Sunday 20/3/2016 - Clayton Bay to the mouth

25km - 0km

The climax of our trip happens today. We are all pleased to have the lake behind us and only a short run today down to the mouth. It is hard to believe we started this part of our adventure in Albury seven weeks ago and today it will be finished. 

The excitement has us all out of bed early and getting ready to go. Last night we had a very heavy dew and everything is wet. We will have to dry our camping gear tonight. 

We hit the water at the usual 7:30am, push out from between the reeds and meet up with Peter and Denis who once again join us for the days paddle. The morning is a great Autumn day with a cool tail breeze, we wish we had that yesterday. 

A couple of hours of paddling had us passing under the Hindmarsh Island bridge and then pulling into Goolwa for a cuppa. Judy is waiting for us and Kerryn also arrives. We take the opportunity for some victory photos before heading for the lock at the Goolwa barrage.  The barrages have been built on lake Alexandrina to seperate the salt water from the fresh water. 

Once we dropped the 450mm in our last lock we were out onto the Coorong. It is about 5km to the mouth on salt water.  The dredges at the mouth soon appear. These dredges are used to stop the mouth silting up and to ensure tidal flows enter and exit the Coorong. 

As we reach the mouth and see the waves on the other side we all stop for some high fives and to reflect on what we have achieved. A dream has come to fruition. A few tears may have also appeared. 

We pull up on the beach in the mouth to enjoy the special moment and get some more photos. We say goodbye to Peter and Denis who have been constant companions over the last three days, thanks guys it has been very much appreciated. 

Most of us paddle out to the waves to try a little surfing; however, Tony the true salt water paddler in the group, shows us all up be going out through the breakers. I saw his boat three quarters out of the water at one point. 

Tinky finally got his fish, what a relief. We paddled back to the boat ramp to meet Kerryn and Judy and to enjoy some fish and chips. Janice and John soon arrive from Albury. It is hard to pack the boats up and put them on the trailer for the trip home. 

So ends our journey from the mountains to the sea. Seven and a half weeks and lots of memories. Special thanks go your wives for their support during trip and to all those whom we met along the way that either fed or showed friendship to us. 

I am interested in who has been following our adventure via this blog. If you have enjoyed the trip with us then drop me an email at freybie@gmail.com.

We reach the mouth. 

The boys are elated 

Tony shows off

Tinky gets his fish

EOB