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This morning I managed a mini lay in...8:30am. I got up and had breaky etc quickly, then Rich came over and we (Rich, Mark and I) went off to the coast to go Snorkelling. As we had left it a little late by getting there about 10am, the southerly sea breeze had already kicked in, putting some chop on the water.
Eventually we decided on a spot, and went out at a rock reef at the northern end of Moffat Beach. Despite my expectations of zero surf as the swell had dropped from yesterday, there were actually some small 1-2ft sets coming though, making the Snorkelling more challenging. It was really good fun though, and we saw quite a lot, including a small seahorse I saw which was cool.
After about an hour surprisingly we all got a bit cold - the water is about 20 degrees, but the southerly wind is freezing, despite the shelter of the headland.
Fortunately I had driven down in my car, with the intention of going fishing after Snorkelling, but had put my board in the car on the off chance there was a little surf. Mark and Richie then went home, and I stayed until about 1:30pm surfing the small clean waves on the reef. It wasn't quite as fun surf as yesterday, but still good to get out again. Once I got out the water I just came straight home for lunch, as Mark wanted a hand with some stuff at home in the afternoon.
After lunch we started work on making a bridge across the dam, to the island. First we had to use the car to pull out a 20/25ft plank of wood (part of the old bridge destroyed by the floods) which had become burried in the mud/clay and the reeds had grown on it. Then using 2 big plastic barrels, some rope, a dingy and wading up to our chests through the mud and water, we managed to float the sodden and ridiculously heavy plank into its new position. We managed to get it stable enough to walk all the way across, but it did feel about as stable as walking a tightrope.
Having spent the whole afternoon doing it, we have now decided a more effective way of crossing would be a raft. When we next get round to having a go, we are going to take the plank out and lash the barrels (and buy 2 more) together, then use bamboo to make a raft, and used a big bamboo as a punting pole...or that's the plan anyway!
Later in the afternoon Kelly, Rich and Maddie came round, so we just sat around chatting and playing table football etc.
When it got too cold to be outside Kelly, Rich and Maddie went home and got changed, and we met them at the pub for dinner. They are a really nice family, it's always good fun to spend time with them. They are talking about going snorkelling again next weekend, and seeing if there are a few waves for me to teach Mad's to surf, so we shall see.
As usual we just watched bit of TV in the evening and then we were all knakered by 9:30-10pm so we all went to bed. Back to the strawberries for another hard week tomorrow..
(Photo - After the surf this morning. Looking from Moffat/Dicky reef along
Dicky Beach).
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