It has been a case of carpe diem, for the OBBC project of going down the Avon River post Christchurch earthquake and the last stage was no exception! So, a fine autumn day, a high tide just on the turn was an opportunity not to be missed. The 15 April gave us these conditions and Wes Purvis, Warwick Stephens, Cyrus Berry and Hugh Hobden gathered at the edge of Kerrs Reach rowing course for the final assault on the Avon River – down to the Estuary.
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.
The tide well on the turn by the time Brighton was reached and with a favourable turn in the river and an easy reach, it was up sails to the last bridge at Bexley. Wes prudently lowered the sprit of his Optimist rig; Warwick followed but judged it was OK to manage full sail under the bridge, even more remarkable, Hugh with the full Shellback rig sailed through with a bit of a heel to clear the bridge! This was the bridge that had been jacked up after the earthquakes – just for us? The tide well down now and plates and rudders had to be raised to make it to the Pleasant Point jetty.
Cyrus does it hard – serve him right for getting so far ahead !
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!
Team Picture !
Thanks to Barbara Purves for backup support, pics and walnut loaf and coffee!
Thanks to Barbara Purves for backup support, pics and walnut loaf and coffee!
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