The tribe exploring a sea-cave at Valla Beach, 500kms north of Sydney.
While up here I've completed the shaping of the storm paddle - but, unlike the main paddle (also pictured above), I'm yet to insert the cores of whale bone into its blades.
It was on this beach 8 months ago that I found the whale bone vertebrae that I'm incorporating in these paddles.
Both paddles have been given a lick of tung oil to preserve their exterior. It brings out the golden red colour of the Australian red cedar beautifully.
This cicada dropped in for a visit.
The exceptional structure of its wings might find an expression in the eventual design of the sail for this kayak.
