Hens' teeth

Put-in at Cape Broyle

The warm, sunny weather persisted for a second day Sunday so a group of 10 met in Cape Broyle for a relaxing paddle. The average daily temperature as this time in November is 6 C. The temperature this day was 16 and days like this around here in November are like hens' teeth.

Cape Broyle harbour is an eight kilometer indentation of the sea that was gouged out by glaciers in the last ice age. It runs west to east providing good shelter from southerly winds forecast to be 25 kms/hr.

It has everything a sea kayaker would want ... like massive cliffs sheltering small coves, rocky passageways and caves. So, we took advantage of the great weather in a great paddle destination.

A waterfall

The waterfall on the north side of the harbour is must stop but on this day there wasn't much water flowing. The cove was in shade while the sun blazed overhead. After checking out the falls we crossed over to the south side.

An easy crossing

It was an easy crossing at The Narrows in Cape Broyle harbour where we usually cross from the north side to the south side where there is much to explore.

Narrow passage

Barely wide enough to get a kayak through, a bottle neck develops as we wait our turn to squeeze through.

... a little bit wider

Enough room for two paddlers to get through.

... and wider still

Here the rocks were spread further apart but still interesting to paddle through.

Massive cliffs

Massive cliffs on the south side with rocky sentinels to paddle around. The sun sits lower in the sky this time of year and with the height of the cliffs its unable to shine into the little coves.

Shower room

Massive cliffs with small waterfalls to cool off on a warm November day.

Floating on turquoise

Massive cliffs shelter small coves with clear turquoise water.

There were small caves ...

Cape Broyle has lots of caves to explore. Some are small, merely rock overhangs really but they have to be explored.

... and medium sized caves

Room enough for a few kayaks in this one but not very deep.

... and there were big caves

This cave was about 50 metres deep and at the end it was starting to wear through to the cove behind it.

Church Cove

You know we stopped for lunch! The beach was in shade while the sun shined brightly low in the sky.

Out in the open ocean

We paddled out of Cape Broyle harbour passing the south headland out into the open ocean and a little bit of a swell. Objective met, we turned taking our time to paddle back to the take out. After racking our boats and stowing our gear we stopped at the local restaurant for a coffee before heading home. Sean's GS said 21.5 kms, not bad.

Days like this, in November, are indeed like hens' teeth.