“Busted flat in Baton Rouge , waitin’ for a train. When I’s feelin’ near as faded as my jeans.” Janis Joplin 1943-1970
Sometimes a song just jumps out of the shadows and into your head. There is no stopping it, no getting rid of it, no stopping the urge to hum it and no respite from the only lines you remember.
It was mid-morning and the fog had lifted enough to see the track more than a few metres ahead. Janis was banging around in my head, at least until I nearly rode off the leaf covered track and into a tree. That smartened things up a bit.
We were riding the Old Beechy Rail Trail in Victoria, a 40km mountain bike trail along the disused rail corridor. Camped at Gellibrand we were riding out and back towards Colac to avoid logging work that had closed part of the trail.
The morning started a little above freezing and stayed there for most of the ride. The fog was like soup for the first hour and then lifted enough to admire the view across the ranges. Janis was back to replace the fog.
There were minor creek crossings and lots of climbing to reach the 103 mile marker on the train line. Great views on either side of the track and a few startled kangaroos who jumped out in front of us. Anyone would think they had never seen a bike rider before. Actually, we didn’t see any other bike riders either.
We did come across two local women walking their dogs along the trail, wrapped in long down jackets, beanies and scarves half covering their face. The women that is, not the dogs; they were au natural.
We slowly warmed as the sun hit the trail and we enjoyed the ride and the views.
What goes up must come down, so we certainly enjoyed the return mainly downhill run, although my frozen toes didn’t seem happy. Back in Gellibrand we raided the General Store for coffee and apple pie and later wandered around the old train station and small town.
“Feelin’ good in Gellibrand, waitin’ for a train.” Apologisies to Janis
It’s weird when you get a song stuck in your head. Well actually in your brain to be more specific, but you know what I mean. How does that actually happen ? Maybe Mr Google can give me some answers although I’m not sure I can wade through all the advertising to find the answer.
Anyway, moving on I’ve been plagued by this one song recently. “I’m living in the Seventies” by Skyhooks and it was released , funnily enough, in the seventies, 1974 to be exact. Then I started thinking about the reasons it’s embedded in my brain. Well, I was definitely living in the 70’s and apparently survived unscathed despite the Magic Mushrooms, Flared Pants, Body Shirts and Platform Shoes, and it was the era when I moved water sports from Scuba Diving and Freediving to Kayaking. Maybe it’s because I’m now Living in the Seventies in another way. Yes, you guessed it, in birthdays.
Just in case you’re not fully informed in the category of 70’s music here’s a link to Skyhooks Live on Countdown TV show.
Ok, back to reality of some sort, here’s a short video of what Living in the Seventies paddlers get up to.
It’s “Park and Play” which suits more when you only have a hour or two available as the Coffee and Bun is calling. Sea kayaking will be missed this week as the wind is forecast to increase and we also need to fit in a couple of Mountain Bike sessions.
It was a cooler morning for this time in Summer. No blazing sun to bake you in a 40 degree C oven or searing bitumen in the carpark. I scanned along the line of cars to find the rest of todays’ crew. Easy to spot the Old Bulls, amongst the gaggle of young board riders, as they readied for a little ocean playboat fun.
The youngster parked next to me peers out to sea and sighs. No great waves for him today but not so for us. He downs a can of Red Bull sports drink, grabs his board and jogs down the cliff path, hoping the Red Bull will kick into the waves as well. I look at the Red Bull can still sitting on the bonnet of his car, thinking “maybe it does give you wings”. It’s a bit of a climb down the cliff path carrying your kayak and wings would be handy.
The closest I can see of an energy drink is Steve sipping a lukewarm breakfast coffee. I don’t know how he manages to consume it that way. We are here for the fun of surfing a few small waves, no energy drink, no sponsors stickers, no Go Pro. Just a small group of Old Bulls having FUN.
We aren’t sponsored by anyone. Actually, that’s wrong; some of us are sponsored by our Superannuation Funds and others by various side line acts and supported by our wives and partners although maybe they are just happy to see us out from under their feet. I think we actually sponsor the nearby Becks Bakery as we often seem to end up there.
We are definitely Old Bulls not Red Bulls, but we are out there running like Bulls, or should I say Paddling. The surf is “below average” today but the fun levels will be sky high, especially in retelling of exploits at the bakery. Funny how the waves are always bigger and maneuvers more spectacular when accompanied by a coffee and bun.
Here’s a few photos of FUN.
I just realise that I didn’t fit my nose plug
Seaweed Steve always seems to be nearby.
Seaweed Steve on the charge
Just cleaning out my sinus cavity
Berny looking serious but still having fun
You’re still with us !! Well here’s a short video to waste another 90 seconds. I have to go now as I need to check my letterbox for the expected bundle of Valentines Day cards.
The Barbie movie is about to hit the screen and we took our own “Barbie kayak” out for a splash around.
Well actually it’s a Jackson Rockstar V but with all the pink colour it’s certainly worthy of the Barbie name.
I’m not sure Barbie approved of the weather with a cold 8 degrees C and light rain but what the heck, we were out there celebrating the cold.
Another amazing fact. Barbie and I have the same birthday. When I was younger some people compared me to Ken, but now I think I’m more “Ken Oath” than Ken. (work out the Aussie slang you foreigners. Yes, it’s rude).
Winter is with us again. Those sunny days of Autumn are gone. No more lazing around in shorts and T shirts, it’s back to fleece jackets and beanies.
We have been travelling for a couple of months, paddling sea kayaks, bush walking and riding mountain bikes as well as some photography sessions. If you missed the sea kayak article it’s here and bike riding in the northern Flinders Ranges is here.
Our latest attempts in photography try to capture the landscape in a more abstract way . What do you think ?
Back home for a while I drag out the playboat and head out for a short session.
The beach is deserted except for a couple of dogs chasing a ball. No one else in the water today, probably because it’s chilly and only us retirees get “Fridays free time”. The swell has also deserted the beach but I still manage a few rides and get my head wet.
I find Steve (King of England) had the same idea and was already on the waves.
Robyn managed to get some video of the small wave session. We enjoyed our first winter session and hope to fit in many more between sea kayaking, mountain biking and coffee and croissants.
I woke before dawn to a special silence. No distant crashing of waves, no wind swaying the trees, no flapping of canvas; the silence of a calm sea.
The dawn came with a burning red horizon viewed through the trees and then as a red streak as I made it to the beach.
A sign of Calm Seas
On the beach
Today we would be paddling on a calm sea. The last few days had been choppy, wind swept and wet but still a lot of fun as we launched in sloppy conditions and paddled into sheltered bays to investigate the rocky, boulder strewn coastline.
Yes, it’s windy on this coastline as you can see from the trees. The sandy spot around the tree is used as a resting place for the local kangaroos. You can see the tail drag marks in the sand.
Windswept
Launching in a fairly protected cove
Not only did we have to content with the less than ideal conditions, but this is also a major shipping channel for Port Lincoln where grain carriers carefully navigate the passage of islands that lead them to the Southern Ocean. A Bulk Carrier puts out a hell of a wake which adds to the wave chop and rebound from the islands.
Keep your distance
Not only where the launches interesting, but even the landings in a protected cove, at the end of the paddle, were a mad dash to surf to shore, jump out and drag the kayak up without getting too wet.
Charlie coming into protected waters
Greg showing his style to land without wet feet
We knew today would be different as we prepared the kayaks on the beach at Taylors Landing. Taylors is protected and generally the last mainland point before heading across Thorny Passage to Thistle Island. Unfortunately, we didn’t have a good enough weather window to be taking that route, but we would be exploring some stunning coastline.
Thistle Island is far in the distance and the closer island is Taylor Island.
Perfect conditions
Charlie had decided to make attach a Shark shield to his kayak this morning as we had just received the very sad news that a surfer had been taken by a Great White shark not far along the coast.
Loading up and checking the Shark Shield
We slid into the water and were away.
Clear calm water
How’s that for style
With Charlie keen to explore every small rock pool and Greg diligently following it was an excellent day of fun paddling.
We passed rugged granite cliffs and explored around lichen coloured boulders.
Greg was often around rocks
Charlie likes to poke his nose in
The Gulls
The next two photos show the clarity of the water and the reflection of the kayak. Charlie has “borrowed” my Greenland style paddle and is now an affectionado of the “carbon toothpick”.
Along the way we chatted to the local Sea Lions, caught a whiff of the local cormorant flock, watched small fish dart under the kayak as well as enjoying the stunning coastline.
Cormorant Rock
Drifting in close
When we got a little too close the Cormorants would waddle close to the rock edge, jump off and madly flap and run to get height. If you were in the wrong spot they would come straight at you, emptying their bowels, to lighten the load, as they struggled for altitude. Just don’t be in that wrong spot.
…and they’re off
The calm conditions gave us the chance to explore around the rock pools.
Charlie rocks
Ochre cliffs
Clear water
Relaxing
A White Bellied Sea Eagle kept a close eye on us for several kilometres, however, I think we were a little too big to be considered likely prey.
I’m watching you guys
It’s hard to do the scenery justice when taking photos from the kayak with a small Canon camera but here’s a few of the seascape. I have managed to drown another Nikon camera so it’s back to the “point and shoot” Canon until I decide on a new camera.
Our paddle ended on a sloping rock shelf in beautiful warming sunshine.
All that was left to do was take the 4wd track back to camp, take a walk on the beach, indulge in a cold beer, followed by a few glasses of red wine by the fire, which was diligently tended by Greg.
…and then the rain came.
A few days of great paddling. Ian and Robyn, Greg and Charlie.
PADDLING SOUTH 