocks while we recruited an extra pair of hands to ginger the boats away from
the stairs on the eastern side of the jetty. The stairs do not drop away and made it possible to handle the boats in the chop and wind without mishap.
It was now blowing around 20Kn and a beam to following sea was ready and waiting. While some of us thought we were destined for an unplanned dunking, everyone kept it
together. Sailing and surfing was a burn. We managed to outpace a small yacht under full sail in the channel. Helena was retrieved from the car, and subject to debauchery before being demolished at the conclusion of a great day both in and out of the wind.
|
