Mid-Winter Madness

Eastney carpark was not the place to be changing on Sunday morning. Temperature well below freezing, snow and ice on the ground and a bone-biting north-easterly.

However, we had been invited for drinks at the RNLI nearby and the opportunity for a paddle beforehand was too good to miss.

It was a competition as to who could wear the most clothing.

Once on the water we were warm enough and paddled along the Hayling shore and back for a couple of hours. However, the ice on Sherril's boat was still there on the way back and we had problems with frozen skeg cables, the mountain bikers' solution of peeing on frozen cables was judged to be impossible with spray deck, drysuit and many layers in the way. Plus of course, the risk of an unwanted ducking.

The RNLI were serving piping hot cider punch; cider, rum and the RNLI secret spice mix. We were soon back to operating temperature; must have been the spices.

Cloudless Skies

What a contrast to the last post! A cloudless blue sky on Sunday saw us paddling from East Wittering to Church Norton via Selsey Bill. The tide cooperated perfectly with a good easterly push in the morning, reversal over the 1/2 hour lunch break, and a  westerly push back in the afternoon, making the 14nm fly past with barely a need to tickle the water with the paddle. The tide at Selsey Bill set up some wavelets; seeking out a surfable spot, I was surprised at how shallow it was, even a good way out, with seaweed and rocks clearly visible below the keel.

Returning under the lifeboat station.

Nature Paddle - Langstone Harbour 28th November 2010

Twelve Hard Core members (Read; Lunatics) braved the - 3 C wind chill and enjoyed a leisurely rummage around Langstone Harbour on Sunday.

It's amazing what you find when you slow things down a bit.

I know that there are some that are keen on Inuit style paddling, but this is taking it a bit far... That harpoon only just missed Ingrid!

Nearly a white out - anyone remembered their compass?

Don't move too quick - you might break something off!

The wildlife were pretty obliging (no, I'm not referring to the picture above).

There were plenty of sightings, unfortunately the highlight of the day was only witnessed by Liz, Peter and myself; As we sat down to eat our sarnies a magnificent Short Eared Owl took to the air only 30 yards away.

Hide & Seek with a pair of Grey Seal was fun, I don't think this young one had seen a kayak before.. or was it Pete's whistling that made it so inquisitive?

Stop!... (Liz fancied some Oysters for tea).

And it's Bye bye from Pete!