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.
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)
(Cumbria)