Dinner with the Caretakers on Deal was much appreciated on Tuesday night. Andrew, Jen, Sabastian and Annabelle were great hosts and we were 'fattened up' for the big crossing planned for the next day.
I tried to sleep, but only gathered one or two hours at best. Deal Island to Flinders was our biggest crossing and the one I was most nervous about. We had two options planned, Killicrankie (further East) or Roydon Island, the former had a camp ground and cafe, the later a beautiful beach hut.
Up early for weather reports and the decision to go or not, we decided it was 'game on'. There was a sea fog which allowed only two km vis. Our departure had to coincide with the flood tide to ride the strong current out to the south through Murrays Pass around South Bluff and track SE for Flinders. We tracked for Killicrankie and expected 9hrs to paddle the 30nm (64km). Conditions were OK, but not great. The flood tide meant we were constantly battling the tidal stream from the NE and the Easterly wind combined to make our progress about 2.8kts (6km/h). At 1pm and 5hrs in I suggested to Carlo we should change course for Roydon Island. We turned another 20' to the South and with sails pulled tight we picked up to 3.5kts (7.5km/h). As usual we stopped every hour for stretch, drink and snack. At the 7hr mark we still had the sea fog and had been tracking on a compass bearing and reviewing progress on our Suunto watches only. It was very eerie! Our first massive crossing completed in the dark and the second in a sea fog.
Crystal clear water full of Abalone and Crays!
We passed two yachts and one rock outcrop (Beagle rock) but did not spot land until nearly 8 hrs of paddling had transpired and we had roughly 10nm (18km) to go. It was a huge relief and it felt like we had 'made it'. But we hadn't yet. The tide was now dropping and the tidal stream turned and made the last 6nm (10km) very tough going. Our planned 5pm arrival was now 6.30pm and getting out of the kayaks onto the pristine beach was one of the best sensations. The cuts, sores, blisters and muscle aches were worth it when we found the beach hut.
A well deserved break
At this point we thought we had found paradise. Carlo started to unpack and found his rear hatch had leaked and everything was wet. Bugger, another lay day to dry it all out!
No words needed
We then found a dead penguin and its baby caught in a disused fishing line. We cut the baby free but it's leg was damaged and it scrambled under the hut and we don't know if it will survive as it still had down feathers.
Thursday was spent drying, relaxing and blog drafting! Abalone shells lay everywhere and it would have been great if we packed a mask and snorkel!
The landing site
This is how to really burn off fat!
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