After a couple of late nights even the cat's persistent early morning ambush couldn't get us out of bed. Today would be a lazy Sunday paddle. The forecast promised an easy sail back on a NE rising to 15 knots. The racks were only just going back on the car as the day group were leaving Point O'Halloran for Blakesleys. We rocked up around 10:30. After lugging the boats down the stairs we promptly
sat down in the murky water to cool off.
The waterways were buzzing with boats. People populated Coochie's beach line and the queue for the ferry was only dwarfed by the numbers steeping ashore. It was another scorcher and time for swim number two. We shared the warm waters with water bikes, snorkelling kids and people puddling around on sit on tops.
The human congestion eased as we made a beeline for Blakesleys. Ribbons of cut sea grass streaked the surface. It looked like something had been mowing the meadows without a catcher. Five unrecognised paddlers passed 200m to the north. They manifest signs of potential puritans with rudders held high and a distinct lack of sail. We continued to bob our way along with a mild push from the NW. The water remained turbid and all we saw were a couple of large loggerheads.
Just off shore we met Ray, Stan and Dave on their return leg from the Dunwich bakery. Cruising into the SE point we landed on the gentle beach leading up to the array of smaller tents that come with kayaks. Apparently the overnight company was less than convivial. One person had to verbally fend off a drunk female who was about to water their tent. Charming.
Lunch was followed by another swim and some relaxed approaches to re-entry and rolling. Soon the day group were packing up. Not this little duck - the NE had not arrived and hey afterall this was a lazy Sunday paddle. It was another's concern for fading light that kicked a reluctant butt into action. The wind was starting to ruffle the surface as we cruised at 9kph. Mark was trying out a long narrow sea kayak blade and had already concluded that it was not for him. With limited surface area he had to wind up the frequency of his stroke with little accompanying pick up in pace.
If I hadn't seen it for myself I wouldn't have believed it. A black manta ray erupted from the water and landed with a whacking great belly flop. Mark only saw the re-entry splash. I have seen the little spotted eagle rays do this but never a manta ray. I wouldn't have expected to see this so far south as we have only come across manta rays around Crab Island. A couple more turtles were the sum of the wildlife on the way back via the north side of Coochie where we called in for a comfort stop.
When we left Coochie the NE was coming in at a steady 10. It pushed us by two magnificent white belly sea eagles resting in a mangrove tree near the base of the NW reef. Then it blew a little more and delivered us ashore at the end of an enjoyable lazy Sunday paddle.