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And now for something completely different - Cumbria on the edge!

And now for something completely different - Cumbria on the edge!

7431
Member
7431

    Nov 06, 2016#1

    Back in the summer I had a special birthday, and after repeated "What more could I want when I've got you lot! (Mrs C and a selection of Little Miss C's) responses to the "What do you want for your birthday?" question, Mrs C gave in and lifted the NO MORE BOATS ruling of 2015!

    I imagine when most folks think of Cumbria they think of The Lake District (and why wouldn't you - it's spectacular!), however what you might not know is Cumbria also has 150 miles of coastline, with some rather pleasant bits of it not more than 10 minutes drive from my front door.

    With this in mind I decided to invest my birthday bonus in a touring kayak - a way to explore coastline and also to create extra paddling opportunities on those days when the combination of bad weather and big water makes paddling the Lakes in an open boat a bit of a challenge.

    After a good deal of research and too much virtual window shopping (which included a brief but exciting love affair with a lime green Dagger Stratos - mmmmm!) I made the head over heart decision and picked up a second hand Perception Carolina for a bargain price - I did then go on and get all spendy on a lovely Werner Tybee carbon shaft paddle!

    In late October time, tide and tiddlers (or lack of!) were all in alignment and I headed off for a paddle to Cumbria's other Piel Island (of course the one in Coniston is Peel).

    Ten minutes from home and I was at Roa Island and ready for the off. Looking back to Roa, I believe that the large house in the centre of the picture is the former home of Old Barrovia's favourite son, Hairy Biker, Dave Myers.


    Heading towards Piel Island which for a piece of land of around 50 acres has more than it's share of amenities including a pub, a castle and even it's own King, who also doubles up as the pub landlord! The island, formerly owned by the Duke of Buccleuch was given to the people of Barrow sometime in the early 20th Century. By my calculations that means I'm now one of the Landed Gentry owning approximately 0.00073 acres of island paradise!



    The pub. Can't think why the yak kept veering towards the shore - currents probably!



    The castle. Built in the early 14th century and linked to the nearby Furness Abbey, apparently another attempt to keep out the Scottish raiders - seems that most of the North / South traffic is going in the opposite direction these days.



    Gratuitous spendy paddle shot!


    Paddling past Piel another open water channel brings you to the southern tip of Walney Island. The sun shines on the righteous as they say, just don't know if that's me or Mr Dong, owner of the Walney Wind Farm which is comprised of 51 wind turbines - pretty impressive.



    Looking ahead, there's something in the water???? Duh Duh!


    Duh Duh!, Duh Duh!, Duh Duh! (Jaws theme tune as written by the musically non-gifted).



    Seals! There is a thriving colony of grey seals living on the southern tip of Walney Island.


    These seem to be incredibly curious animals - whether they're coming out to see what's going on or to protect and mark their territory, I don't know, but they certainly put a smile on my face. Ahead of the boat they generally surfaced around 20 to 30 yards away, spent a few seconds checking me out before slipping back under the surface. However behind the boat is a different matter, preceded by a nasal snort they surfaced just feet from the boat. I have at last found a use for the selfie cam on my phone!


    Heading back towards Piel and the pub!


    Composite v Plastic. I spotted these 3 very sexy looking sea kayaks as I approached the shore. The paddlers of these thoroughbred yaking machines took great care while landing, exiting in deep water, carrying their craft ashore and even setting them down on pieces of carpet which they'd brought along just for the job. I on the other hand approached the pebbly beach at ramming speed....


    The prefect end to a great day. A pint of Ulverston Brewing Company Laughing Gravy - poured by the hand of the King of Piel no less!


    A wonderful day in a different boat, but paddling's paddling as they say, or is it? Maybe for me Open Boats are about the journey and Kayaks about the destination.
    Andy,
    (Cumbria)

    27K3,045
    Contributing Member
    27K3,045

      Nov 06, 2016#2

      Lovely blog, and I like the sentiment in the final sentence. Coastal paddling often feels a little too serious in an open to truly relax and enjoy the surroundings, and if I lived nearer the coast I too might be tempted with a pointy thing.

      I like the idea of seal selfies! The buggers do always come up just behind you, firstly giving you a heart attack, then annoying you by refusing to pose for the camera as you turn around.
      SMopencanoePaddler,blogger,camper,pyromaniac:

      Blog: Wilderness is a State of Mind

      Paddle Points - where to paddle

      6,0511,094
      Contributing Member
      6,0511,094

        Nov 06, 2016#3

        I have a Carolina for exactly what you got yours for. I live on the coast and use it to scout out the area quickly and safely, often on my own. They are a great boat and I agree with your comment about being able to approach the shore at ramming speed, it's so much easier.

        All in all, the Carolina is a great addition to anyone's fleet, and I wish you many happy journeys in it. If it weren't for that big expanse of water between us, I'd be out for a paddle with you.
        Big Al.

        Only when the last tree has died
        and the last river been poisoned
        and the last fish been caught
        will we realise we cannot eat money.
        ~Cree Indian Proverb

        1,548257
        Member
        1,548257

          Nov 06, 2016#4

          Nice seal pics - awesome to get close to wildlife without bothering them

          739
          Member
          739

            Nov 06, 2016#5

            First of all, a belated Happy special birthday to you Andy (21st?;))

            Glad to see you got sorted out with a new sea going craft to compliment Sally Cinnamon.

            I was watching the seals from South Walney last week and was thinking to myself how much better it would be from the water but I was a bit concerned about going solo with the currents and tides, maybe we could

            arrange a CRAP paddle there sometime?
            There's a Bluebird in my heart

            1,683287
            Contributing Member
            1,683287

              Nov 06, 2016#6

              Excellent blog and yes, you summed up the difference between kayak and canoe superbly :)
              Life's too short not to!

              16K95
              Member
              16K95

                Nov 06, 2016#7

                Very nice, Andy.

                I like the new boat.

                And great seal pics.

                I was at Piel Island myself, a few years ago, in an open oddly enough.

                This was my blog of the place: http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/ ... y-Strategy

                Here comes the future and you can't run from it
                If you've got a blacklist I want to be on it


                Crow Trip Log

                6533
                Member
                6533

                  Nov 06, 2016#8

                  Lovely - makes me wonder if I should sell my Nordkapp now...

                  I once had a seal pop up 2m in front of me when trying (and frequently failing) to get out past the break line when trying to surf! Gave me a shock!


                  Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
                  When I read about the evils of drinking I gave up reading.

                  1,683287
                  Contributing Member
                  1,683287

                    Nov 06, 2016#9

                    It is magical when you get a close encounter :)



                    You can see the nose of my kayak in the bottom right
                    Life's too short not to!

                    7431
                    Member
                    7431

                      Nov 06, 2016#10

                      Many thanks all the positive comments.
                      Mal - Yes, really quite disconcerting that unexpected heavy breathing which comes out of nowhere in an otherwise empty stretch of water.
                      Big Al - I'm very happy with the boat, paddles extremely well and bought for a price where hard beach landings don't bring a tear to my eye.
                      KMAC - Truly awesome, I spent the following 24 hours grinning like an eejit!
                      Ninja- let's just say 30/07/66 wasn't all about the football! You're absolutely right _ it's about time CRAP went YAK!
                      Adrian O - cheers, thought I'd drifted into a bit of hippy philosophy (not usually my bag) but that's the way the two disciplines feel to me- paddling the open I can easily get lost in the paddle stroke without any great consideration for the destination.
                      Crow - I remember your blog from way back. I actually meant to put in a reference to Retro - once Lakeland's most prolific paddlers, now lost to bikes and babies.
                      Pete - don't sell it, a change Is as good as a rest!
                      Adrian O - doo Dee doo Dee doo! (Theme tune from the film as written by the musically non-gifted).
                      Andy,
                      (Cumbria)

                      192

                        Nov 06, 2016#11

                        Hi Cumbria.

                        Enjoyed the pics and write up.:D

                        I,m not but a stones throw away from you as the crow flies,-

                        could not quite sea you from Morecambe prom SMspecs.

                        7431
                        Member
                        7431

                          Nov 06, 2016#12

                          I often look across the bay and think, "Hmmmm could I?" Give me a shout if you're ever over in the southern Lakes.
                          Andy,
                          (Cumbria)

                          637
                          Member
                          637

                            Nov 06, 2016#13

                            Cracking stuff Andy! C.R.A.P. paddle long overdue. Ulverston to Morecambe by canoe or kayak though... we were at the Midland earlier as it's Mrs Ounce's birthday and The Hoad would have made a very small toothpick at that distance.
                            -------------------------
                            You! Off my planet!

                            7431
                            Member
                            7431

                              Nov 06, 2016#14

                              Cheers Adam. Too true, a paddle with the usual suspects is long overdue - don't think we've had a decent CRAP all summer!

                              Many happy returns to Mrs O btw.��
                              Andy,
                              (Cumbria)

                              6533
                              Member
                              6533

                                Nov 07, 2016#15

                                Cumbria wrote:Composite v Plastic. I spotted these 3 very sexy looking sea kayaks as I approached the shore. The paddlers of these thoroughbred yaking machines took great care while landing, exiting in deep water, carrying their craft ashore and even setting them down on pieces of carpet which they'd brought along just for the job. I on the other hand approached the pebbly beach at ramming speed....
                                This did actually make me Laugh Out Loud :D !


                                Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
                                When I read about the evils of drinking I gave up reading.

                                7431
                                Member
                                7431

                                  Nov 08, 2016#16

                                  Pete Starr wrote:This did actually make me Laugh Out Loud :D !


                                  Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
                                  Hitting the beach at that speed meant I could peel the spray deck back and daintily step ashore without so much as a dampened toe! In fact if the shore would have been a bit less steep I reckon I could have ferry glided right up to the bar.

                                  Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk
                                  Andy,
                                  (Cumbria)