Flu Season ?

Gday all
Still no paddling done although I went to the Docs to get some antibiotics to get past this throat infection. Maybe I can get back on the water this coming run off! At least I haven't missed any time at work yet I suppose but gotta go in tomorrow and work over the weekend! Bummer!
The closest I got to training was a day on a mattock in the yard but maybe next week will be better. Hope I can stay well when I am paddling cause dunno how I would have gone this last week!
On the house front Sue and her Mum have worked their butts off in the garden while I have attacked the driveway for concreting. All good fun
Catch you on the water hopefully.

Phil

Dull Housework

Nothing really exciting to add here about paddling. I spent the run off working in the garden trimming Hedges and taking Sue to the Doctors. The last day I managed to come down with a touch of the flu so paddling was out as I layed low trying to get well enough for work today.
It's gunna get hard to get paddling over the next couple of weeks with preperations to sell the house hotting up.
Phil

Training paddle - Denman Bridge to Jerry's Plains

Denman to Jerry's has had me bluffed a little I must admit. Up until Denman there have been a lot of fallen trees/ fences to contend with as well as allot of shallow water. That coupled with an estimated 32km leg and I have been a little slow to step up to the plate!
We decided that since Sue's Mum is here at the moment that it would be a perfect time to have a crack - since it didn't mattter how long it took me to complete.
As it turned out it was quiet an adventure witht the first seven Km's being littered with fallen trees and fences!
At approx the 7Km mark I paddled through some small rapids and hit a fallen tree/ log , broadside, wihich promptly capsised me and Kayak. On the positive side I was able to drag myself out of the Yak and found my Kayak floats full of water. It took some emptying once on the side of the bank but it provided a chance for a nut bar and a drink - no real damage done - just a little more wary and waterlogged!
The next obstacle was were a overenthusiastic farmer decided to run two strands of electric fence across the river! *^%$!!! Ouch that hurt - I can usually slide under one without getting booted but this one belted me good!!!
From there the obstacles included rapids and even some I beams with with Wire that ran for a Km or so along the middle of the river running parallel with the river bank (what the? ).
I have found many times already that just when you think you have a leg beat that the river has another surprise or too to either get you wet or keep you on your toes! This leg had plenty of surprises so no real time to get board.
As it turned out the leg was actually nearly 36Km (small miscalculation with google maps) so I was very keen to finally see the bridge and my lovely smiling wife in the Pajero.
I am positive that the first legs will be the toughest - although I didn't have to walk much this time due to rain and the water board releasing water out of the Dam.
I will try to add a couple of pics of the river. Keep looking in for updates - thanks to my 2 new Followers
Phil

Ethos Health Sponsorship

I have added a link to Ethos Health today as these guys have been on board since the start of my journey - even before I got official sanction from Camp Quality.

These guys do Physio at work that is paid for by Mac Gen for employees and have been both most encouraging and helpful in my preparation so far.

They are big sponsors of Camp Quality so naturally were excited to get involved when I spoke to them at work about my soreness etc from my weekend paddles. They have been invaluable to me by providing stretches and nutritional information, since I have never attempted anything of this magnitude before.

Thanks Guys
Phil

Lake Macquarie Kayaks

Lake Macquarie Kayaks have come on board and have made part of their Hire Fleet available for Hire on the 16Th of October for people to paddle the Harbour on the last leg of my Paddle.

Brett from LM Kayaks will contribute a part of the takings from the day to Camp Quality so not only do you get to be part of something big (hopefully) and get a fun morning on the water but you also get to be part of making a contribution to Camp Quality to help kids and families dealing with Cancer in Newcastle.

Good on ya Brett you are a champion!!
Details are a bit sketchy at the moment (probably because I haven't organised it with Brett yet) but I will keep you posted. If You are in the area and would like a gentle paddle (and don't have a YAK) please give Brett a call so we can allocate a Kayak to you on the day!

Brett has also said that he will donate some prizes to be raffled off on the day so that is another great reason to get yourself to Newcastle that day. Thanks again Brett.
Start point and Time on the Harbour TBA
Phil

The missing Link

Were did my link go?
I will try again

Don't know if that works or not but I will print the link below you can copy it to a browser if all else fails.

http://www.campquality.org.au/events/newcastle/brook-2-beaches.aspx

Phil

Training wheels in Blogging

I am new to all this blogging stuff so please don't be afraid to add comments - all will be helpful.

I will try to update every couple of days as I work 3 on 3 off at Bayswater Power Station.

Hopefully people will find my Blog interesting enough to follow and enjoy. As time goes on I will add some information and piccies of the Hunter River so if there are any paddlers/ fisho's out there that are looking at paddling (and portaging) this river there will hopefully be some interesting info for you.

I thought I would try to insert a link to the Camp Quality website were you can get more info about my paddle and also about Camp Quality and the work they do. It's worth a look as it has my trip itinerary and a couple of pics of the river. As I get more advanced I will add more pics and links to people that are helping me out along the way. Hope you enjoy this as much as I am


Phil

The story so far

Gday
This is my Blog about my preperation and the 300 plus Km paddle that I will attempt in October 4-16th tp raise money for Camp Quality Newcastle.

So far I have
1) purchased a second hand Kayak to be banged up in the Hunter River (not much water)
2) Contacted Dagger Kayaks, Macquarie Generation, BCF, Ethos Physio and Lake Macqaurie Kayaks for sponsorship
* Ethos and Lake Macqurie Kayak Hire are both on Board and Mac Gen is looking positive
* Dagger won't return my calls
* BCF said no
3) I am paddling at least once every three days to train = both on the local Dam and also doing river runs to get a feel for the conditions
4) Cardio workouts every second day (inbetween Dad duties)
Talk soon
Phil