toe rot yeah, I was considering putting some sort of ***WARNING*** message before the 'toe picture', but couldn't figure out how to do it. (besides - it is a depiction of the 'toe rot' being GONE, (though it is still a gross picture - (you should see the other toes) ) )
finished! Great job, mate. So you've made it to the finish line. Fantastic effort along the way. It sounds like you've earned the chance to relax and be a tourist for a while. Those of us back in Florida and FSKA are looking forward to hearing more details and having you back in our waters again. By the way, great pictures as usual (except for the fungi), that really seemed to tell the story well - along with your unique descriptions.
See you soon!
2nd last entry Hi John,
As I'm writing this, I'm about to enter my 2nd last entry (from Cooktown). I'm about to enter an area with no towns (Cape York peninsula). The next entry (the last) will be for the 2 week stretch from here to the top (or as I hear some of them call it - 'the tip', oh well, just to be clear- no more word from me till I get to the 'tippy top' - Cape York.
Great Photos Andy, it's good to hear that you are doing well. Can't wait to see all your photos when you get back. We will have to get you to do a slideshow for the Club (if we can get Greg to stop talking long enough).
wildlife No, actually I'm kind of surprised, I haven't seen a whole lot (or maybe I've kind of 'acclimated' and don't notice as much as I should).
Recently have been seeing many sea turtles.
No sharks (maybe a few small ones).
Lots of dolphins - south of the tropics (none up here).
Lots of birds - I wish I could identify them all.
Andy Hello Andy, I enjoy reading about your great adventures ‘down under’ and I’m amazed by the start times and the miles you can put in a days time. There is nothing like getting an early start.
How are your kayak and your equipment holding up? With all the trips you have made before is there any additional equipment you wish had? Looking forward to your return to Florida and telling us (the less adventures) of your travels. Travel safe my friend!
see you in Mackay? Hello Freya,
Wow, you are making great progress, and you are about to enter an area (SE trades) where you will 'fly'. Though, my advantage in the Romany Explorer has been the ability to handle heavy surf - I really didn't encounter any in the Sydney to Brisbane stretch (except for a mistake I made in the Port Stevens area).
If you don't pass me in the Shoalwater area, I'm sure you will go by me in Mackay, I plan to stay there a couple or 3 days. (Last time I left the kayak at the Marina - they put it inside a locked area for me - I hope to do the same this time)
I'll ask for you at the Marina desk.
I have developed a skin rash every trip. I've made adjustments over the trips - to a limited success. (sprayskirt, hygene, creams, 'home remedies', etc.).
The fishermen I talk to say they just put up with it.
In my case - I think I agrivate the situation by starting early in the morning (eg: 2am), skin gets when going out through surf, and sits rubbing against itself and sprayskirt until sun starts drying things off.
Waiting for Hamish? Hi Andy.
Enjoy reading the details of your daily adventures (drifting away paddles and mud walks) - sounds like paddling along the Big Bend Paddling Trail on Florida's Gulf Coast.
Are you able to keep up with Freya's progress as she paddles just south of you? I believe her blog put her in Hervey Bay yesterday (3.6.2009). She apparently is suffering from abrasion sores (backrest and arm pits - ugh!). Her trip is 48 days in length as of today and is also waiting a bit for Hamish to do it's thing
Current weather report: North and central Queensland are bracing for Category 5 Cyclone Hamish which could be more destructive than Cyclone Larry - Hamish, upgraded to a potentially deadly Category 4 storm yesterday, had winds gusting up to 230km/h last night but early today was upgraded to a more lethal Category 5 storm. The bureau's warning said Hamish "poses a very significant threat to coastal and island communities between Bowen and Bundaberg". "The cyclone is expected to maintain a southeast track parallel to the coast during the next 24 to 48 hours."
Stay safe and have fun.
catching up Hi, Andy,
just found a bit of time to ready your blog!
We are about 3-4 days of paddling apart - I had to take Sat and Sun off in Hervey Bay for recovery of my skin, and Mon and Tues looks like the cyclone kicks in. Maybe we meet somewhere around Mackay.
Keep up the good paddling!
Cheers,
Freya Hoffmeister
Water Thief Hi Greg,
You guys should be getting into pretty good weather about this time.
The thief:
I'm sure it was a 2 legged variety.
There's a little more to the story:
Again, it was late and I was dog tired.
I had put everything 'away' as I normally do (cover my gear bags, valuables in tent with me, cockpit cover).
The only thing left out was a mesh gear bag, handles at the ready for a quick in, quick out burgler. The gear bag was used to carry my water bags.
I'm sure the sucker got home expecting a pot of gold, or some such, and discovered he was lugging several pounds of water (and I'm sure he won't realize the value of the MSR drom bags).
Andy
Now we know Andy, now we know who ripped you off - it was them 'crows'! They have taken a 'liken' to water bags especially black drom's
Your trip sounds very interesting - really look forward to your reports and enjoy reading about your adventures.
Travel safe my friend
are you having fun yet? Hey Andy.
Good reading about your adventure thus far. Many in the FSKA are reading and enjoying the funny pics (of you no less). Quite impressed with your knowledge of the tides and currents, but then, prior preparation always prevents poor performance, right?
Question, was the water thief a two, three or four legged creatue?
Take care,
Greg
Florida Sea Kayaking Association
Hey Andy Hey Andy, Great to hear (read) about your adventures in the land down under. Nice pictures - looking forward to reading about your trip, John sent out an e-mail with your link - hope you get lots of mail to read when you get back on dry land. Take care and travel safe - tip a pint (or 2) for me.
Tom N
Good to hear from you Sorry to hear that you have had to deal with some unfavorable weather conditions, but it’s good to hear that you are doing fine. We just returned from our kayak camping trip on Florida Bay, was a great time (little windy), wish you could have been there. Take care and I look forward to reading your next update.
Sea Kayak coast of Australia - 2009
In February of '09, will start paddling up coast of Australia from Sydney.
(for previous trip, see: AndyM )
Equipment will be using:
kayak: NDK Explorer (same type as used on previous 2 trips)
Werner (Cyprus) paddle (& spare)
sprayskirt: Wildwasser Solstice, (spare: Reed (Aquatherm))
Black Diamond (HiLight) tent
SeaSpecs prescription sunglasses
clothing: Coolibar, Ex Officio, SunPrecautions, FiveTen(Nemo's - NLA), Mion
Katadydn (PUR-06) desalinator
GPS: Garmin gpsmap 76csx (& spare)
cam... full info
AndyM AUS2009
Andy Mitchell
toe rot
yeah, I was considering putting some sort of ***WARNING*** message before the 'toe picture', but couldn't figure out how to do it. (besides - it is a depiction of the 'toe rot' being GONE, (though it is still a gross picture - (you should see the other toes) ) )