2nd November 2019: Avon River

Date:    2/11/2019
River:    Avon River, Christchurch, NZ
River Conditions:   1.863 cumecs at Gloucester Street bridge. Water mostly clear. Grade 1.
Weather Conditions:   Sunny and warm, nor-easterly breezes.
Number on Trip:    2 people.
Time on River:  1.5 hours.
Comments:  Lauri was keen to spend some time with Greta on river and so we were up relatively early and got our kayaking gear sorted out. As we were almost ready to head down to the river, Greta flew in and refused to follow us.

Following the black swans downstream through the Red Zone.

We put in and paddled a short way upstream passed the Swanns Road bridge and then decided that downstream would be a pleasanter trip as both sides of the river are Red Zoned, so there is no traffic noise. It was a beautiful day to be out on the river and our boats cut swiftly through the water. We passed a number of whitebaiters and a pair of ducks with over a dozen ducklings scattered all over the river, that they struggled to gather together as we approached. There were plenty of black swans and a few pairs of Shelducks.

Paddling up stream through the Red Zone, the water as smooth as glass.

We paddled back up stream, hoping to see Greta at the Swanns Road bridge. She wasn’t there when we arrived, so I wandered home to try and coax her down but she didn’t want to budge. Greta was still at our place when we returned from our paddle and didn’t leave until we walked her down to the river at dusk.