Today John and I did a paddle from St Kilda beach up to Port Melbourne and under Station Pier..Station Pier is the main Melbourne port for the big ships.

We started off in bright sunshine and glassy smooth water..but the forecast was for a strengthening north wind of 15-20 knots.

As we got near the Spirit Of Tasmania the wind started to pick up..and just as we saw dolphins surfacing nearby..I fell in trying to get a pic.

This is John on his Kalama in front of the Spirit Of Tassie.



She's a biggie alright..and even bigger once you get close.



I then saw that 'she' was really a 'he'.. ..It looks like they like to touch park these big ships..



John said that he had paddled through and under the pier before and we looked for a way though.



Most of it looked too close to fit through.



Then John came through..He found a way through..It was a bit spooky.



Once out the other side we passed a few tug boats parked along side Station Pier.



I don't know what this big white pole is for.



We found these cool restaurants in this new trendy part of Port Melbourne.



We saw people sail their boats up to the restaurants and go inside to eat.



Port Melbourne is so trendy now and the warehouses have been pulled down and big apartment blocks built.



We got a bit to eat and had a drink before heading back..This is the front of the Station Pier (in the background)..and the new 08 Busa (in the forground)..



We headed off and hoped for a tail wind on the way home..and got it..



We stopped for a comfort stop at a beach side cafe..I think this one's called the Sand Bar.



We had just paddle for more than three hours and felt like we had had a good workout..Our boards were drying off in the sun and we packed up.



I then got a call from my friend Helke..She wanted to do a paddle with me on the Yarra..I thought..Yeah..Why not..

As I drove to Studly Park Boathouse to meet Helke the cyclists were everwhere making the most of a Sunny Melbourne weekend.

I was driving up this hill and passed this guy that was setting a cracking pace..I stopped and took this pic as he sped past me..



BTW...The Tour de France starts tonight..(10pm SBS)...Go Cadel!!!!

I met Helke at about 3pm and we headed off to Fairfield Park Boathouse..It was sooo glassy..I was about to take a pic of Helki when the guy zoomed past us.



Anyway...We made it to the boathouse..It was almost dark..We had a quick drink and headed off on our paddle back...Before we knew it it was dark.and getting very dark...and very cold...Bugger!.

We could only just see our way...I knew there was a couple of sections were there were branches in the water..and I found them..and almost fell in doing it..We made it back by about 630pm...Luck for us they'd left the lights on for us.



The white geese were there to welcome us again but once I got my camera out they knew a flash was coming and they headed off.

One of them was blowing fire..

DJ

I'm glad you guys had a great day and got to see some dolphins. Nice shot of the Tassie ferry and the fat guy on his bike.

I'm sorry if I let you down with your "downwinder" plans DJ - it was kind of sprung on me and I had a gut instinct it was gong to be great conditions today - despite what all the experts were all saying. Next w/e I'm off to Inverloch again - yeoh.

Heading down the surf coast today was a really worthwhile experience. I haven't done it for a long time and I will definitely do it much more over the coming months. I was most surprised by the smooth run I got to Flinders this morning - only took me just over an hour (I was thinking 1.5 hours), we had a two and a half hour paddle and were back home at 1:00pm for our domestic duties... spiced with some ciggees and the odd glass of Marlborough chardonnay passing my lips.

I love living in Melbourne even if it is fricken too cold in Winter

Great photos dj, looked awesome for a paddle in the pics. Geez that kalama looks nice !

I'm with you Gorgo. I don't think it would be an over-reaction to burn his house and eat his babies.
At first I thought it was Cadel, but then I realised that he is in France right now....