Saturday, March 21, 2009

Launch of the Guillemot


It has taken over 12 months to build and today was the launch of Guillemot kayak built by Laurie and John. Using plans bought of the web, the pair of new kayak builders sourced and cut their own wooden strips before painstakingly building the kayak up each strip at a time. Laurie had not worked with wood like this before but was happy to work with John who some would say is a master craftsman with building wooden creations, although this was the first time he had attempted a boat.

Rather than break a bottle of champagne over the bow and risk damaging the boat ;-( ... the bottle was duly opened then poured over the bow (testing the front hatch at the same time).


With a shake of hands, the newly built kayak was ready for the water. :-)

There was some questions like "Will it float?"
Of course it did, and Laurie took it for a short paddle without showing us the hull .... he could finally savour the work put in.

Equally, John enjoyed his first paddle. :-)

With smiles all round, the crowd of onlookers enjoyed the remains of the champange.


Sunday, March 15, 2009

What's in a blade?



What's in a blade? ... quite a lot really. Although the differences are subtle, the way they feel and perform can be quite different. Try before you buy is the best thing that can be done when deciding on which blade is right for you.

Which one? .... still deciding.    :-)

Sunday, March 08, 2009

King Island

Another beautiful morning as we headed out from Wellington Pt to "discover" the remote King Island (not in Bass Straight ... that's Silvio's blog).  Ok, well it felt remote as we were the only people on it. After a short break, we headed across to Tingalpa Ck with its very interesting(?) house boats.

On the way back to Wellington Pt we saw what seemed to be people walking across the water. Was this some mass religious experience on Sunday morning???

As we got closer, thoughts of remote islands disappeared as we realised the low tide sandbar allowed everyone with legs and/or a walking frame could also "discover" King Island.   :-(


Did this lot get caught out by the incoming tide?  Maybe...   ;-)

Thursday, March 05, 2009

Gap Creek mid-week

Normally on the weekends all the tracks are busy with mountain bikers going every which way. Mid-week at Gap Ck is another world. Nobody about, tracks to yourselves .... excellent.  

And the bush is looking incredibly green and lush