With rain forecast late morning we set off shortly after 10am for the first paddle of the Paddle Fit series – a 5-8km paddle up the Old Tanjil River from Blue Rock.
The water level at Blue Rock was significantly lower than it has been for some time resulting in us launching from icky sticky gooey mud – my favorite not!!. A bit of housekeeping put the boat back in order (no mud), a quick refresher on paddle strokes and we were on our way. It was not long before the virtues of paddling with a lighter paddle were revealed and paddle swaps undertaken to ensure paddler comfort.
Conditions were perfect overcast with a very light breeze, and calm water, not a ripple in site. As we progressed up the river wood smoke from a ? campfire was noticed. With fire restrictions lifted 10th April this was not completely unexpected but the actual cause was – see picture below – a wood heater on water ? the result of lightning strike.
With significant radiant heat at 10m and falling embers a close encounter was not advised.
We paddled on to the picnic area as planned for a leg stretch and morning tea. With the sky darkening we decided to start back returning following the shoreline, visiting the Diving Board the ladder dangling well above the water line, just able to be reached by hand.
With a few drops of rain but no wind we arrived back at the boat ramp, packed up and had time to enjoy a social lunch before the weather changed and the rain set in.
Thank you to Sue, Michelle, Richard and Gerhard for a wonderful relaxing paddle
Participants: Sue Ratcliff, Richard McNeil, Jackie Adamson, Gerhard Grasser,
Avenel Jane leader and author
