Having completed this trip before, Roz became the designated leader. Due to the high river levels consequent on ongoing and recent heavy rain resulting in increased stream flow, the decision was made to paddle one way from Tambo Upper down to Johnsonville which involved a shuffle. Thank you to Leanne and Dan Bainbridge for assisting with this.
Disturbing happy campers at the launch site, with our unexpected but not unwelcomed arrival we launched from a small sandy beach accessible from a track leading off from the
main road near the Tambo Upper Primary School
The main body of the fast flowing river was quite narrow and very shallow in places at the start lined with willows and snags ensuring that we all kept out in the middle. As we progressed down the river, sandbanks gave way to deeper water, the river slowed, enabling us to enjoy the spectacle of the cliffs before moving on and through to the open and more exposed section of the river lined with farmland and areas of residential development.
We arrived at Johnsonville at 12:30pm in time for a well deserved lunch, before returning to our start to pick up vehicles. Congratulations to both Richard McNeil and Julie Cain for their PB 's in sea kayaks to date.
Due to increasing wind (as forecast) an afternoon paddle was declined leading to a free afternoon.
Sunday morning broke brilliantly clear and still. The water was a mirror and it felt like paddling on silk - a perfect day for a short paddle to the mouth of the Tambo and back (4.5km to the mouth along the path from our accommodation at Lealow). With stream flow assist we made short work of the downward leg, drifting out into Lake King and enabling a close encounter with a cormorant lined tree as we orientated ourselves eventually, without Google assist, to land references on the opposite side of the lake - one is never lost just geographically embarrassed.
With family and home commitments calling and an increasing head wind, we regretfully made our way back to the Johnsonville Boat Ramp bringing to the end another memorable paddling event.
Thank you to all that made this such an enjoyable trip.
Particpants: Roz Spratt, Pat Williams, Don Creed, Jean Fear, Shane Bright, Julie Cain, Julie Christie, Russell Christie, Sue Stewart, Avenel Jane, Richard McNeil. Non paddling participants Sue Russell, Leanne Bainbridge
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