
The boats, two Shellback dinghies, an Acorn dinghy and Cyrus, ‘cheating’ with a kayak set off, sails up and a slow beat up the first stretch – Cyrus vanished way ahead. It was down rigs for the first bridge at Avondale Rd and a long row for the next section with the wind on the nose. Warwick with the smallest boat battling, to keep up with the Shellbacks, something to do with longer waterlines and oars with more sweep. Two more bridges, a bit concerning with large cracks on some of the piers, hope the engineers got it right after their earthquake examinations. A fairly weed free river, probably for the rowing fraternity and lots of black swans. Quite spooky going through the Red Zone with street names and roads gradually being taken over by foliage.
Cars and trailers had been taken around earlier and to our dismay the barrier was across the access to the Estuary so a bit of trolley hauling was in order to get from the mud flats to the vehicles. Meanwhile Cyrus who had long vanished ahead, appeared with our trolleys BUT what he had not told us was getting stuck in the mud and having to haul the kayak over the mudflats, sinking up to his thighs!
Thanks to Barbara Purves for backup support, pics and walnut loaf and coffee!