The ships log:
Nelson bay July 2004.
The plan for this paddle was to
arrive on the Saturday and paddle for the two days. However with the forecast
warning of rain and high winds for the Sunday, everyone arrived on the Friday
morning to take advantage of the fine weather.
Soldiers point was the choice of camp as it is centrally located within Nelson
bay. Depending on the winds and tide on the day would generally determine which
way to go.
Friday morning arriving at 08:15
set up camp and was on the water by 09:00 for a short paddle to Snapper Island
while waiting for the others to arrive. Dolphins were everywhere with what appeared
to be very young ones not more than a meter in length. Just sat and enjoyed.
The others had arrived at around 11 am so we were on the water again at 11:30.
As the tide was on the run out and the wind in our backs we paddled up the Northern
side of Nelson bay down to the entrance of the Myall river and then across to
the Southern side for a llate lunch.
On the crossing it was time to have
a quick surf... with waves like that it is impossible to resist.
Arrived back at camp just on a glorious sunset.
The next morning a quick call on the VHF confirmed that there was a gale force wind warning along the NSW coast. We waited and decided that we would do a short paddle as the front had not arrived in the Illawara region as yet. So it was off for a quick paddle to a small sheltered bay on Bandabah point. With the winds picking up and white caps forming we headed West towards North Arm where after a short morning tea headed back to camp. With sails up there was little to do but watch Paul paddle back.