Roses, Hobies & Dams

BY AYESHA JOY CLIFFORD © 

HOT and sunny - time for adventures of the aquatic kind.

After four years of limited use due to FIFO and farming schedules and the three wettest consecutive years on record, our Hobie Adventure Islands have been reintroduced to water.

We set off early for the short drive to a nearby freshwater creek in the Northern Rivers of New South Wales, Australia. 

First glimpse of the water in the early morning light was through wispy mist floating over glass-flat water. Ah - the joys of the early riser. 

After evicting the hornets' nests from the akker pin holes, we slipped two very dusty Hobies down the ramp and were away.

I've always wondered why so many people miss the best part of the day. This was our early reward.

Heading for the hills with the Mirage Drive pedals silently cutting through the flat water on the way towards the nearest creek inlet.

There was bird life in abundance out and about at this early time of the morning.

The stream narrows a little but there was still a nice channel and easy paddling and we decided to pull in for a stretch and to take in the views of this beautiful country.

I was amazed to happen on this little grassy area mowed by resident cattle. This looks like 
something you would see in Monet's Garden at Giverny not on the edge of rugged bushland.

This marvelous pink rose has bloomed where it was planted into a wall of precious pink petals and a mass of delicate colour. 

The Amazing Husband armed himself with his trusty Gerber and braved the thorns to earn a bunch of roses to decorate my Hobie. I understand now why Briar roses were used as security hedging.

After a bit of a rest and celebration fruitcake, we happily pedalled off for the return journey with a bunch of roses for my Hobie.

Happy pedalling!