“Spring has sprung.
The grass is riz.
I wonder where the sunshine iz.”
Well it’s sure not anywhere near here.
Last night at my place, the winds stayed at 30 knots and dropped a little at dawn. It was definitely not a day to try out the new double sea kayak but I was getting desperate for a soak in salt water. Four desperate souls met in the lee of the Pt Noarlunga reef with the hope of getting in a little playboating fun.
So for those who stayed in bed, nice and warm, here’s some photos to prove our insanity.
We got ready to launch as the rain started….. we were wet anyway
Remind me again how this is going to be fun
Ian picks up a ride as Steve paddles out
Charlie handles the conditions with ease in his Jackson Karma kayak
Steve gets bounced around in soup
Young Geoff shows us how to stay upright with class
…and Charlie does a quick “seabed inspection”
Geoff….Cool and calm
Geoff grabs another wave
Meanwhile Steve gets ready for a good thumping
Charlie tries to get airborne
Geoff looks on as Steve tries a “cartwheel”….unsuccessful this time
Charlie demonstrates the use of sunglasses on a cloudy day
Geoff finishes the session. Cold, wet and happy
Four cold and wet but happy paddlers. Enjoy your day.
The morning had dawned cold and still which is a little unusual for these parts. There is normally a breeze from one direction or other that has to be taken into account. No wind, however, a sea fog was rolling in but didn’t discourage a paddle along the rocky coast line of the upper Spencer Gulf. We spent time wandering along the coastline passing Douglas Point and Fitzgerald Bay, headed towards Stony Point on the edge of False Bay.
A strange colour in the sky and a sea fog made for an eerie feeling.
The sea fog slowly rolling towards us.
Not much changes in this part of the coast. This is a photo of Pt Lowly in 1905 and again below on our visit. All of the buildings are still there.
Many overseas visitors seem to think that all the animals of Australia are out to sting, bite or eat them. Of course this is not true, but the snakes, sharks and crocodiles do seem to sit heavy on their mind.
But what about Sepia Apama ? They can camouflage themselves and spring out at their prey from behind a rock. Luckily they don’t have much of an appetite for German Backpackers or in fact any nationality, although, if you start poking your finger in his/her direction you night get a very nasty bite. So who is Sepia Apama ? Sepia Apama is more commonly called the Giant Australian Cuttlefish. Giant because they grow up to 60cm long and weigh up to 5kg.
It’s winter and that is mating season for tens of thousands of these interesting creatures who change color to camouflage themselves. The water was very clear and calm so they could be seen all along the rocky coastline of False Bay.
The best way to meet up with Sepia Apama is a dip into the rather chilly 11 degree C water with your camera wearing every bit of wetsuit you own, so here’s 2 minutes of what we saw on our quick dip. You will see the” mating procedure” at around 55 sec. on the video. After mating the female attaches her eggs under a rock
Great paddling area and some unusual creatures.
Ian and Robyn
It’s mid week. It’s too early in the morning. The tide is wrong. The surf is dumping. It’s freezing cold but still we decided that it would be better to get wet than sloth around drinking coffee and staying warm.
Here’s a little taste of our “late take offs” and other dumpings. Come share our madness !!!
It was just before dawn when I heard the central heating start up. Hmm…must be a cold morning. A quick check and I found the outside temperature was 5 degrees C. I saw the phone blinking at me with a “Surf Alert”, announcing clean conditions on the mid-coast this morning. The Winter Solstice is a couple of days away and this may be our last chance to get in a “Solstice Paddle” so out of bed and on with the kayak.
We arrived at the beach in superb calm conditions and a small but diminishing swell, however, we never miss an opportunity to paddle with friends to celebrate the Solstice and the promise of better weather.
The estuary mouth reflects the houses on the cliff
Ibis mirrored in the water looks like a painting
Of course we were not the only ones looking forward to the warmer weather to come. A pack of friendly dogs were on the beach chasing balls, running in circles, sniffing bums and rolling in something that smelt like dead fish.
Rolling in something that smells like dead fish
No better way to celebrate than to catch a wave with a fellow paddler.
Ian heads out
Steve follows him
Ian gets a few clean rides
Steve works along a small dumping wave
As the tide changed the waves became more dumping and we found ourselves buried in freezing water.
Steve buried in freezing foam
Ian gets dumped again
Playing on the same wave
Having a quick game of tag
When Steve was not looking, Ian seized an opportunity, and surfed up on to his back deck.
Well maybe kayaks can sniff bums too.
Now where did he go ?
My hands were frozen and my ears stinging from the cold but it was still a great paddle with a Steve King (of England). Looking forward to the better weather and less thermal layers.
Stay CALM. The winter weather pattern is starting to set in. When you talk about Winter in South Australia you automatically imagine SW swells battering the coastline, driving by high winds.
I remember the calmer moments of winter mornings. The stillness as the fog slowly lifts; the clear crisp mornings on the beach and especially the calm winds of early morning.
Reflections in the still waters of the Onkaparinga River mouth
The bridge to the beach
Sure we have lots of mornings of driving rain and un-paddleable seas but they pass over bringing back the CALM. The bonus is that certain beaches that are normally “wave poor”, pick up a nice set on the lower tide. Such is the “Trough” surf break. I remember in my youth that it was a dirt road along the top of the cliffs that led to the beach, known as the “Trough” due to a sheep water trough on the farmers property. Now it’s in the middle of suburbia and a place of dog walkers, surf boats and the occasional kayak surfer.
Out for a morning trott along the beach
It’s amazing the entertainment a small piece of rubber can bring a dog
Today was a low tide with light northerly wind, winter morning and three intrepid paddlers set forth for a little calm winter play.
Ian and Steve push off into calm-ish waters waiting for Ian B to launch
Robyn shouted a final instruction. “You guys play nice now…Ian B may not be used to your antics.”
Ian starts with a nice small wave
Steve follows up with a similar size wave
……and shows how it’s done with a drop off the wave crest
Ian B follows with a nice ride
There are a few hazards when on a wave……
A surf boat barrells through to the shore
The main hazard for Ian B was Ian and Steve who love playing games.
Look out for that rogue wave Ian.
That scared him !!!!
Over the falls he goes.
Ooops. I think he’s practicing his roll.
“We didn’t do it on purpose Robyn. It was an accident ” Steve said, smiling.
Another great morning on the water.
Robyn and I have been wandering the west coast of South Australia enjoying the last of the autumn weather with some paddling and Fatbiking.(Our Fatbiking photos are here ) and return to Adelaide for some winter paddling.
Hope you enjoyed the photos.
Paddlers and kayaks
Ian Pope (green), Steve King (purple), Ian Brunning (orange)
Photographer
Robyn Pope
We had been on the bike for nearly two hours along a corrugated rocky road. I don’t know why but a classic Spaghetti Western soundtrack, The Good the Bad and the Ugly, had been going around in my head. Maybe it suited the landscape all around or was I expecting Clint Eastwood to step onto the road, or was it just another guitar piece I needed to learn.
We were approaching Hammond in the Flinders Ranges a place long lost.
Our first view of Hammond
As we crested the last rise I thought I could hear the slow drawl of organ music. Strange indeed as the most probable place to find an organ was at the Hammond Catholic Church, but it was boarded up some 20 years ago.
We rested on an old church seat and surveyed the town. A main street with intact buildings and a grid of streets around it with ruins. Down the street was a Bank of Adelaide building and next to it a general store. We had a wander past them whilst lunching.
The street is wide and open probably to allow horse or bullock drays to turn around.
That tune came again as I wandered towards the old Hotel. What a place this would have been in the past with the street full of people and industry and Hotel full of rowdy customers.
The Pub. Still standing on the main street corner.
I heard a voice call out in the distance and the banging of a door but on turning there was no one there. I was sure I could hear the clink of glasses and smell a fine beer but nothing and no one moved but me. This is indeed a strange place.
The day had started at Carrieton some 26km to the east where we had camped at the old School. A great place to rest, relax and chat with the locals.
A great place to relax
Not a lot happens in Carrieton, at least not whilst we were there. There is a small shop that opens in the mornings for general supplies and a Pub that is under renovation and threatening to open.
I was intrigued by this old building with its leadlight glass above the door. It’s interior has collapsed but the stone walls stand firm.
It even has bike hire available.
I don’t think I would want to spend an hour on this bike
Long ago the Catholic Church was prominent on the hill with its’ imposing gateway. You pass the grave of Rev. Richard Doyle the first Pastor of the church upon entry.
The road out is corrugated in patches and has its’ share of fist size rocks strewn about. The main attraction in the town is the annual Rodeo and Campdraft in March. We passed the Campdraft arena which shows a novel use for old tyres as fencing.
The weather was overcast, with forecast thunderstorms and we paused to study the sky ahead.
As is normal for this country we had several kangaroos bound along next to us before diving across the road only metres in front of us. At a creek crossing we disturbed a large Wedge Tailed Eagle enjoying a late breakfast, who nearly collided with us on takeoff. There was the usual assortment of Galahs and Corellas in the big gum trees and a few sheep wandering the paddocks. Luckily it was too cold for snakes.
An interesting 52km ride across some stunning landscape, racing ahead of the approaching rain. We made it back to Carrieton camp safe and dry and enjoyed a celebratory beverage by the roaring fire.
It had been a great ride to a strange place, one that I won’t be visiting in the dark.
PADDLING SOUTH 