What better way to spend the first day of a year-long sabbatical. Got up at 4am, but instead of climbing into a pile of emails, I climbed into the car and drove down the A3 and headed for Hayling Island with the sea kayak. (Stopped off for a pee at the Liphook services on the way – by far the cleanest and most pleasant service station toilets I have ever visited!). I launched near the fun fair mid way along the south coast. Perfect conditions for a very gentle paddle – 18 degrees, force 3/4 from NW, 10KM visibility, negligible swell. As I set off I took few minutes to watch the sail boats out in the Solent over towards Cowes. Would have been a great day for a crossing – but maybe later in July!
Tried out my new gadget on this trip too – the Garmin Etrex. Which told me that 14.1 miles and 3hrs and 38mins later I had completed the circumnavigation. Thought that was enough work to justify a cheese ham toastie before heading back into London in time to watch Andy Murray lose to Nadal. A traditional Wimbledon summer then.
Midlifekayak 
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