A smokey ANZAC day breakfast picnic at Heathcote

We paddled from Matilda Bay to Heathcote - stopped at Waylen Bay for a breakfast picnic. It was quite a calm and smokey morning There were very few boats to watch out for, and most yachts were traveling more slowly than we were (for a change!). Great way to start the day.

Easter Feeding Frenzy

Easter seems to be a time of feeding on easter eggs and other goodies ... and not just for humans! Whilst we were out paddling this morning we came across dozens of water birds feeding on fish in the river. It was a beautiful morning - classic easter weather - calm winds, placid water, warm sunshine - perfect to be out on the river for a short paddle.

A calm friday evening

Kerri and I went down to the river on Friday evening - it was warm and balmy with barely a breath of wind - perfect for a paddle! Lucky we had our picnic dinner and Kayaks along!

We paddled towards the city, under the narrows, and found a place to beach our boats and eat our dinner before paddling back.

Rocky ride - Pelican Point to Mosman Park - 16km

Kerri limbering up on an exercise machine.
We began the day with a walk along the Nedlands foreshore - had breakfast near Nedlands yacht club - and limbered up on the nearby exercise machines.

Kerri brought her embroidery along.
We set off from Pelican Point in search of a spot away from flags and noisy picnics. There was a lot of traffic on the river as boats headed towards the Narrows Bridge in search of a spot to view the fireworks this evening. We headed in the opposite direction.
The high tide allowed us to cross the Pt Walter spit and head towards a secluded beach at Mosman Park.

Beached!
On the way back we passed too close to Pt Resolution just as a big boat passed - the resulting wash caused Kerri to surf up onto the rocks!

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Circumnavigating Penguin Island - 6.7km

Rockingham must be one of the best places in Perth to visit when the weather is hot ... so we headed south along the freeway - only to be caught up in a traffic jam for half an hour caused by a truck roll-over ... eventually got to Shoalwater Beach and had a late picnic lunch at Penguin Island. We sat under the shade of a shrub near the beach, and found ourselves in the midst of a breeding colony of Bridled Terns (Sterna anaethetus). I wished I had my camera - they are very pretty birds. We saw thousands of them skimming over the water - looked as though they were after insects.
After lunch we headed south towards 'the sisters', but Kerri saw some dark shape under water - so we changed direction and circumnavigated Penguin island and then visited the 6 sea lions basking on Seal Island before heading home.

We saw a group of people paddling standing up on big surfboards (Stand up Paddling)- looked fun. They moved quite fast - not much slower than a kayak. Must try it some time on my windsurfer.

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Lots of bird life - upper Canning - 12km

With the wind being too strong to explore our usual haunts, Kerri and I decided to check out the Canning River, upstream of the Kent St Weir.


Paddling along here I had an overwhelming awareness of the miracle that somewhow this beautiful area had been saved from 'development'. Sure, it is pretty degraded with lots of rubbish and weeds - both in the water, and on the banks (including Blackberries, Water Lilies, Watsonia, Willows, and other introduced species). We also saw escapees from people's acquariums (enormous sized goldfish). Despite the degradation, the State Government is trying to improve things - weed control was evident, as was an aeration project. Most delightful was the amount of bird-life along the river.

I tried capturing photos of these Swans, but found it hard to take photos while being blown about by the wind!

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Last day of the holidays - 7.4km

For our last day of holidays this summer a group of us went to the Moore River near Guilderton for a paddle. We had a mild (30 degrees C) sunny day with a fresh South Westerly breeze blowing, so rather than battle headwinds near the coast we opted to launch at the Barragoon Rd launching spot and head down river towards the coast. We stopped for picnic lunch (thanks Romana and Dave for your generous supplies of food and drinks!) at a sandy beach.
The Barragoon Rd launching spot is on a nicely forested section of the river.

There were interesting things to photograph - an eagle circling overhead, water birds, other river users. Mostly it took me too long to get my camera out of its waterproof case - most things had long gone by the time I was ready - except for this stationary log.

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Down to Fremantle - 13.6km

Kerri and I don't often make it this far down the river - time, energy, winds, tides ... were all in our favour today, so off we went!
We left from our usual spot, Chester St carpark in Claremont. We usually head for the marker at the end of the Pt Walter sand spit because there is a narrow channel and it is easy for us to find a gap in the traffic of motor boats, ferries, and yachts big enough for us to dash through.

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Ride with the wind - 6.6km!

So much of our paddling is directed by the wind. Today it is blowing a fresh Easterley, so Kerri and I decided to head west from Matilda Bay and cruise down to Bishop Street for a picnic.
The Easterley was quite fresh when we set out, and eased to calm conditions as we paddled along. On the way back we paddled past yacht races that looked like suspended animation - the yachts sitting becalmed waiting for the sea breeze.

Bishop Street is a beautiful beach, with Point Resolution nature reserve at on headland and Bishop Street Reserve at the other. It is marred by housing development in the middle.

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An easy picnic paddle - 7.8km

Sparkling water, gentle breezes, a beautiful day for a picnic on the river!
Kerri and I set off from Bishop St reserve in Nedlands, we usually set off from the car park at the end of Chester Rd in Claremont, but the low tide made it very muddy and unpleasant to launch from so we decided on Bishop St. It is quite a hike with the Kayak from the car park to the river here!

We found a shady picnic spot on the north side of the river just opposite the East Fremantle Yacht Club. Eventually the sea breeze arrived and provided an easy ride back to the car.

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Shoalwater bay - 11.6km

This has to be one of my most favourite kayaking spots ... anywhere! With clear blue waters, craggy limestone islands, mysterious reefs, seals, penguins, seabirds ...
Kerri and I set off from Mangle's bay. The beach here has suffered in recent years from loss of sand, so it is a bit rocky just off-shore. The shallow waters generate great surf when there is a swell running, which made great fun for sit-on kayaks. Unfortunately the surf also attracts noisy personal water craft making it feel unsafe. This problem has reduced recently with 'boating prohibited' signs keeping the PWC's away. Not sure whether kayaks are considered 'boating'.

Heading out from Mangles Bay the water is clear, calm, and inviting. Once around the corner we can expect to encounter the sea breeze and rougher water.

Seal Island is a summer resting spot for male Sea Lions.


Looking back (north) the way we came, from Penguin Island towards Seal Island. The beach at Penguin island is sheltered from the afternoon South Westerly breeze. The shallows comprise sea-grass meadows and sandy areas. Penguin Island is packed with visitors on summer weekends, but is more peaceful during the week, so we were able to have a picnic lunch under a shady tree. A colony of pelicans on the rocky peak provides aroma and interest. The island also has a penguin colony and visitors can view penguin chicks being fed.

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