redwinekayaks

Our short visit to Bribie Island was interrupted by an unmissable sunrise that saw us all out of our sleeping bags standing with cameras at the ready as it emerged above the horizon. The washing machine that we had paddled through the previous afternoon had been replaced with a mirror ocean which we were eager to get on. Our early start saw us up to Caloundra by midday so we stopped for an outstanding coffee and brisket burger at Coffee Cat cafe, the food was mouthwatering and the coffee delicious. The hour and a bit we stopped for lunch saw the ocean change its nature from peaceful toddler to naughty teenager. As naughty teenagers require careful management so did our rounding of the Caloundra headland – if you we watching out tracker andwondering why we we were heading a long way out into the ocean it was so we could surf the 1.somthing metre wind chops waves that were heading toward the beach without surfing into rocks. Both Marty and Greg did extremely well in their toughest paddling conditions of the trip so far. I of course had my eyes on both of them, and the building storm clouds coming in from the Hinterland which we missed by a couple of hours. A great fun day and like the day before a day of two halves, something I expect will continue to be a feature of our paddle north. We are currently in the Dickie beach camp ground waiting for it to stop raining so we can pitch our tents. Tomorrow – day 6 will be a rest day here at Dickie Beach as the naughty teenager is becoming a rebellious young adult with 15 plus knots of wind  out of the south, it is the right direction but slightly to powerful to make the day fun without risk due to the number of rocky headlands on this part of the coast. We are making the most of having hot showers and electricity to charge up our numerous devices. Will touch base tomorrow. DT.

Thank you to everyone who wished us a safe crossing today… As photos showed, it could not have got much better. We do have a challenge over the next few days with some head winds but we do need to keep pushing up. We are having difficulties down loading my photos so will have to depend on Deans. We did have the luxury of camping by a fresh water stream yesterday so a bath in the evening was luxury… Not too cold. 

Thank you to all who are following us… We really love your support. MS

Our much anticipated crossing from Moreton Island to Bribie Island across the shipping channels started with glassy conditions, no wind and helpful tides. We could not have had a better run across. We were all smiling from ear to ear and flew across in three an a half hours. We ended the day earlier than planned due to the arrival of our first northerly winds on  trip. The 13-14 knots from the north made the going pretty tough with the sea becoming a confused washing machine. We put ashore and found a site up in the dunes surrounded by flowering Banksias filled with Honeyeaters singing their songs. A good day despite the early finish. DT 

22 kilometres today with a lunch stop at Tangalooma resort. A very casual day.The photos above are from the last two days. Tonight’s campsite is absolutely beautiful. The highlight for me  today  has been the crystal clear freshwater creek beside our campsite which has given me the opportunity to have my first bath in three days, cold yes, but absolute heaven. Two Sea Eagles came and sat above our camp ground earlier – they were screeching at each other completely unconcerned about us. I saw a eagle ray jump clear of the water two times in a row and have been dazzled by the schools of fish darting away from our kayak as we disturb them. A great day with all of the team fit and healthy and doing well. Tomorrow a big ocean crossing to Bribie island – conditions are incredible, we are very fortunate. DT

Hi to everyone at school. Thank you to the wonderful support and send off on Friday… The boys are still talking about it. Thanks esp to my class for the surprise birthday party… Loved it. 

We have had an amazing start… Must be all those prayers and best wishes. The waters have been pretty calm and beautiful weather. I am learning so much about tides and currents and how weather can affect these. … You see we never stop learning. Some of the mangrove plants are in flower… See Deans photo yesterday. The grow these long torpedo seeds which, when they drop spear themselves into the sand and begin to grow. I saw a helmeted friar bird… The have a song like Year One students chatting to each other… It is really funny. They have a big tail and chase flying insects. 

Today Dean had a huge dugong come up beside him and again we saw dolphins… We rub and tap the sides of the kayaks and it seems to get there attention. But we have absolutely no luck fishing yet… Oh well can’t win them all. 

Off to bed soon, … It may be an interesting night. There are Beach Stone Curlew birds around and at night they make this sound like a haunting cry… But they are only cute little birds. 

Anyway, thank you 1 Yellow, and the amazing students of St Vincent’s. I will continue to share our journey with you. Sorry no pictures today… Can’t download them. MS

The crossing from North Straddy to Moreton was alway going to be a potentially hair raising leg of the journey. I am happy to report that  we crossed without Incident and it was a lot of fun. DT photos to come later due to almost no internet coverage. I am very impressed with how Greg and Marty handled the conditions today – a great day.

What a great send off this morning – heaps of friends and family saw us off. The Gold Coast put on a spectacular day and less than an hour into the paddle two Dolphins came and played around our kayaks for a few minutes. The few stops along the way were on sandy beaches with great plants and crystal clear water. We are sitting on beach opposite Mcclay island sitting beside a fire. We are all making groaning noises from the various aches and pains that have developed over the day. Tomorrow we will rest our heads on Moreton island. Thanks to everyone who came and saw us off today – Riley how good was it to see Dolphins within the first hour – how lucky are we. DT

What a great thing to happen after the extreme ocean conditions experienced on the Gold Coast earlier this week. With conditions improving over the week we are going to have a great run up the coast to Noosa where our paddling partner Greg leaves us. 
Yesterday Greg and I joined Marty at his school St Vincent’s to show the junior school our kayaks and equipment and talk about our trip. We had a great time and absolutely loved the thoughtful, insightful and intelligent questions asked by the students. Afterward we were invited to join Mr Stones (Marty) class for a farewell and early birthday celebration. Sitting on the mat with the hysterically funny six and seven year old made me feel like a great big kid again, there were a few “BFG” (big friendly giant) references made, I must admit I sort of felt like a giant. I had a huge amount of fun with the awesome students and their parents. I look forward to seeing cheeky Charlie and all of her classmates when we return.

I have packed and unpacked so often over the past few days that I must be ready and cannot possibly have missed anything – I know Greg and Marty have been doing the same. Only one more sleep in a comfortable bed…

I will turn on our tracker 7am tomorrow morning. The link is here. DT

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0ud3q6Q1gIPXHfoLekiB3JOX4y2H1Mn1m

The car park at the intersection of Burrows st and Marine Parade Labrador has been a weekly launch place for paddles over our many months of training. We will be heading off from here sometime between 7 and 8am next Sunday the 7th. We have many friends and family coming down to see us off – feel free to join us if you want a bit of a laugh watching us pack everything into the kayaks, yes we even have a kitchen sink. DT