Yesterday it was another cold and foggy morning here in Melbourne and after a nice little sleep in I checked the weather and saw that it would be perfect conditions for another Phillip Island paddle.. I knew the fog wouldn't clear till about midday and because I was working in the arvo I was a bit short on time so I thought that once I paddle over to French Island instead of going right and going to Phillip Island I would go left and explore French Island a bit.
I loaded my 17 and hit the Golden Arches for some raisin toast.. I'm off the bacon and egg muffins.. It was still cold a foggy and I was hoping that it would clear to a sunny day because some days never really clear up.. At least it was going to be glassy.
I got to Crib Point and good news.. The sky suddenly cleared.. Waa-hoo!
Once at the water I saw why the sky had cleared.. The wind was up.. Bugger.. It was a side on north wind about 10 knots and enough to make it a bit choppy.
I thought jeez I've come this far so I might as well still do the paddle while thinking I hope this north wind doesn't get any stronger or I'll be heading for Tassie.. I got my gear ready.
Naish board and Kialoa paddle.. check.
Balin leggie and PFD.. check.
Drinking water and chocolate (cordial and toblerone).. check.
Oakley's and iPone.. check.
Ipod shuffle and Croc's.. check.
Raw waterman's hat and clean undies.. check (I think).
I'm off and it looked nice and glassy at the boat ramp but I could see the wind further out.
Time check.. 12:10.. I need to be back and on the road home by 3:00.. btw my new watch tells me it's low tide.. My eyes tell me it's high tide.. Stupid watch.
Looking back.
Looking towards French Island.. I had my music blaring and the song on my play list is Thin Lizzy's Chinatown.. I was singing out load and feeling good.
Half way across and a few wobbly moments in the side chop.. The wind was only 5-10 knots but I'm sure at times in the gusts there was white caps.. I took the odd right turn to catch a runner or two but had to remind myself I had street clothes on.. and my iPod wasn't waterproof.. Because I had just seen the new 'Soul Surfer' movie a few days before I kept seeing dark shadows in the water.. This is a very sharky place.
I'm there.. French Island.. and it took me only 42 minutes...
... and I'm going left for a change.
It took a while paddling north to find a sandy beach to land because it was pretty rocky.. I had been drinking heaps and the cool temp had me wishing I had my wetsuit on.. I was busting.
After writing my name in the sand.. well just my initials.. I hadn't drunk that much.. I took a few pictures.
Mmmmm... Toblerone.. and it's the big one.
I rested for a bit.. Then I was paddling north and thinking about how Kylie Minoque has a house on French Island 'and' she just happens to be in town.. Just then I see a girl walking along the beach towards me.. It's Kylie and she must be working on her all over tan.. She asks me if I mind helping rub sunscreen on her back.. Boy what a great day this turned out to be.
More soon.. I've just got a call from MickV to paddle so I'll finnish with some more info and pics later.
DJ
Where are club meetings held?
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