There were two shark attacks near Perth after we bought our new family kayak. We had hoped for some winter weekend getaways to nearby locations along the coast. The plan had been to venture out looking for dolphins, seals and penguins. But after that shark attack to a kayak in Mullaloo, we got great respect and looked for alternative locations in the rivers. Though the landscape is stunning and full of wildlife (especially birds) and the water surface is glassy, it is not the same pleasure like gliding across turquoise clear salty water or surfing little waves. It is not really re-assuring to paddle above unidentified muddy river bottoms, still but dark freshwater and the occasional jelly fish and rubbish.
The Canning River is an easy, but at times a little spooky kayaking stretch extending over 15km. It is ideal for families and adventurous but unexperienced people like us. Patrick selected a location to start his journey based on an old website which hadn’t been updated since the last winter storm destroyed the river course. After the first hundred meters, he and Oceane had to get off the kayak and pull it for almost an hour through mud to get out on the other side where we were waiting.
The best story happened on the second lap where Charlotte, Laetitia and I arrived at a desolated landscape with a Y intersection. There were logs everywhere and crows making macabre noises. We felt like we’d become their next meal. Of course we chose the wrong direction and then unfortunately did a U-turn a bit too late: the water course became narrow and spider nets passed at the level of our head. Then a strangely coloured duck came unto us, wiggling its very well proportioned body in a frequency that reminded me of a bad scary movie. It was high time to return.
The Swan River is much more attractive. Its sheltered bays are bordered by dream houses, great to discover on a delightful sunny Saturday morning paddling session. Even in the winter, we continue to enjoy our new city on the water. So much, we hardly mind the few jelly fish below the surface. But it is hard to resist going out to the open sea. One day we couldn’t, and we went to Shoalwater Bay near Rockingham. It was a windy day, but we found a sheltered bay and took the kids out for a ride. We greeted some cormorans and got chased by a massive stingray. His size was quite impressive.
Laetitia and Oceane improved their cycling skills a lot. First, it had been a great relief for all of us that day in May when we decided taking out their noisy side wheels. Secondly we figured that we could now hike in the hard terrain conditions alongside Lake Herdsman, which his about 7 km walk in total. I experienced a new freedom fast walking behind the the kids on their two wheels.
The proud daddy celebrated our girls first stretch cycling alone on a soft grassy slope at Trigg Beach in mid-July. I remember him running after Oceane with his phone and her falling off trying to avoid an enormous fresh brown turd. Thank God, she had a good reflex not falling onto it! Patrick did a few more video shots of the girls both cycling on their own. Afterwards Oceane couldn't stop watching her own video for the rest of the day and laughing with excitement! Here it is for you (simply click on the picture to get the movie moving...):
Did you know that the quickest way for Patrick to share this magical moment was to play the video on his phone display in front of the webcam connected via Skype to the grand parents's computer in Switzerland? Classic...
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