Day 12 Tuesday August 13th

On this day, kayaking was added to our skill-set.  

Across the bay again to Petersen Cove, where the owner of St Augustine’s Kayaking (?)   has his home and a dock with numerous kayaks, and all necessary gear.  Also Bubba.  Bubba is a seal who has been coming to this dock for eight years to moult.  He lies on the deck and will not be disturbed by all the human goings-on. He occasionally barks out his irritation, or rolls over, bored with our photographing, or has a scratch, as his moulting process is itchy apparently.  However, poor thing, there are vast areas of his body which he is unable to reach to scratch with his short flippers.   

Such a sweet Bubba!  But we were not allowed to pat him.  Everywhere here there are very strict injuntions about leaving the animals in their own state - not feeding them etc.

Gearing up for the kayaks is major – so much waterproofing (vests, skirts etc) that if one did chance to fall in, sinking would be the only option. Kim, the guide on the boat across,  did a flight hostess act to explain all.  

There is a "skirt" and a vest and waterproof pants and boots, and hat for sunscreen (necessary!), and underneath all that, things to keep warm. 

Our expedition leader was a young man from Boston - an environmental scientist, just finished his Masters Degree,  with an interest in the management of reserves.  He was very knowledgeable, talked to us all out on the water and during the two land hikes which were included.   We saw lots of different berries, ready now for the late August bear-berry feast before the winter.  But no bears, only bear scat – evidence that they were about. One berry of interest to this Queenslander was the watermelon berry.  It is tiny and pink in colour, but when eaten has, surprisingly, a strong watermelon like after-taste.  The locals had not tasted watermelon, so did not appreciate the comparison. Also saw the American bald eagle, both in flight (6 ft wing span) and perched imperiously on tree branches.  Magnificent.But no pics, as busy paddling. 

Paddled aroung gull island - puffins, kitthawks,  etc etc.  Sorry, I am not a bird watcher.  But it was magnificent (though smelly)

Bede and Soph on the "beach" for a lunch break. 

The compulsory "front of kayak and view" shot.