Charles Sound

Date: 14/02/15 Time: 18.30 Position: Catherine Island, Charles Sound

We had a relaxing stay in Caswell Sound with fine weather. Yesterday morning we set out in our kayaks in mill pond conditions to paddle across to the head of the fjord where the Stillwater River runs into it. After pulling our kayaks up the rocky beach we were greeted by a friendly, curious little bird who flitted about sitting on our kayaks, paddles and even trying to land on Wayne's head. We changed into our walking boots with the intention of visiting the historic Caswell Hut close by and then walking up to Lake Marchant. Finding the short track to the hut overgrown and quite waterlogged and our legs still sore from our walk a few days earlier we opted out of continuing onto the lake. The old hut was still in good condition and from reading the visitors book seems to have provided shelter to a few sea kayakers paddling this rugged coastline. After re launching our kayaks a strong south easterly breeze had developed and by the time we had paddled around the head of the fjord the bay was full of white caps. As our anchorage was exposed to the south east we thought it best to return to the boat and check its condition. The boat was fine and the tall trees just five metres from our stern were protecting us from most of the wind. However, just to make sure we set up another shoreline.

Today we had a fast sail out of Caswell Sound with just the headsail out and the wind directly behind us at SE 20 knots. As we left the entrance we experienced stronger wind gusts as the wind was piping out of the fjord so we furled the headsail slightly. Once along the coast the wind was still easterly but had moderated to about 15 knots. It was only a short sail of about 2.5nm to the entrance of Charles Sound where we met the wind piping out of that fjord right on the nose. We can't win them all! We had about five albatrosses on the way in to Charles Sound just soaring and gliding seemingly effortlessly on the wind around us.

Charles Sound is 13.9km long and divides into two arms at the end. We are tied alongside a very thick rope that stretches from Catherine Island to another little islet near it within the Gold Arm. We are sitting here with dinner cooking whilst at least five sandflies soar seemingly effortlessly around the cabin planning their moment of attack on a bare patch of our skin. Ouch! Slap!

All is well on board. Happy Valentine's Day. Kathy and Wayne

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