Been putting in some serious training over the last few weeks in preparation for next years kayaking expedition which I’ll unveil to you all in good time! Plans are being made to discover some incredible parts of the Great Barrier Reef as I undertake my biggest and most testing challenge in life yet.

Today I got out on the water with my good friend Eddie Safarik, one of the most brilliant photographers I know and conveniently the President of Queensland Sea Kayaking Club. He’s got a fleet of kayaks and very kindly is letting me test them on the water. Today we headed down to Manly, just south of Brisbane.

The weather was pretty perfect when we left the harbour, sun shining, no breeze and warm temperatures. The paddle across the bay to Green Island was easy enough, then we turned north and headed towards St Helena Island skirting around the reef systems which flank the islands. The occasional turtle popped its head up to see what the splashing was all about, the odd mullet jumped in front of us and everything felt good – not a bad way to spend the morning really.

We pulled up on to the beach at St Helena Island for a bit to eat, it’s tiring stuff this paddling you know. The island has rather a full and jaded history as for 60 years from 1867 it was home to hundreds of society’s outcasts, as on the land stood colonial Queensland’s foremost maximum security prison for men. The Island is rich in history and has a fascinating and colourful past. Eddie and I had a wander around the island noting the big information board which detailed the history and even as much as the names of the undesirables who were imprisoned here.

After careful examination I couldn’t believe my eyes – THERE USED TO BE A SOUTHALL HERE!!! Jonas Southall was one of the inmates on the island charged with the offence of Larceny (or theft to you and I) and sentenced to 8 months hard labour. I’m not exactly sure that I AM related to Jonas but my Mum is looking into our family tree to see if there is a link. As I find out more I’ll let you know.

With the wind starting to pick up we decided to make for home and headed down to the kayaks to ready ourselves. The passage across the bay was pretty tough, the headwind was blasting through at 15 knots and it took some concerted effort to get the hour crossing completed – I suppose I’d better get used to it, the next project for me involves ALOT of paddling. The reward for our efforts was pretty special – three dolphins rose out of the water just in front of our bows and dived below us – it’s moments like these that I live for!

St Helena Island is really worth a visit, the old buildings are a blast back into the past and make you totally aware of the circumstances under which the early prisoners lived, there is a daily cruise across from Manly to the island and tours can be taken to give you a better understanding of the islands history.

Since then I have emailed the Queensland Prison and Penal Historical Association for more information and they have been brilliant at supplying me with the information they have on the prisoner and it’s fascinating:

Prisoner No 583. Jonas Southall. Tried by the Chief Justice, Brisbane 18th May 1874. Crime: Larceny, Sentenced to 8 months hard labour. Build: Medium. Height: 5′ 6″, Complexion: Sallow, Hair: Black, Eyes: Brown. Age. 32.
Arrived St. Helena Island, Moreton Bay 16th June, 1874. Released 13th January, 1875. Native of: London. Left arm disabled, Religion: Church of England, Could read and write. Occupation : Miner.
Arrived on the ship ‘ SHACKAMAXON’

Who knows….I may have a family with a jaded past. Oh well we had to get to Australia somehow didn’t we!

Ben