Matt rang at about 8.30am to report that he had left Sandy Cape, paddled for 3kms and had to return because he had made virtually no headway. He reckoned he would not have reached Temma before dark at the rate he was going. So he's having an enforced "rest day", having to endure the march flies and hot winds. At least he can jump into the ocean for a temporary cooling-off.
The forecast is no better for Saturday: "NE winds 15 to 25 knots, possibly reaching 30 knots at times. Seas 2 to 3 metres. W swell near 2 metres."
Things may improve for him on Sunday: "NE to NW winds 15 to 25 knots, reaching 30 knots offshore, easing to 10 to 20 knots before shifting SW late."
Matt thinks it's a BOM cop-out to say "late" - does that mean 4pm or 11.30pm???
Update at 8.15pm - Matt rang at 7.30pm in the middle of a violent electrical storm at Sandford, Tas (hail the size of walnuts and torrential rain - hurray) - to say he had just put up his tent after paddling in very tough conditions (NE winds) for 5 and a half hours to make it to Temma, 23 kms from Sandy Cape. Very short, steep seas must have been a very difficult time for him.
2nd update at 8.50pm - Text message - "I was given a whole crayfish by fishermen. They couldn't sell it because it had some legs missing. Very tasty."
Some people have all the luck!!!!!
