AndyM AUS2009

Days 71=73: (s of) Yule Pt. (20 miles), Weary Bay (50 miles), Cooktown (36 miles) The upcoming stretch - Cape York, there won't be much opportunity to top off the water bottle. I'm figuring it's about a 2 week paddle (last time I think it took me 11 or 12 days - but that's because I wanted to get out of the rain, and my last 'day' (24 hours) was typically a 3 day paddle (90 miles) ). So, if I use 1.5 liters a day (I think I've been averaging just a little over that), I should make it (if not - we are still in the rainy season, or - there is a little community of Portland Roads about halfway where I can 'water up'). The 1st day out of 'Yorkeys' I stayed at ... read more

Days 55=58 Cape Upstart (45 miles), Cape Bowling Green (35 miles), Cape Cleveland (31 miles), Townsville (15 miles) Day 55 Due to an 'ugly' landing spot in Bowen - I wanted to, and did leave on a high tide - at 10:30PM. Hmm, I wonder why I get tired on paddles starting around this time. 'Andy' - the 'mayor' of Cape Upstart see last trip) wasn't there, but there were a few other local blokes about. Day 56 Nice ride across the big bay to Cape Bowling Green with the SEerlies pushing me along, though, like the albatross - I 'flew' across quite well, but had an ugly landing. The waves (surf) were 'smallish' - but very sloppy. I underestimated the 'power' of the waves, and on a broach - it rolled me over. Oh well, ... read more

Just a quick one here - I'm in Airlie Beach (landed in Shute Harbor) to pick up some gear I ordered - that was supposed to be shipped to Mackay, but they sent it to Gladstone instead - so I had to have it forwarded it on to here (hopefully it will be here, and not in Timbuktu or wherever). Days 50, 51: Cape Hillsborough (20 miles), Shute Harbor (49 miles) Day 50 - Just before leaving Mackay on Sunday afternoon, the volunteer rescue folk wanted to know if I was 'missing'. Hay Point was putting out a 'securite' for a kayaker between Cape Palmerson and Mackay, I guess I kind of fit the bill - but I told them that I was not missing. Cape Hillsborough is a beautiful place - unfortunately I arrived just ... read more

Days 31=34 (+ probably a few weather days) Elliot Heads (35 miles), South of Baffle Creek (39 miles), Agnes Water (n of) (31 miles), Gladstone (50 miles) Cyclone ' Hamish ' is closing on land south of Cairns. Though I'm well south (in Gladstone), I think I'll wait out the winds and rain from it (rather strong), will probably be here a few days - as the weather isn't supposed to get here until tomorrow (and I don't want to be paddling in the Shoalwater Bay area when it does get here. On my last trip (in '06), Cyclone 'Larry' ('Hamish' is being compared to it) had me pinned down in Mackay a few days. I've been seeing quite a few sea turtles - but they spook easily (just as the camera is ready to shoot). ... read more

Days 13 = 25: Woolgoolga (17miles to; days 13-17, weather), Evans Head (74 miles), Balina (21 miles), Byron Bay (21 miles), Kingscliff (28 miles), Jumpinpin (41 miles), Moreton Island (32 miles), Woorim (25 miles), Mooloolaba (31 miles) The above stops covers a lot of different territory, I'll try to summarize. As mentioned in the last post, I was weather delayed in Woolgoolga a total of 5 days. A strong low was centered off Coffs Harbor (17 miles south). As soon as it finally moved on, there was another low, much weaker moving in. I decided to go - when opportunity knocks - the south wind was mild, though helpful, however, combined with the wind - there was a fairly strong current heading north - generated from the previous days strong southerlies. At first I thought I ... read more